robertburns Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 (edited) Hello all, A few people suggested I try to sell some of my models to the public. I'm a little weary since I've been burned in the past from people saying they wanted stuff. When it came time to pay, they were long gone. The money and time that was lost was mine which was something I couldn't afford. Add to that, I don't donate my time and I add that labor cost to the price of the model (why should I work for free?). I take into account all mold and resin costs, which drive the cost up. Do you think these would sell at these prices? Future Liner at around $400-$500 for a kit IMG_0536 by dakota_in_the_sky, on Flickr Corvair at around $100-$125 chevy-035 by dakota_in_the_sky, on Flickr Caprice at around $75-$100 wip6 by dakota_in_the_sky, on Flickr Please let me know what you think. Edited July 30, 2014 by robertburns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikemodeler Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Speaking for myself, I would say that those are unique subjects and might be priced out of reach for many modelers. The Future Liner is a cool subject but not many people I know can spend $400 for a kit. The Corvair is nice, but IMHO has a somewhat limited appeal. The Caprice is probably your best shot at a good seller but keep in mind that Modelhaus does a similar Impala kit for $68. Always good to see new subjects available, hope they do well for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
av405 Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 (edited) I myself just purchased and am waiting for the Modelhaus Impala. Therefore I would definitely be interested in your Caprice, but would probably only purchase one due to the high price. Depending on the detail, I might even go for a second. From what I can see of the grill, that appears to be a 1980-1985 Caprice Classic. Is that what you're going for or will you be making the 1987-1990 Caprice? I can see the latter one definitely having much more appeal, as that was the police model. Edited July 30, 2014 by av405 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DynoMight Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 I don't think the Future Liner would sell at $400... Not many people are happy about spending $75 on a kit... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Kucaba Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 You could try selling/offering the Futureliner on a subscription basis, or just the front & back and let the modeler have at for the rest. The Rampside has limited appeal for sure, but it seems to have a good base. Depending on the parts count, 125.00 doesn't sound too steep to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Van Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 GREAT subject matter....but folks complain at the MSRP now of regular kits so a tough sell. I made resin kits at one time. Tough to get folks to PAY for what they say they want. I love the Futureliner but doubt I'd ever have that kind of cash for a kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danno Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I gotta say . . . I think the Futurliners (correct spelling, by the way) are as cool as anything that came out of the auto industry in the 50's. But, for $400-$500, I'll never own one. Even for $200-$300, I'll just keep looking at pictures. I'd love to have a Corvair Rampside pickup, but I'm afraid the $100-$125 sticker is about 25% too high, at least for a resin caster without an established reputation for high quality, like Modelhaus/Promolite/MissingLink/GregWann. And, the same response for the 80s-90 Caprice 'brick.' Modelhaus already does one, and at $90 it's pricey, even with their reputation. Just sayin.' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
av405 Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I understand the cost of making resin kits on your own, but I have a feeling that if you sold the Caprice at a lower price, you'd have yourself a real winner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisR Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I will go for Corvair. The Futuerliner is nice but pricy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misterNNL Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Maybe you should consider offering them as "paid in advance"models that you will only cast after the money is recieved rather than casting them first and waiting for them to sell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowtienutz Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 No interest in the caprice but the other two I'm game. I've purchased High End resin kits before from KFS and from the pictures you have shown of the other parts looks your quality is there so. IT looks like your making the molds and you know your target price. You may not recoup all your money on this deal. From the posters on this thread I think your marketing plans are off but I think you doing this for another reason, you like this stuff.... Hey so do I, well you will be able to recoup some of your money , time and investment because you can sell some copies. IT's a win for you. keep it going Robert, Sandy whatever your name is. I like it. drop me a PM if you decide to produce the kits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrGlueblob Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 With all respect for your abilities and spunk, I don't think any of those would bring the prices you need. Wonder how a "Startup" campaign would work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Project510 Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 (edited) I would SO love to purchase both the Future Liner and Corvair but these are priced so far out of the range of possible I could only dream. This is not to say that I do not understand the cost of creating something like this, and also you needing to make it profitable.. But couldn't justify paying for than $50 or so dollars for a plastic model Great work, that Future Liner is probably the coolest thing I have seen on here since joining. I also think this could be a GREAT idea. With all respect for your abilities and spunk, I don't think any of those would bring the prices you need. Wonder how a "Startup" campaign would work? Edited July 31, 2014 by Project510 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveG Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 First off I would like to say the castings you've done on your Future Liner are Beautiful, no doubt you could probably sell a few and that would help defray your cost. The trick is finding the right price. You may want to slightly de-content your projects to bring the cost down. Most builders can source car and light truck tires so there's no reason cast them. I would also suggest vacuum formed glass vs cast again to save on molding costs. I would love to see both a 1/25th scale Rampside Corvair and 87-90 Caprice. If there done as well as what I've seen on the Future Liner you should have takers. -Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertburns Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 Thank you for your replies everyone. Speaking for myself, I would say that those are unique subjects and might be priced out of reach for many modelers. The Future Liner is a cool subject but not many people I know can spend $400 for a kit. The Corvair is nice, but IMHO has a somewhat limited appeal. The Caprice is probably your best shot at a good seller but keep in mind that Modelhaus does a similar Impala kit for $68. Always good to see new subjects available, hope they do well for you. Thank you Mike. Right you are, car modelers aren't as spendy as other genre builders. I myself just purchased and am waiting for the Modelhaus Impala. Therefore I would definitely be interested in your Caprice, but would probably only purchase one due to the high price. Depending on the detail, I might even go for a second. From what I can see of the grill, that appears to be a 1980-1985 Caprice Classic. Is that what you're going for or will you be making the 1987-1990 Caprice? I can see the latter one definitely having much more appeal, as that was the police model Yep, going for the earlier one, but can easily update it with a few parts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertburns Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 I don't think the Future Liner would sell at $400... Not many people are happy about spending $75 on a kit... Right you are You could try selling/offering the Futureliner on a subscription basis, or just the front & back and let the modeler have at for the rest. The Rampside has limited appeal for sure, but it seems to have a good base. Depending on the parts count, 125.00 doesn't sound too steep to me. That's a great idea. I did this with my Sp99 Eagle kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
av405 Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Yep, going for the earlier one, but can easily update it with a few parts So you would include the 1987-1990 front fascia, correct side mirrors, the 1986-1990 rear end and associated badges, and steel wheels and center caps (I think that's it)? Or would this be a separate purchase that would have to be made to make a 1987-1990 police model? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertburns Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 GREAT subject matter....but folks complain at the MSRP now of regular kits so a tough sell. I made resin kits at one time. Tough to get folks to PAY for what they say they want. I love the Futureliner but doubt I'd ever have that kind of cash for a kit. Thanks. That's a fact. I wish people would back up their words with some action I understand the cost of making resin kits on your own, but I have a feeling that if you sold the Caprice at a lower price, you'd have yourself a real winner. But why would I lower the price and loose my money and time? I'm not rich, nor a charity and I don't feel the need to give my my money and time away. I can sell a hundred for $20 but what good would that do me? Sorry if that sounds harsh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertburns Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 Maybe you should consider offering them as "paid in advance"models that you will only cast after the money is recieved rather than casting them first and waiting for them to sell. That's a great idea. This happens a lot in the SciFy side. However the trouble with that is that there are delays. They take your money and you don't get a kit for a year. The worst was 7 years. They don't answer emails or give updates. I don't want that to happen to me nor would I want to do that to someone. I get nervous about holding someone else's money for too long. No interest in the caprice but the other two I'm game. I've purchased High End resin kits before from KFS and from the pictures you have shown of the other parts looks your quality is there so. IT looks like your making the molds and you know your target price. You may not recoup all your money on this deal. From the posters on this thread I think your marketing plans are off but I think you doing this for another reason, you like this stuff.... Hey so do I, well you will be able to recoup some of your money , time and investment because you can sell some copies. IT's a win for you. keep it going Robert, Sandy whatever your name is. I like it. drop me a PM if you decide to produce the kits. Thank you Vince. You're right. My marketing plan is this: I do this for myself. If someone wants one great, if not no problem. I just hate it when they ask for a kit and get mad when I say no or tell them the actual cost. Or say they'll buy it and eventually do not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertburns Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 With all respect for your abilities and spunk, I don't think any of those would bring the prices you need. Wonder how a "Startup" campaign would work? Thank you! I think a startup would only work with a builtup which is what I may end up doing. First off I would like to say the castings you've done on your Future Liner are Beautiful, no doubt you could probably sell a few and that would help defray your cost. The trick is finding the right price. You may want to slightly de-content your projects to bring the cost down. Most builders can source car and light truck tires so there's no reason cast them. I would also suggest vacuum formed glass vs cast again to save on molding costs. I would love to see both a 1/25th scale Rampside Corvair and 87-90 Caprice. If there done as well as what I've seen on the Future Liner you should have takers. -Steve Thank you Steve. I'll try that. Also may try a one peice body instead of opening sides Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
av405 Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 But why would I lower the price and loose my money and time? I'm not rich, nor a charity and I don't feel the need to give my my money and time away. I can sell a hundred for $20 but what good would that do me? Sorry if that sounds harsh. I don't know the exact economics of making resin items so I won't pretend otherwise. You're the maker and you ultimately decide what a fair price is in relation to the time and financial investment you put in. I was not suggesting you lower the price to some low amount because we're all cheap. As a potential customer, all I'm saying is that I would be hard-pressed to buy more than one of your items at that price. That is all. I am primarily interested in police car models and I know a lot of guys out there who have been desiring a late 90's Caprice. Using the example of the Modelhaus Impala: Despite it's excellent reputation and quality, many have been hesitant to purchase that model due to the price, and it's cheaper than what you might potentially offer your Caprice. So again, you go with the price that you think is fair. I'm just giving you my humble perspective, that's all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertburns Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 So you would include the 1987-1990 front fascia, correct side mirrors, the 1986-1990 rear end and associated badges, and steel wheels and center caps (I think that's it)? Or would this be a separate purchase that would have to be made to make a 1987-1990 police model? Not saying I would offer this, but for my own, I would have separate fronts and rears with the body (either early or late). No badges since that's hard to finish on a printing. No wheels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertburns Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 I don't know the exact economics of making resin items so I won't pretend otherwise. You're the maker and you ultimately decide what a fair price is in relation to the time and financial investment you put in. I was not suggesting you lower the price to some low amount because we're all cheap. As a potential customer, all I'm saying is that I would be hard-pressed to buy more than one of your items at that price. That is all. I am primarily interested in police car models and I know a lot of guys out there who have been desiring a late 90's Caprice. Using the example of the Modelhaus Impala: Despite it's excellent reputation and quality, many have been hesitant to purchase that model due to the price, and it's cheaper than what you might potentially offer your Caprice. So again, you go with the price that you think is fair. I'm just giving you my humble perspective, that's all. Glad to hear your perspective. If this gets enough appeal, I might just loan the body to a caster who can sell it at a better price (As long as I can get what i put into it). Thanks - Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carsntrucks4you Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 (edited) I would order the Rampside the price range is ok for a complete kit. When do you think this model will be available? The Futureliner is a dream, but $400-$500 is expensive. I think if you can drop the price done to $300 there will be some guys ,including myself, who would buy it. There is one thing about the Futureliner: it is to special for the normal "average" modeler. So only a hand ful of modelers would spent even $300 for it. Edited August 1, 2014 by carsntrucks4you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackinac359 Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 The Caprice maybe... but then again, I'm sort of partial to the B-body... Slightly younger and more hair 30 years ago... In '90 I had this '86 Caprice Classic.. Nice cars they were. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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