cobraman Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 I like to cruise ebay and often times look and the finished builds. I always see models claiming to be "pro built". I began to wonder what consitiutes a "pro built" model ? Does it mean someone who can sell his builds ? Is it someone who makes a living at building and selling models ? Is it someone who has built a lot of models in his lifetime ? Is a nice clean build up with good detailing and great paint a "pro build" ? Whats you take on what is a "pro built " model ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quick GMC Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 I have always considered someone a professional, regardless of the field, as someone who is regularly paid or commissioned for their work, has somewhat of a portfolio and a history. When someone tells me they are "a professional", it means nothing. It means they have the ability to convince someone to pay for their work. Their are many professionals in my field that do not deserve to make a living doing what they are doing. The title of professional has long since lost it's meaning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jantrix Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 If you have seen the work on ebay then you may have already seen that the term "pro built" is determined largely by the builders opinion of his own work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry P. Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 Anyone can call themselves a "pro" or claim the model is "pro built." It's meaningless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niteowl7710 Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 On eBay it seems what makes something "Pro Built" is a great sense of self-importance and an ego that barely fits through the door sideways. I have to laugh in my industry how many companies like to advertise about how professional their drivers are, only to see these people driving and behaving in the least professional way possible. I request people do NOT call me a "Professional Driver" as I don't want to be associated with most of these people that populate the highways with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danno Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 I like to cruise ebay and often times look and the finished builds. I always see models claiming to be "pro built". I began to wonder what consitiutes a "pro built" model ? Does it mean someone who can sell his builds ? Is it someone who makes a living at building and selling models ? Is it someone who has built a lot of models in his lifetime ? Is a nice clean build up with good detailing and great paint a "pro build" ? Whats you take on what is a "pro built " model ? In the context of your question, Ray, the answer is usually just one word: EGO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Joseph Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 "Professional" photographers are similar. At the risk of sounding like a JMN*, there should be a certification for "professional" model builders. It doesn't have to be complicated. A review board made up of several community-acknowledged, competent modelers could look at a portfolio of WIP and completed models and certify that a person basically knows what they are doing. Winning awards at contests and all that stuff doesn't need to factor into the process. Have a little seal and a certification number that you can post on your eBay listing to prove you're a reputable builder, and you can say "pro built" with pride. *Joyless Modeling Nazi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 See also, "Master Modeler": http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=37674&hl=%26quot%3Bpro+built%26quot%3B#entry388123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry P. Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 See also, "Master Modeler"... And then there's the kid in high school who was the captain of the debate team. The master debater... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turn1wonder Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 Harry, I'm tempted to mention the professional fisherman...but I might get a warning. How about the farmer who was out standing in his field ? Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete J. Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 This is probably the most annoying subject that comes up with some regularity. All the members who have commented so far are right on the button. It doesn't mean squat! There are no certifications, education or licenses required to build and sell models. IMHO prebuilt it is classified at advertising puffery. In other words it is something that sounds good when you are trying to sell something. Want to use it? Fine, knock yourself out but for most of the builders who frequent this forum they take is for what it is worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChromeIt Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 On Ebay it often means "inflated price" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azers Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 (edited) I build models, have won contests, best of shows and sold some of my built models. But i have never considered myself a proffessional or listed my builds as pro built because i am always learning new things in this hobby and there will always be builders out there that are better than i am. Thats the fun part of this hobby IMOP is bettering myself through practice. And learning new things from friends. Edited June 5, 2013 by azers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W-409 Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 I have been thinking the same thing many times. Some of those Models really might be excellent and "Pro Built", but then some "pro built" models can be....Well, something else. A same kind of thing I read in Finnish American Car Magazine. A guy bought '40s Dodge Pickup from The HAMB and because it was lowered a lot, he asked that how the chassis is done. Answer was just that it's "Pro Built". When the car arrived in Finland, there were no springs in the chassis and everything except the wheels and engine were welded on place! Man, that's something I wouldn't call very Pro Built... