the price of rc kits

[topforcein]

i have decided to treat myself to a new rc. i one i want is the toyota tundra so i go online to find the price from my lhs they dont hve one so i go else where

and i tell you i go the shock of my life. all in with the multifunction unit and the trany will cost me upwards of 700 gbp's know the last one i brought was the re re sandscorcher. i also brought the buggy champ and a wild williy 2

know i payed around 700 gbp for all 3. anyway i thought i no way am i paying that for the tundra so i think ok i'll go for a traxxas instead turns out the one i wanted cost the same 700 so that is not gonna happen either.

know i prefere to buy from my lhs and not on line tbh but the prices i have been looking at on various model shops all in the uk are around the same.

i just cant believe the price increase on the kits over the last year or so.

has anyone else had the same shock

[Skottoman]

I used to buy M04 Alfa kits for $90 brand new a few years back...

Seems the days of $100 kits is gone.

Now all I want are kits that cost $300 - $800!!!

[topforcein]

same here i only used to spend around the 100gbp mark

but the shock started 2 weeks back when i went into my lhs and saw the vw t1 wheelie sellind for 190gbp i asked if he was taking the p..s

and it based on the ww2 and i only payed 125 for that just over a year back

[waterbok]

prices over here (in germany) are still ok, but when I see what kits in UK cost now wow!

I used to buy stuff in UK too but it has gotten less profitable.

[OldSchoolRunner]

The kits and the used parts are becoming more and more popular. Prices have increase over the past few years and even months on ebay. I can't believe that a used Blazing Blazer body that is in olay condidtion with some scuffs and wear is going for just over 600.00 US. right now.

OSR

[taliesin]

Yup, it costs a lot more now.

But if you listen to the politicians and economists there is only a modest rate of inflation for "consumer goods".

Riiiiiight, and I've got some brand new 2012 Bruiser kits right here in front of me that I'm willing to sell for only $19.95/each. But wait, you also get this amazing set of knives....

[HunterZero]

Yup, even the DB02 Leonis is a big step up in price from the previous DB01 and DF03 kits.

- James

[speedy_w_beans]

I'm wondering if this thread is more about currency exchange rates than kit prices; the question seems to be region-specific.

In the USA it seems like the prices of established kits (2-5 year old releases) have been relatively stable. All of the newest releases seem to have a premium attached to them, but I've seen prices on certain kits go down as the excitement drops...

-Paul

[Daves956]

The new prices and lack of a LHS that carries Tamiya are most of the reason I've been picking up the vintage ones. With the new and vintage all added in, I'm still around 70 dollars per car average. I do remember the TT01 price when new and way back to the first new 956 and they were pushing 150 to 200 even then. I don't see the big increase in price more than the lack of distributors here. I really do envy you guys that get to see it before you buy it. Then again maybe if I got to see more new ones for sale I'd be spending more.

[F2 Stu]

It's a sign of the times with anything these days regarding prices!

[MadInventor]

I think it has more to do with exchange rate and 20% VAT more than anything. When I bought my highlift pre 2008 it cost £220 to my door from HK......., similar cost for a King Hauler. Sold both of them in a purge and can't afford another now

Shipping from HK has gone accordingly as well, with the increase in cost of aviation fuel, airline running costs, etc.

Also, for the UK do not underestimate VAT and duty. On the really expensive kits like tanks, the extra cost really does add up as the VAT and duty is charged on the shipping as well as the cost of the kit. For a £500 tank you might expect a £200 bill from parcel farce.

Plus your local LHS has to pay exorbitant business rates. Although with the number of empty shops in the high street, you'd think the government would realise that the high street is being crucified by the internet and lessen the business rates. Still, no-one ever accused a politician of being bright, or having the countries best interests at heart....

[Percymon]

As above, exchange rates, fuel prices and VAT change all added to our (UK) misery !

Back in January 2008 the exchange rate was around 210Yen = £1

By January 2009 that was down to 113Yen=£1 (and that was a real low point in the quarters around that point)

January 2010 148Yen (40% up on previous year)

Januray 2011 130Yen (11% down on previous year)

Jan 2012 119Yen (9% down on previous year)

Back to 4 years ago we should be paying double the trade price, plus higher shipping fees and higher VAT (20% vs 17.5%).

Based on todays Lunchbox pricing that would in theory have made it 2008 retail prices about £50 - i doubt they wer that cheap so the supply chain is absorbing some of the costs on older kits byu the looks of it. Certainly new releases like the FAV, Blitzer Beetle (even though they use lots of old/existing part sprues/moulds) do seem to be a lot higher than what comparable models cost historically.

[sosidge]

GBP/JPY exchange rate...

24th Feb 2007 Y237 to the pound

Today - Y127 to the pound.

So that's almost a doubling of prices right there since the economic crisis.

VAT in the UK is up to 20% compared to 17.5%.

Hobby Company do not have a great reputation for supporting Tamiya RC, anything that doesn't shift HUGE volumes has always had a premium price from them, now is no different.

The "ebay" economy with widespread non-payment of tax makes it impossible for UK retailers to compete on price, many high-profile UK retailers who offered discounts have gone under in the last few years - basically there is no incentive to cut margins as the volume is not there to make any profit.

Most other companies are manufacturing in China and Taiwan where currencies are not as strong relative to the pound, my experience is that both trade in US dollars for foreign trade and work hard to keep their prices competitive on that basis. Tamiya manufacture in Japan and the Phillipines only.

