Thread started by Gluefinger
GluefingerSo, it took them two and a half years to turn promotion into product. And then this:
When I saw the box art picture and the price of more than 95 Euros for the initial release, I was expecting this to be a Combo kit - but: "[...] contains one set of plastic frames [...]". Plus: "Only the number of kits that are pre-ordered [...] will be produced.". The inclusion of a book of unspecified size, which seems to contain Czech language text only, isn't really a deal maker, either.
Obviously, these days it is commercially viable to first issue a new tool model as an overpriced cult item rather than in a way that appeals to "the masses". This might in part be due to people who believe that this might become a sought-after item in the future, promising large profits from future sales (though I doubt that, considering that the number of "special releases" by Eduard is growing like mushrooms on horse manure).
Let's hope they release a mainstream kit before the rocketing prices will make the cheapest (weekend) option a 50 Euros buy.
7 26 July, 08:42
Archie PellagioThey'll release a Profipak and presumably a Weekend edition too. And while I agree the pricing on this LE is a bit crazy, I'm sure the standard production Profi and Weekend editions will be priced similar to all their other kits. Overall I would say Eduard are one of the best value manufacturers around, both in terms of comparative quality, included extras (masks, PE etc), the large number of decal options in every kit, and just standard sticker price. Compare with Airfix who charge significantly more for a lower quality product, and don't even include canopy masks, never mind PE cockpits. Not even going to mention the ancient garbage shat out by brand like Revell and Italeri for premium prices. Many of the other 'premium' priced companies like Wingsy, Dora, Clear Prop, Arma also offer far less value for the same or much greater prices. Look at the prices for Arma 1/48 Hurricanes or P-39, they're double what a normal Eduard Profipak cost. Even Trumpeter prices are fairly high compared to Eduard, and the existing Eduard 1/48 MiG-21s (PF/PFM/MF/BIS) are about the same price as theirs.
3 19 August, 12:16
Gluefinger Author@Archie Pellagio:
I agree that Eduard's products are not expensive per se. This was meant more as a general comment on the pricing and marketing strategies that are in place now that our hobby has become an old farts' pastime (I'm one of them).
For us Europeans, Eduard's stuff has the additional benefit of not coming with a hefty markup as do products from Asia - Tamiya's prices more than double on the way here. If I remember my time in Brissie correctly, this is not the case where you live...
1 21 August, 19:15
Soeren R.My bigger problem with this is that they dont even offer the book in English - especially when you sell it International and not only in CZ.
25 August, 11:51
Archie PellagioI might have to eat my words on my previous comment; they've listed the Profipak MiG-21F-13 at $85 USD on the Eduard website, that's a whopping 77% price increase from all their other MiG-21 (PFM/MF/Bis/R) kits.
Though to be fair it puts it at a comparable price to kits like Airfix's new Jaguar, GWH's MiG-29, or Zoukei-Moura's Phantoms and many other manufacturer's new tool 1/48 jets, and those don't generally come with the PE or masks, and only have two or three decal options compared with the six Eduard offer.
3 October, 13:03