Jantrix Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 Well, although the prices at the pump are at manageable levels, the prices on kit's aren't going down. Frankly I didn't expect they would. For a lot of us already a $30 model kit is already a reality, and very likely the rest of us won't be far behind. So lets talk about the future.If kits reach $30, $35, or even $40, how that going to affect your model buying?Me? I'm not a collector. I only buy models that really speak to me, that I have a great appreciation for. So the Revell '57 Fords, the S&H Torino, zero interest. But the new Model A's, whoa baby. But still I just buy one of each. So for me, a $40 kit won't bother me much. I build too slowly for it to affect my budget. I will be looking harder at swap meets though and on ebay for old stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1930fordpickup Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 Now I do not go out and buy extra kits on speculation of projects.Just remember the more the kits cost the more the kits in the stash are worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelson Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 I agree,I have really cut back the last couple years I tend to shop around to see where I can find the best deal,luckily the last few years Round2 and Revell have been reissuing kits I already have so I've saved quite a bit of money there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMCMAN52 Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 If I really want that kit I wait for Hobby Lobby and use their 40% coupon. If not at Hobby lobby then it's evil bay and I look for the cheapest seller Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quick GMC Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 I don't have much time to build as it is, and don't see it get any better in the near future. I stopped buying Revell and similar kits and started getting rid of the ones I don't HAVE to have. I am buying fewer kits, but investing in super detail kits and/or detail sets. I recently got the Aoshima F1 GTR longtail kit with the Hobby Design detail set and the HD brake kit, Tamiya FXX K with the Hobby Design super detail kit, and the Scale Motorsports C6R super detail kit. Those 3 alone are worth a couple years of building on my schedule. I got a couple of each of the new '30 Ford kits to build, a 1/12 MFH kit and some other kits with a lot of detail stuff. I'll be set for quite some time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Smith Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 Let's not miss the point. If a kit sells for $30, the MSRP will probably be $45, so Hobby Lobby discount will bring it back down to reality, but still $30.We all, obviously, shop around for the best deal, but what if the best deals become $30 $40 or more? I decided to buy and build. Holding a big stash is, for me, a waste. So paying $30 or $40 for one kit is fine - where it will hurt is the people who buy 30+ kits a year and only build 3.I DO appreciate Revell and AMT adding additional parts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Brian Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 I do my best to buy from Hobby Lobby with their 40% off coupon but several kits I really want didn't end up there so I'm going to have to bite the bullet I guess. I do a lot of kitbashing so sometimes one build required several kits to complete so I do everything I can to find my donor kits cheaply. When I have to pay full price for a kit it definitely limits the number that I end up with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTalmage Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 I only buy the kits that speak to me too... unfortunately they all talk to me! I go thru building spurts. I've built 1 a month and can build 12 or 13 in a year sometimes.... This year I think I've built 4. But by golly I have a gigantic stash of kits. And, if the kit is cool enough, I'll spend the money. I'm young I have plenty of time to be broke later lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magicmustang Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 (edited) Being old enough to remember when some of these $29.95 (MSRP) reissued AMT kits sold for $1.50 ($2.00 MSRP) in the 60's, I have a hard time justifying a repurchase. Gas was 25 cents a gallon then and now it's $2.00 a gallon. So using that for a price gauge, a reissued kit should be around $16.00 a kit. I mean it's still mostly plastic which comes from oil, and the labor in China is a lot lower than here. I feel the model companies are testing the water to find a price point that will yield an acceptable profitability/ volumn level. As I used to tell my marketing department, "There is no sale on Earth that can't be killed if you apply to much profit". Edited December 2, 2016 by magicmustang Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordRodnKustom Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 I'm out. The retail pricing is far out of my comfort zone and I don't like the quality of the "new" styrene being used in kits as of late. The only way I'll buy one is on deep discount with coupons or clearance. I have a sizable stash of parts and kits with many being older issues so I have enough to build for a long, long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseyRed Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 I don't have a closet full of kits yet so at this point I'm buying whatever I feel is interesting. At this rate I'll have more than I can build in a year in no time. Unless something drastic changes things I don't see price being an issue for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Most Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 It doesn't effect me. I've spent quite a bit more than thirty bucks on some questionable purchases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtx6970 Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 (edited) Ive already started to limit my purchases on current release subjects. The Hobby Lobby $39.95 pricing on the Lawman kit did me in.I decided to really scrutinize my modeling budget a couple years ago and concentrate on older annuals. And thus rarely buy a modern tool kit the past few years. That said, my want list was pretty long ( everything automotive produced in plastic between 1958 and 1963 ,,,convertibles only if it was produced back then ,,, ( no trucks , boats or planes )) and given my wanted subject matter,,,,,,they are not cheap in most cases. But I've just about filled my want list. So purchases have dwindled dramatically the past few months. But the prior 2 or 3 years,,,,was not cheap . In regards to modern tool stuff, Im both cheap and selective - example. I wanted a Sock It To me Vette to build. But couldn't justify the $25 price tag.