I originally bought the Cyber Hobby DAK Tiger to build, but, with all the e-bay activity and the prices that this kit is bringing now, I am hesitant to break the seal. I’m not interested in selling it, but is it more valuable unbuilt?..opinions please
thanks,
Steve
Depends on whether you personally place more value on a kit in the box or a model on the shelf.
If you’re not interested in selling it, why not build it? I would!
If I were you I’d sell it to me! 
My thoughts run the same as Brian’s. I’m not a kit collector, if I buy a kit it’s because I plan to build it. When I buy a CH kit, it’s not because I think it might have value but because I like the subject and want to build it.
What it really boils down to is the value of the kit itself to you. If you decide it’s worth more as a potential future cash-in type of investment, then pack it in a box with some protective material and store it some place safe and never give it another thought and scratch/convert another kit to build the version it represents. [;)]
Hi,
I buy and sell on Ebay all the time. One thing you have to remember is that anything may be considered “rare”, but unless someone wants to buy it, it’s worth nothing more that personal sentiment. I have seen things I would never buy go for lots of money to someone who really wanted it. If the kit means a lot to you, keep it or build it. Once it’s gone, it would be really hard to get back. Sometimes I kick myself for things I let go and couldn’t get back. Good luck!
I agree with the earlier posts. I see no value in keeping a kit in its box because it may be valuable in the future. I buy kits to build them. Not as a possible future investment. Also, the kit market is so fickle, who knows what the future will bring. As soon as someone comes out with a slightly better version, it will be worth nothing again.
I sold a treasure trove of old “ESCI” 1/72 models on Ebay, for a decent gain;—right before Italeri bought all the molds and started releasing them all again. LESSON: what may be worth some modest money right now may be nearly worthless tomorrow. Besides, with the total over-abundance of Tigers out there, and esp. Tamiya’s excellent early Tiger, (not to mention DML’s!!) you’d sooner win the lottery than find that one nut who’s gonna pay you anything decent for your kit. My opinion is KITS ARE FOR BUILDING!! BUILD, SIR, BUILD ! ! ! [:-,][yeah]
Dragon are releasing short series of their goodies, keeps demand high and allows for future price increases.
I usually buy what I want to build if I can get hold of it before it is sold out.
Currently I have 5 unopened boxes in the stash.
If I could sell one off them to get 2 new… I would consider the subjects.
Yours is a collectors by definition, will probably earn high interest when built and high price if sold.
It’s your pocket Steve, I am sure you already have made up your mind
Build it. Especially if you’re not planning on selling it. It should make a great project.
If you dont need the cash Steve i say build it and enjoy the experience which will be especially gratifying for someone who loves these cats as much as you do [:)]
If you want to make money, invest in the stock market or mutuals. Kits should be made for building. I’m sure some hungry guy out there would love to get his hands on that kit, so maybe if you really don’t want it, at least sell it to the guy who wants to build it.
Steve, build 'er up!!! Get 'er done man…you have a special place in your heart for these beasts, and you seem to enjoy building them with however man you’ve already done… one more variant won’t hurt sitting on the shelf!!!
I understand, I have a similar issue with my old release 1/25th Tamiya Tiger I with interior - build or save or sell.
Anyway, I have a spare C-H Wittman Early Tiger I that I’d be happy to trade anyone for a C-H African Tiger I.
[#ditto]. Beside as far as with the history of plastic kits, I have never seen any of them went up in value as time goes by.
So please do build the kit.
Ben
I would agree with your comment Ben, but have you noticed the prices that old Monogram and Aurora kits fetch these days? Pretty insane. I remember when Monogram kits were like $4 or something. I once saw a Brummbar go for over $70. I don’t quite understand the inflated prices for Aurora, they weren’t all that great. I guess hobbyists are trying to purchase their youth back or something like that. It is kind of a kick I guess.
I believe its value will only hold up until it get reissued. Much like the “Holy Grail” Dragon kit of the 1990s, the M4A1 75mm Sherman, those things demanded big money before a reissue. Before it was reissued, it drew eBay bids around $75 with $125 being the highest I ever saw one go for. I tracked the prices because I had bought one of the original ones for a whopping $18 when they first came out and had considered selling it.
When they were reissued, the MSRP was in the $35 dollar range, about what their 1996ish asking price was. Today on eBay you can probably get them from anywhere between $30-50 depending on who’s looking for one at the time.
Hanging on to your DAK kit may cause you to miss out on the “big” money, but unless you are having trouble making the house payment or your child needs an operation, do you really need to sell it? If it is a subject that interests you and the only way to get that variant is by building it, by all means, keep it to build.
Just an aside note on making money on kits, I recently decided to sell some of the rarer vintage kits. I sold a small motorized Tamiya 1/50 scale Crusader tank kit for $224 and a motorized Tamiya 1/35 scale MOWAG Scorpion armored car for $310 in February. So despite what folks tell you, there is some money to be made in selling rare kits. I thought I did pretty good for a pair of kits I paid around $12 for.
(Oh, and for those of you who do not believe me, check eBay seller ID rgronovius to verify)
You guys that have been around a while know that I’m a builder not a kit trader. I’m just thinking that I can probably make a nice Tunisian Tiger from other “production” kits and AM that are available. The analogy would be something like if I had a six pack of Billy Beer, would I drink it or hold on to it?
I’ve seen the CH kit going for $200 USD plus on e-bay…
I don’t need the $200 bucks, but I like to hold onto things that are considered “rare”. If Dragon re releases another run …then the discussion is moot. The stadtgas Panther is really not in the same category because it is basically the new edition “D” kit with the propane tanks and PE in the kit.
I guess I’m in the same pickle with the Panther F that is due on 3/3 at my door?
I think I’ll wait a while and see if CH is true to thier word that they will never run these kits again. If they do, I’ll crack the shrink wrap on that sucker in a heartbeat!
Thanks for all the thoughts I appreciate it.
Steve
I solved that problem for myself by ordering 2 Panther F’s. Worst case I sell one for about what i bought it for…best case it can finance another CH purchase. I myself adore all my CH purchases and if I don’t have more than one I’m not selling - even if it takes me 20 years to build them all!
Hi Steve
I`m going with the rest if you dont need the moneykeep the kit to build,thats wot you got it in the first place for.
Iv been offered £50 for one of my Tiger 3in1s but wont sell, i got them to build. And i think thats wot you should do & ENJOY IT. Alan
I was thinking the same thing about my Dragon Tigers includeing the early wittmenn tiger for about three days then i said to myself Im building these bad boys…lol. Dragon didnt make all these new molds and machinery not to ever sell these things again. We will see them down the road sooner are later, at a higher price including the African tiger. So I say build it.