After walking through my LHS and seeing the prices on some of the kits that I bought years ago, I realized that the value of my stash and the lone box of ammo in my closet has a better return rate on investment than my 401k. Now, if i would have only stockpiled on gasoline…
It seems like some kits you bought ages ago are now listed at triple the price you paid, whereas some kits you spent a premium on aren’t worth the price of glue you’d use because they’ve been surpassed by newer releases.
Im 33 years old the first 4 glued models I built were 2! Hawk korea airpower sets, the aurora uss enterprise and uss guadalcanal! My uncle HAD a huge stash.
Hi :
You would be amazed though .Your 401K has more value .The model market is like any other collectible market .It’s what the seller wants versus what the buyers are WILLING to pay .Your very valuable kit (in lists ) might only bring half of that if you have the sale take place on a good day .
I don’t say this to rain on your parade either .I have sold off a good portion of my collectible stash , only to see returns of less than three - quarters of what it is listed for in price guides .So now I just sell them for what I think is fair .What am I going to do , leave them for my landlady ?
A kit is only worth what someone is willing to pay. When I see a kit at a flea market or garage sale I have to think… Will I build it or will it sit for a few years? Also, do I want to wait years to sell it hopeing for a big payday? Or, will it lose value in a week? If I buy ten of them , will I be able to sell them all? I decided a long time ago to just buy what interests me at that paticular moment. And if it turns out to be valuble… build it and see who cries “FOUL”! (Thats always fun!)
Well, i am still young enough to think i can still build everything in my stash (i know, we all do), so ill just compare rates to my sole box of ammo. 401k: 2.1% last statement. Box of .223 77 grain…410%.
And for full disclosure, on the model i was looking at my AM stash. I need to start going to swap meets and see about some bargins.
Isn’t it insane? I can’t believe the price on new kits! Forget about getting new kids into the hobby at these prices!
15 years ago the intersest from my one-man technical illustration company savings account covered most of my monthly hobby buying. not so any more.
i am cutting back on my model biying as, like most of us, i have more than will ever get built. i got 2 warwheels from squadron i knew i wanted at 30% off , AMX-13 from squadron 50% off 2 on ebay afv club 105mm and SAM-2 60% off plus no shipping and one A-20B for $15 from a stash sale.
I see it both ways. My jaw drops when I look at the prices of some of the Dragon and Tamiya kits lately. I have even. Walked away from buying certain kits due to the price.
On the other hand I will stop and think about “how much” I will get for my money. Not just meaning material wise but entertainment wise. I’m still a fairly young guy at 34 yrs old with a fairly active social life. I can easily spend 2 or 3 times what one of these expensive kits would cost on a saturday night going out for dinner and at the pub afterwards.
If I know I’m going to get many hours enjoying the hobby at a $60 dollar price point for a quality kit I will sometimes swallow it.
That being said I too have a budget and it is not always feasible to buy the expensive kits. I also find myself researching any kit I purchase now before I actually buy it to make sure that I am getting my moneys worth and not spending it on something that will have me get to frustrated with it only to have it sit on the shelf unfinished.