Isn't this rip off?

Look at this......it's rip offs

To Jay : I just sent the mail to Igor so we we'll see if i can get AccordTypeR back.....and this will be my last post with KKANGPEH

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1765421282
(it's builtd model)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1766571283
(It's Mercedes sportswear LM car)

I dont think they are rip offs, built models DO cost around that range and it costs what people are willing to pay.

the CLK GTR is the discountinued version, not the current D2 version. I myself would pay in the 30's for that kit, I really like the GTR, I have the D2, a street version and I would love to add the sportswears and the other orinal-teile(something like that) to my collection.

Originally posted by rcmaxx
I dont think they are rip offs, built models DO cost around that range and it costs what people are willing to pay.

the CLK GTR is the discountinued version, not the current D2 version. I myself would pay in the 30's for that kit, I really like the GTR, I have the D2, a street version and I would love to add the sportswears and the other orinal-teile(something like that) to my collection.
Well, 50 for the discontinued CLK might be a bit overpriced, since the D2 kit, combined with an aftermarket conversion decal would cost $30 or so, but $120 for a built model is not a rip off at all. I charge $150 for a typical curbside model, and no less than $200 for a model with an engine. Scratchbuilt one-off replica of a bicycle, that I'm working on is $1200, and a 1/24 Jaguar racer is something like $3000.
Considering the amount of time requited, McDonald's would pay more, if you think about per hour basis.

Originally posted by hirofkd

Well, 50 for the discontinued CLK might be a bit overpriced, since the D2 kit, combined with an aftermarket conversion decal would cost $30 or so, but $120 for a built model is not a rip off at all. I charge $150 for a typical curbside model, and no less than $200 for a model with an engine. Scratchbuilt one-off replica of a bicycle, that I'm working on is $1200, and a 1/24 Jaguar racer is something like $3000.
Considering the amount of time requited, McDonald's would pay more, if you think about per hour basis.

Wow, you can make a living by just building models! Are these prices for your customers?
I might be building a model for my friend soon. I think I'm only going to charge him for paint and model kit cost. Since I'm not a pro or anything, this should be the way to go. (And I bet he's giving it to a girl for her birthday or something:rolleyes: )

Unfortunately, I don't get that kind of order every month, and my monthly expense just to sleep and eat is nearly $2000. I'm making barely above that, taking 1 hr 40 min of train ride to get to the office, 8 hrs of work, another 1 hr and 40 min to come home every day. Despite all those accesses to some of the finest hobby stores in the world, I think high cost of living and notorious commuting are the only drawbacks of living in Tokyo. (sigh...)

hey hirofkd, this is off topic but how's the economy there in japan? my significant other is planning on moving there in a year and i would appreciate any insight as to how the local economy there is doing. thanks in advance!

a.

Originally posted by turbos86


Wow, you can make a living by just building models! Are these prices for your customers?
I might be building a model for my friend soon. I think I'm only going to charge him for paint and model kit cost. Since I'm not a pro or anything, this should be the way to go. (And I bet he's giving it to a girl for her birthday or something:rolleyes: )

Well, I think the difference lays in the type of customer you're dealing with. For a friend I ask kit price + materials used. For someone I don't know, thus a regular customer, the prices hirofkd is charging are correct, even in Europe.

Back to the CLK's. It might be better to be patient and wait. I once paid $60 for a Mclaren MP4/8 because it was discontinued and desperatly needed it since it was missing in my McLaren collection. Just to find out that 1 year, yes 1 year later the McLarens were reissued and sold in the shops for $20 to $25.... :cry:

So my advice is to sit tight and wait ... reissues will most certanly follow at some point.

I've only built one commissioned model. It was an Accurate Miniatures Corvette Grand Sport. It was a replica of the number 2 blue and white car driven by Roger Penske and Jim Hall. It was to be a gift for the present owner of the car so I did some extra detailing etc. I charged $250, that was the deal of the century! Not because I rate myself so high, but because the market for pieces like that are much higher. Oh well, live and learn. I didn't really enjoy it that much, I'd rather build for me and not turn my cherished hobby into a business.

Originally posted by hirofkd

Well, 50 for the discontinued CLK might be a bit overpriced, since the D2 kit, combined with an aftermarket conversion decal would cost $30 or so, but $120 for a built model is not a rip off at all. I charge $150 for a typical curbside model, and no less than $200 for a model with an engine. Scratchbuilt one-off replica of a bicycle, that I'm working on is $1200, and a 1/24 Jaguar racer is something like $3000.
Considering the amount of time requited, McDonald's would pay more, if you think about per hour basis.

Darn right! The Camaro I was commisioned to build last year was an exact replica of the customer's car and I charged him $2,500.00! Yeah, that may seem a bit much for a plastic kit but there was over 200 hours in it, 74 custom-machined parts, 16 custom cast parts, 4 actual kits, custom-made decals, tons of photo-etch, and a lot of scratch-built parts in that car. In fact, I hit Charlie with that price because I didn't want to turn my hobby into a job. When he agreed to it without blinking, I had to do it. He has already asked me to build 4 additional replicas of cars in his collection!