What's up with the atmospheric prices of model kits over the last few years.....?????

Sometimes good deals show up on EBay or Amazon. I purchased a factory sealed 1/96 USS Constitution on EBay for $2.25...minimum bid and no one else wanted it. Plus shipping, less than $30.00. They are no longer in production. Our local hobby store has one for $92.00. He's had it for years, sitting all dusty on a top shelf in his shop.

If you are looking at older kits, say a Monogram '55 Nomad, occasionally you get lucky at flea markets and antique stores. I purchased the '55 Nomad for $3.00 at a flea market 2 years ago. I'll build it after the Constitution is done.

The newer kits are much better as to flashing, extras and detail. Depending on how much of an upgrade you want...those cost too.Ka-Ching!

I hated the the three piece deck on the Constitution and the Scale Decks upgrade was $83.00, but it looks great. On the other hand, the brass cannons from HiS weren't to proper scale, and would be painted black, so what's the sense? The kit pieces were just as good once prepped.

If you get an opened (with all the contents still there) Constitution for !$100.00 and it takes a few months to buils and rig...that's a cheap past time>

M4Shermanmodeler

Yup; factor in inflation numbers and things don't look as bad. Anybody here remember the McDonald's "All-American Meal"? Hamburger, fries and a shake. 45 cents(!!!) Hamburger $.15, fries $.10, and shake $.20. Slightly higher today...

 

Sure do!  We can remember when we saw our first Mac place. As a young couple with two little kids it was really a great place.

I was just trying to point out that Tamiya kits bought from Japan are often much cheaper, sometimes even half price, what they sell for in the USA. It's our importers that do it to us and will even ask a premium price for a 30+ year old kit, comparable to the asking price of a new high tech kit.

Everyone buying from Hobby link Japan may want to check out Hobby Search 1999.co.jp and Mandarake. The first is a store like HLJ but have different discounts and can be cheaper or have stock HLJ doesn't. Much better site design for browsing IMO too. Mandarake is sort of a second hand Japanese store, you can regularly find out of print stuff on there and "damaged" boxed kits for half or less of retail. The standard for damaged boxes in Japan is extremely low where a slight ding on the corner is enough to get a large discount on it. It's actual stores selling things not Ebay style so it's much more trust worthy.

Rob Gronovius

Tamiya kits bought through Japanese retailers are quite reasonably priced. It's the importers that jack up the price that are the issue. It's often terrible thinking that buying a kit from Hobby Link Japan (including shipping) is about half the price as buying the same kit locally. 

I got the Tamiya P-38 kit that way.  I pre-ordered it through HLJ, accepting that I would have to wait, but it was worth it to get the kit for about $20 cheaper than vendors here were asking.  The shipping cost was spread over several kits, since I use their Private Warehouse feature to put orders togther.

We are not paying an actual "cost". Kits are not that expensice to produce. Kit manufacturers price as high as the market will bear. When people keep paying higher prices, the will keep them there or raise them. If they do not sell, then the manufacturers will lower them. In essence, kit prices are so high because peple will pay it, not because it is necessary. Why do you thing so many new kit makers have popped up in the last 10 years? There is a ton of money to be made. Thats why Tamiya puts out only a couple new kits a year but we pay a ton for them. Quality does not cost a lot, It's all added profit!

Kits are some times drifting into the expensive region these days. A lot of that comes from everything being multi-version kits. You end up paying for half a model you don't use and throw in the bits box or it comes with a truck load of accessories which end up there. I would be happier buying a cheaper base kit and then an optional upgrade kit so I didn't have to buy stuff I don't want to get what I do.

Hey, the poor little things gather dust when they are built.  Just ask my mother years ago back when I was much younger.  I have fun with my kits, all my buds like to see them around, I'm not into sports, cars, drinking or other male activities.  They are all very well organized.  My family knows what to do with them when I go.  They were not very expensive back when I bought them. They just cost pocket money then.  I'm lucky that got into this hobby when it was cheap.  A good Tamiya or Hasegawa kit cost $5 to $10 or so.  Have fun!

