What is a built model worth?

[Pete J.]

I know that this subject comes up often and saw this in a different context, but I think it really applies here as well. I thought I would share it.

Edited November 9, 2014 by Pete J.

[cobraman]

Kind of like asking how long is a piece of string ? Depends on many things I would say. What's the subject ? How well is it built and painted ? How badly does one want it ? Added detail ? Just look at ebay. Models can be had for 5 bucks and some are thousands.

[JunkPile]

Unopened new model= 25.00

Opened new model= 12.00

Built model= 5.00

What Gives?

[Mike_G]

It's worth whatever you can get someone to pay you for it

Obviously, some people are better at this than others

[GLMFAA1]

Pete, I agree, anyone can buy a pound of clay but turn it into sculpture takes an artist.

another quote I heard is the worth is in the eye of the beholder.

greg

[southpier]

if I do it, priceless.

[bobthehobbyguy]

As with most things it is whatever the person buying it is willing to pay for it. The trick is finding someone that is willing to pay you close to what you expect to get for it.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Worth more in the box, unstarted...

Worth thousands when it's done...

[Snake45]

Unopened new model= 25.00

Opened new model= 12.00

Built model= 5.00

What Gives?

Never seen it put exactly like that, but it's kinda the styrene equivalent of "not worth the paper it's printed on," ain't it?

[von Zipper]

I'll buy built obsolete models off of eBay. But I tend to bid more for models that have less work done to them.

I wanted an MPC '67 Pontiac Bonneville kit for years, Saw this clean old built model then got into a bidding war, paid a little more than I wound have liked but am very happy to have it.

All the seam lines are there , very little glue and not a drop of paint. I figured it was the next best thing to a mint kit.

Every thing came apart clean, the glass polished up like new with Novus .

[Pete J.]

Looks like a few missed my point. I understand the economics of building models. I was trying to point out that we are artist. Often times under appreciated. Often misunderstood and not valued for the years of experience it takes to create the works of art that we present. We are artist and we share that with other artist. It just happens that our medium is plastic, glue and paint instead of clay, paint or stone.

[Snake45]

I'll buy built obsolete models off of eBay. But I tend to bid more for models that have less work done to them.

I wanted an MPC '67 Pontiac Bonneville kit for years, Saw this clean old built model then got into a bidding war, paid a little more than I wound have liked but am very happy to have it.

All the seam lines are there , very little glue and not a drop of paint. I figured it was the next best thing to a mint kit.

Every thing came apart clean, the glass polished up like new with Novus .

Sweet! Like you, I stalked these on eBay for years before I finally scored one. Mine's not quite as clean as yours but it's very rebuildable. Only area of concern on mine is the Bonneville emblem on the right quarter is VERY thin and might not survive a coat of paint. Only thing keeping me from getting into it is I can't decide on a cool color for it. Now that I've discovered that new Testor Teal metallic paint, I might be going with that.

The front end of the '67 Pontiacs is so weird you just gotta love it. I always thought it looked like something Batman might drive if he was an insurance salesman.

Edited November 10, 2014 by Snake45

[chunkypeanutbutter]

Personally, a built model is worth bupkis to me.

I suppose it's because I build, as well.

I don't find a built model as interesting as a painted canvas. I suppose it's more because I can feel subjects more diverse in a painting than a car.

Still, I can see that people do put effort into these models.

I would just rather slave over something myself, and then it would be worth more than anything to me.

Edited November 10, 2014 by chunkypeanutbutter

[bobthehobbyguy]

Looks like a few missed my point. I understand the economics of building models. I was trying to point out that we are artist. Often times under appreciated. Often misunderstood and not valued for the years of experience it takes to create the works of art that we present. We are artist and we share that with other artist. It just happens that our medium is plastic, glue and paint instead of clay, paint or stone.

Art is typically not a money making endeavor. Think of the cliché starving artist.

[kalbert]

Built models haven't got any value other than to the person who built them. Just like nearly all other art forms.

And just like nearly all other art forms, commissioned work, and commercial work, can bring in good money if you have the skill to deliver what someone else wants. There may be long dry spells between work, but the work is generally high value when it happens.

[Agent G]

Looks like a few missed my point. I understand the economics of building models. I was trying to point out that we are artist. Often times under appreciated. Often misunderstood and not valued for the years of experience it takes to create the works of art that we present. We are artist and we share that with other artist. It just happens that our medium is plastic, glue and paint instead of clay, paint or stone.

Amen to that!

Each and every build sitting on my shelves has special meaning to me. Sometimes it's the subject matter itself, sometimes it's what it took to make it "just so". More often than not it's both. I couldn't begin to place a "price" on one, to me it's a labor of love.

If I ever tabulated the total cost of a build, well I would probably swallow my tongue.

G

[von Zipper]

A few years ago there was a guy who is a member here that built a common AMT kit, He did a decent job but no where near show quality.

He listed it on eBay as 'Pro Built' with a Buy it Now price of $350.00

It didn't sell.

Three days later he relisted it for $275.00

It didn't sell.

After about two weeks of lowering the price and relisting it he had it down to Buy it Now for $50.00 and it still did not sell.

Between the price of the kit, BMF, paint , glue and after market white wall tires he would have not have made a dime for his time building it.

I know that hurt his ego and a few of us got a good laugh at his attempt to "Go Pro"

You can't blame a guy for trying....or can you ?

[chunkypeanutbutter]

I think most people who couldn't build a model themselves wouldn't know much about the actual technical aspects of s car, and would be much more happy with a diecast or something already built.

[Pete J.]

I think most people who couldn't build a model themselves wouldn't know much about the actual technical aspects of s car, and would be much more happy with a diecast or something already built.

For the guy that wants to line his wall with a bunch of little cars, you are right. I've been lucky over the years to find a few who wanted a model as a center piece of a display and when I was done, they understood what had gone into it. The trick for me(after finding them) was to send update photos that showed what was done. I've also done some work for a model company for their displays and advertising and they understood the value of a built model. Art is Art!

[Snake45]

I've had people approach me about building a model of their car, and they think if they buy the kit and kick me a $20 bill (or a fifty) when it's done, I'll be happy. I now tell them, "I could build a model of your car, but I'll have 40 hours of work in it, and if I want to work, I can get all the work I want at $XX per hour. I've got over 400 kits on my shelf that I WANT to build for ME, so if I'm building something for YOU, it's going to be WORK. If you're serious about it, we'll sit down and I'll work up an estimate." They usually leave me alone after that.

[jbwelda]

most "artists" live starving and die broke.

try selling your build ups on ebay sometime. that's why i like to troll there: you can pick up some really nice really nice buildups dirt cheap. just bought a roth road agent the other day, its pristine. all of about 12$ delivered.

jb

[Mike_G]

most "artists" live starving and die broke.

Not everything is about money.

[chunkypeanutbutter]

Yes, it is

[freakshow12]

I have sold numerous commissioned builds for 1k a pop. I had some I was thinning out on an auction site. One guy bid a 69 grumpys toy camaro to 1k then he wanted 4 more built. I did them over 8 months. Then I burned out. Having no creative input in the subjects over 8 months killed it for me. I have built a few mustangs for guys in my car club at 500 each too. It's all in what someone is willing to pay. If I'm happy and the end user is happy then that's the limit

[webestang]

I myself have the opinion that a built model kit is not "art". Yes, there is a "art" to building the kit but to me it's not "art" in the same sense as a painting, sculpture, etc.....

To me somebody else's built kit is worth nothing because I did not build it. But then my built kits to me are worth nothing in a money sense, just the joy and satisfaction of building the kit.