$30+ kits - hows it affect you?

[High octane]

I've been trying over the past few years to "thin out the herd" and build more and buy less. So far either I'm too busy to build more or I'm not motivated enough. I have plenty of kits to last me the rest of my life regardless of how long it will be, so I've been very selective in buying kits lately no matter what the price is.

[StevenGuthmiller]

Doesn't bother me.

As a matter of fact, I wish that I could get most of the kits that I've been buying for the past few years for 25 or 30 bucks!

I'm getting quite close to filling in my "annual" collection with everything that I really want, so when I go back to buying current kits at $30.00 a pop, it will be a refreshing change!

 

Steve

[StevenGuthmiller]

Delete.

Edited December 2, 2016 by StevenGuthmiller

[Scott Colmer]

It's slowed me down a quite a bit. I don't buy on a whim anymore. But some of those reissues just can't be passed up. 

A couple weekends ago I took a trip to the Hobbytown for the first time in many months. I got 1 model, (Der Beetle bus) and some supply the I can't remember. it cost $42.00 Wow.

I troll eBay on a regular basis. Every once in a while you can get a good kit for under 15.00, shipping included. I recently got a unbuilt 70 Camaro for 3.00 , 10.00 after shipping.

[Daddyfink]

I am pretty much at the point where new stuff and certain re-release stuff is getting my money. There is not much on ebay that I am really chasing and to be honest, I have gotten some pretty cool stuff on the trading thread right here on the board! 

So i am ok spending the $30 on a new kit that I really want. I know they will never be what I paid as a kid, but I am glad they are still making models! 

[BubbaBrown]

Well I don't want to start a war, but the higher the cost for a kit I think the kit should be more accurate , with a better fit and finish . Quality through out . For a $1.49 errors were okay , but at $30.00 not so even with inflation figured in ,

. Do you or anyone accept the fit and finish of your new 1 to 1 auto like was accepted back in the 60's. I think not, I am probably more of a collector but I enjoy when a kit falls together. If I have to do major surgery I want to do it on stuff I dream up not fixing factory screw ups. We need better quality control on all brands of kits, at least American kits. Thank you for letting me vent, and no I don't buy re-issuse from round to nausea .

[charlie8575]

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!

Not exactly....

At least in most hobby shops, the price you see is usually within a dollar or two of MSRP.

Many wholesalers, including ours, publish a slightly higher MSRP than the manufacturer, because they build in the cost of shipping to them.

While doing a little research at work on this (I manage a hobby shop,) I found that the MSRPs suggested by our wholesalers are higher than the what the manufactures publish by anywhere from 10-12%. This is because the wholesalers must pay the freight from the manufacturers' warehouses to their warehouses.

Our store tends to round prices to reasonable increments, up or down, based on market perceptions and price-triggers.

We also offer discounts to members of clubs and have three-four sales annually with very serious discounting- anywhere from 40-60%, depending on the item. We do this mainly as a cash generator, even if we take a hit on a few items, we usually come out pretty well ahead.

Pricing is a concern to us, too. We've watched a lot of our customers cut back on purchases and some of the prices go into orbit. We've also seen some of our distributors have wholesale and retail prices way out of line with other distributors for the same product, and in the case of one, they simply crank us, so we don't buy as much from them, unless we have to get something from them if it's exclusive or others are out of stock.

Some of the manufacturers themselves are also cranking wholesalers and dealers alike with completely crazy pricing, especially with re-issues. While we don't see this too much with cars, we absolutely are seeing this with armour, and to a lesser degree, planes. We have received no justification for this, aside from, "becasue they can."

Controlling prices will be an issue, to be sure. How to get that done (and get the manufacturers to do that,) is entirely another matter.

Charlie Larkin

[slusher]

I don't buy many new kits unless it is something I really really want to build. I don't collect unbuilt kits. Most of mine come from Hobby Lobby,eBay,or Model Roundup so it helps some with the cost..

 

[1930fordpickup]

I have been thinking about this a little tonight. 

