Crazy or What (1 Viewer)

[marco55]

I have bought many historical miniature kits and as I'm not a painter I have had quite a few painted over the years.Now most of these kits are made by small companies mostly in Europe and Asia.It cost quite a bit to develop a kit so these companies have to charge pretty high prices to make even a small profit.These companies are run by people who I think love this hobby and are painters and sculpters themselves.Now if you buy a typical kit and have it painted it can cost $100-$150 for a 54mm so unless you have a lot of money you can't get too many done at a time.The problem I have is the prices are really getting high.La Meridiana just put out a Roger's Ranger whaleboat,54mm.Most places are charging over $100 for this kit.Now I just saw a kit put out by Bonapartes.It is a RHA gun and limber plus 6 figures,strictly limited,sculpted by world class Alan Ball.Full retail price is 395 UK lbs.!The first 30 sold is 300 UK lbs.With the quality of the toy soldier companies getting better and better these companies are going to price themselves out of business.Check this kit out.www.bonapartes.uk.com.
Mark

 

[trooper]

I think one of the main problems is the "limited edition" idea. Many British companies produce a figure, mould it and then cast it up as and when necessary and the item remains on their list for ever and a day always available. Most of the companies that can be seen at the London shows are still selling figures that were produced ten or fifteen years ago. Producing three hundred kits and then trying to sell them absorbs a lot of money, material and space. The same thought process can be applied to the companies who have their range produced in China, yes, wages are cheap but a large quantity has to be ordered at any one time and the transport costs are horrendous which is why their prices are so high. Check out the various companies, most of them are still priced sensibly.

 

[PJDeluhery]

The increasing price of figure kits is getting to be a real problem. I've heard various factors used as an explanation, including the Euro, rising production costs, stocking issues like Trooper mentions, and various other reasons. Bottom line is that they are outpacing the "average guy." I used to buy 10-15 figure kids a year to paint myself. Now, I buy 1 or 2 figure kits, and really consider the purchase before "investing." And if you go to 100mm or larger - forget it!! It's 2nd mortgage time! Actually I went to painting flats which are much cheaper and provide a range of subjects not found in rounds - but that's another discussion.

I know it may kill you, but all you can really do is vote with your dollars. If its too expensive, don't buy it ... or at least buy less. And let the manufactuers know that prices are too high. When it starts to affect the bottom line, guys like Andrea, Pegaso, etc will find a way.

Needless to say you are going the most expensive route to acquire painted figures. "The sport of Kings." You pay retail for the kit plus the labor to paint it. I don't know who paints your figures, but you might want to look around for other painters who might work cheaper (No, I don't do commissions! ). You might find some buys at figure shows like MFCA if you stay with second or third tier artists and approach them nicely. Of course you could always learn to paint - the most fun you can have with your clothes on, IMHO.

I feel your pain, Brother! But it's likely to get worse.

 

[trooper]

Just to prove that bargains can still be purchased see the attached from ATS. The first is their latest boat from the Quebec series with Fraser's Highlanders embarked. Boat plus 21 painted figures £340 ($510)
Second is a typical mounted figure at £40 ($60)
Foot figures cost £13 ($19.50)
I think you will agree that these prices are very reasonable in comparison with the advert quoted originally.

 

[gi546]

i know.
there are so many figure sets/kits from the "expensive companies" that i'd love to have but unfortunately can't have.
that's why i collect FOV good prices(compared to other companies),good detail.
it's just that FOV dosen't come out with many releases every year so you're left longing for something new,something "fresh".
believe me, i'd love to have the figarti, britians etc stuff, but it's out of my price range unfortunately.

 

[theBaron]

This is why we learn to cast and paint our own

Prost!
Brad

 

[gi546]

This is why we learn to cast and paint our own

Prost!
Brad

not all of us have the skills brad.