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 l have seen some real built turds on ebay say they was pro built. l have no ldea why many use that term. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deano Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 I have been thinking the same thing many times. Some of those Models really might be excellent and "Pro Built", but then some "pro built" models can be....Well, something else. A same kind of thing I read in Finnish American Car Magazine. A guy bought '40s Dodge Pickup from The HAMB and because it was lowered a lot, he asked that how the chassis is done. Answer was just that it's "Pro Built". When the car arrived in Finland, there were no springs in the chassis and everything except the wheels and engine were welded on place! Man, that's something I wouldn't call very Pro Built... Well, the seller >did< pay someone to do that to the truck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W-409 Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 (edited) Well, the seller >did< pay someone to do that to the truck. Actually the seller himself was a welder, and he had done the "Pro Built Chassis" himself. ...But back to the subject. Edited June 5, 2013 by W-409 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtx6970 Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 IMO. When the builder can get paid regularly , profitably and has a waiting list then and only then can he be refered to as a ' Professional builder' otherwise it's an ego stroke +/or an attemp to get more money out of the un-informend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tubbs Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 IMO. When the builder can get paid regularly , profitably and has a waiting list then and only then can he be refered to as a ' Professional builder' otherwise it's an ego stroke +/or an attemp to get more money out of the un-informend i have simular thoughts. by definition, i feel if someone is getting "paid" for a regularly produced product, he is then considered a "professional". doesn't mean he is good at it. look at my beloved Cleveland Browns, they are "pro's"..... right? but then again, you have to be drafted onto a PRO team to become a pro, amature bowlers get paid, they need thier card to turn pro. minor league baseball players are "pr" but not in the big leagues,..... hmmmm...... i'm out of this one, my head is starting to hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jantrix Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 Here's my Andy Rooney moment. Did you ever notice that none of those pro builders are active members here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niteowl7710 Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 NMRA has a program: http://www.nmra.org/education/achievement/ap_master.html Wow if something like that were devised for the automotive hobby - aside from the cries of "I build for myself" that would ricochet around, I don't know how many people in all of the combined forums of the hobby could actually get the certification. Just read some of the requirements, that is some hard-core model railroading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnbuzzed Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 The following is from the "Merriam-Webster" Dictionary: 1pro·fes·sion·al adjective \prə-ˈfesh-nəl, -ˈfe-shə-nəl\ Definition of PROFESSIONAL 1 a : of, relating to, or characteristic of a profession b : engaged in one of the learned professions c (1) : characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession (2) : exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace 2 a : participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs <a professional golfer> b : having a particular profession as a permanent career <a professional soldier> c : engaged in by persons receiving financial return <professional football> 3 : following a line of conduct as though it were a profession <a professional patriot> — pro·fes·sion·al·ly adverb I don't think there are many "professional" modelers out there. Of course, there are those who build for museums, for TV and movies, for architectural and engineering purposes, etc. But in the way the term is used by some in our hobby? Not really. Perhaps, "contest-quality" or "contest-winning" or "museum-quality" are terms that might be better applied. I've done alright in the modeling world after having built for about 52 years and I would never, ever consider myself to be a "professional modeler". Better than some, not as good as some and on a par with some but certainly not a professional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gramps2u Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 (edited) As the Seller whom claims to be a "Pro Builder" also has a P.H.D in "B.S" . Ego's, One has to enjoy the Idiocy... Edited June 5, 2013 by Gramps2u Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrknowetall Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 (edited) I built three box art models for AMT/ERTL about twenty years ago. Ain't I a professional? But seriously? I've seen that pro-built term used on eBay, and it equates to the seller trying to wring a few more dollars out of his auction. Edited June 5, 2013 by mrknowetall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ognib Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 And then there's the kid in high school who was the captain of the debate team. The master debater... ...annd, the fisherman who is a master baiter... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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