I am  going to say that the 30 dollar kits are chasing away more kids that want to try it out than  it us old duffers.  

 

[Mr Stock]

Being in the UK Im already used to these prices and it doesnt really bother me too much,  if I can afford it Ill get it.I have a pretty reasonable stash (170 odd kits) but I love the new US releases/re-releases.

The average price of an AMT kit over here is the equivalant of about $38-40, I can save myself a few pounds if I buy direct from Tower Hobbies but theres always the risk of customs charges. In comparison Japanese kits are a lot cheaper to buy here ...but I have zero interest in them.

Oh and gas in the UK is about $6.30 a gallon !!

[disabled modeler]

I have been thinking about this a little tonight. 

I am  going to say that the 30 dollar kits are chasing away more kids that want to try it out than  it us old duffers.  

 

Andy...I agree about the kids interests and cost issues. 

Me...I am on a very small income from disability and it effects my ability to purchase many things including kits to keep me busy with...I have had to pass up many reissues I have waited many years to see again due to the cost verses my income or what is left of it after bills.  I have many old ones that were my dads to restore just have to find the needed parts for them...if that ever happens Ill have plenty to keep me busy for a couple of years.  

[Jantrix]

I am  going to say that the 30 dollar kits are chasing away more kids that want to try it out than  it us old duffers.  

I honestly think that ship has sailed and the manufacturers are hip to it. The newest releases of stuff that us old duffers love is testament to that. I'm sure there are still some teens involved (and most likely because their dad is) but the number is drastically lower than in 1972. Revell and Round2 know that the 40+ crowd is now their target demographic and they will cater to us. Also I think the folks that like to buy multiples is making up for some of the lack from the younger crowd. 

[randyc]

I have been building pretty much since 1974, with a break for the late teen years in mid 80s.  I have built MOST of the things that are being reissued and don't have a lot of interest in repeating that.  If I do, I can always rebuild one I have.  My income is not what it was in 2000, unfortunately.  Back in the 90s I would spend at least $100/month on kits and get a whole big stash.  Now that might buy me 3 kits and paint?  Plus other responsibilties.  So I am not buying much anymore.  I think I have bought 5 kits this whole year and finished 3 of them so far.  Only releases on horizon for me are the second version of the Bronco maybe and the reissue of the lowrider Caddy (closer to stock build for me).  66 Suburban?  No interest. Too much like the 64-5 Chev pickup and I did that one when it was current.  So all the kit makers moved production to Asia and kit prices keep climbing and the licensing issues that preclude tire branding and such.  Just getting to where I don't want to participate anymore.   I still get a lot of pleasure form building a kit, but I also have quite a few unbuilts bought over hte years, when they were cheap.  I'm just now getting the the original issue of the Revell 67 Charger and it's in its 3rd or 4th iteration.  

So yeah the prices are affecting me.  I won't have ONE of every version of the 29 Ford like I do of the 32 Ford from a few years back.  I have the 29 and not sure what I'll do with it yet.  I wanted it mainly for the Z'd frame to put under my 29 (?) Sedan I started many years ago.  Not going to be a direct drop in.  

Hope there are others out there to carry on the tradition in my stead.

RandyC

 

[espo]

Have been building and collecting for far to long. A couple of years ago I dumped a couple hundred kits to a reseller just to thin some of the stash and still have more than I could ever hope to build in the time I have left. So my problem is I'm a compulsive buyer. Like so many others I get my weekly 40% coupon for Hobby Lobby and check out what they have. The MSRP there has just gone thru the roof and they really aren't getting much of my money anymore. I did pickup a '69 Camaro Z-28 kit there last week that was marked $19.95 and used the coupon so it wasn't to bad. I have always bought several kits a year from my local hobby store and still buy 90% of my supplies there also. What I have noticed in the last couple of months is that Hobby Lobby has a retail price on a kit that runs from $6 to $8 more than the regular retailer on the same kit, and with the "discount" they really aren't that much different so the last couple of kits are bought at the regular hobby shop. At this point I'm only buying what I just must have and not what I think I may build some day. The new Revell Bronco is interesting but not something that I would normally build so I'm going to pass on that. But it looks like an outstanding kit for those who would.  I understand that a Suburban is coming and I'll buy that for sure. As prices continue to rise I think we are already seeing a slow down in overall sales. Hopefully with many exceptions, most people aren't seeing an increase in wages so the model money is being spent for everyday expenses. Maybe as the sell rate drops the model companies may rethink there pricing.     

