I think the real rub would be someone entering contests with an ebayed kit that they didn’t build themselves. Some types of kits I am not experienced enough to do the quality work I want. Good auto paint jobs are out of my relm of experience so buying a kit of a special car would be something I might do. As far as selling my work, fine by me it just finances my next project. I have sold two projects before.I also have no qualms about giving away my work. I do that occationally to make space for more projects. again I think the only “cheating” would be to pass off others work as your oun. [2c]
There is nothing stopping someone form doing just that. Although it is possible to submit a model build by someone else and winning top prize, it is one`s conscience who plays judge in the end (if the person has any).
Sorry for the delay, i just got off work. Sorry for the confusion. I just think that if some one posts something from ebay, it gives lesser experienced modelers the wrong attitude on the hobby. When i first started to model, i always aspired to sell some stuff on ebay, but I came to realize later is that this is not what this hobby is about. This epiphay occured when at our local show, some guy brought in a model that I and some other people recognized as being bought on ebay.
Tankbuild121 , how did this situation turn out,did this guy try to pass the model off as his own build? That would’nt be right.
OK if i try ? Business=work=money=hobby=fun [2c]
Quick word of advioce: Never open your own business. What is being sold ald $75 is NOT a $20 model and $10 of glue and paint, what’s being sold (dirt cheap, at that) is the time and talent to produce the model. So if a typical armor kit takes say 20 hours to build andf there’s $30 of raw material, he is asking ony $2.25 an hour for his work. Commision work in the figure world starts at 3 times the retail cost of the kit.
I’m reminded of an apocryphal story I once heard. A fashion designer is showing a skimpy, yet very expensive outfit. When asked how he can justify so much money for so lilttle fabric, he explains, “You’re paying for the design. The fabric is free.”
These need not be mutual;ly exclussive to everyone.
What was the outcome of this situation?We’re dying to know!
This is definately a problem. I’m surprised the fellow you mentioned didn’t get drawn and quartered! However, I think that posting the links to the auctions with some of these spectacular builds is kinda fun. Firstly, we get to see some grade A modelling (pre and post-paint). Some of it is quite inspiring. Secondly, we get to keep our finger on the pulse of the professional model market. This site is about modelling in general, right? If you don’t think posting these links is appropriate, just don’t visit the post/link. Problem solved.
Building your models to sell them or to enjoy them yourself is the choice any modeler is free to make. However, buying a model and passing it off as your own is just being stupid. And as we all know all too well, there are many stupid people in this world.
Last year, at our local club contest, a fellow came in with a 1/35 scale halftrack, which he entered into the contest and labelled as a Tamiya kit with “extensive” modifications, then proceeded to list them all…trouble was, it wasn’t a Tamiya kit at all, but one of those “Forces of Valor” pre-built die cast models…and not even a good one either! The US star was engraved into the hood of the vehicle, etc…
Rather than argue with the guy, we (the judges) went over to one of the vendors, and borrowed one of the ‘out-of-box’ half tracks, and set it on the table next to the ‘model’. Amazingly, the modeler actually continued to insist that this was a Tamiya kit that he modified…is it dishonest? Sure…was it illegal? According to the rules it is, but is it worth making a fuss over?
Inevitably, there are people in this world that are less than honest, in all walks of life. We just need to learn to deal with them.
Jeff
I don’t have a problem with showing other peoples work here on the forum as examples of excellence, so long as the credit is noted of the builder. So far as what one does with their work! donate to museum or service organization, build for own pleasure, or even build for profit (E-bay) that is none of my concern. As long as we respect the format of not advertising or selling our work on the forum. I say post all the work you admire for others to see, but make sure the builder is credited. Semper Fi, Mike
[#ditto][#ditto]
Ken
Artist’s sell their art.Go and look at the Fine Art Models website.Many people make a living at this and their work is beautiful.If I could sell some dio’s to finance further purchases I certainly would.After all many of the models I see on this site and at shows really are fine art in my eyes.