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How do we find the value of older unbuilt kits

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  • Member since
    July 2024
How do we find the value of older unbuilt kits
Posted by wabo on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 4:00 PM

Hi all, newbie to the site but not to the hobby. I have Vintage Entex Industries Lancia Stratos HF No. 9167 1:20 scale, Kit released 1977-78 Box is unsealed but parts are still factory sealed. How do we find the $ value of older kits like this? 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Friday, July 19, 2024 1:08 PM

Welcome to the forum!

Good question for the Ready Room, but since you asked...

First thing I would do is look at online markets and auction sites, and see what other people ask for the kit, and what the final selling prices are. If you don't find that particular kit, you can look at similar kits by the same manufacturer, or of similar scale, or of a similar subject, and so on.  Even just running some web searches on your kit is a place to start.

Second, realize that prices on the secondary market are rather speculative than fixed like retail prices. In the end, the price will be what the seller and buyer agree on at the time.  Also, be aware that a kit builder will prefer to pay a different price, usually lower, than a kit collector. And there are kit collectors, people who collect kits-no, not accumulate a stash with the intention of building-for things like box art, or kits they remember from their childhood, for rarity, and probably as many other reasons as collectors.  A builder doesn't need a box, original decals, sealed bags, even instructions, as long as the important parts are included.  If the kit is still in production, a builder might not even give one for sale a second glance.  A collector will probably be willing to pay a higher price than the builder.

Those are my observations over years of building, buying, and watching sales on line and at shows.  Others will probably have other observations of their own.

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by BrandonK on Friday, July 19, 2024 3:29 PM

Go to Ebay and search for that exact kit. Then use the filter to only show the ones that HAVE already been sold, not the ones listed and unsold. The prices of the SOLD kits is the price your kit is worth. Because that is what people are actually paying for them. Any item is only worth what someone is willing to pay, not what the seller wants.

On the bench:

A lot !! And I mean A LOT!!

2024 Kits on deck / in process / completed   

                         14 / 5 / 2  

                              Tongue Tied

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Friday, July 19, 2024 4:46 PM

I think the OP is trying to sell that kit.

Bill

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Friday, July 19, 2024 4:55 PM

Probably a one post wonder Confused

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Saturday, July 20, 2024 12:45 AM

oldmodelkits.com is a place to start

 

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Saturday, July 20, 2024 12:04 PM

Hi!

 There have been numerous magazines devoted to this subject. I suggest you search for them.

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: On my kitchen counter top somewhere in North Carolina.
Posted by disastermaster on Saturday, July 20, 2024 2:56 PM

GMorrison

I think the OP is trying to sell that kit.

Bill

My very first impression.

 

 

 

 
  • Member since
    July 2011
  • From: Armpit of NY
Posted by MJames70 on Sunday, July 21, 2024 12:32 AM

Rob Gronovius

oldmodelkits.com is a place to start

 

 

That I would kind of disagree with. Oldmodelkits caters to the 'collector', and as a result his stuff is generally vastly overpriced. If you take his price and cut it in half or a third, that is more realistically what you might get for most of those kits in the real world on a good day. Not the alternate reality 'collectors' live in...

 

 

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