[Gary Kennedy]

Well I have just acquired my first de-certified Corgi model, albeit unintentionally. I had an order with the now defunct Corgi Heritage Centre in the UK for US33308 Mount 'n' Ride at about £60.00. CHC had probably already gone bust when I placed the order, but cyberspace doesn't tell you things like that so I sat patiently waiting for my parcel, then saw the earlier thread on here and thought oh *&$$%!

Then at the weekend I did a couple of Google searches for US33308, and to my surprise found a hit on the Jumblies models website. It was £40.00 plus about £10.00 p&p, so as I really wanted a 1/72nd B17 I nabbed it. It turns out it was the only one in stock, and it came today. Beautiful model, gorgeous nose art, no way I'm parting with it. I did have a look for the cert in the box, and found nothing. Then I checked the box side, and what do you know - a de-cert label. I'd sort of guessed, the description said 'not limited' rather than 'de-certified', which I though odd. My fervent hope is that this is the model I'd ordered from CHC that has somehow found its way to me after all!

Now I'm not too fussed, I had chances to get a certified US33306 or US33308 but wasted time and lost both. My certs stay in the boxes, the boxes are occupying way too much wardrobe space, and the models are on display as the Gods intended. I collect for keeps, not Ebay and resale or investment. I will be honest though, there is a little bit of me that wishes I had that silly scrap of cardboard that says 'official', but once it's on display next to its Lancaster contemporary I won't care!

Gary

[Cardinal]

Personally, I don't think a certificate will necessarily add value to a model as scarcity (market availability) is the key factor in this regard. Although limited editions may be more scarce and of a high value this need not be a given - one only has to look at 'unlimited' editions like the S-Sugar Lancaster (very scarce )(http://www.tricatus.co.uk/aa32601a.htm) to show that the whole issue of certificates is more a marketing issue than anything else . (By the way, I do like getting a die-cast model with a low certificate number but would preferably buy a 'decertificated' version for half price .)

[Nimrod48]

If I can get it very cheaply minus the certificate I am very happy, my AA35003 Meteor cost me £12.00 which is just about a third of the RRP.
If I offered my AA32802 Mossie minus certificate for sale how many collectors would turn their back on it?, I believe it is the general availability (or not) that adds value to the model coupled with the real planes history &/or pilot.

[mustangdriver]

I really don't collect models just based on how much they will be worth, althogh it does make me feel good when I see one that I have going for a good bit. My wife always laughs and says, "What do you care, your not going to sell the one you have any way." She knows me too well. I have to say though that I do not like the idea of having a company that will sell you a certified limited edition model, and then turn around and say, never mind.

[Kiwi Dave]

I don't believe that an unlimited model and a de-certified model are on the same footing. An unlimited S-Sugar Lancaster is as it should be and is complete, Witty Wings, Dragon etc are unlimited and are complete. A de-certified model or an Aussie Mossie without a certificate is incomplete and below standard and not worthy of a swap for my French York!

[bsmith13]

The thing about a decert is this: It just doesn't have a certificate. The production numbers remain the same, don't they?

[hworth18]

Originally Posted by bsmith13

The thing about a decert is this: It just doesn't have a certificate. The production numbers remain the same, don't they?

Yes, If Corgi made 2000 of a model and only sold 1300, the other 700 would be de-certed..

[Kiwi Dave]

Originally Posted by bsmith13

The thing about a decert is this: It just doesn't have a certificate. The production numbers remain the same, don't they?

Yes, the production numbers remain the same, but the decerts are a damaged and incomplete package. It's the same with the anniversairy models that came with a GBP10 voucher, take that voucher out and spend it and your anniversairy model package is no longer complete and devalued more than the GBP10.

[bsmith13]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Dave

Yes, the production numbers remain the same, but the decerts are a damaged and incomplete package. It's the same with the anniversairy models that came with a GBP10 voucher, take that voucher out and spend it and your anniversairy model package is no longer complete and devalued more than the GBP10.

So decertification really only becomes an issue if you are interested in having the value of your collection appreciate. I bought a decertified Merlins over Malta Legends set. There is nothing wrong with the models or box. It simply doesn't have a certificate, and it has a "Decert" sticker on it. Personally, I'm just happy to have models that I would not otherwise have been able to afford.

[Nimrod48]

At the end of the day for me its about what I can afford, I have no desire to sell any of my aircraft models so if I can purchase a model for half or even a third of the regular price I will gladly go without the certificate.
Talking to my local Corgi dealer many of his customers feel the same as me it is the aircraft we collect not the certificates.