How Many Here Profit From Your Model Car Hobby?

[mchook]

I sell everything I build. The fun for me is building the model. Once it's done so am I, on with the next one. Now, I know I don't "make" money but I do usually get enough to keep me stocked with more kits and supplies. I buy a lot of rebuilders cheap and I'm not spending crazy money on aftermarket and 3d printed stuff. If I can't make it the model doesn't get it. Years ago I sold my Hippie bus for over $500 and just recently a Nova body for $40 on ebay. I normally start them at $19.99 and let'em go. Whatever I get, I get. It's nice to get $100 or 2 out of a model but they can't all be like that. I find building something is (mostly) calming and relaxing so that's worth something to me. Even if I'm not getting paid what the "work" is worth, I'm ok with that. 

 

[Bugatti Fan]

This resurrected thread made interesting reading.

I have sold on a few kits that I realised I would never get around to building generally breaking even on what I bought them for.

Those who don't build but sell on kits second hand for profit have been described as middle men on here. I would describe them as traders. No different to a model shop who buy in stock of new kits to sell on for a profit.

I have often been approached about building a model and wait for the sharp intake of breath when I price it up based on the cost of the kit itself, sundries like paint, and the estimated hours to build it based on a skilled trades person like a plumber or electrician's hourly rate. The uninitiated do not realise the skills and time it takes to make up a model and often expect a model maker to do it more out of love than for a realistic return. Many model makers unfortunately fall into the trap of grossly under selling their skills.

 

Edited Saturday at 09:43 AM by Bugatti Fan

[meechum68]

I don't sell what I build, I give them away as I build for enjoyment, and those here who sell, good on you! If I wasn't able to build, I would be a buyer.  And a running trend I have saw here is, if it's enjoyable and you can make a buck or two, you got my support folks!  Keep it up!! 

And I absolutely love the Hippie Bus!! 

[Lownslow]

I dont sell builds but my profits go right back into the hobby

[oldcarfan]

About 20 years ago when I was too young to know better, a couple friends and I started a model company and made a pretty decent living for a while. We mostly built ships and sci-fi stuff for museums and private collectors, but did pretty much anything someone was willing to pay for. One time I built a Johan hearse to match the livery for a small town funeral home in Kansas.  My favorite one though, was ordered by the spouse of a female proctologist for a Christmas gift. I built a 1/12th scale Dr. Barbie, Proctologist. Used a standard Barbie, but added scrubs and a complete endoscope setup with the scope, tubing, video screen and everything. I even created a box with full Proctologist Barbie markings. 

I loved that job, but it fell apart due to the usual, workload and finances.