mikemodeler

Hey guys, I have a question that probably has multiple answers but want to throw it out there to the group. I spent this weekend going through all of my sealed model kits and separating the "keepers" from the "sellers" and came up with a list of about 170 sealed kits I want to get rid of. I have finally realized that I don't have the time to build all of these up and I am better off selling them and using the money for other needed items in my life. The question is to those that have found themselves in the same situation and it is this: How did you get rid of the "excess" models in your collection? I know that there are buyers out there that will look at my list and make me an offer but reality is I am not needing to sell, more like wanting to sell. I am not an eBay guy, I have never bought or sold on there and am not looking to start. I am not sure what the status of eModelcars is and if it gets enough traffic to sell them. I travel with my job and am not home on a regular basis to ship on a schedule if I were to list them on eBay or eModelcars. I don't think I really want to trade any of my kits, the whole idea is to reduce what I have and I can't think of any kits I want that I don't already have. I am not aware of any upcoming shows in my area (Charlotte NC) that would allow me to get a table and sell them there. I will be compiling a spreadsheet of the kits with manufacturer and kit number/description in the coming days and am wondering if grouping them together (ex. '69 Camaro; '32 Ford; Chevy pickup, etc) would be easier to sell them or to just put a list together and send it out to the masses? How should I address shipping? It won't be cheap to send all 170 kits at once but even 4 or 5 at a time might run $20. I really appreciate the feedback that I am expecting and hopefully things will go smoothly in the process. Once all of the sealed kits are gone, then I will go through the open kits and make some decisions on those as well. I am not getting out of the hobby, just looking to make life a little easier and some fellow modellers happy with some kits from my collection. Thanks in advance! Mike

There are many reasons why the designs of the current vehicles tend to look alike to many, some of it is government mandates, some of it is multiple vehicles being built off the same platform, others it is copying a popular model to win over new buyers. When manufacturers step outside the norm, they tend to go overboard and deliver something so ugly they end up not selling well- Edsel, Pacer, Aztec- and are afraid to do that again. American made and American owned are two different things today. The import or foreign nameplate vehicles are built here in large numbers that those manufacturers employ more workers than the big 3 do. It can be argued where the profits go but in the end, it comes down to jobs.

Just like the Cubs! Wait til next year! I have been mowing grass down here in NC for two months, time to change the oil on the mower already!

Happy Birthday Chuck, hope the day is a good one for you and here's to many more!

Nice start and that trailer is very impressive, can't wait to see it done.

"Tell Thelma Lou that I will be late for dinner!"

TJ, MPC issued a 71/72 Chevy pickup, longbed stepside, in 2wd back in the 70's. I haven't seen it re-issued but you might be able to find on eBay or one of the online old kit sellers. You would have to create your own 4wd chassis as the kit chassis is a very simple promo style piece that would be very difficult to modify into a 4wd version. I am surprised that a resin caster has never offered a 4wd chassis for the AMT & MPC pickups from this era.

I think we can stick a fork in this one, it is well done!

I have been a salesman for 16 years and my office is based in my home. That said, my accountant is reluctant to take any deductions for a home office as I do not have a single room dedicated to just my office, I do not have customers visit my home, and I typically spend less than 20% of my work time in my office. I have co-workers who go hog wild with deductions, everything from magazine subscriptions, cable TV, utilities, you name it and they try to deduct it! My theory is that it the little bit I may gain is not worth a sit down with the IRS (been there, done that, ain't fun!) My brother-in-law works for the Federal Government, has for 40 years. 10 years ago they closed his office and sent him home to work from a home based office. He has never taken the home office deduction as he figures it isn't worth the hassle even though he spends 85% of his time in it and can justify it. It does funny things to your capital gains taxes when you sell your home because a certain percentage has been deducted for whatever time period and subject to different taxes. The way I look at it is this- Unless I would be incurring huge expenses and receiving a big paycheck, what are the real advantages of running it like a business? Like Glenn mentioned, the IRS wants you to be profitable at some point.

I almost forgot one other............................ Donn Yost ! He has helped so many of us with his advice and encouragement not to mention his excellent how-to videos!

There are some members here who have dipped their toe into the resin casting business and have some great product. Most do not have a formal website or order form so I will have to dig up past emails to list them out. As far as the other aftermarket guys, I will list them here: MCW - have only bought at shows but great product and nice selection Ma's Resin- excellent product and great person, just overwhelmed at the moment but worth the wait. The Modelhaus- what is there to say except great people and product! Scale Equipement LTD- it's been awhile but great stuff. VCG Resins- Craig is one of us, and he has excellent turnaround time! Bandit Resins- Kenny is another builder/caster and has great stuff. I am sure I am forgetting a few but I have yet to feel cheated by any of the people I have bought from. That being said, I have also paid attention to some of the posts here about others' experiences and have steered clear of the "problem casters and dealers". As a consumer I appreciate the feedback and opinions so I can decide if I want to spend my money with some of these businesses or not!

I hear you Art as I made about 6 attempts at the correct model and year before getting it correct. Ironically enough, I found the very image online that Harry used and it was from that I was finally able to submit the answer. This one was a tough one because of the exact nature of the model and the fact that there were a bunch of other models that looked similar. If I hadn't found that same image online, I don't know if I would have been able to get it right. At least next week we just have to figure out if it is real or model!

Check with The Modelhaus, they have some older truck wheels and they may be what you are looking for. I don't have a picture but maybe someone else does.

nice clean trucks there Terry! I always liked that body style GM truck.

Build them curbside and you don't have such problems! Thanks for the chuckle and a belated Happy Birthday!

that's cuz you are getting very specific in the answer, which I understand now! the correct answer wasn't that hard once I knew where to find it, but I ain't sharing that secret with ANYONE !

Let's not forget the 69 Camaro- Revell recently had two snap versions, plus how many variations of convertibles and hardtops? Add in the AMT variants and the old Monogram tools and it has to rank up there near the 57 Chevy and 32 Ford. I am going to inventory all of my kits this weekend and I expect to find at least 9 different 69 Camaros.

After several failed attempts I was able to determine the correct year and model ( I think, Harry hasn't given me the official word) but it was fun! Thanks Harry, I am liking this!

It's your model and you can do what you want but me personally I would leave it as it because that paint looks sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet! Keep the pictures coming and get it done!

got mine, started to read it and check out the models. wish there were more events covered but understand the limits that Gregg and crew have.

They had the dune buggy which was a close replica of the Honda Odyysey ATV, from the late 70's/early 80's. The dune buggy kit is available in resin form from Scale Equipment LTD. The MPC kits that had the Yamaha dirt bikes are harder to find but they are out there.

I believe MPC also offered a 72 Chevy Pickup longbed stepside kit with a dirtbike in it, a Yamaha if I remember correctly. I had several of those kits back in the day, sure wish I still had them!

that is looking very nice and I can't wait to see it finished! I always admire those that are willing to paint a model black as it can show all the problems with the prep work.

She is a beauty Harry and I think I know this one! I just might go 2 for 2 on this Auto ID thing!

Sure, where ever the wife can't find that latest buy! It is on my list of things to do this coming week as I have a few days off and want to organize them so I can begin to "thin them out". No sense in having 14 Revell 69 Camaros!