You'll see that the representation of most Japanese RC brands has greatly declined in the UK since the economic crisis, Yokomo has gone from being one of the most popular brands to being effectively unavailable, Kyosho's Japan-made models are fearsomely expensive.

That's progress. The UK economy is collapsing as we speak, unemployment at a 30-year high, significant public sector job losses and major businesses failing every week. But at least when you lose your job and home you will be able to buy a cheap LiPo from Hong Kong!

[IBIFTKH]

Uk prices are silly but there are still reasonable deals around. I just bought a Type 2 Wheelie which most places are listing at £150+. I bought mine from Fusion, without ESC, and with my TC discount it cost £125.10 inc delivery - even cheaper than any HK price I've seen. ModelSport have some recent releases like the Montero wheelie and Blackfoot 3 in their sale section so there are decent buys around.

But the popular/premium kits are crazy expensive

[MadInventor]

As above, exchange rates, fuel prices and VAT change all added to our (UK) misery !

Back in January 2008 the exchange rate was around 210Yen = £1

By January 2009 that was down to 113Yen=£1 (and that was a real low point in the quarters around that point)

January 2010 148Yen (40% up on previous year)

Januray 2011 130Yen (11% down on previous year)

Jan 2012 119Yen (9% down on previous year)

Back to 4 years ago we should be paying double the trade price, plus higher shipping fees and higher VAT (20% vs 17.5%).

Based on todays Lunchbox pricing that would in theory have made it 2008 retail prices about £50 - i doubt they wer that cheap so the supply chain is absorbing some of the costs on older kits byu the looks of it. Certainly new releases like the FAV, Blitzer Beetle (even though they use lots of old/existing part sprues/moulds) do seem to be a lot higher than what comparable models cost historically.

Around that time I seem to remember the lunch box being around the £65 mark, I bought a hornet back then for £50 from a UK model shop, and a TL-01 based car for around the £55 mark.

EBay sellers fees have gone up since then as well......

[Wez-li]

Based on todays Lunchbox pricing that would in theory have made it 2008 retail prices about £50 - i doubt they wer that cheap so the supply chain is absorbing some of the costs on older kits byu the looks of it. Certainly new releases like the FAV, Blitzer Beetle (even though they use lots of old/existing part sprues/moulds) do seem to be a lot higher than what comparable models cost historically.

I got a rere nib lunchbox for £55 a few years ago, no ESC but still a bargain.

[Percymon]

I obviously missed the 'cheap' years

[Swarm]

Same old story supply and demand or what we are willing to pay for an item sets the trend .

Just brought a Vintage NIB Shrinkwrapped Blackfoot Mint paid US$570.00 to me as a collector of NIB kits that is a pretty good price its a numbers game.

There are still some cheapish kits out there being sold by shops .

[MadInventor]

I obviously missed the 'cheap' years

Yep, Since 2006 I managed to find (Price to door from HK):

Vintage King Tiger £170

Rere Hotshot £106 (Thats £106, not £160;) )

King Hauler £210

F350 Hi Lift £220

Tiger I full option £300

CC01 Pajero £135

Prices now are just silly, even second hand stuff on Ebay is ferociously expensive. For the last few years I've resorted to buying machine tools and building my own models from scratch, just using tamiya stuff as a huge parts bin. Would really like the new re-re bruiser, but it's just too much cash to justfiy spending on a model, especially without an MFU.

[Percymon]

There are still some cheapish kits out there being sold by shops .

I know of a NIB Mammoth Dump Truck, thats still for sale on the high street at what to me looks like a price from 5 or so years ago - i spotted it months ago, and was still attractign no interest last week, despite it being strategically placed at the door !

Yep, Since 2006 I managed to find (Price to door from HK):

Prices now are just silly, even second hand stuff on Ebay is ferociously expensive. .

For sure Ebay is getting pricey, but there are a few hidden bargains - but you have to look hard at the items, or underneath the skin (bodyshells)

[oldie]

just bought a castrol civic ffo3 from fusion - cheaper than HK

[Sayer]

I know of a NIB Mammoth Dump Truck, thats still for sale on the high street at what to me looks like a price from 5 or so years ago - i spotted it months ago, and was still attractign no interest last week, despite it being strategically placed at the door !

That kit's always been a hard sell. I love my Jugg2 to tiny little bits, but have no interest whatsoever in the Mammoth...

On an unrelated note, I was looking at the underrated HPI switch on eBay and noticed that while it's $140BIN everywhere else, it's $230.21 in the UK.

[atf300]

That kit's always been a hard sell. I love my Jugg2 to tiny little bits, but have no interest whatsoever in the Mammoth...

a NIB mammoth went for 350 eur on ebay the other day . while an STW audi also nib went for 170 eur

[Percymon]

a NIB mammoth went for 350 eur on ebay the other day . while an STW audi also nib went for 170 eur

from recollection, this ones up for £275 in the shop and probably negotiable !

[Sayer]

from recollection, this ones up for £275 in the shop and probably negotiable !

Hmm considering most kits that aren't Bruisers or NIB Javelins top out at around $500-$600 (372.69eu - 447.23eu/ £315.80 - £378.96), that's not really all that much of a deal... I got the Jugg2 on eBay for $500.