( its the cheap part of me ) I got lucky and found 2 of them at Ollies for $8 ea. I bought them both. Just in case one was molded in metallic orange. ( It wasn't ) Already built one and will use the 2nd on for trade baitIf I dont buy another kit ever I'm good. ,,,I already have more than I'll ever build in my remaining time here anyway Edited December 1, 2016 by gtx6970 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Smith Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 (edited) Being old enough to remember when some of these $29.95 (MSRP) reissued AMT kits sold for $1.50 ($2.00 MSRP) in the 60's, I have a hard time justifying a repurchase. Gas was 25 cents a gallon then and now it's $2.00 a gallon. So using that for a price gauge, a reissued kit should be around $16.00 a kit. I mean it's still mostly plastic which comes from oil, and the labor in China is a lot lower than here. I feel the model companies are testing the water to find a price point that will yield an acceptable profitability/ volumn level. As I used to tell my marketing department, "The is no sale on Earth that can't be killed if you apply to much profit". Gas average .31 gallon in 1965. Gas in 2014 3.34, 2015 2.40 - so a 1.50 model should cost $16 and $11.60. Gas is not a real good indicator though. If we look at houses - 1965 median $19,800, 2016 $304,500 means a 1.50 kit from 1965 should cost $23.06. We could look at a lot of comparisons I guess. I don't know where (or why) people are buying current Revell or AMT kits for $30. About the only place I see kits listed for MSRP are at Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Hobbytown USA, etc. many online sellers already have a discounted price and don't limit you to one coupon a day. I have a toy store in Spokane that sells new Revell kits for $12.95-$14.95 (The White Elephant)!! I can get brand new Aoshima kits for $30 shipped from Japan! If quality and parts count went up, I would have no problem spending $30 or more - I already do. Edited December 1, 2016 by Erik Smith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrKerry Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 At those prices I won't be buying many. I'll wait til they show up at a swap meet because someone don't need it or want it anymore.... either that or trade with someone. I can't really afford to buy them now at 25.00 . If they continue to rise in price who knows on my end..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Smith Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AC Norton Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 ........if you are a bit patient , all the new issue's are usually much cheaper say, 6 month's later, at show's and with online seller's that are looking to blow out stock. but, if you MUST have that new release now, and I many time's do as well, then pull out that wallet and cash out. actually, I envy you guy's from the U.S. because our price's here with money exchange and all else push basic release's to well over the 40.00 mark, and some closer to 50 bucks......the Ace........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xingu Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 Taking this to the extreme.....If enough people stop buying kits because they are expensive, they will stop making them all together. I guess we could still get Pocher or other similarly high end models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragline Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 I am seriously getting into Military in particular Armor. I thought kit prices were high on automotive subjects but MAN! I'm not blurting out prices but I bought a Dragon M1A2 tank kit and PE set and it was a tidy sum. There are deals to be had but for me my commissions pay for kits and paint easily. I might balk at times and I'm currently waiting for a few Round 2 kits to be released so i can do a large order over at Model Roundup to save on shipping. But in general it has slowly crept up on us. Model building at any level is no longer a cheap hobby. But it is cheaper than a great many. I see what my brother pays to shoot sporting clay and trap, and while I do go at times it has gotten pricey. He reloads but the guns he has are expensive.So it's all relative to the enjoyment you receive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan barton Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 Thirty dollar kits would affect me greatly - that would be a twenty to thirty five dollar discount on what we pay in Australia! No discount chains at all but two LHS do give our clubmembers a 10% discount which is nice. Bought the new 48 police car last night - $49.95 and I have seen it dearer elsewhere!But like a lot have said before, I have enough to get me to the grave so it's really not a problem. If you want it you will buy it! CheersAlan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTallDad Posted December 2, 2016 Share Posted December 2, 2016 Not at all. I've been retired for over seven years, and actually sold off all those kits I had planned to build.When you're working, kits are a hobby; when you're retired, the drive to build the kits becomes an obsession and it is no longer fun or a hobby.I think that all six kits that I have will probably last a lifetime, based on the speed (?) at which I build.With that in mind, the higher prices will probably not be an impact, unless there's a kit for a 1:1 that I've owned in the past is released. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintagercr Posted December 2, 2016 Share Posted December 2, 2016 it wont affect me. I don't smoke or drink, so this is what I enjoy spending my money on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jantrix Posted December 2, 2016 Author Share Posted December 2, 2016 Taking this to the extreme.....If enough people stop buying kits because they are expensive, they will stop making them all together. I guess we could still get Pocher or other similarly high end models. I doubt that will happen. Marketing folks are very skilled at finding the price at which folks will stop buying and keep a product below it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chepp Posted December 2, 2016 Share Posted December 2, 2016 (edited) It doesn't matter to me. If I spend 40 hours on a $40 kit, that's a buck an hour (for the kit, not including paint glue, etc.). If it was a $30 kit, the hourly cost would be 75 cents. But then, I don't spend as much as many others do on other things. Zero on video games, smart phones, tablets, laptops, etc. My 10-year-old desk style computer works fine and so does my 15-year-old van. I could afford better but I don't. It's not really a miser thing — I just buy good to excellent quality stuff and keep it until it becomes unreliable. Edited December 2, 2016 by chepp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AC Norton Posted December 2, 2016 Share Posted December 2, 2016 Not at all. I've been retired for over seven years, and actually sold off all those kits I had planned to build. When you're working, kits are a hobby; when you're retired, the drive to build the kits becomes an obsession and it is no longer fun or a hobby. I think that all six kits that I have will probably last a lifetime, based on the speed (?) at which I build. With that in mind, the higher prices will probably not be an impact, unless there's a kit for a 1:1 that I've owned in the past is released. it wont affect me. I don't smoke or drink, so this is what I enjoy spending my money on. Ray, you hit the nail on the head and I totally relate. thru the working years, model's were a hobby, and for me I was constantly involved in one car model project after the other....now retired, I have a pile that I look thru, fiddle around with, etc,,,but the fun has faded away and really cranking one out is a challenge, and as you state, no longer fun.....as for your comment, Stephen regarding abstaining from drinking, smoking and such,,,just remember the old guy at his retirement party having a ball with his work friends, and when they yelled for,,,SPEACH, SPEACH from their old buddy, he replied by saying..' I've made lot's of cash at this job thru the year's, and you know, I spent most it on booze, gambling, and fast women.....and the rest of it I totally wasted............lol..lol..........the Ace......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.