Kit prices, how long before shows, swap meets, on line or E-Bay catches up with MSRP ?

[Greg Myers]

I'm hard pressed to pay retail prices on new kits other than to support my local hobby shop. Adding in postage to an on line purchase

and you're pretty close. The outlets that still carry model kits, Hobby Lobby, the few Wal Marts, and Michaels, don't really have the selection on newer kits and their prices are up there as well.

So how long before swap meets, model show prices hit the same ceiling ?

Edited April 19, 2013 by Greg Myers

[gtx6970]

I think it depends on the seller at a show, some are simply extensions of a concrete store ft, some are extensions of an internet only base business, they tend to sell pretty close to retail and less likely to wheel and deal. As opposed to the joe schmoe seller is simply trying to make a few bucks to support his hobby and may be more willing to negotiate price.

I have one LHS and his model kit stock is somewhat limited ( mainly R/C stuff ) if he has it I can usually buy it cheaper online and pay shipping versus buying local, pay sales tax and pay fuel prices to go get it .

A LHS his competition may be a half hour / several miles away. Plus he has that ' instant gratification ' feeling going for him .

Where as an internet business,(ebay as an example ) his competition is just a mouse click away so prices tend to be a bit lower

Edited April 19, 2013 by gtx6970

[Eshaver]

Greg, some kits already have hit their "Ceiling price " so to speak. At the Old Dominion Open , ( Richmond Virginia ) this year , I spoke to two vendors who latterly could not come off the MSRP. The reason , fuel prices and the hall rent. Hey, I'm a business person myself . I spent years selling N O S Ford parts . You add motel, food , fuel and now some increased hall rents into a already slim profit margin and whammo, it's make or break time .

[Fabrux]

I purchase all of my new release kits from my LHS. He's a one man show, runs the store out of his basement at home and has his entire inventory available to purchase from his website. Now, being that I live 1.5 hours away from his store, sometimes it might be cheaper to buy the kit online and ship it to me. But, my work's head office is in the same city and my modelling club is also in the same city so I head up twice a month to work out of the main office and go to the meeting. The LHS owner is a member of the club so he's there every meeting and brings orders from his shop! The worst meetings are the ones at his house/shop; usually always end up buying SOMEtime...

[Harry P.]

Just like any other product, there will always be sources that sell kits for less than MSRP. There will always be competition between suppliers to attract customers, and price is one of the biggest selling points (no pun intended!) that a business has. The only way that everyone would start selling at MSRP is if every seller/vendor/store joined together in a massive conspiracy to control prices. That is obviously never going to happen.

[rmvw guy]

Twenty dollars seems to be the going price for new 1/25 scale releases at shows in my area. Another thing I like about shows, no sales tax.

Problem is there are not enough shows in my area.

Edited April 19, 2013 by rmvw guy

[Rob Hall]

Around $20 + shipping is the going standard for online kit vendors for Round 2 and Revell new releases, and around $24 for Revell or AMT new releases at the LHS. Local shows are too few and far between (2-3 per year), though they are a good source for older kits.

Edited April 19, 2013 by Rob Hall

[martinfan5]

The first show we had here, I think there were only three new kits out of all the vendors, and if I recall, I think they were wither the Hudson , or 300, and they were going for around $20

Edited April 19, 2013 by martinfan5

[Rob Hall]

The first show we had here, I think there were only three new kits out of all the vendors, and if I recall, I think they were wither the Hudson , or 300, and they were going for around $20

Yeah, I don't recall seeing much in new kits.

[Danno]

Around $20 + shipping is the going standard for online kit vendors for Round 2 and Revell new releases, and around $24 for Revell or AMT new releases at the LHS. Local shows are too few and far between (2-3 per year), though they are a good source for older kits.

Actually, there are five model kit 'shows' each year in Phoenix and two in Tucson each year.

New kits sell for $19 - $22 for ordinary issues and $25+- for special issues (Hudsons, etc.) by most vendors that handle new kits.

Older kits sell for $8 - $15.

In my case, when I'm vending, nothing sells unless it goes for $9-$10, but when I'm buying, nothing sells for less than $20.

Life!

[Rob Hall]

Interesting...I knew of at least 3 per year at the Postal Workers Union Hall (one w/ the DSC).. I do recall in past years going to an IMPS one downtown at the Convention Center.

Edited April 19, 2013 by Rob Hall

[martinfan5]

Rob, they one at DSC would make four at the postal hall , I can not think of number five right at this moment with out going over and looking the events list for the year, I am sure Dan will be back soon

[Greg Myers]

Looking forward to some good stuff, see you all tomorrow. http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=69651

[Rob Hall]

Rob, they one at DSC would make four at the postal hall , I can not think of number five right at this moment with out going over and looking the events list for the year, I am sure Dan will be back soon

Ok..must be another I forgot about...I've been going to the spring, DSC and fall ones at the Postal Hall since '08...3 per year AFAIK. I've been to the IMPS one downtown, IIRC there is also something out on the east side (museum at Mesa Gateway or Williams Field). Not sure if that or the IMPS one are annual, though. Going to miss out on the DSC one this year, going to So Cal for the weekend.

Edited April 19, 2013 by Rob Hall

[martinfan5]

Ok..must be another I forgot about...I've been going to the spring, DSC and fall ones at the Postal Hall since '08...3 per year AFAIK. I've been to the IMPS one downtown, IIRC there is also something out on the east side (museum at Mesa Gateway or Williams Field). Not sure if that or the IMPS one are annual, though. Going to miss out on the DSC one this year, going to So Cal for the weekend.

I think the one in Mesa is number five for the valley, I believe that is an IMPS show

[Guest G Holding]

Buy Old Kits.......I find many older kits at shows for 5 to 15 all the time.

I see no reason to buy a kit the instant it comes out, as after the first run and its problems...(tampo tires ?) and........ its not like I need, have space or time, for any more kits....as all I have now, I will build...in the next 20 years or till I die....and THEN ya'll kin have them!

[mikemodeler]

There is a HobbyTownUSA near me that has new releases at slightly less than MSRP and if I am in the store and they catch my eye, I will pony up the money for them.

If I am looking to buy multiples of a kit or several kits, I will check with online places like Tower Hobbies or Modelroundup to see if there are any deals like free shipping or discounts on larger orders.

The shows near me rarely have new releases available but I go to look for old kits and aftermarket parts.

[dragcarz]

My LHS charges full retail, 28.00 to 30.00 a kit, getting hard to continue supporting them. Really nice mom and pop store!

[martinfan5]

If I am looking to buy multiples of a kit or several kits, I will check with online places like Tower Hobbies or Modelroundup to see if there are any deals like free shipping or discounts on larger orders.

Same here, I for the most part buy new release's( US kits only) from Tower Hobbies and use their free shipping offers, or I can buy from our local plastic pusher as well

[Danno]

Correctamundo. FIve.

Cholewa's three annual plastic flea markets at the Postal Workers Hall - 1 in spring, 1 in summer, 1 in fall.

DSC is four.

The IPMS Modelzona in November is five.

IPMS in Tucson does one in January.

TMAC in Tucson puts on the huge Toy Show in early March ~ big, big, big model and promo component.