Like most of us, I look forward to reading the kit reviews in each edition of FSM. And, like most of us, I’ve been shocked at the MSRP that some manufacturers are asking for their kits (glad I dont build 1/350 warships !) But I’ve come to accept that some stuff I can afford, and some stuff I cant. Like most of us, theres a line in the sand I wont cross when it comes to price.
Now I dont expect a state-of-the-art kit, chock full of resin, PE, extensive decal sheets and colour reference material to be the same price as an old Monogram re-pop (no offence, Hans !) But couldnt the reviewer give their opinion as to whether they think the kit is value for money ? After all, they have the experience.
Admittedly, they arent paying for the model, and I dont know if they get to keep it after they submit their review ? But I would like to see in the “pros” and “cons” of the review, their opinion whether this kit IS good value for money, or, given the reviewers experience with the kit, that it is, in their opinion, overpriced.
Or, is this just going to scare off manufacturers from providing kits for the reviews. Do they have to be involved anyway ? Cant FSM just buy a kit off the shelf and give it to a reviewer ? Or do they rely on pre-release kits and the goodwill of the manufacturer ?
Sorry if I’ve been asking more questions than providing answers, but this has been bugging me ever since I saw the ad for those two IJA 1/35 trucks with a MSRP of more than eighty bucks apiece… I hope there’s a Rolex hidden inside the box somewhere…[8-)]
Not so much the case with FSM, but I know plenty of the online review sites DO take price into account.
Of course it’s also kind of tough to take price into account, since the MSRP is often far higher than what a discerning shopper can snatch a kit up for via vendor tables, eBay, sales, etc.
Not as far as how the kit builds, is accurate, etc…if the reviewer wants to mention his opinion on the price, then it should be a cmment that is separate from the review itself…such as: “I rate this kit overall 9 out of 10. The kit retails higher than older kits of the same subject but is a completely new mold.”
Reviewers are provided the kit, which they get to keep once the review is completed. Once the review is published they are compensated for their time. Albeit one can not earn a living from it, but it is a way to help support your hobby habit. What they do make they earn! One has to work with what is handed to them, be able to build it into a presentable and photogenic model, work on a tight deadline and be able to write about the experience in a comprehensible way. Its hard finding someone who can do all these things successfully.
Its been a few years since I did my last review for FSM. Yes, I’m up for another!
Mfrs provide the kits, and a magazine that is as successful with circulation and longevity as FSM doesn’t have problem getting kits. However there are some mfrs or distributors who will opt not to support, it is the same in other industries as well. They have to see a return on the investment…some reviewers resources provide better return than others.
Reviewers are to present the facts, not provide opinions or additional commentary. This keeps the reviews unbiased and fair. One man’s opinion doesn’t necessarily jive with yours or mine. What I might consider a good kit, you might consider bottom of the pile junk.
Providing the MSRP is a good idea, it lets modelers know what they can expect to pay for the kit they are reading the review of.
The price should be mentioned, but not be a major factor. Like this:
"1/350 scale Zuiho by Tamigawa of Germany, $229 List Price.
Like the real ship, Tamigawa saved much Yen by re-boxing the ancient Revell mold of the Takasaki Oiler, and glommed on a mass of styrene for a deck. The fit was perfect, if you count that the kit “fit” into the box, otherwise only the hale and hearty should attempt this kit. Although anyone with the intestinal fortitude to buy a $229 kit should have no problems. Best reserved for bachelors, and the recently (or soon-to-be) divorced. Lurkers are banned from purchasing the kit."
I like it when price is a positive factor. For example, Revell’s 1/48 Strike Eagle and Super Hornet should get a couple of bonus points for costing $18 and $11 after applying the weekly Michaels coupon of 40%.
But I don’t want it to be a negative factor. Dragon Smart kits costing $50 are actually worth it because of the value that they provide. Same goes for the new giant 1/32 trumpeter kits which goes for about $100 yet still offer incredible value. These are state of the art kits and IMO, revolutionized the modeling industry.
So price should be a positive factor. But not mentioned if it’s negative.
I think price should be included in the review (the kit retail cost is $229) but I would not want it to influence the overall review. A good kit that is over priced, is still a good kit, vaue is an individual judgement.
The exception for me would be those cases where there is a very similar kit available, such as the RoG Lancaster vs the Hasegawa Lancaster. Both are modern kits with good fit and detail but one sells for 1/2 the price of the other. This should still just be provided as information, not diminishing the good points of the model.
I like the way FSM has it …off to the side, not really factored into the review. I do like to read the reviews, but if the price tag is above my “line in the sand”,I have absolutely no interest in the review. Once I’ve read everything I’m interested in, the mag goes to the “water closet” and the rest gets read while I’m “dropping bombs”.
I think it is appropriate, and indeed proper, for the kit’s MSRP to be noted in the review, but whether or not it is worth the money is highly subjective and essentially in the eye of the prospective buyer. I think most of us can make that assesment based on the information customarily included in a kit review, such as whether it is new molding or a re-box of an old kit. I would prefer that kit reviews stick strictly to the physical merits of the kit such as fit, accuaracy, flash and mold marks, etc… Based on those factors I can decide for myself if it is worth the money.
