That had me baffled as well until someone told me it's an American thing, first Friday after thanksgiving or some such.captrees wrote ;
what is all this Black Friday nonsense
Ouch! It's a good-looking unit though.captrees wrote:
$600
That had me baffled as well until someone told me it's an American thing, first Friday after thanksgiving or some such.captrees wrote ;
what is all this Black Friday nonsense
Ouch! It's a good-looking unit though.captrees wrote:
$600
I had a look on the big H, and prior to adding international shipping plus AU GST on top, all Class 37s were sold out on pre-order. Closest price I could see was GBP£259 & not sure if that price is representative of the more popular BR Green liveries. I did the calc from previous experience and the price shipped to AU works out at around the same in GBP as the UK VAT inc price prior to conversion less international CC/Paypal fee, less poxy conversion rate. Applying those to that price as it functions in effect IMPE, converted that works out circa AUD$565 (rounded to nearest $5). For a single loco, albeit DCC Sound Fitted. Marginally better than the $600 paid locally, but only just. And, I suspect the BR Green versions might be dearer than the single price I could glean. They are at Olivia's which'd bring a BR Green version (DCC Sound Fitted) in around the AUD$600 mark landed.
The Chinese craftsmen who make the tools to produce these models caught on to what their bosses were charging for the results of their hard work. It might be a communist country but the bosses understood the signs of dissent and not wishing to give up any of their income slapped some massive price rises on the finished article. Anyone who imagined 1980 Chinese prices would last was living in a fools paradise. In the end quality and detail cost in any currency.A single loco now costs AUD$600! Why?
But you know that still doesn't answer the fundamental question adequately Bufferstop. It's a 1/76 scale toy train fitted with a $5 motor for goodness sake!Bufferstop wrote: ↑Fri Dec 01, 2023 3:55 pmIn the end quality and detail cost in any currency.A single loco now costs AUD$600! Why?
By happy chance just returned from seeing a relative on the east side of the North Sea, who is in the trade of musical instruments, and specialises in the ever popular guitar. He casually mentioned an annual figure of 25 Billion, whether Euro or USD I didn't enquire; and he was very upbeat about the ever rising tide of demand globally, forecast to double the market by 2030. Since he was driving a car selling for more than my house I reckon there's some evidence behind this.Bigglesof266 wrote: ↑Fri Dec 01, 2023 11:19 pm ...Given the variety of different models of guitars or plastic kits in any range, I don't think economies of market scale factor significant to that degree, although I have no empirical evidence to support that...
That's anecdotal not empirical. ;PBigmet wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 2:35 pm By happy chance just returned from seeing a relative on the east side of the North Sea, who is in the trade of musical instruments, and specialises in the ever popular guitar. He casually mentioned an annual figure of 25 Billion, whether Euro or USD I didn't enquire; and he was very upbeat about the ever rising tide of demand globally, forecast to double the market by 2030. Since he was driving a car selling for more than my house I reckon there's some evidence behind this.
Poor analogy and failed deprecation/attempted sarcasm.centenary wrote: ↑Sun Dec 03, 2023 9:01 pm This kit of parts for an RC heli is nearly 3000 Euros. You still have to build it and supply your own RC gear including motor and electronic speed controller. I could buy a car for that.
https://www.vario-helicopter.biz/de/Fus ... 01193.html
I get that. It was fun using photographic film and printing from everything including Kodachrome slides. Then digital completely eliminated the formerly vital technical skill aspects, and the price for high grade kit rocketed upward: I walked away.
I dont get why you're filling a thread with a 'woe is me! Im not paying x for a loco when I can get an instrument for less.' And you can buy a car for 3 grand.Bigglesof266 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 03, 2023 11:17 pmPoor analogy and failed deprecation/attempted sarcasm.centenary wrote: ↑Sun Dec 03, 2023 9:01 pm This kit of parts for an RC heli is nearly 3000 Euros. You still have to build it and supply your own RC gear including motor and electronic speed controller. I could buy a car for that.
https://www.vario-helicopter.biz/de/Fus ... 01193.html
I used to fly and instruct RC fixed wing and heli. Still have a Robbe electric with a powerful (relatively expensive) German Hacker motor. You don't "build" them these days. Strictly minimal assembly and frequently you don't even have to do that. CURRENT Average price of a LARGE sized NEW nitro powered R/C heli is around the AUD$1k give or take AUD$100. Compare that with an OO gauge loco and the loco comes up and abysmal value FAIL. Factor in motor, gyro and RX/TX if you're a complete noob (that's like factoring in your Lenz or NCS controller system & DCC sound decoder too in buying a loco) make that AUD$2K not "€3000" which is about AUD$5k rounded up. Electric (LiPo powered) is even cheaper. Don't know of any NEW car I could buy for that in this country or elsewhere. And not a 'pre-loved' one which would pass roadworthy (UK MOT) to be street legal and liability insurable. Even if I were to be on a desperate POV search, cheapest new car here is around the AUD$23k on road and nothing I'd want to own (from a short term reliability and maintenance nightmare perspective) let alone drive -and I'm no vehicle snob. Cars are strictly an A->B device to me.
My original point stands. You don't have to approve or agree with it. AUD$700 for a single OO gauge loco as linked to in my previous post is too rich for my sensibilities. That's max gouge demand pricing. If it was a hand at the poker table I'd fold. If some others are content to pay that, so be it. To reiterate my position on current OO gauge pricing."Come in spinner!".