| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Ferrarinut
USA
1489 Posts |
 Posted - 04/28/2012 : 08:02:14
|
| I have noticed this year that the majority of European collectors are unusually quiet. I suspect the recession is taking a toll on their hobby money. It is hard to know what to believe from our own media here in the US. I would be curious to know the point of view from some of you in EU countries, is the future outlook as uncertain as our media reports? I don't want to start a political discussion, only from the standpoint of how the economy is affecting the hobby. I suspect dealers are being very cautious and this must be having a very significant affect on manufacturers. Personally I am focusing more on consignment models until I see more encouraging signs. |
|
|
glengorse
United Kingdom
230 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2012 : 08:23:28
|
Mike,
One can easily get very depressed with the economic situation in the Eurozone. The UK is not much better although the £ pound sterling is strong currently.
The UK government is trying to puts its house in order and hitting everyone with some swingeing tax levies on all sorts of things putting prices up significantly.
To give you some ideas - we have always had high taxes on fuel but we are getting silly now - Diesel is now at £6.60 per gallon (around US $10.50 per gallon) petrol prices are not too far behind (£6.30 = $10.00 per gallon) - means around £100 ($160) per fill up.
Bear in mind we also have Road Fund Tax on every vehicle based on emissions of anywhere from £100 up to £500 unless you drive something with no guts....
We still have London charging - you pay to enter London in a car!...
Personal taxation is being looked at again and again to see if they can get more out of us.
Having said all of that we still seem to be the place that every immigrant in the world wants to join us..... and benefit from our welfare state...
Sorry this seems a rant but Modelcars at the moment have slipped down the priority list and my little bit of sanity is reading this forum to see some of the wonderful works that many can turn out. Keep it up Mike...... |
 |
|
|
CMEE
Belgium
1 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2012 : 09:05:24
|
As david said, the same happened in belgium. Petrol is at its highest price ever. Job losses everywere ... we need to work at least 40 years before retirement. Not easy if you left school at 24!
So at the moment i am more thinking of selling my collection instead of buying.
and last but not least our problems with customs. I pay at least 30% extra on each parcel from the US. |
|
|
|
Ferrarinut
USA
1489 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2012 : 09:18:25
|
Sounds like the US, we are headed in the same direction. There seems to be more interest in increased taxation and no interest in getting spending under control, just more welfare programs and bigger government. Our national debt has just exceeded our GNP as of yesterday, we have now officially become like Greece, not a club you want to join. Look for a weaking US dollar as this madness continues. Of course luxury goods are one of the first things to stop buying so I am not surprised by the slowdown. Now if only we could get our government officials to think this way, control the spending until your house is in order. Neither of the political parties have the courage to deal with the cuts unless they are the party that is not in office, then it's bold promises to cut spending and no new taxes until they get back in office and we start the merry go round all over again. I think we see this in almost every country unfortunately.
Regarding selling collections, it is a tough climate to sell in now, very much a buyers' market. We have not seen the prices of 2008 and before come back up. I have been recommending to customers to wait unless they really need the cash. I would like to think we have hit bottom but after hearing recent news of Europe's plans to deal with the crisis, I am not so sure and the US is no better. Asia still seems strong although Japan is still recovering from their tsunami and nuclear disaster. |
|
|
|
moriaan
Netherlands
510 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2012 : 09:19:16
|
recession is hitting hard in the Netherlands.
Government has resigned, because they couldn't agree on reducing cost. New elections in september.
Real estate is taking a huge blow! Prices are dropping upto 30% and housingsales are terrible.
VAT will go up, banks have restricted mortgages and loan-opportunities.
Unemployment is growing.
These are uncertain times here, and people are very cautious in spending money.
Gasoline is 1,78 euro a liter... a record.
In the hobby prices also drop, and I see a lot on offer.
I hope this will pass, but I am afraid we haven't seen the worst yet..
Hans |
Edited by - moriaan on 04/28/2012 09:21:25 |
|
|
|
Ferrarinut
USA
1489 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2012 : 09:24:14
|
| I agree Hans, I don't think we have seen the worst yet. We also have a disastrous housing market with games going on with the government and banks while those who play by the rules get no help and the value of our homes plummet and our tax dollars are helping to bail out those who do not play by the rules. Makes you want to scream. |
|
|
|
Ferrarinut
USA
1489 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2012 : 09:26:35
|
| My apologies, I think I have drifted off into a political discussion. I shall refrain from here out. :-) |
|
|
|
moriaan
Netherlands
510 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2012 : 09:31:53
|
Its frustrating Mike!
Believe me, I know, being a small businessowner, life isn't getting better nowadays..
I have the feeling most politicians don't give a damn about the people. Its all about winning elections and power..
Once they are in government, their paycheck is covered.