[crazyjim]

I don't have a hobby budget.  If there's a kit I want, I get it.  I tend to not bother to even look at prices.

[ZTony8]

I noticed that Hobby Lobby is now pricing their most recently arrived kits at $29.95 (except, of course, the Lawman).Sometimes this price is higher than the MSRP (and often higher than the same kit at Michaels). So they're dinging us for an extra buck or two even with the 40% off coupon.The discounted Lawman price at Hobby Lobby is right about regular retail.

[Greg Myers]

I have been thinking about this a little tonight. 

I am  going to say that the 30 dollar kits are chasing away more kids that want to try it out than  it us old duffers.  

 

and here's the catch. I was in Michael's last night with the wife looking for Christmas stuff and just by coincidence  past the model shelf ( No longer an isle) and was blown away at the prices, all pushing $30 !

Now I'm thinking; where is this taking the hobby ? Who is the majority buyers at these stores ( i.e. Hobby Lobby) ?

This is going to kill the growth of the hobby more than anything else.

$50 video game vs $40 plastic model kits ?

[Erik Smith]

Not exactly....

At least in most hobby shops, the price you see is usually within a dollar or two of MSRP.

 

I agree with you Charlie - I was trying to get at a kit that ACTUALLY sells for $30. The Hobby Lobby/Michaels business model of selling items at or near MSRP then relying on people to use a coupon to pay close to what they should be paying is giving the perception that current release model kits from Revell and AMT cost $30 - in my experience, they don't. They are $16-20 models. So, for a kit to actually, in my world, cost me $30, the MSRP would be about 40% higher - the usual big box discount coupon. So an MSRP of around $45-47 would give me a $30 model with a coupon. The only places I see the MSRP as the asking price are Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Hobby Town USA, etc. As I mentioned before, there is a store in my town that sells new Revell kits for $12.95-15.95, no coupon needed. AMT kits are a little more - something to do with volume discounts, etc...

I do appreciate the insight into your shop's costs and process. I know there is a lot going into the pricing and I know I don't know a lot about it!

[bobthehobbyguy]

The cost is not an issue for me as I have a large stash of kits. If there is something new I want I will get one.

Besides using coupons another solution is work a deal with your local hobby shop if you have one. When the new Revell 29 roadster came out I got a case for about $18 a kit with tax. If you don't want that many see if you can several other modelers to buy with you. 

There have been many threads about the economics of model kits and those factors aren't going to change. You need to be creative ifyou want to save money.

[Jantrix]

This is going to kill the growth of the hobby more than anything else.

$50 video game vs $40 plastic model kits ?

I don't think the growth of the hobby is on anyone's mind at Revell/Round2. I think our hobby has about 30 years left in it. No one younger than 30 has lived when cars were actually cool and stylish. Cars are a means of conveyance unless you are into imports and the current trends involving them. If the coolest car of your childhood was a Nissan 300 or maybe a g-body GM there's not much to look back and get nostalgic about.

 

[Bernard Kron]

Here my thoughts on rising kit prices. First off I have noticed lately that prices are continuing to rise sharply, something that became more apparent within the past year or so. As an example, several Round2 kits from the initial wave of releases after they acquired the AMT-related brands have been dramatically re-priced - for example some of the basic stocker kits like the '55 Chevy Nomad, which initially were on retailer's shelves in the very high 'teens are now in stock in the mid-20's. Virtually any first-time release from Round2 now is priced significantly over $25.00, and quite often in the $27 -$29.95 range. For this type of kit the current "problem" will probably be who has the guts to put it on their shelves with a "3" handle...

