model pricing

GAWD, could I ever write a post on this subject..

But it would just get rationalized to death...

I have built Revell and Academy models and the prices are decent the level of detail is good depending on old the model is.  With Revell I bought a stuka from 1968 molds then I bought a Hasegawa stuka 1998 molds and the detail in the Hasegawa had more detail in the cockpit then the Revell. I did not know the Revell model was that old.  I will stick with Revell or Academy the old saying you get what you pay for does not apply here. Now when you get into 1/32 scale that's a different story there you find you get what you pay for. And you guys are right there are deals out there but and I know that, with Revell and Academy I know what I am getting. Hasegawa or for that matter Tamiya I do not see the reason for the price except you are  paying for the name.

So many variables. And it's not just the size of the kit or part count.

How GOOD is the kit, because schlock is schlock. And adding PE won't make schlock better, it just makes it schlock with PE.

The item, is it licensed, yah believe it or not selling SOME items is not free (long argument there too). And by that I mean the kit is representing something where the real thing has a name that is private property.

Country of origin. Come on, we ALL know why kits from China are cheaper than kits from out of China. If Dragon was a Japanese company, your kits would likely double in price immediately.

How do you buy? I recently did a brain dead impulse purchase, but, it was a LOT of kits and the store owner (that predictably always likes me walking in the store) gave me a 15% discount on that purchase. I saved 50 bucks that day.

I like buying from SOME places online, because occasionally you can find places that have good service and great prices. This is where I give a plug for Lucky Model out of Hong Kong.

What I find odd, it when I buy a small vehicle kit from a company and it is expensive, in contrast to what seems like a more expensive larger armour item same company same product range, but which is actually NOT expensive (in comparison). I also find it odd when I get say three tanks, and they all seem about the same, but why is this one 10 dollars cheaper and that one 5 dollars more expensive than the one with the price in the middle. Often seems no identifiable reasons.

Because in real life tanks and planes cost more than cars---it translates into scale...

I'm in the same boat, plumline. I think the 24th and 25th scale car kits I'm interested in provide a better bang for the buck than most $20 airplane kits.

My mistake I mean to say 1/24 scale and no the airplane kits did not have any photo etch parts in them.  Its not so much to do with parts count, just the parts count in the engine compartment alone can be the same as the parts in the cockpit of the plane.  I am a aircraft person I build cars once in a while to me the car model gives you way more in spare parts then some aircraft models. I don't believe you can alter a airplane the way you can a car model with the parts in the box. 

plumline

Hello all, I think this has been talk about before why is it I can go buy a car model for say 25.00 dollars a 1/48 scale and go buy a airplane model the same scale and that model will cost me around 40.00 dollars .  Now let me say the airplane a tamiya or hasegawa I am using for an example.  I believe the car model will have larger parts count then say the tamiya or hasegawa sometimes the car model will have extra parts to make to different versions. To me the car model should cost more.  Is it  the demand or because of the manufacture is overseas.

Well there is a big portion of the issue right there. Those kits are on the higher end pricewise to begin with. Companies like Eduard and Revell can put out the same quality kit of the same subject for a lower cost. As far as the difference between cars and planes, well you have to look at what each company makes of those (if they do make both types) before you can make a valid comparison and question the costs. Overseas companies from certain countries tend to cost more than domestic. But this is also often affected by whichever importer brings the line of kits into the USA. Anybody notice how Italeri's kits took a leap in price once MRC took over importing those?

Medicman71

 

fermis:

 

The simplest answer:

Planes are WAAAAY cooler than cars!!!

 

 

I always look for sales and subscribe to several internet model sites. There's always deals to be found. Saw a HobbyBoss A-10 (normally a $80 kit) for $28 today. There's always sales going on somewhere.

That and...there's a chance I might own a vintage Porsche 911 one day. There's pretty much zero chance I will ever own a P-47. 

And yes...sales. In my opinion, if you're paying $40 for a 1/48 plane...unless it's one of maybe four kits...you're just getting screwed. Always shop around, keep an eye out for sales and discounts. Last week Squadron had a one-day, 40% off everything sale. Dragon USA routinely sells $60 kits for $25-30 online. During the holidays, it gets even more ridiculous.

