"collecting" model kits?

spiralcity

I have a large collection, but I do not collect model kits. They have built up over the years and sometimes I am forced to sell off many kits due to limited space. I always buy kits (as others) with the intention to build them, but time is limited and many kits end up in the "kit crypt'.

 

"Kit crypt"... I like the sound of that. A new way of calling it a stash. LOL!!

CaptainJack

I was on Ebay looking for a 1/25 model kit for an old late 80's/early 90's Chevy C1500 Silverado pickup to build for my dad for his bday and was astounded to see them going for upwards of $100!? It appears that they are hard to find (well probably not so much since there are over 30 available on Ebay right now), but it got me to thinking. Do people actually buy model kits with the intent to collect them and keep them unopened? 

 

The prices people ask for stuff is just crazy. You can often find a listing of a given model for $90 just above another listing of the identical model for $15 or even $3.95. I just did a quick search of C1500 Silverado "sold" listings on EBay and saw a couple that sold for $20. They seem to generally sell for $30 plus or minus a few bucks.

The secret to getting a good deal is patience. I'm presently in the marked for a 67 Corvette Coupe. Generally they are listed for maybe $25-$35 but I know from looking at the sold history that they routinely go for less than $15.

If you've never noticed it, completed listings is a check box on the left side of the page.

Good luck!

TomZ

Same on Amazon for books. View all other listings; other sellers have stuff at a fraction of the cost.

I don't sell stuff online, but I've had an assumption based on observation that there are programs/ apps/ processes where a wide scan of online sales and even online postings can be accessed to get a picture of what people are selling thuings for. Certainly the case where real estate and cars are involved.

tempestjohnny

Just think of all those poor kids who can't play with Hot Wheels because they're on my garage wall

 

Wow TJ....that is one heck of a collection

My stash level typically hangs around 20 kits. I do build 10-12 kits a year. I cannot buy a kit just to keep it as an investment. I have purchased and built OOP and rare kits. For me it's the subject not the value of a kit I look for. I can typically find rare kits of subjects in the scale I want on Ebay for a decent price. There are those that sell one in mint condition and wants big bucks for the kit. But you can find the same kit with damaged or missing box that is not valuable to a collector but at a decent price for a builder. It does take time to locate a rare kit for a decent price but it can be found.

hogfanfs

There are some true collectors out there. They purchse a kit with the intent to collect it, but not build it. But, with the advent of eBay, you find more investors. People who will do their research, then buy a kit with the expectation to sell it at a higher price to make a profit. A good reason why you'll see high prices on some kits.

 

I remember looking for the Tamiya M60A2 "Starship" last year. I wanted one to build, and the only one available was listed for like, $100.00. Now, the new issue by Dragon was announced at the time, but not a definite date on it, but I messaged the guy and said basically "There's a reissue coming, and I am willing to give you a fair price for your older model here; how about $50.00?" The guy turned me down. I don't know if he ever got that money for the kit--I doubt it--but it was satisfying to know that the market for that kit had the bottom drop out of it two months later.

I'm currently waiting for someone to re-pop the AMC Javelin so that all the eBay gougers will feel the pinch.

I never expect to come out ahead, when it comes to selling a kit...and never have. I've gotten so many kits, well below retail, that I don't feel bad about "losing" money on a kit that I paid retail price for. I get a bit of the good "pay it forward" feeling, when I give someone else a good deal...even if it is technically a loss. Likewise...I don't feel any loss when I build a kit that is going for an outragous price. I picked up a 1/48 Monogram A-6 from Hobby Lobby for $5.99...built it.....I bet it wasn't 2-3 months later, that same kit was going for near 100 bucks on E-bay...then, shortly there after, Kinetic came out with theirs and there was also a re-issue of the Mono kit not much later than that! 

My problem is that I'm an impulse buyer. I love good deals and buy many cool subjects, but ignore my wants. I recently grabbed an Italeri Ford Maultier w/20mm flak for just $13. I couldn't resist. I do believe that it will get built and noot end up being resold like many that I bought.