 

[marco55]

I wish I had gotten interested in this hobby and painting and modeling when I was young but I'm 54 now with bad eyes and not the steadest of hands so it's a little late to get into these aspects of the hobby and I want my figures to be painted well.It takes years and years to get to the level I want my figures painted.Some never do.
Mark

 

[Grognard]

This is why we learn to cast and paint our own

Prost!
Brad

I wish I had gotten interested in this hobby and painting and modeling when I was young but I'm 54 now with bad eyes and not the steadest of hands so it's a little late to get into these aspects of the hobby and I want my figures to be painted well.It takes years and years to get to the level I want my figures painted.Some never do.
Mark

Besides what Mark's says above, it's also a problem of having the time to do that on my end

 

[nmrocks]

I think the same is true with the Airplane and Armor kits as well, have you seen the price of a new release 1/32 or 1/35 scale kit these days?? No wonder it's not a kids hobby anymore!
1/32 aircraft ie:BF-109, Spitfire, Hurricaine start around $75.00! Lots of really excellent detail and photo etched parts but still.... I saw a new 1/32 BF-110 with after market parts in a combined package for around $150!!
WoW!!!

The increasing price of figure kits is getting to be a real problem. I've heard various factors used as an explanation, including the Euro, rising production costs, stocking issues like Trooper mentions, and various other reasons. Bottom line is that they are outpacing the "average guy." I used to buy 10-15 figure kids a year to paint myself. Now, I buy 1 or 2 figure kits, and really consider the purchase before "investing." And if you go to 100mm or larger - forget it!! It's 2nd mortgage time! Actually I went to painting flats which are much cheaper and provide a range of subjects not found in rounds - but that's another discussion.

I know it may kill you, but all you can really do is vote with your dollars. If its too expensive, don't buy it ... or at least buy less. And let the manufactuers know that prices are too high. When it starts to affect the bottom line, guys like Andrea, Pegaso, etc will find a way.

Needless to say you are going the most expensive route to acquire painted figures. "The sport of Kings." You pay retail for the kit plus the labor to paint it. I don't know who paints your figures, but you might want to look around for other painters who might work cheaper (No, I don't do commissions! ). You might find some buys at figure shows like MFCA if you stay with second or third tier artists and approach them nicely. Of course you could always learn to paint - the most fun you can have with your clothes on, IMHO.

I feel your pain, Brother! But it's likely to get worse.

 

[Obee]

I wish I had gotten interested in this hobby and painting and modeling when I was young but I'm 54 now with bad eyes and not the steadest of hands so it's a little late to get into these aspects of the hobby and I want my figures to be painted well.It takes years and years to get to the level I want my figures painted.Some never do.
Mark

Marco,

I was lucky enough NOT to have the shakes, and if I take my glasses off I can see much better, so painting the kits myself is the only way that I have been able to enjoy our hobby.

Another friend here in Perth, has amassed many kits, that from time to time I paint for him, and he is attempting some, but time and work seems to make his painting a non event.

What he has done is sent his kits and casting to a painting group in Sri Lanka, Fernando Enterprises http://www.miniaturelovers.com/

I have seen the results and they are wonderful!!! Jim has recived back 54mm kits, 40mm flats and 28mm figures are they are all well painted and even better that I can achive!! The costs are very competitive, and you can choose the paint standard and see the costs with sample images on the website.

I can recomend them for thier painting and thier postage and handling.

John

 

[marco55]

I have been having a man in Virginia do most of mine and he is very good but quite expensive and a member of the forum Susan Leicht.She is much more reasonable but basicially gotten out of it due to work commitments.Even if I could paint I'm usually only home around 5 or 6 hours a day waking hours.
Mark

 

[gi546]

I think the same is true with the Airplane and Armor kits as well, have you seen the price of a new release 1/32 or 1/35 scale kit these days?? No wonder it's not a kids hobby anymore!
1/32 aircraft ie:BF-109, Spitfire, Hurricaine start around $75.00! Lots of really excellent detail and photo etched parts but still.... I saw a new 1/32 BF-110 with after market parts in a combined package for around $150!!
WoW!!!

the tamiya and revell/monogram kits aren't that expensive.
i think the taniya prices are quite reasonable.