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Ferrarinut
USA
1489 Posts |
 Posted - 05/04/2012 : 20:05:16
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| I thought it was just our friends in Europe and the UK but I am puzzled by the almost non-existent response of collectors recently. Has everyone stopped collecting and picked up crochet or perhaps crossword puzzles? I would love to hear from some of the regulars who have gone into hiding, what is your mindset for 2012? Did I underestimate the global economy? In the immortal words of Pink Floyd, "Is anybody out there?". |
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JVC43
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2012 : 20:30:57
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Have not gone into hiding, though new baby and rising cost of gasoline does put a damper on quick 43rd purchases. I would guess (and you can confirm this Mike), that of your listings, those which are unique regardless of cost, are the ones moving?
I found that this past year, the average cost of my purchases from MiniWerks have gone up. But, the total number much lower.
I think this will be a good year for buyers. Still hoping to get a Suber some day soon :) |
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ferrariguy
Canada
38 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2012 : 21:46:05
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Hi Mike, I'm still around but as you know I've been focusing more on limited high-detail hand builts (Suber, Brauer, Tay amongst others) so have almost stopped buying MRs, BBRs, etc. Even though the Canadian $ is stronger than the US greenback these models still cost quite a bit more as you know. Also I have quite a few projects with these builders in progress and have stopped buying or ordering more until these are finished.
Another factor is that I've been spending quite a bit on professional grading for my other hobby... gold and silver age comic books. These gems have been going up in price a lot and I needed to protect them
One other thought is that collectors of these models are getting older (me included) and I'm not sure if there's a new generation of collectors with the disposable income the baby boomers have. Moreover, my kids are getting older and thus they're into more activities ($) and eating me out of house and home (more $).
So I'm around but choosing and picking my model purchases more carefully
Regards,
Lawrence |
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Ferrarinut
USA
1489 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2012 : 22:20:24
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| It is really tough to say what is driving the slowdown most. I know it is happening industry wide, nothing unique for me personally. I believe the two biggest factors are the global recession and not enough young collectors discovering the hobby. Certainly the proliferation and over-production by certain manufacturers, driven by Chinese volume requirements is flooding the market and driving prices down but this will change as Chinese labor continues to increase, we just have to wait this out but it is inevitable. I will just continue to focus on the rare and unique models and try some new subjects, i.e. vintage aircraft and motorbikes, also very high end. Miniwerks will become a niche within a niche, a "mini-niche". :-) |
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luminere1
Australia
42 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2012 : 23:07:07
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well.. down under in oz.. this hobby is very small.. most collect die cast and larger scale 1/18.. biante, classic carlectables etc i actually don't know that many collectors here that collect high end 1/43.. so can't really comment.. from a personal perspective.. i still buy what i like and think that will add to my collection.. i have shifted towards now the older subjects of ferrari.. the vintage era.. i love reading the history and provenance of them so hence i buy the model.. reading a past issue of cavillino on the 250 gt prince berti.. then was thrilled to see bbr release it and now will search for an amr kit of it.. vintage subjects don't come around that often from the major manufacturers like bbr so i just wait and pick and choose then.. in the mean time i just trawl evilbay and pick up amr kits and other related kits with ferrari which take my fancy for a future projects i have in mind.. so i guess i am stockpiling.. :) also the OZ dollar is very strong so it makes it cheaper for me to buy too!
in saying that.. limited release and selected purchase and funds has allowed me to start my very first business in my own restaurant.. but restaurants are black holes and eat up capital like no other in trying to keep a level and standard and all the other overheads like staff, food and produce.. gas, electricity, rent, workers comp, public liability, insurance.. the list goes on.. so in actual fact i make less than 2% if i am luck on a good week.. sometimes i work for mere pittance.. all for the luxury of being your own boss!.. not! better to work for someone else! no headaches! good job and seniority. money and perks! but hey.. you need to take a risk and go alone and do it yourself..
i probably was stupid in opening a business in these uncertain times.. but when is really the right time?.. if i can hang in there and take the good with the bad then maybe i will get out on the better side!
