Re-releases are KILLING the hobby

[30YrsL8r]

Not sure I see the point of this thread.

If re-releases upset someone then surely they should take it up with Tamiya directly?

Tamiya is the one doing the re-releasing and consumers are simply responding to the availability of a product, for whatever reason motivates them.

Nobody is going to read this thread, think "you know, I've been wrong all this time" and change their mind on whether re-releases are good or bad.

I can see this thread lasting as long as the "postman brought me" one, though, only a lot less interesting and a lot more confrontational.

[WillyChang]

yeah about that... we passed the local Scientology hall today & they've got an Xmas tree up. Go figure!

[ChrisRx718]

Old thread revival!

I've always thought that the mentality behind the NIB vintage collecting was a bit...mad, and I often watch 'Toy Hunter' with a raised brow, because to me (as Woody so eloquently put it) "Just a toy"! It was designed, marketed and produced to serve that sole purpose.

However, with respect, these people are free to do what they please with their own money.

But what appears to have been lost is that Tamiya is a company - one with employees which include market research around the world. Those employes are Tamiya's investment and Tamiya will expect a return on that. If the marketplace wants re-releases then it makes perfect sense to produce and market them.

The sales figures / popularity of these models proves that and in fact a major part of the traffic to this very site is generated by them.

In short:

Tamiya is a company that we all want to see keep trading, not your buddy from the 80s. They make no money from the vintage collectors.

[Tamiya1/10]

In short:

Tamiya is a company that we all want to see keep trading, not your buddy from the 80s. They make no money from the vintage collectors.

In a way Tamiya is taking money from collectors. An original brusier, rough rider, sand scorcher ...can no longer commended was use to be the going rate once Tamiya did the re release. Some will argue is not true. A true collector will always willing to pay more. Very true but not the premium that once was able to commend.

Tamiya just looked at ebay and various club such as TC, they know there is a bottled up market for their old models and so long as the price is in line with their normal mark up, every batch run will be sold.

The heading should read re releases are killing the collectors...especially the ones that paid a lot of money thing the model will never be re released. Trust me no one likes to see their collection go down in value even the ones that say is not in it for the money...is human nature.

I consider myself a collector, i didn't pay silly amount for what I've got for the vintage stuff, but i know i cannot get back what i paid for for at least several, if not, more years. I am not gutted but i not pleased about it for the models that was re released. On the other hand i am happy the Avanti, Sand Scorcher plus a few more that were re released and i didn't have to pay a lot even if it is not the original.

[danb1974]

I though collector meant you keep them for yourself because you like them, not buy them now and plan to sell them in 10 years as vintage for 5 times the price, then be dissapointed that a re-re messed with your plans

But english is not my native language

[fristajlo]

I though collector meant you keep them for yourself because you like them, not buy them now and plan to sell them in 10 years as vintage for 5 times the price, then be dissapointed that a re-re messed with your plans

But english is not my native language

Totally agree. The hobby is collecting the cars. Making money out of them isn't really a hobby? I collect for the enjoyment of restoring, tinkering and just looking at the collection;) Value is really of no importance. Some cars has been expensive because they're rare, couldn't care less if the value drops. Love the whole re-re business too. Enables me to buy the cars I couldn't dream of owning as a kid. I just want them, I want them all;)

If you are in it for speculation then you must calculate with the possibility of depreciation obviously.

Bring on all the re-res!

[30YrsL8r]

Collector vs. speculator.

[berman]

Since this thread has been brought back up like a fly eating poop, throwing it up and eating it again...

Mrs Berman did the "What do you want for Xmas" thing the other day. And me not being sure I have left it at that (she cant afford and isnt buying me a mammoth dump truck).

Yesterday she informed me she is looking at bidding on a vintage NIB on ebay that I said I wanted 6 months ago. I cant for the life of me think of what it is. I have been racking my brains and the only thing I can think of is a frog.

I have informed her that if whatever she is bidding on has been rereleased, then not to bid. I dont want a $6-700 vintage NIB if there is a $150 rerelease available. It would be a waste of money to build. I dont want the rerelease either. I would rather just pick up a dirt cheap used original and restore one if I really wanted one.

