a Budget for Time traveling

[CaptainJack]

My purchasing seems to go backwards and forwards in time. I am either on EBay chasing old model kits or looking for the new ones. