Are today's kits and products overpriced?

PaperPanzer

I really wanted to post this for a long time now, it has become very irritating, especially one with a fairly limited scale modeling budget.

To give you an example, my local hobby shop has a Ju- 87 Stuka in 1/48th scale by Tamiya for 69.99!  i have seen a lot of kits priced even higher, Trumpeter's 1/35th line can range up to 80- 100 + bucks!

I want to see what you think about this... please write a post.

There's a reason online stores are shutting down brick and mortar shops...

Manstein's revenge: My only concern is that the shipper handles the package inappropriately, I received a badly damaged Roden Sdkfz. 4/1 about a month ago, and they don't allow returns!

I buy online almost very week (literally) and have for decades...I can't remember the last time something I ordered was damaged in shipping...

Manstein's revenge

I buy online almost very week (literally) and have for decades...I can't remember the last time something I ordered was damaged in shipping...

Although I don't buy online every week, I have never received a damaged order from any of the vendors that I frequent.  I did get the wrong order once, but that was easily fixed with a phone call.

Given how slow I complete something, I see this hobby as rather thrifty when the price is divided by the number of days it takes to finish...  cheaper than most other things in the long run.

Yes and No

Depends,everybody has their ceiling and how much they are willing to spend for a kit.What I think is a rip-off is something you have to have at any price.

Overall,I would say no    Kits are always good bang for your entertainment buck,even that 1/350 ship kit with all the extras.When you think about the hundreds of hours it will keep you busy,and the joy (hopefully) you will have upon proudly completing and dispaying it,even the most expensive kits are worth it.

Yes and No.

Some kit brands, such as Italieri, are extremely overpriced.

The Tamiya 1/25 armor is also very over-priced considering the age of the kits.

i would say other brands, like the newest Revell kits or the Eduard Weekend kits, are reasonably priced.

Supply and demand.  Simple economics.  If people buy enough kits at a given price, then they aren't overpriced. 

Ultimately the market determines the price, not the manufacturer.  Using your example, if there weren't people out there willing to pay $70 for a Tamiya Stuka, then there wouldn't be any $70 Tamiya Stukas.

I can never quite understand the sense of entitlement that some modelers have, that somehow model companies have a moral obligation to produce whatever obscure model they want at a price where the company doesn't have a snowball's chance to make a profit.

In the long run we want model companies to be profitable so they can stay in business and have the incentive to reinvest some of those profits in the development and manufacture of new products they can sell. 

Mark 

Sprue-ce Goose

Yes and No.

Some kit brands, such as Italieri, are extremely overpriced.

The Tamiya 1/25 armor is also very over-priced considering the age of the kits.

i would say other brands, like the newest Revell kits or the Eduard Weekend kits, are reasonably priced.

 

Likewise, I've been ordering kits via the mail (Squadron Mail Order) and online for over 20 years and have never had a retailer send me a kit that got damaged in transit. I have had private individuals send me kits poorly wrapped that arrived and looked like they were handled by wild gorillas, but it was normally due to the sender's poor packaging (like just wrapping the model box in brown paper wrapping).

As far as pricing goes, there are almost always several avenues available to purchase model kits. If you are on a limited budget, it pays to research those avenues in order to procure the kit at the best price possible.

If you're not checking various online retailers, eBay, buy/sell/trade forums at websites, you're cheating yourself.

Ah, this discussion again.  It never gets old. Only us discussing it do.

This is no longer a hobby just for kids.  Adults with their mostly deeper wallets have taken it over.  We've demanded more detailed and elaborate kits, and the industry responded with a vengeance.  Yes, some are overpriced. Especially older reissues.  I do mostly armor, and I have all the older Italeri tank kits.  I remember when they only cost $5 or so when they first came out over 30 years ago.  They are not worth what they are charging retail for them now, at least compared to what the new kits have.  Just shop around online and check out local model shows.  Often vendors will be selling older kits at decent prices. Our local IPMS chapter has an annual auction every year.  I get some real steals there.

Ah the old days of buying a model with left over school lunch money or paper route pay, building them on a Saturday, then later blowing 'em up with cherry bombs or target practice with the BB gun, are long gone.  At least for me. ... wait a moment,,  I do have some old junkers in some boxes in the basement...maybe.....

I guess kits will be sold for what the market let's them.  Have you seen the price of gas?  Of course you have.  Some of the best new kits cost what I spend to fill up the gas tank.  A couple of fill ups and you own a new 1/350 aircraft carrier.

Doug

Manstein's revenge

PaperPanzer:

I really wanted to post this for a long time now, it has become very irritating, especially one with a fairly limited scale modeling budget.

To give you an example, my local hobby shop has a Ju- 87 Stuka in 1/48th scale by Tamiya for 69.99!  i have seen a lot of kits priced even higher, Trumpeter's 1/35th line can range up to 80- 100 + bucks!

I want to see what you think about this... please write a post.

 

Save yourself some bucks and buy online...that Tamiya Stuka (also boxed as Italeri) kit can be had for easily $25 cheaper online, and no sales tax...

There's a reason online stores are shutting down brick and mortar shops...

