kit prices

Nathan · **Posted:** Mon Oct 29, 2007 7:38 pm

It seems kit prices are at an all time high and going higher. It has been going threw the grape vines that this may lead to a drop in modelers as they will not be able to afford kits anymore. It will also lead people to biuld what they have left in there stash and not buy any more new kits and this might lead to companies going out of busness. A few years ago I could buy 6-7 kits at $100. Now I am lucky I can buy 3 kits for $100.

A few months ago I was about to quit modeling due to lack of skills. But now with the kit prices I might have to quit anyway because I cannot afford these model kits.

I will have to build what I got in my stash and once that is gone I guess I am done.

I am in no way going to pay $50 for a piece of plastic. I was wondering if anyone here feels the same?

Regards,
Nate

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Mon Oct 29, 2007 8:56 pm

if it's made of plastic, it's petroleum based, hence the gas prices & raw oil per barrel, the price of oil is causing massive inflation from everything like models all the way down to your plastic ink pen or water bottle, or your sunglasses. on & on........

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Mon Oct 29, 2007 10:18 pm

One of the reasons I stick with 1/72 scale is the price..but even those kits are getting outrageous. Hasagawa's forthcoming B-24D is rumored to retail between 45 and 75 USD (I'll probably buy one or more anyway, since it's my favorite bomber.)

Of course, it's not so much the plastic that adds to the cost..it's the tooling. It's extremely expensive to engineer and cut molds, and today's kits are far more detailed, accurate, and better fitting than those of the heyday of plastic modeling in the '60s and '70s. Also, the hobby just isn't that popular with the younger "Nintendo" set, meaning the newer state-of-the-art kits are aimed at the adults. That means smaller production runs, which require higher prices to make the investment worthwhile. Then there are the importers, who jack up the price significantly..many modelers can get kits cheaper by ordering them from Japanese retailers, even with shipping.

SN

muddyboots · **Posted:** Mon Oct 29, 2007 11:32 pm

Nathan, switch to Blasa kits. More fun, cheaper, and you can fly them

Elroy13 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 29, 2007 11:41 pm

I turned to Ebay!

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Tue Oct 30, 2007 8:25 am

yes..... & balsa kits blow up better with fire crackers when you botch them!! :finga:

k5083 · **Posted:** Tue Oct 30, 2007 9:05 am

Petroleum does not make up a significant part of the cost of model kits and is not the reason for the increase in prices.

The significant expenses are fixed costs such as research and tooling, and these must be amortized over smaller runs of kits due to the declining popularity of the hobby. Those costs have increased as the remaining modelers, generally sophisticated adult hobbyists, demand more accurate and detailed kits.

If you compare apples to apples -- a current kit made to standards of accuracy and detail that prevailed in the 1970s or even a little better, like a Hobby Boss, or the hoary old re-issues -- their prices have barely kept pace with inflation, if that. For the kits that cost much more than model kits used to, you are generally getting a product that you could barely dream of having 20 or 30 years ago.

Cheap kits are still abundant. Both your hobby shop and ebay will have a wide array for under $10, which is about $3 in 1977 dollars.

August

TAdan · **Posted:** Wed Oct 31, 2007 2:14 pm

That is one of the main reasons I build Revell/ Monogram kits. They can be picked up second hand (unbuilt) for a great price. I cant remember the last time I spent more than $20 for a kit.

I build other brands too, but I try not to spend alot.

I usually build 1/48.

Try Ebay, Modeling forums, or swap meets, or trading with other modelers.

Hobby Boss and 21st Century are doing a great job with cheap entry level kits.

TAdan · **Posted:** Wed Oct 31, 2007 2:14 pm

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