The demographic for the modeling hobby, whether it's trains, planes, ships or cars, long ago ceased to be a child's hobby. Indeed vehicles themselves are of far less interest to young people than they were in the immediate post Depression/WWII era. People forgot a long time ago what a dramatic change in standards of living the post-war era brought and how relatively rich with purchasing power families felt in the 1945-1975 period. In real terms toys, including model kits, were cheap and as children Baby Boomers' indulged accordingly. Today, most models are targeted to adults and the hobby is smaller and more expensive, even adjusted for the huge inflation of recent decades.

The impact of this is that the cheap kits that many bought as children and threw together are, even with the spending power of adults, now far more carefully considered purchases. For me it's beginning to feel like it may actually impact my build style. I have been an almost pure kit basher my whole modeling life. I virtually never have built a replica or showroom stock model. And I can probably count the number of Out-Of-The-Box builds on the fingers of one hand. But this may be changing because it is becoming harder to justify buying pure Parts Kits. As a result I've purchased some models recently to build largely from the kit with few modifications. And where I might have broken up a kit in the past for some detail parts I find myself doing far more fabrication when I can to avoid doing so.

Another impact of rising prices is that I'm far more sensitive to how close to my desires a particular new kit is in stock form. For example, the recent Revell '29-'30 Ford roadster/coupe kits, excellent parts kits by most measures, were deeply flawed from my perspective, requiring dramatic changes to chassis, stance and even motors, to get them to where I personally wanted them. In the past this would have been no big deal and I would have purchased them purely for their tires, wheels, interior bits, the idiosyncratic Nailhead (of limited use  except to make a particular statement) in the roadster, etc. But at nearly $30.00 I find myself wondering if I wouldn't be better off starting with an older AMT or Monogram kit already in my stash. And as others have pointed out, the higher prices have had the unexpected, and perhaps perverse, effect of making the aftermarket suppliers more attractive...

It's possible that this is only a passing phase and that time and circumstance will make kits appear to be cheap once again. But for the moment I believe modelers will be far more choosy about the kits they buy and of how they buy them.

 

[Bernard Kron]

I don't think the growth of the hobby is on anyone's mind at Revell/Round2. I think our hobby has about 30 years left in it. No one younger than 30 has lived when cars were actually cool and stylish. Cars are a means of conveyance unless you are into imports and the current trends involving them. If the coolest car of your childhood was a Nissan 300 or maybe a g-body GM there's not much to look back and get nostalgic about.

 

Well put Rob.

[Lunajammer]

On one hand, it's all relative. I didn't feel any different when kits went above $10. Retail price has always hurt a little. That said, I've been exercising conscious buying restraint the past couple years because of price points and I've made greater efforts to draw from my stash whenever possible. I mean, that's why I have a stash, right?

[mikemodeler]

Interesting topic and responses.

I was at a Michael's today with a 50% off coupon and could not find anything of interest to me. I have a large collection and like most have stated, enough to last me a couple of lifetimes. It is sad that the prices have become what they are, but I think we all know that the model companies have to raise the prices some due to lower volume.

I have scaled back buying this year for several reasons- finances, time, need, space - and don't see me buying like I used to any time soon. Like others, reality is setting in and impulse buying is something of the past.

I love a good bargain, so swap meets, closeout stores, coupons and trades with forum members is how I am spending my money.

$30 kits don't scare me, but they better get my interest because otherwise I won't be spending my money on them.

 

So far I see me spending less next year than I did this year and unless the model companies bring out some all new kits, that will hold true.

[oldcarfan]

The prices have definitely soared in comparison to my pay. I can't blame the companies, they don't seem to be exactly drowning in excess cash. I've bought relatively few kits these last few years. Partly because of prices and partly because of family needs. When I do buy, it's from ebay for something vintage or I use the HL 40% coupon if they have anything I'm interested in. The last local hobby shop in Austin, King's Hobby, gets any of my money for special orders.