[?]Anyone still collect models anymore? I recently started collecting more actively and resubscribed to Kit Collector Clearinghouse. I was suprised to see the trading in this leading collector rag down to a trickle! It has been suggested to me that ebay is the place to look, and I do, but the prices are way off base. The other thing about ebay is the lack of community. I have had true friendships develop in the past, but the ebay transaction doesn’t seem to have any meaningful exchanges. Any tips on where to find old kits? Best regards Woody
Hey Woody - I was one of the original KCCers back in the 70’s. I slowly lost interest when I entered the Air Force in 1980. I still collect a few rare kits, but like you say, ebay has knocked the prices for a big loop. I have found a couple bargains on ebay, but that’s pretty rare. I picked up a Revell Dodgers Lockheed Electra at a show in Texas a couple years ago for $100. They go at least double that on ebay. It really a shame. I saw a Monogram B-52/X-15 (still sealed) kit at Dean’s Hobby Stop for $90. I considered picking it up to sell on ebay (I already have two) knowing I could fetch $150 - $225 for it. I decided not to, hoping some genuine collector/modeler would get the bargain instead. Yup, ebay has made a mess of things, but that’s free-trade…
I was just at the SABA Car Fest this last Saturday – http://www.naplak.com/saba/ – and there sure were a LOT of people selling LOTS of old kits… obviously from collections going way back.
I think most collectors don’t start out that way… they buy kits to build, and it gets a bit out of hand![:D]
Pat are you in KCC now? I would hate to see that publication go out of print. I started using KCC to find discontinued kits to build and found I enjoyed collecting as much as building! I was a KCCer in the late 80’s{remember the model hobby in the late 80’s and early 90’s} and I am glad to be back on board.
No, I let it laspe sometime after I entered the military. I joined way-back-when for about the same reasons you did. There were only a handfull of us and everyone was very friendly and helpful. People were really more interested in pursuing a hobby rather than making a profit. John Burns must be getting up there in years so it’s hard saying how much longer he will have the desire to publish that or who will take over after he decides to retire from it. John always said, “It’s a labor of love, when it becomes just a labor, somebody else can have it!”
My Dad was a KCC’er from the early 80’s and I took an active interest in collecting (as opposed to building) mainly because of him. I then started to concentrate more on building and my collection dwindled some.
Last year my he passed away and, in those unforunate circumstances, I’ve rediscovered the thrill of “the collection”. Wish it had been another way, but that’s the way things go in life.
Anyhoo, does anyone know what some of the older value guides would be worth? There are a couple here and I really have no true use for them. I’ve kept them this long only as a matter of sentiment, I find it hard to get rid of things that meant alot to my Dad.
But I’m realizing the silliness of the extent to which I take this sometimes and have to unload some of it and these value guides may be among the next to go. I’d like to take them to some of the shows that I do every year, and though I don’t want to rape someone by asking way too much, I also don’t want to give them away for almost nothing.
Any input as to what a fair asking price for these things would be is greatly appreciated.
Fade to Black…
how much is the airfix 1/72 me 109 k worth?
The Airfix Bf-109K is worth between 4-8 with 8 being 100% mint. Best regards Woody[:)]
Unfortuneatly I have to agree. I want to build an AVLB. Found a conversion kit on ebay hooray. Next thing you know it went up to $160. Ebay can be a bargain though. New and common kits are big markdowns. The Trumpeter 350 scale Essex retails for $120, you can pick it up on average for around $80
ya i bought my 93 WMT Ranger on ebay for 6 bucks… goes fro 13around here…