Local shops can sometimes have pretty great sales, too. I happened to swing by my LHS on Good Friday, and they were having an unannounced 25% off everything sale. 

plumline

Hello all, I think this has been talk about before why is it I can go buy a car model for say 25.00 dollars a 1/48 scale and go buy a airplane model the same scale and that model will cost me around 40.00 dollars .  Now let me say the airplane a tamiya or hasegawa I am using for an example.  I believe the car model will have larger parts count then say the tamiya or hasegawa sometimes the car model will have extra parts to make to different versions. To me the car model should cost more.  Is it  the demand or because of the manufacture is overseas.

I didn't know they made car models in 1/48? And if so, I'd expect they'd be cheaper than an aircraft, seeing as they'd be much smaller kits.

As for price...I know next to nothing about car models. I tried to build a few as a kid...and I love real cars...but the model versions just never clicked with me. But my perception is that many car kits are rather simple and more geared toward the casual modeler (or eager kid) than aircraft and especially armor and ships. I know that's not entirely the case, and that some manufacturers push their car kits to the nines (Tamiya comes to mind...), I'm just going off the selection I see at Hobby Lobby, Hobbytown and my LHS. 

As for aircraft (and any model kit I suppose)...there are too many variables to count. Scale, manufacturer, complexity of the molds. Age of the molds. Included PE/masks/multiple marking options/resin. I mean, at full retail, you can buy a 1/48 B-25 bomber for $25, while a tiny Storch observation plane will set you back around $50.

Hawkeye is very right to compare kits to photography gear:

- The "good stuff" can get pricey, be it a brilliant lens, full-frame body, or new-tool 1/32 kit.

- There are bargains (the $100 Nikkor 50mm prime lens is an amazing piece of glass).

- A novice may not be able to take advantage of the "good stuff". 

- Someone who really knows what they're doing can take the base level stuff and produce results that outshine an average user with the best gear/kit. See some of the results people get with pinhole cameras/iPhones/anything that Fermis builds...

fermis

The simplest answer:

Planes are WAAAAY cooler than cars!!!

I always look for sales and subscribe to several internet model sites. There's always deals to be found. Saw a HobbyBoss A-10 (normally a $80 kit) for $28 today. There's always sales going on somewhere.

The simplest answer:

Planes are WAAAAY cooler than cars!!!

Many variables at play on model pricing.

Does the aircraft kit contain photo etch (PE) details?

How new are the moldings (masters) as many car model are older molding reissued & re-boxed. Some 'belly up' manufactures sell off masters to other companies, significantly reducing their research & development costs. To add to the fray some models are copied directly in countries with no copy right laws, taking profits from the manufacture who invested in the original masters.

Another consideration is options in the kit. Many aircraft kits offer different versions, optional ordinance & a few different versions. Really advanced aircraft kits contain 'color zoom PE' and even resin details like cockpits & seats, all with the optional decals in the same box!

Yes you are correct in saying the all might supply / demand curve comes into play. It effects every consumer product in the free world.

For good deals stop by a model contest or hobby show. Vendors both commercial & private sell kits at huge discounts at these events. Don't forget to buy door prize tickets, they usually pay off nicely.

Cars typically have fewer parts unless you're building a Tamiya car kit. You also have to take into consideration scale. The smaller the scale the

Parts count has nothing to do with price, its what the mfr sets as MSRP which includes the costs of production, packaging, marketing and transportation.

A comparison is what the average fisherman has seen. I can remember when I could fill my tacklebox with lures from mfrs such as Rapala and Mepps for less than $20.00. Today its not unusual to drop that much on a single lure! Which is hard to justify spending when you figure it could be lost on the first cast! Probably why I fish with the basics...worm, hook, sinker and bobber.

A good fishing rod and reel combo...used to run $30-75, now you can't get that same quality for less than $100. Hobbies are expensive, but so is the cost of everyday living when you break it down.

I was an avid hunter and fisherman when I lived in Montana. I'd spend at least 30 days a year just hunting big game. For me it was definitely an affordable hobby, my freezer was always filled with meat...money otherwise spent at the meat counter at the grocery store was cut to almost nill and I was in the good physical condition.

I probably spend less now on scale modeling than before, not because of kits prices are so high, just that there are fewer that I want or must have. I'm content building what I have in the stash or divert my time to other hobbies such as photography...even digital photography can be an expensive hobby...if you want good equipment you must pay for it.

Some find paying $120 for a Trumpeter 1:48 scale model expensive...try spending $1600 for a good utility zoom lens! There are cheaper lenses just as their are cheaper kits...you have to be keen on your product knowledge to avoid spending too much or too little to get the quality you desire.