Is anybody thinking about this from an insurance perspective?

My missus insured my rc's sometime ago. If the insurance company think they are going to pawn me off with a bunch of cheap rereleases should the unthinkable happen,

I would be furious paying a set premium and a insured value only to have it cut down to 1/4 of the agreement because Tamiya have brought them back again.

This is why I no longer collect models that have been reissued, there is nothing wrong with rereleases, it is just the desirability has gone. And to be honest this doesn't bother me anymore, as I can safely say there isn't anything else Big T could rerelease that I would want.

I am secretly hoping she is bidding on a Chevy Clod somewhere

[bromvw]

Sorry but I'm going to be blunt here . THIS thread is a crock of **** . There is no way re releases are killing the hobby . Fact is they are selling in considerable numbers . That DRAWS new people to the hobby .

If you feel that lowers the value of your originals - TOUGH . IMO if your only in this hobby for the investment or snob value then your an idiot .

Lets see how much flack I get for that opinion but at least its honest .

[Wandy]

Sorry but I'm going to be blunt here . THIS thread is a crock of **** . There is no way re releases are killing the hobby . Fact is they are selling in considerable numbers . That DRAWS new people to the hobby .

If you feel that lowers the value of your originals - TOUGH . IMO if your only in this hobby for the investment or snob value then your an idiot .

Lets see how much flack I get for that opinion but at least its honest .

Brutal, but pretty much spot on.

For what it's worth I think the loss of "snob value" is the real killer for the protesters, more than the loss of financial value.

[bromvw]

Brutal, but pretty much spot on.

For what it's worth I think the loss of "snob value" is the real killer for the protesters, more than the loss of financial value.

Wandy i'am a Yorkshireman . Tact is not one of my strong points

[Wild Willy Speed Shop]

Rere's make this hobby what it is today.

[Wandy]

Wandy i'am a Yorkshireman . Tact is not one of my strong points

I must remember to never upset you.

[IBIFTKH]

Wandy i'am a Yorkshireman . Tact is not one of my strong points

Actually I thought that was fairly restrained - you're mellowing!!!

[WillyChang]

Wandy i'am a Yorkshireman . Tact is not one of my strong points

Nice salty pudding & little terriers though.

[berman]

The majority of us are English here, we can all have a whinge and a moan but the fact is big T is going to do what they want to do and it's tough teats if we dont like it so suck it in and grow up.

Imagine the financial situation if they hadn't have reused molds and popped out a few oldies for little moolah. Tamiya cant just live off pumping out TT01s with eleventy billon different bodies to make it through a recession lol one day the kids would cotton on...

Anyway, I'd bet a fair few of the nay sayers have got rere parts on their originals... pot meet kettle

[bromvw]

Actually I thought that was fairly restrained - you're mellowing!!!

Well its almost the Season Of Goodwill To All Man

[B.M.T.]

I really think this topic needs nuking, rather than even just locking. It has displayed the worst aspects of both ends of the spectrum and all in between and is futile. Tamiya has been in business for about 65 years, and you don't manage that if you don't research what your customer base wants, so it won't close it's doors because someone who isn't buying their new products has a sook.

Blow it up, Andy.

[ralphee]

Sorry but I'm going to be blunt here . THIS thread is a crock of **** . There is no way re releases are killing the hobby . Fact is they are selling in considerable numbers . That DRAWS new people to the hobby .

If you feel that lowers the value of your originals - TOUGH . IMO if your only in this hobby for the investment or snob value then your an idiot .

Lets see how much flack I get for that opinion but at least its honest .

Excellent post, the snob value hoarding aspect ticks me right off, then i laugh like a loon when a re re pops up and i see all those hoarders selling up, its like seeing that orange crop report at the end of Trading Places haha!

lee

[Yonez]

Personally I got back into the hobby because of the ReRe Hotshot.

I was going to restore my old Supershot as a runner for my nephews, went on eBay to look for parts, and now I have tons of kits. Even paid top $ for some NIB originals. So I've even helped some investors in the hobby get their money's worth ;-)