Well I was born in 64 and the Monogram plane kits were in the $2 50 to$ 3.00 range in the 70s.AMT car kits were $2.50 for cars and $5.00 for the big Semis and dozers.When I see a kit I used to pay 3 bucks for go for 25 it gives me pause...No improvement in the kit but the decals are nicer(and they weren't that bad back then). The newest tooled kits are awesome. So I don't mind paying for them.

Real G

Baron,

I'm about the same vintage as you!  When I bought the Monogram P-61, I was just a 6th grader earning $3.00 a week for taking out the garbage, washing the dishes, and helping dad do the yard work.  I delivered papers in high school and earned $80 a month - that was a princely sum back in the day!

So yeah, we can look back wistfully to those halcyon days (Halcyon the model company didn't exist yet) and remember the "good stuff".  But here and now kits cost a lot more, so we just need to work harder, longer, and look for job openings in user interface sofware programming.  Is there an app for that?  

Yup; factor in inflation numbers and things don't look as bad. Anybody here remember the McDonald's "All-American Meal"? Hamburger, fries and a shake. 45 cents(!!!) Hamburger $.15, fries $.10, and shake $.20. Slightly higher today...

KAYSEE88

 

 

tankboy51

 I've been buying models and building up a stash since the early 1970's  and my collection of Armor and a/c is pretty much complete.  It numbers in the hundreds if not thousands. 

 

 

 

WOWW........I SALUTE YOU, MAN!

 

Why,he has no chance of building them,all they do is collect dust,and sadly when he's gone,maybe they will be donated and someone else might build them or they will be trashed.My goal is to be able to build what I buy,sure I have a few on hand,but even now I have a self imposed moratorium until I can build down a little.

Just my thoughts,but hey,to each his own.

tankboy51

 I've been buying models and building up a stash since the early 1970's  and my collection of Armor and a/c is pretty much complete.  It numbers in the hundreds if not thousands. 

WOWW........I SALUTE YOU, MAN!

I would say I do a lot less filling, brass work and sprue stretching than I used to do.  The kits are so much better.  We are in the golden age of model building and if I have to part with a few more dollars, so be it.  The manufacturers today deserve their pound of flesh.  

Well, since the cumulative rate of inflation since 1975 to now is about 380%, that $5 kit in 1975 would cost about $24 today.  And seeing as the Revell P-51D that's been around since the Flintstones is still in production with SRP of $17 (according to Sprue Brothers), that seems about right.  Inflation is a real thing.  

Rob Gronovius

The armor budget brand is the one that makes the kit that was just surpassed by the release of another, even better kit.

The Academy M3 Lee/Grant then was surpassed by the Takom and then Miniart, making older ones cheaper. Same with Abrams kits when Dragon's AIM and SEP hit the market. Now there are multiple ones by others that have made those who have to have the best dump the older kits.

 

Thats what I like waiting on. The guys who thin the stash to make room for the latest and greatest of whatever  and sell off the "inferior" older kit for a better price. 

I think I see the same complaint every few years.  Before the internet's people made the same comments. I don't care.  I've been buying models and building up a stash since the early 1970's  and my collection of Armor and a/c is pretty much complete.  It numbers in the hundreds if not thousands.  I've built so many that I've run out of good ideas and room, and I'm so much older that some ideas I have are exhausting to consider.  Don't get old.  Yes, I have bought a few with interiors and stuff, just for fun.  Yes, decades ago, they were cheap, now they demand metal barrels link to link track, photo etch, detail upon detail, super correct wheel bolts, etc. Good Grief!

I just built a old Revell model that I fist built as the USS Essex in 1960 with my father.  I was 9 years old.  I had FUN.  I don't go to contests anymore.  Hard to carry them anymore.  

Baron,

I'm about the same vintage as you!  When I bought the Monogram P-61, I was just a 6th grader earning $3.00 a week for taking out the garbage, washing the dishes, and helping dad do the yard work.  I delivered papers in high school and earned $80 a month - that was a princely sum back in the day!

So yeah, we can look back wistfully to those halcyon days (Halcyon the model company didn't exist yet) and remember the "good stuff".  But here and now kits cost a lot more, so we just need to work harder, longer, and look for job openings in user interface sofware programming.  Is there an app for that?  

ikar01

Back in the 70s a better quality Monogram kit of say the P-39 woiuld cost aboiut 7.00.  Back then I would have to think about if I could afford it.  The P-61, when it showed up was abouit 12-15.00.  That I would have to put on layaway or wait until I could collect enough money. 

Let's say that back then, you were an adult and had the job you have today (assuming you're not a software UI designer )  How long would you have had to work to earn those seven to twelve bucks for those kits?

I was a kid back then, too, born in 1964.  In the late 70s, I had a paper route and I earned about $2 an hour.  I spent about an hour to cover my route, so in a week, I earned around $12, not counting the tips.  So it took me 3 1/2 hours to earn the money for that $7 kit.

That's what we need to consider, along with the price-how long does it take you to earn the money to buy the product.

Tickmagnet

Considering the inflation over the decades, I don't see an issue with the prices. There are plenty of easily affordable and quality kits. 

Excellent point.  It's also necessary to consider earning power, and how long it takes a person to work to earn the money, compared to a point in the past.

ajlafleche

 

 

the Baron

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue7wM0QC5LE

"We used to dream of living in the corridor!  Would've seemed like a palace to us!"

 

 

 

 

Try telling that to kids these days and they won't believe you!

 

 

lewbud

I'd also look at where you are buying from. For instance, a few months ago I ordered 5 1/72 Tamiya P-51D's from HobbyLink Japan. Here in the States, the kit retails for 19.00+tax and shipping if you order on line. From HLJ, the same kit was 7.71 plus shipping. My order came to around 55.00 including shipping. Basically got two kits free by going overseas.

 

 Ditto.  Some of the fun is looking for that "good deal". 

      I have been following prices and they are up above the inflation rate but the US Retailers have their specials.  Dragon USA, FreeTime, and even Squadron have had some great deals recently.  The overseas retailiers do have the best prices on Asian manufactured kits; even after S&H.

  In regard to ther Overseas retailers, it seems there has been a price increase every 6 months for many of those online stores. Most probably averaged less than 5% but it still seems excessive.

  Folks are buying 1/16 scale armor, 1/200 warships and even a 1/48 scale B-29 for big bucks.  There is always the issue of where do you put them. But that's easy for the B-29. Hang it from any ceiling joice or add some metal foil and brass and hang it outside for a wind chime. It's your money!

    Nino

The armor budget brand is the one that makes the kit that was just surpassed by the release of another, even better kit.

The Academy M3 Lee/Grant then was surpassed by the Takom and then Miniart, making older ones cheaper. Same with Abrams kits when Dragon's AIM and SEP hit the market. Now there are multiple ones by others that have made those who have to have the best dump the older kits.

The on;y hobby shop in town was just outside the base and run by a guy who used to be in MACV during the war.  The town of Jacksonville, only a mile or two from the base had a walmart but no kits that I remember seeing.  The next nearest place would be Little Rock itself and as far as we knew, nothing there either.

For the most part, if you wanted extra detail, you would have to make it, interior details, conversions or anything else.  Once the small supply of metal parts started to show up, in small quantities, it helped.  I remember trying to make seat belts from scratch, not easy, mirrors were better.

Tickmagnet

Considering the inflation over the decades, I don't see an issue with the prices. There are plenty of easily affordable and quality kits.

 

It depends upon your chosen subject area. Eduard, Revell Germany, and Airfix are doing a decent job of keeping us more frugal types with new tool aircraft kits at moderate prices. Academy occasionally releases a 1/350 scale  ship kit that is much more attractively priced than their competitors. Armor kits do not have a current budget champion brand out there for new tool stuff. Although Academy again does offer “less costly” new tool stuff compared to the others.

Considering the inflation over the decades, I don't see an issue with the prices. There are plenty of easily affordable and quality kits.

People are willing to spend the money.  Look at how many people are popping for hundreds of bucks to grab those new 200th scale ships.  The derogatory term for it is "what the traffic will bear," and the traffic seems willing to bear.

Prices seem to follow the stock market- look at the price of stocks in the last couple of years.