Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]

CLICK HERE to see new posts in last 24 hours
Mark all forums read
Welcome to 72nd Aircraft. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Buying half built models?
Topic Started: Mar 19 2018, 05:34 PM (362 Views)
Boucheron
Member Avatar
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
Hi guys,

I'm trying to get a sense of the room here. Do any of you buy partially finished models? And if so, then what are your thoughts on a fair price for them?



I'm considering absconding with a very large chunk of my 1/72 stash, but a lot of them are part built. I'm considering selling them discounted depending on how much they're started (e.g., $7 or 8 for an Airfix gladiator with only a painted cockpit vs. $3 for a near fully assembled AZ MS.406), or if they're kind of junky and missing bits, but might be useful as spare parts for others (e.g., $4 for an Academy P-38 missing a nose cone, and partially built). I'll also be listing kits that haven't been built, as well.

The lot will be mostly WW II and WW I types, as I'm not quite ready to give up on 1/72nd for larger jet types, just yet.


Please let me know if there is any interest.



Goto Top
 
kingofmen
Member Avatar
Least
[ * ]
My experience (not extensive) at selling at IPMS regionals and local meetings is that missing bits and a kit partially started drops the price down pretty drastically. Like down to $5 a kit territory. There is definite resistance by customers to buying anything that has been started; doubly so for missing bits. And that is not just me as a vendor, but others as well.
Kevin Callahan
Auburn WA USA
Visit the re-energized 72 Land blog at http://72land.blogspot.com/
All hail 1:72!
Goto Top
 
Aaron_w
Member Avatar
Toady
[ * ]
Certainly feel people out here, but you might do better with a "What If" focused audience. Like car modelers they tend to like to accumulate a parts box for their projects.
Aaron Woods
Goto Top
 
Boucheron
Member Avatar
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
Aaron_w
Mar 19 2018, 07:20 PM
Certainly feel people out here, but you might do better with a "What If" focused audience. Like car modelers they tend to like to accumulate a parts box for their projects.
oh, good call.
Goto Top
 
Blekster
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
My thoughts are that it really depends on just how half built they are. A little bit of paint in a cockpit area versus partially assembled (in particular if the extent of the assembly) will affect what someone is willing to pay. Of course, pictures do help (for me anyways) to determine what I'd consider even paying.

The quality of the assembled bits is another thing to consider. I've seen some eBay sellers try to pass off partially built models that were done by an "expert" and want stupid money for them. Well I suppose if teh "expert" was a child or blind or if I was blind and gullible, then maybe...

Value depends on what you perceive it is worth to what the buyer perceives it is worth. Usually neither are the same and doubtful they'd meet in the middle.

Either way, once some form or another of assembly has been started, the value drops and drops a lot. Sorta like driving a new car off the parking lot, same thing.

Goto Top
 
Mark Schynert
Member Avatar
Yeast
[ * ]
Get what you can, but unless it's a really great kit and/or there's almost no work done, I'd expect $5 or less. Certainly it's got to get marked down by about 70%. Even a stripped kit (that is, one whee everything is off the sprues, and it's bagged with directions and decals) is going to lose value dramatically, even if everything's there and nothing has been started beyond the sprue separation.
Goto Top
 
dknights
Member Avatar
The court of LAST RESORT!
[ * ]
Generally, I am not interested in part built kits unless I need some parts. As such, the price I'd pay would be pretty low. Say 20% of retail price.
David M. Knights
Fortes fortuna adiuvat

14 Finished: Special Armor V-2, Airfix P-51
15 Finished: SBS Gladiator engine
16 Finished: Brengun C2 Wasserfall, Merit SS-N-2 Styx, World's smallest diorama, Airfix Hurricane.
17 Finished: Japanese Carrier Deck, Belcher SS-4, Italeri AB41, PLAN Type 039A (not 72nd scale)
18 Finished: NONE
The bench:Platz T-33, Trump. T-34/85, Meng F-106, Airfix P-51 #2, Airfix P-40
Revell MiG-21F-13, Ace Citroen V-11
Goto Top
 
RJ Tucker
Member Avatar
Ack, Oop, THPPFFT Baby
[ * ]
Generally, I'll consider started/ partial kits when I'm looking for parts to modify kits or do a conversion kit. You, might, consider this approach when you're listing them for sale. Depending on the complexity of the kit, 1/3 to 1/4 of the current list price is where I recommend you start then be willing to dicker. If you have a partial or started Hasegawa Skyraider in this condition, pls PM me. (Don't ask the answer is always no.) HTH!

RJ
Phantoms phorever!


Flag Plot: My virtual model display shelf
Goto Top
 
Graham Boak
Hero
[ * ]
I've never bought a part-made kit, but have been given examples (made and part-made) in the past which I've then worked on, or at least still have in the stash with intention of doing so one day. Real Soon Now. I would consider a part-made kit if it was something I really wanted and couldn't get any other reasonable way. (Isn't that why some people buy diecasts? That's my reason.) I can't actually think of any such examples, at the moment, that aren't incredibly rare. Such as a Frog single-seat Venom?

Having major parts off the sprue wouldn't bother me. Some minor repainting wouldn't bother me. Major sub-assemblies done, would.

