One of my friendly neighborhood plastic kit dealers says he knows a dude who not only knows how to sell a completed kit on Ebay but has “regular clientele”. Those are models and dioramas that sell for well over USD 1,000 a piece, some approach USD 2,000.
My only problem is that with the amount of time it takes to complete a top quality replica this is not a good way to make money, I’m afraid. How many models can a single modelere sell per year? USD 5,000 worth at the most?
I tried keyword search “diorama” at Ebay but found nothing, except one item that looks like a dollhouse.
Monster i have been on e-bay plenty looking for models and stuff and have never seen any completed kits or dios go for anything near that dollar amount. When you go to ebay and do search make sure you click on in description and title.
I’ve considered doing this as a way to make money, for fun, between summers. sure the income would be limited, and unsure, but it’d be a better job, and it’d make you a better modeler.
I regularly browse ebay looking at finished models(a few times a month;) it’s almost like a gallery, and I’ve seen (missed) great deals on buying a lot of built kits that would make for good reworking.
on ebay, go to Search, do Advanced Search, you can select “Completed Items Only” for ended auctions and type in 1:35 built (vary scale, subject, etc…“1:35 built tiger.”)
I’ve seen some kits go for a good amount; Eastern Front Tigers and Shermans seem to get the best amount ($200-$600.) some of them obviously have a lot of work put in, some not as much (looks like it could be built in a week, no figures, etc…)
another apparent factor in the sale price is the details listed in the description; Construction Techniques and Historical Research.
better photos also seem to sell, as not everything sells and some pieces have too high an asking price.
are those “regular clientele” old guys with bad eyesight and shaky hands who can’t build anymore, or who can never build but have huge displays set up?
that was a theory me and a friend came up with as to who pays some of these huge prices.
Hah, so when trying to sell a completed 1:35 tank we’re talking about $300 at the most. Waste of time and effort, it’s better to collect them and then sell the entire collection when you’re an old man.
Over a year ago, I watched a 1/35th scale King Tiger sell for $975.00. It was truly a “pro built” model, and much better than what is being sold now on Ebay. The builder had improved some of the details and had partially scratchbuilt an interior.
I would say that selling for profit would amount to not much profiy if you ask me , you won’t get almost 1000 bucks for a kit OOB period , now add ABER details ( they almost never have complete kits here , so you have to buy at least 2 or more at 20 bucks each almost! )an AM gun barrel ( those seams will drop the price as well ) AM tracks probably have to be them damn modelkastens( the fruils add pounds in shipping ![B)]) which drive you absolutly nuts to put on after painting ( they just fall apart when bent ), and you will need a full interior set ( and it will have to be very authentic , good luck there ! Rivet counters are everywhere)that will bring the total amount in materials alone to over $200 US ! Now a simple ABER kit alone,could take you almost a full week to assemble ( my last had just 3 frets ,small at that ,and that is literally what it took me !, and i build pretty quick) ! I would have to say that by the time you have finished the masterpiece for sale , you will no longer want to sell it , it would just break your heart ! I would never sell my finished kits , ( unless I was made an offer I couldn’t refuse mind you !) and then maybe But mine aren’t that caliber yet anyhow . [:D]