And to the poster above who said he was glad he didn’t do ships in 1/350, I know what you mean. I am a ship modeler and work primarily in 1/350. State of the art kits are routinely running over $100.00 U.S. in that scale (eyes won’t let me work in 1/700). Sometimes makes it tough to afford some kits you really want, unless you are willing to give up such extras as food, house payment, etc… Also, the Big Brown Truck pulling up with a big box can cause the wife, “she who must be obeyed”, to give the humble modeler “THE LOOK”. I suspect many of you know what I mean. Oh, the things we endure for our craft.
I think they have it right already. Do the detailed review, opinions on the fit/buildup/instructions/decals etc. Include the price in the info box & leave it at that. One man’s $229 model is another’s $29 model.
( Hey - BGrigg is back & lurking/posting!! Good to see you Bill. [Y] )
I think you hit a very valid point here. If the reviewer was paying out of pocket as all the general public does for any kit, I suspect the review would take a different tack in regards to pricing. I would guess they would be more honest and direct and less tolerant of issues if the reviewer had to pay their own cash for the kit. Yes there are limits all of us have as to multi media kits, pricing, etc. Not to mentions skill levels. But it sure seems that most reviews posted on FSM are on kits way out of mine or many builders I know price league.
Yes, reviews need to be objective and factual: Kit ZY-123 comes with x amount of sprues of Y amount of parts in gray plastic. It matches well with line drawings, etc. However once assembly begins, the review does become somewhat subjective based upon the reviewers skill level, area or expertise, and experience. Or they could even be having a bad day- we all have those.
None taken, Pard…[t$t] (But thanks fer thinkin’ of me…)
Price is ALWAYS a factor as far as I’m concerned… I don’t care if it’s the greatest thing since the discovery of fire, it has to be under a certain price or I ain’t buyin’ it… I don’t care if the reviewer got a full-body orgasm building it… The reviewer’s job in building the kit is to tell US, the modeling community, EVERYTHING about it, not stroke the manufacturer…
If the kit’s a pig, the reviewer should call it one, otherwise he’s just a shill for the manufacturer…
That said, I often think that reviews would be less “glowing” about kits that are paid for by the reviewer… If I had ANY “cons” after shelling 229.00 bucks for a kit, they’d be well-documented…
A broader question: do reviews any carry any weight at the end of the day, really?..I mean, if you have bought a brand of kit you pretty much know what to expect from there next offering…and how many of you have bought a kit despite the review? And how many have you bought a kit after a bad review and didn’t run into the same issues the reviewer did? — or issues he didn’t? I think a review just reinforces what we already have decided in our minds about the kit through other sources, such as this Forum, or from previous experience…
In addition, I don’t think it is fair to overly criticize a reviewer for talking a free kit from the manufacturer to review. I mean, when people review cars and electronics, do we expect them to go out and lay down thousands of their own marks so they can review the next car we might want to purchase…? No, we don’t…
well some reviews such as Consumer Reports do pay out of a compnay fund for the item being reviewed. it is not so much a criticism of the reviewer for taking a free kit as it is of the process itself.
In most cases the review in this or any other magazine will not be a deciding factor. As most kits are usually not the same as others coming out at the same time. But occasionally two companies do release kits of the same subject around the same time are priced competitively, so in those cases the review can be a deciding factor.
Prices are fact. Techniques used to get a resulting model in the review’s picture are fact. Commenting on the accuracy of structural and historical details is dealing with fact. Whether the pictured result is worth the price and effort stated, or would be worth adding personal effort beyond what the reviewer used, and other factors such as personal interest in the modeling subject, are all much more subjective and should be up to the reader to decide for him/herself if, for example, Brand X’s new release of a “no frills” 1:100 F-15E with raised panel lines, no options for landing gear up, parts for Acrid missiles instead of the expected bombs and Sidewinders, and several parts lineups that were so mismatched the reviewer had to break out the hair dryer and bend parts is worth $9.95, or a mecha kit from an obscure anime by Brand Z that stands only 6 inches tall but needed no putty and has PE details throughout is worth $100.00.
Price definitely need to be consider for an overall review of a kit.
If not, any kit manufacturer will come up a world class modek kit provided you can afford to pay them.
Like that kitech/zhengdefu can also come up with the best 1/16 King Tiger at $9999. But the problem is can the masses afford it ? I know some can afford it, just like super sport car at ridiculous price which some are sold. But definitely, the number of kit sold will be very limited.
If a kit offer over only a 10% increase in detail and quality over another but a price jump of 50%, I will say the kit is very bad in value for money and not worth buying… Of cos, in terms of quality. Its not crap!
The price of model kits are no different than any other consumer item. I don’t know why some many guys get so worked up about the prices when supply and demand will take care of it on its own—like it does with everything else…
I don’t think so… From the current trend kit are getting more and more expensive. Yes, the quality has improves too but IMHO the quality improves does not justify the 2-3 folds of prices.
The 1/350 warship is a good example. $80-90 for a destroyer proves too much for me. Not to mention Battleship. Plus for the supply and demand to really take effect, probably will need few years time or a decade to see the effect. By that time happen, it might have drive out some potential new hobbyist or young modeller who might not have that deep pocket.
Then there will be a vacum in between for kit modelling…