To be honest, if someone offered an assorted box-load of part-made 1/72 WW2 subjects and said "£20 and the lot's yours" I'd take it and spent some very enjoyable hours going through them. And if there were no gems then I'd just shrug my shoulders. But let's get serious. Probably not for £50.
Lancashire, UK
Goto Top
 
jvenables
Member Avatar
Hawk
[ * ]
I have never bought anything nearing "half built" but I have certainly picked up kits that have been started, with either some (or most) parts separated from sprues, some sub-assemblies done and/or some painting (mostly interiors, props, wheels, etc) done.

I don't have a problem with someone else doing part of the construction, provided it is done reasonably neatly. If I don't like the way something has been done, I can always fix/change it. Kit parts that have been previously painted can easily be repainted. Having parts cleaned up and assembled simply saves me time and effort, especially if I an looking for a model to be used as a "canvas" for some interesting markings.

As for determining value, what is the half/part built model worth to you? What would you be willing to pay if you were the buyer? I assume that even though you have "gone cold" on the project, there was a time when you derived enjoyment from fondling the plastic, planning the build, researching the subject, getting it under way, etc. If so, does the kit owe you anything? Has the kit already served its purpose by providing said enjoyment and satisfaction? Only you can answer these questions, but they are worth consideration when deciding its value to both yourself and a prospective buyer.
James from Brisbane, Australia
Now living in Laos

Nil illegitimi carborundum
Goto Top
 
Mark Schynert
Member Avatar
Yeast
[ * ]
jvenables
Mar 21 2018, 12:40 AM
As for determining value, what is the half/part built model worth to you? What would you be willing to pay if you were the buyer? I assume that even though you have "gone cold" on the project, there was a time when you derived enjoyment from fondling the plastic, planning the build, researching the subject, getting it under way, etc. If so, does the kit owe you anything? Has the kit already served its purpose by providing said enjoyment and satisfaction? Only you can answer these questions, but they are worth consideration when deciding its value to both yourself and a prospective buyer.
Thanks for articulating that thought, because it has a lot to do with my not being very concerned about deriving value from disposals, whether intact or in some way sullied.

I hardly ever sell anything off. I donate kits (in order of perceived value to others) first to club auctions, then contest raffles, and then to the veteran's model drive--the last is a local fundraiser to buy simpler model kits, often Snap-Tites, to VA hospital occupational therapy programs. It is the surest way to generate some value from old kits, especially with bad decals and tired boxes, and maybe with a few bits assembled or small parts missing. The bulk are sold off for $5 or less during contests, to generate the funds for Snap-Tite purchase. In most cases, I've had such kits for a long time, and they really are of no value to me, but why throw them out when someone else can get some value out of them? The few really good kits I'm willing to part with are fodder for the Christmas Exchange--I usually get something I like better in exchange, and someone else ends up with a kit they'll either like or they can go through the rigors of disposing of it for value.

The truth is, I do get value out of a lot of kits I never get around to starting, and I know this because I will see these 'old friends' on vendor tables, and I really enjoying that I once had the kit on hand. And I don't then buy the kit :smug:
Goto Top
 
Chuck1945
Hero
[ * ]
Mark Schynert
Mar 22 2018, 01:31 AM
jvenables
Mar 21 2018, 12:40 AM
As for determining value, what is the half/part built model worth to you? What would you be willing to pay if you were the buyer? I assume that even though you have "gone cold" on the project, there was a time when you derived enjoyment from fondling the plastic, planning the build, researching the subject, getting it under way, etc. If so, does the kit owe you anything? Has the kit already served its purpose by providing said enjoyment and satisfaction? Only you can answer these questions, but they are worth consideration when deciding its value to both yourself and a prospective buyer.
Thanks for articulating that thought, because it has a lot to do with my not being very concerned about deriving value from disposals, whether intact or in some way sullied.

I hardly ever sell anything off. I donate kits (in order of perceived value to others) first to club auctions, then contest raffles, and then to the veteran's model drive--the last is a local fundraiser to buy simpler model kits, often Snap-Tites, to VA hospital occupational therapy programs. It is the surest way to generate some value from old kits, especially with bad decals and tired boxes, and maybe with a few bits assembled or small parts missing. The bulk are sold off for $5 or less during contests, to generate the funds for Snap-Tite purchase. In most cases, I've had such kits for a long time, and they really are of no value to me, but why throw them out when someone else can get some value out of them? The few really good kits I'm willing to part with are fodder for the Christmas Exchange--I usually get something I like better in exchange, and someone else ends up with a kit they'll either like or they can go through the rigors of disposing of it for value.

The truth is, I do get value out of a lot of kits I never get around to starting, and I know this because I will see these 'old friends' on vendor tables, and I really enjoying that I once had the kit on hand. And I don't then buy the kit :smug:
You both have said it quite well, I can probably count on the fingers of both hands the times I actually sold a kit. Like Mark, I give most away either for door prizes at club shows, Goodwill, or 'kits looking for a good home' to club members.
Chuck
Eastern WA, USA
Finished 2018:
Eduard Spitfire IXc, VIII, Monogram/Starfighter BFC-2
On the active bench:
Eduard Bf 110C, Hasegawa B-24D, SH P-40E
Goto Top
 
« Previous Topic · General Discussion · Next Topic »