The only reason I have such a large "collection" is the fact that about 30 years ago, I bought about 750 models from the widow of a modeler (and he built a lot of kits, his local airport had about 150 1/72 models on display that his wife had donated).  I kept about 400 of them, parted out 50 or so of them and sold the rest.  And I still buy new ones with the intention of building (My latest is the Revell 1/72 C-54 and I have every intention of buying another one to convert into an air tanker).

And the real lie in this whole thing is that I will be 72 this year and there is no way in Hades I will complete all of the before I shuffle off. But I'm still having fun!

tigerman

I don't understand the collector. I buy with all the intentions of building them. I also don't quite understand the guy who buys multiples of the same kit. To me there are way to many seperate subjects to build that I can't see the need to build the same kit over and over. Just me i guess.

 

I buy 2-3 kits every 2 weeks, on payday. I just started building again a couple months ago so I'm not very good. Yet. When buying, I always buy two of each kit just in case I break a piece (happened 3 times), lose a piece to the carpet when cutting off the sprue and it went airborne (several times), or other screw-ups on my part (horrific paint jobs, smudges, etc. several times). This way I have backup parts.

I used to have the problem of starting kits and then not finishing them, so I have quite a stockpile of half-finished kits that I'm a bit embarassed about. I've gotten a little more disciplined the older I get (a bit!) so I will usually buy about 5-6 kits a year with the intention of keeping them in the shrink wrap until I have the time to really do the research and planning for a build, including putting together the right aftermarket "package" for each kit. 

I have about 40 opened kits in various stages of assembly. I wouldn't reccomend this kind of hare-brained approach to building kits though! Many of these kits are probably going to wind up as "paint experiments," since I'm not satisfied with some of my early builds - my skills and patience were not as good as they are now!

qmiester

 there is no way in Hades I will complete all of the before I shuffle off. But I'm still having fun!

 

There's the key right there. If it's fun...do it. I've looked at it as 2 seperate hobbies. Buying kits (I never buy a kit I don't intend to build), and building kits. As has been said, some people collect stamps and never put them on a letter (remember those ?). I don't worry about leaving kits behind any more than I worry about leaving dirty laundry behind. They're just a bunch of plastic and cardboard.

Hi , Cap'n Jack !

     No you are not wrong . Many folks do just that .When they cross over ( DIE ) then the family gets ripped off by many of these folks . Why ? Well , many have collectors Books to guide them and offer the aggrieved family bottom dollar for stuff that's way more valuable than that .   

     My Estate includes many OLD Revell ship kits for instance . Value -- Zilch ! Why ? Well they are all started in some fashion or another ! I guess I would be at odds with these folks . How can it be so valuable , they would price it so another could not afford it ?

      Watch American Pickers sometime .You'll see Mike and his partner walk by many old models and toys .Why ? Well , there were so many made and then select ones were re-issued .You get the picture . If any of these folks were doing an accessible museum you could go to and see the history of the hobby in boxed form , well that would be different  . Many are using it for a get wealthier quicker scheme .

  Then there are those that think , Well , if I pass , then the family can make some money on this stuff . What ? Ten Cents on the dollar ? That's hardly a precious item now , is it ?

     But , Who am I to judge ? I have over 2,000 models collected over the years . most have been started or are fully near completion . My bequest is going to the Wounded Warriors in San Antonio and the V.A. recreation department at Audie L.Murphy Veterans Hospital ! That way they will be appreciated , and not hidden away in some basement or closet somewhere , never to be seen again. 

     Anyway , that's my take on it .    Tanker - Builder

Hi Karl !

     Seems that you and I think the same way . I actually get tickled when a re-issue hits the shelves or a good company releases a better kit of the same subject !

     People tell me that's a selfish way of thinking .Why ? That way I don't feel bad building the original of a kit I stumble on .

   For me it's a three dimensional , in miniature , way of going back to the " Good Old days " and enjoying the memories that flood the old Gord whe I built this kit or that from back when .  I mean , How many can I get done now that 73 is right around the corner ?   Tanker - Builder