Here's what I'd do, as Manny states the LHS has to remain competitive if it wants to survive.  Since I know AND like my LHS, they will generally charge me about the same price for a kit that most online discounters charge (and I will gladly pay the sales tax in exchange for S&H), I think that's fair and so do they.

Depends what angle you look at it.

From a price per entertainment hour......they're cheap

If you look at it as a box of plastic.....they are retardedly overpriced...even the cheap ones!

You must have an LHS that charges straight-up MSRP. Which is laughable, even on hot new kits like the latest 1/32 Tamiya what-have-you (I got my first Tamiya 1/32 Mustang 25% off, my second 50% off).

It's a common refrain on here that kits are expensive. And there are constant references to the "$50 Tamigawa". Buy online. Buy on eBay. Buy at contests. Buy from Squadron or Sprue Bros. or Scale Hobbyist and you'll get a kit that's never sat on a store shelf or been shaken by some sugar-addled kit or dropped by some butterfingers. If you're worried about broken parts, read the return policies first. 

As for prices, I've recently nabbed a few 1/32 Hasegawa kits for $40 each. A 1/48 PBY Catalina for $24. An ancient Monogram Ju 87D Stuka for $2. If you're scoping Dragon armor, pay attention to DragonUSAOnline - they run crazy sales all the time. Visit the online stores around major holidays (Memorial Day, Father's Day and the 4th are all coming up and you can bet there will be sales) for sometimes crazy deals. This past Black Friday, Squadron ran a special for 30% off everything, 40% off if you spent over $200, and 50% off over $300. That was awesome. I added Tamiya's big P-51 to reach something like $305, for a total of $152. Not much more than just the P-51, and I got several other kits, photo etch, mask sets, decals etc. 

If you pay full MSRP, you're getting robbed. If you want, do what I do. Set up a simple spreadsheet (Google Docs works fine...and you can pull it up on a smartphone while you're in-store!) of kits you want or may want, then the MSRP, then what you can get it for online. That way you can be informed when something's a deal.

I'm wondering the context in which the initial question is asked?

If it is the context of Are the new designs too expensive? then I would have to say no, not at all. Heck, look what is being offered. The manufacturers are catering to the feedback they have received.

If it is the context of Are reissues with no upgrades too expensive? then I would say most resoundingly yes but that  'Manstein's revenge' points the way around that problem.

If it is the context of Is this hobby too expensive in general? I would say that you don't know the meaning of expensive until you have stepped into my world: Motorcycling and racing. Models are CHUMP CHANGE by comparison which is why no one has ever seen me posting about having a problem with the cost associated with it.

If it is the context of Can you specifically afford to participate in this hobby? I can only say that this is up to the individual and their comfort level with their own financial situation. 

I remember a Revell 1/72nd B-24 for under $2 ! But that was back in the early 70's and the quality of the kit would be laughed at if it was released now .

I agree that Italeri kits are priced high for the  quality of some of their kits . Are they made in Italy still ? Maybe thats why .

IMO the best bang for the buck kits are DML , AFV , Academy and Trumpeter .

Its the engineering of the molds and the research of detail that probably drives up the price of newer kits . I dont know how much the price of a barrel of oil affects the end cost but its got to make the trip from manufacturer to your work bench more expensive .

Yes and no. Even with bargain hunting etc, some companies (already named), can put out the same product as another company, and are far overpriced by comparison. Other companies seem to be bi polar in the cost of their new releases, some will be quite expensive, while others are very affordable by comparison. And don't even get me started on the cost of Italeri rebox/reissues I'll just say have a look at their current "new" 1/48 Mirage IIIC- originally released by Esci over 30 years ago, (I am pretty sure all the original R&D costs have been long recouped) it is going for more then either Eduard or Hobbyboss' new tooled (far superior) kits of the same subject. 'nuf said...

Yes this hobby is more affordable than shooting (but did not always used to be), or establishments featuring spirits, brass poles, and scantily clad women. But it is not the inexpensive pastime that it used to be.

stikpusher

Yes this hobby is more affordable than shooting (but did not always used to be), or establishments featuring spirits, brass poles, and scantily clad women.

or.... traveling abroad as a Secret Service agent.

It all comes down to:  You pays your money and you takes your choice!   

I've always been amazed when one company (Company A) puts out a kit and then Company B reboxes it and charges nearly double the price.

For example, AFV Club makes a nice M88A1 which Revell of Germany reboxed but at twice the price. There are similar situations across all modeling genres.

Agreed wholeheartedly!!!! Aside from a new box, and probably a new instruction sheet and decals, the kit has not changed one bit, yet the cost has gone up for no apparent reason

stikpusher

Agreed wholeheartedly!!!! Aside from a new box, and probably a new instruction sheet and decals, the kit has not changed one bit, yet the cost has gone up for no apparent reason

Pretty much the reason I don't have any Italeris in the stash.

What I WOULD pay more for - within reason - would be a manufacturer taking old molds and including some sprues or resin replacement parts for the saddest of the details. Sort of like what Eduard's done with their Tempest.

It'd be really cool to be able to pick up, say, a Monogram B-24 with nose weight, resin wheels and resin or brass armament + some truly excellent decals. 