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Edited by - luminere1 on 05/04/2012 23:08:05 |
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David
109 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2012 : 23:55:17
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| Didn't stop anything, keeping buying models, simply Miniwerks haven't offered anything of my interest recently. That's all. I have my favourite builders with whom I deal directly, keep looking for rare kits but actually I haven't reduced anything. I'd rather stop eating than reducing my budget for models. |
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the.x.man
New Zealand
877 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2012 : 00:14:46
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quote:
Originally posted by David
I'd rather stop eating than reducing my budget for models.
I subscribe to that theory :o)
Don't know that I can add anything of value to this discussion... There are several reasons why; firstly, I am simply not qualified to comment on New Zealand's economy in relationship to the rest of the world, except to say that I understand the recession has not hit us quite as hard as other countries. Secondly, short of a catastrophic goverment meltdown, my 'income' will remain relatively stable for the foreseeable future (I am on a meager form of disability pension for the rest of my life), and thirdly, to the best of my knowledge, I am the only New Zealander with a sizable collection of 1/43 scale handbuilt models. I know of one or two others that have a few BBRs or pieces built from Marsh kits alongside their diecasts, but nothing like what I have - so I have nobody local to swap notes with about how the current state of affairs affects our collecting.
If anything, right now is an excellent time for me to buy, as the Kiwi dollar is very strong against the U.S. and there are plenty of collectors offloading models at very good prices (except, of course, nobody seems to be offering anything I want...). However, to offset this, rising fuel prices are driving up shipping costs.
________________________________________________________
The only substitute for cubic inches is more cubic inches!
~ Max Balchowsky |
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LaSource
356 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2012 : 00:38:37
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| The simple reason that I did not buy any model from Miniwerks within the last two months is due to the fact that no item was/is in stock that will fit into my collection... |
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Cloud 9
USA
167 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2012 : 01:21:01
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Hi Mike,
There are several reasons why I am purchasing less now, compared up to a year ago. For one, I have most of what I want. Since my theme is focused mostly on modern cars, I am fairly limited in my choices and specific in what I am after. Many of the recent releases around the web are just the same models I already own, except in different colors. Budget also plays a major role now, since I just got married in February of this year. As much as I'd love to, I simply cannot afford to spend as much as I did as in the past now that I am married. And to make matters worse, my significant other questions everything I spend my "play" money on.
When I received my latest model several days ago, she demanded to know what I spent. Lucky for me, she is not the biggest model car fan and knows nothing about it's worth. I simply replied back that I paid half of what I actually did, and she fell for it. Got off the hook this time around, but dont know how long I can do it for.
Finally, I am very much looking forward to seeing Miniwerks offer me more models that capture my interest...Wishing you the best of luck for the rest of 2012 and beyond, Mike. I will try and do my part to keep this hobby alive and well!
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glengorse
United Kingdom
230 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2012 : 02:05:16
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| Hi, All of the builders appear busy.... so there is a demand but perhaps it is specific and shorter runs and more exclusive than previous.?... |
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moriaan
Netherlands
510 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2012 : 03:06:02
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quote:
[
in saying that.. limited release and selected purchase and funds has allowed me to start my very first business in my own restaurant.. but restaurants are black holes and eat up capital like no other in trying to keep a level and standard and all the other overheads like staff, food and produce.. gas, electricity, rent, workers comp, public liability, insurance.. the list goes on.. so in actual fact i make less than 2% if i am luck on a good week.. sometimes i work for mere pittance.. all for the luxury of being your own boss!.. not! better to work for someone else! no headaches! good job and seniority. money and perks! but hey.. you need to take a risk and go alone and do it yourself..
i probably was stupid in opening a business in these uncertain times.. but when is really the right time?.. if i can hang in there and take the good with the bad then maybe i will get out on the better side!
I own 2 restaurants, which makes me a complete idiot!
In these times it is difficult, but running a small business like a restaurant is allways difficult. There are to many "dreamers" opening a business. Running an operation is a profession, and takes a lot of skills to keep all the balls juggling in the air, being a good cook or service manager is no guarantee for success.
Running my own restaurants gives me a certain amount of freedom!
