Im not sure if I’m in the right room…but I’d like to hear some opinions on kit costs. E.g.: Why are kits from companies like Revell AG…so much cheaper while having ( imo ) the same quality details such as the ever outrageously expensive Trumpeter kits? I suspected it wasn’t down to detail or the inclusion of PE or other special parts…and I was told this from a number of retailers: it’s the fact that a company like Trumpeter, in China…want their factory paid off ASAP to avoid paying “excessive interest”. Ergo, those high prices are forced on the consumer, to feed the monster. Another example is Italeris’ kit 2502…their newest F 104. This retails for about $149.99…slightly more…slightly less depending. Yes…I’ve done the research on this kit in particular detail…I just, at least in MY mind…can not justify that price. I picked up Hasegawas’ F 104 for $29.99 shipping included. And since I only build 1/32 or larger a/c…I’ve noted a similar correlation btwn models and TV’s. A ratio: A 50" TV is reasonably priced…but 52" or larger are exponentially more expensive. It’s the same with 1/72-1/48-1/32. 72 and 48 reasonably priced, but 1/32 or larger…outrageous. With very few exceptions. Like Revell. Why is this? These questions have been nagging at me since I returned to modelling about 18 months ago after a 35 year hiatus. Thanks for reading and please send your opinions! Mark
Revell and Airfix pop many kits from a new mold. This lowers their cost and price. But, they need to sell a lot of kits, so they are reluctant to build subjects that they do not believe will sell very well. Many of the more expensive brands do not do parge runs, but are more willing to undertake less popular subjects.
I feel your pain.
I was interested in building the HMS Victory after I saw an ad on TV about it. After i checked it out, the complete model cost over $1000.00…ridiculous !
I always assumed that 1/32 scale would be more expensive due to the higher parts count and greater detail ,but what I don’t understand is the AM parts like PE are also highly priced . Understanding the PE making process, the parts shouldn’t be that much more expensive than say 1/48 scale…
My opinion is that it’s just greed on the mfg’s end. ie Why do Cadillac and Corvette parts cost so much more than Chevy’s when quite often they’re the same parts ?..GREED. They assume the people that can afford these vehicles can afford higher prices on parts as well. I’m afraid that this same attitude has reached the scale model industry as well.
Heh - we had a firestorm from a former member a long while back about this one subject. I ain’t going there again.
We need to bear in mind the concept of “scale of economy” here and step outside our comfort zone as consumers to get a look at the manufacturers’ perspectives to gain a bit of understanding. Each new kit requires a new design, new tooling, creation of graphic designs (instructions, decals, box art, etch, etc) and the expenses of materials, labor, and overhead (rent, utilities, shipping, import/export fees and tariffs of raw production materials). What results is hundreds of thousands of dollars in direct expense before the plastic even meets the mold, then a repeat of overhead expenses during production and distribution. Despite how we like to view things, there aren’t as many modelers in the market to begin with, but the market is highly segmented (cars, armor, planes, ships, and so on), shrinking in size, growing older, and dealing with the realities of making ends meet. So, if you hope to sell 100,000 new kits worldwide and you’ve spent a modest $1,000,000 to bring your kit to the market, charging $100 for it recoupes your expenses, but it’s a business - your goal is to turn a profit. So, you charge $110 each, but everyone in the supply chain needs to make their money as well, including the retailer who sells the kit to you. While the manufacturer may suggest selling the kit at $120, the retailers have to set their prices to reflect their expenses and local market conditions. And, as consumers, we’re never 100% satisfied and we demand higher quality and features all the time, forcing manufacturers to design new technology, methodology, and processes to meet those requirements for crisp, slide molded parts with precise fit and high accuracy.
Well, if you’re stuck on building 1/32 only, then be prepared for sticker shock. Just the way it is. That stuff is just way to darn big.
What I don’t get is why the Revell of Germany P-61 costs more than the Revell-Monogram one. They’re the same kit, as far as I can see.
Money and greed.
Time to open a beer and watch a baseball game. Life is short.
I’m curious though about that Victory? Which was it?If Jotika, I assure you it’s worth every Euro.
OTOH even the Heller one at $ 100 or whatever you can find it for on eBay, has kept me busy for 5 years and I’m not even half done. A lot of bang for the buck.
Listen, I don’t understand why crappy little new cars cost $ 20,000.
Where did you find a new car for 20 grand?
When was the last time you priced a car ? A new Smart Car now sells for over $ 18,000.00. And it would damn near fit inside a 67 FORD Econoline van that sold for $ 4,000.00
And don’t forget the importers cost. Anytime an overseas company partners up with MRC as their importer, there is a marked increase in that company’s kits. I have seen that time and again over the past 30 years or so since I started paying attention after hearing about that aspect from a hobby shop owner. But yes, some companies do produce a good product for a more affordable price. Revell and Airfix are probably the leader of that today for new tooled kits.
Just caught my own error - make that 10,000 kits at $1 million invested. Otherwise, with 100,000 kits, it works out to $10 each, which is far more reasonable. Funny how one zero changes everything…probably a good thing that I have three more months before the fall semester, eh?
That’s why I buy used, every time, NEVER new. Just paid off my 2008 Dakota, and it’s in awesome shape.
$20 G for a brand new car? ROFLMAO!!! Yeah right… For years I’ve always bought used and hated them. You’re buying previous owner’s problems. We bought our first ever brand new car in 1999 - Toyota Corrolla. Payments were cheap then. Never looked back in buying used since 1999.
After the Corolla was finally paid off 3 years later, I bought a new 2001 Toyota Tacoma. Had to trade that one for a new Matrix 9 months later due to truck being obsolete when you have a kid on the way. 2010, we bought a another new car 2010 Ford Fusion after the missus got in an accident (other driver’s fault) with my Matrix. The Fusion got paid off and we finally traded in the Corrolla for a 2013 Ford Escape.
Modeling is a hobby. A hobby is the universe’s way of telling you that you have too much money.
Seriously, all hobbies are funded with disposable income. And most pretty quickly get quite pricey.
Hi ;
Is that true about disposable income ? I thought if it wasn’t in rent , car payments and utilities , oh , and groceries , that you were supposed to dispose of it . You mean I’ve been wrong all these years ?
I think a hobby is natures way of saying you don’t have that much that you MUST do with your time. I see a few guys who like to carve and whittle driftwood from the ocean with a knife. I know that aside from the initial price of that blade their hobby does not cost them much more than time spent whittling and looking for that next piece of wood along the shore.
Coming up next month in “Finescale Whittler”…
LOL!