Is it just me...or are model kits getting dearer!

[hirofkd]

Originally Posted by chola

...huge number of model kits they produce...

According to Tamiya News No.6, back in Nov.1967, Tamiya initially produced 10,000 copies of the 1/12 Honda F1, and it was immediately sold out, forcing the company to produce additional 30,000 kits by the end of the year, which made the total of 40,000 within just that year.

I don't have any firm numbers of today, but I know a limited re-run of F1 kits are either 2000 or 4000 units, and I doubt brand-new kits are any better. These are very rough numbers, and vary by the popularity of kits, but at least you can "guess" how small the model car market has become in 4 decades.

Meanwhile, Bandai sold 1 million(!) 1/144 scale Strike Gundam model kits between fall 2002 and spring 2003. Where all those casual builders go? I have no idea.

[jmwallac]

Originally Posted by klutz_100

Can anyone say "Kyoto Protocol" 3 times quickly in a row with an American accent?...

What does an american accent sound like anyway? Where I live, almost all the energy comes from coal, although we get a tiny portion from wind. I don't think many will adopt green energy any time soon. Even with gas approaching $4/gal, people still say they love their SUVs and the oil companies should make less profit (actual quote I read in a newspaper). Until that logic changes, we're in for more of the same; just with a higher price tag.

[tonioseven]

I have my own neverending supply of natural gas.

[jano11]

Originally Posted by jmwallac

What does an american accent sound like anyway? Where I live, almost all the energy comes from coal, although we get a tiny portion from wind. I don't think many will adopt green energy any time soon. Even with gas approaching $4/gal, people still say they love their SUVs and the oil companies should make less profit (actual quote I read in a newspaper). Until that logic changes, we're in for more of the same; just with a higher price tag.

Some people think they better die than change a bit!

[chola]

G'day,

Wow....ask a question...get lessons in international currency exchange and alternative energy sources.....maybe the oil companies should check out this thread.....

Kyoto Protocol...sounds like a disease! Don't worry, put some cream on that and it'll clear up in a few days!

Actually, speaking of alternative energy and all that, and a little off topic, has anyone seen the new(ish) Tesla electric car...that thing looks bloody awesome, bodied and engineered by Lotus, and the drive / power system developed by the kid who invented Paypal and sold it to Ebay (or at least the team he put together). Is fast too, quicker than an F430 Ferrari apparently...and being fullly electric, no lag! And a little over $100,000 USD (about the same price as a couple of Tamiya kits are likely to be in a few years I reckon ), sounds like a good thing!

Ok, back on track, sorry guys......I still reckon there is a bit of profiteering going on. Yeah, supply and demand will, in most cases set prices for products and services, where there is a healthy range of competition, however, in areas where the product outlets are limited (usuallysmaller more isolated areas), profiteering can take over (not in all cases though). Where I live, have to drive an hour if you want any half decent selection of kits, and in that area, you only really have the choice of 2 hobby shops...so the owners are of the opinion ..take it or leave it! Usually, I leave it!

[drunken monkey]

I don't think there is a big enough modelling collective, especially automotive modelling, there to support more than the occasional shelf in the occasional die-cast and model shop. As mentioned elsewhere, here in London, with a population of more than 10 million people, there are probably less than 5 shops that can be called a decent model shop and even then, they're not just model kit shops.

Same is true for the other stores around the country that I buy from; the biggest stock everything and happen to carry a healthy selection of car kits. As far as I know, only Hiroboy and Grand Prix Models are dedicated automotive model stores in the whole of the UK.

I wonder how much money places like HLJ and Hobbysearch make on car kits compared to their other stock lines.

[pedrop]

The weak dollar has driven foreign kits' costs crazy in the USA. Looks like my kit collection has been has been my best performing investment!
I don't mind the newly tooled kits high cost, because quality is usually better. But the reissued ESCI garbage for $35 US?

And you have to understand from the distribution/importers side, they expect cost fluctuations and they cover themselves, but when/if you see a global slowdown, we'll be able be able to grab all sorts of kits on clearance. For instance Squadron.com had a Fujimi 917K on sale for $10.99 US a couple of days ago.