The bank is my boss, and the guests pay my salary IF i do well.
But there is no-one telling me what to do, I am the decisionmaker.
I have been doing for 9 years, and I couldn't go back.
There are hard times, and good times, but there hasn't been a day I didn't want to go to work since.
I think there is a trend in having models built by the artisans.
The amount of models made by f.i. BBR, Make Up and MR is so high, they loose exclusivity.
@Mike, You are the "true" entrepeneur, you provide service, a lot of companies don't. You are thinking of ways to help your clients, that way you create loyalty.
Clients choose where to spend their money, its not only the item thats makes them buy at Miniwerks.
Your reputation is decissive, keep up the good work!
Hans |
Edited by - moriaan on 05/05/2012 03:09:10 |
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moriaan
Netherlands
510 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2012 : 03:12:31
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quote:
Originally posted by Cloud 9
Hi Mike,
When I received my latest model several days ago, she demanded to know what I spent. Lucky for me, she is not the biggest model car fan and knows nothing about it's worth. I simply replied back that I paid half of what I actually did, and she fell for it. Got off the hook this time around, but dont know how long I can do it for.
Keep a separate budget for your hobby!
I have a separate account, that way there are no questions asked, and everybody is happy..
A happy wife is a happy life! ;-)
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LQDA4
USA
40 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2012 : 04:01:27
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I concur with a lot of points already made here. I start getting bored with the high volume releases by many brands. You might disagree but I feel that the line separating diecasts such as Spark models and high volume handbuilts is getting blurred. Besides, most of my models are in boxes (handbuilts and diecasts) due to space limitation so what's the point of buying them in high frequency? Nowadays I mainly try to focus on the super-builts by true Artisans. I am also looking at the flood of used high performance cars (most with very low mileage) out there - I need to save up if I decide to pick up a weekend car, perhaps a 911...
For the newly-wed, get a separate account for your play money. I also have a post office box. As long as it's not drug, booze or woman, I don't feel ashamed about it!
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Ferrarinut
USA
1489 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2012 : 07:19:42
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| Excellent input all, thank you. I will keep tweaking the business and will keep it interesting. :-) |
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PeterW
USA
1216 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2012 : 07:40:42
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After 33 years of marriage keeping anything from my wife is not a good idea...the more transparent you are the better your marriage will be. Hey, if it's a few bucks here or there no need to get into it but bigger dollars is another thing...that's all I have to say on that issue.
As a builder I am pretty busy these days and it appears to stem from the type of presentation I have and the passion I put into each piece. I have my critics of course but when you work at the higher end it get's more critical so one needs to pay attention to the details. Either way I think collectors are seeking more unique models these days.
As far as the US economy is concerned I have seen some efforts recently to start easing up on some of the regulations, i.e natural gas, fracking and just yesterday I heard a second submission will be made for the pipeline from Canada so the "experts" feel gas prices should start to ease here...the per barrel price has already dropped. I am cautiously optimistic ;)
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Edited by - PeterW on 05/05/2012 07:45:44 |
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PeterW
USA
1216 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2012 : 07:50:06
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quote:
Originally posted by PeterW
After 33 years of marriage keeping anything from my wife is not a good idea...the more transparent you are the better your marriage will be. Hey, if it's a few bucks here or there no need to get into it but bigger dollars is another thing...that's all I have to say on that issue.
I too see there is a bit of a "blur" and what I see are a lot of the same presentation mimicking what BBR started...same bases, same cases, it all looks the same to me. It's a bit boring IMO.
As a builder I am pretty busy these days and it appears to stem from the type of presentation I have and the passion I put into each piece. I have my critics of course but when you work at the higher end it get's more critical so one needs to pay attention to the details. Either way I think collectors are seeking more unique models these days.
As far as the US economy is concerned I have seen some efforts recently to start easing up on some of the regulations, i.e natural gas, fracking and just yesterday I heard a second submission will be made for the pipeline from Canada so the "experts" feel gas prices should start to ease here...the per barrel price has already dropped. I am cautiously optimistic ;)
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Global Recession?