Rob Gronovius

I've always been amazed when one company (Company A) puts out a kit and then Company B reboxes it and charges nearly double the price.

For example, AFV Club makes a nice M88A1 which Revell of Germany reboxed but at twice the price. There are similar situations across all modeling genres.

Surprising that Revell did that.....maybe because it's armor. I've bought a lot of Revell, re-boxed Hase's, at a much lower cost (retail). Italeri seems to be the worst....I only have two of their kits stashed (vendor table steals!)

It's all relative and subjective.  One modeler is willing to shell out over a hundred bucks for a kit made in China, when an older kit of the same subject costs $20 or less.  There are reasonably priced kits out there--Airfix' new-tooling of their 1/72 subjects, or the re-re-issued Monogram classics in 1/48.  I can decide, for example, to shell out $60 or so for Great Wall's Devastator, or pick one up on eBay for $10 or less.

It all depends on what is important to the buyer, and as in any other purchase, let the buyer beware, and educate himself, before parting with his hard-earned shekels.

Tojo72

Yes and No

Depends,everybody has their ceiling and how much they are willing to spend for a kit.What I think is a rip-off is something you have to have at any price.

Overall,I would say no    Kits are always good bang for your entertainment buck,even that 1/350 ship kit with all the extras.When you think about the hundreds of hours it will keep you busy,and the joy (hopefully) you will have upon proudly completing and dispaying it,even the most expensive kits are worth it.

Italeri has a good number of original model kits in their line. For instance, if you chose to build the Tamiya Staghound armored car, you'll find the Italeri kit inside. Several of Italeri's newer armored cars are very nice kits like the Autoblinda 41 & 43, 232 6-rad, and Sahariana. At least in the armor world, they have found their niche that they are good at.

The most recent original Italeri aircraft kit I bought is the EH-101 "Marine One" helicopter kit. I haven't built it, but it looks like a pretty nice kit.

DoogsATX

stikpusher:

Agreed wholeheartedly!!!! Aside from a new box, and probably a new instruction sheet and decals, the kit has not changed one bit, yet the cost has gone up for no apparent reason

 

Pretty much the reason I don't have any Italeris in the stash.

Yes and no.... Yes there are some kits that are priced just plain ridiculous specially the ones made in China which cost them only pennies on the dollar to manufacture and then the price is jacked up astronomically for the market. A while back I scored some good deals at Sprue Bros. in the special sale section. I picked up 4 Dragon 1/35 armor kits for arounf $25 each, the regular price was in the $40-$50 range.

Then you have kits from Revell of Germany such as the 1/32 scale AR 196 with a complete engine and a TON of other details for under $35. I also remember when the Revell 1/72 scale Type VII/C first came out. I bought online two of them for $43 each with free shipping, and the regular going price was about $65 at the time. Now they are at $100. I just hope Revell of Germany keep their prices reasonable too. As far as Tamiya goes, I think that the new kits such as the Mitsubishi M6m5 are way over priced. This thing was marked at $59 at Hobby Lobby and was put in the clearance section marked down to $24.99! Why couldn' they just mark the dern thing at let's say $35 to start with? Same thing with the paints, they have soared up in price. I try to mix my own brews with the more cost effective craft acrylic paints when possible to keep the cost down, specially with large projects.

fermis

Depends what angle you look at it.

From a price per entertainment hour......they're cheap

If you look at it as a box of plastic.....they are retardedly overpriced...even the cheap ones!

ja,jaja, this brought me memories. Like 20+ years ago I worked for 2 years in an injection molding company making bottles for brand names medication pills and lotions. I had the chance to see how .5 cents worth of plastic pellets and colorant, becomes a 4 OZ. bottle in a quarter million dollars 8 cavities mold.

Reasoned

 

Manstein's revenge:

 

 

PaperPanzer:

I really wanted to post this for a long time now, it has become very irritating, especially one with a fairly limited scale modeling budget.

To give you an example, my local hobby shop has a Ju- 87 Stuka in 1/48th scale by Tamiya for 69.99!  i have seen a lot of kits priced even higher, Trumpeter's 1/35th line can range up to 80- 100 + bucks!

I want to see what you think about this... please write a post.

 

Save yourself some bucks and buy online...that Tamiya Stuka (also boxed as Italeri) kit can be had for easily $25 cheaper online, and no sales tax...

 

There's a reason online stores are shutting down brick and mortar shops...

 

 

Here's what I'd do, as Manny states the LHS has to remain competitive if it wants to survive.  Since I know AND like my LHS, they will generally charge me about the same price for a kit that most online discounters charge (and I will gladly pay the sales tax in exchange for S&H), I think that's fair and so do they.

Exactly what I do with most of the kits in my stash. I started a small build of a 1/35 Zundapp KS750 and BMW R75. Suddenly I wanted to add a Kubelwagen and make a small dio. Scale Hobbyist has it for $11.50 plus the s&h, my LHS has it available for $18.50 + tax. That few extra bucks goes to a nice customer service, the ability to put items in hold for me, special orders, phone calls when they get new stuff and a nice friendship no savings on line can buy.