[JustPlaneNuttz]

Originally Posted by jim

The prices on ebay are going steadly upward, there does not seem to be any bargains going on ebay UK these days.

Even ebay US prices seem to be on the up.

Well I don't know what it is like for you folks in the U.K., Jim, but the model price is the minor bit here. I've been keeping my eye peeled for a Frog 1:72 Blenheim Mk I to build up (until Corgi FINALLY releases one after the Mk IV) and the kits (from the U.K.) usually are only around £6.99 ($14 Cdn). Really, that's a piffle. (I still keep hoping to find this Blenheim kit in the back of a dusty model shop with a $2.99 sticker on it with a 'NOW REDUCED by 50%' scratched over -- and the shop owner honours it!)

Where I ALWAYS get dinged though, is in the shipping -- close to 10 quid for overseas shipping -- then at MY end -- a 'random' amount applied as a 'handling fee' PLUS 8% Provincial tax and 5% Federal tax. A simple little kit to doddle about with costs ME as much as a night at the pub! Givemeabreakplease! It's the cost of shipping that always does it for me -- a total turn-off. So I go without unless I can find it locally.

That was the main reason I didn't grab a Spitfire kit online to do my little JEJ mod in the 'Customize & Paint' section. It would have ended up being FAR more than I wanted to spend . . . JUST for a couple of scrap parts.

JPN

[RonO]

I think the market for kits insists on accurate and detailed models. These require more manufacturer resources to produce the tooling. That plus the expected sales drives the prices.

I like to imagine a top kit maker developing quality finished models for collectors. Like much much better Easy Models at higher prices, but not too high, made possible by spreading the the kit tooling costs over more sales. I assume the kit tooling would need to be modified to produce one piece wings and other major assemblys. If the quality was there, maybe more collectors would be willing to give up the zinc.

Cheers.