When they are elected, programs are rewritten and promises go out the window.
In the netherlands we have an Animalparty! People actually vote on them, during the last elections they won 2 seats in parliament..
seriously!!
You have probably heard of Geert Wilders.
He is a loudmouth and leaves no chance discriminating foreigners
living here. He has never accomplished anything!
What most people don't know..
His wife is from eastern Europe, and he comes from a family that ran Indonesia while it was a dutch colony..
People vote on him because they don't like the traditional parties.
He got a lot of votes, and it lead to nothing...
I don't know where we are heading, but it doesn't feel good
Now lets get back to the hobby, its much more relaxing than watching the news or reading the paper..
Hans
|
Edited by - moriaan on 04/28/2012 09:34:45 |
|
|
|
Ferrarinut
USA
1489 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2012 : 10:41:59
|
Hans, I like the idea of an animal party. I was half joking with a friend the other day that rather than re-elect any Congressman or Senator, we should replace them all with chimpanzees and give them dartboards to use for votes on amendments and bills. It could only result in improved policies and help turn this economy around.
Regarding models, I think for now most collectors will need to be satisfied collecting photos of their favorite models, maybe turn them into screen savers with 5 second intervals. |
|
|
|
abelhobby
Mexico
98 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2012 : 11:42:20
|
Hello Guys, here is and Idea, what I do is dioramas, it could take me a couple of months to complete but it keeps me busy thinking on getting all the materials so I dont spend that much money in a short period of time.
Thansk!
Abel |
|
|
|
ramapao69
Italy
512 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2012 : 12:32:32
|
Sincerely i thought that the situation of others EU countries was a little better than here in Italy, Here we have a very high public debt accumulated during years of devastating corruption at the political level, what has saved us so far has been the high level of private savings...until last year...Now the politicians and bankers, who are the main perpetrators of this global crisis, inevitable force us to make further sacrifices to keep the boat afloat,
Here in Italy we just arrived to 47,5% of taxes on the 100% of our private and professional income and within the end of June we will have to' pay new taxes about home property that are more than the double of what we have paied until now....gasoline and energy increase their prices every single day and seems that this situation has no end.
So it's really difficult to' spend money not only for models but also for normal life...it's a bad bad situation and i don't know how it will end... |
|
|
|
Trossi
232 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2012 : 12:41:02
|
The problem in Europe (or in the countries who have the Euro) is most likely that even if they have jobs, they do not know what will be in a few years. As a result, they spent their money more careful and you cut the hobby money first - as sad as it is. Personally, I have my kits (which I already have) built from time to time, but don't buy any factory builts.
If the Euro crashes (what it in my opinion definitely will), the new currencies, which will reflect the economical realities better, will give the citizens a more realistic view on their personal possibilities regarding their hobby budget (to make it short).
|
|
|
|
christian
Austria
443 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2012 : 13:58:54
|
a lot of collectors in Germany have stopped buying before the crises
but it was not noticed by the builders as selling numbers went up ( russia + china )
and now they begin to sell and a lot of collectors are buying now older ( rar ) cars and no new stuff
there is a big number collectors who bought models as an investment and a lot of them are now retired and sell the cars to use it for hollidays or spend it for their children ( building a house ...)
|
|
|
|
250GTE
Netherlands
295 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2012 : 16:04:36
|
Unfortunatly I have to confirm Hans' characterization of Dutch politics and it's parties. For such a small country we have a lot of different interests and therefor a lot of different parties. Also a very large group of chronically dissatified people who seem to have no problem in voting for a party that is basically pure fascist and anti-Europa
For me personally the crisis hasn't hit (yet). Me and my wife both have steady jobs. But since the arrival of our little boy (potential collector!) my wife has changed to working part time, plus there are the costs that always go with raising a child. So in that respect, I have had to cut my collecting budget. But for now, everything is going according to plan. |
|
|
|
Ferrarinut
USA
1489 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2012 : 17:49:31
|
| I feel bad for the collectors who bought as investments and must sell during these turbulent economic times. Those who sold out in 2007-2008 made out quite well on their investment but watching prices on ebay these days must be quite depressing. Ironically a good time to invest if one has the means. I watch the 1:1 car market every week and cannot believe the bargains to be had if one has the funds, far better than investing in the stock market. I would rather have something tangible than something on paper these days. At least you can enjoy a vintage automobile, try taking your stock portfolio out for a weekend spin in the mountains. I guess you could if you put it on the passenger seat of your Prius. |
|
|
|
the.x.man
New Zealand
877 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2012 : 20:30:01
|
quote:
Originally posted by Ferrarinut
... Prius.
Mind your language!
:o)
________________________________________________________
The only substitute for cubic inches is more cubic inches!
~ Max Balchowsky |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
European Collectors
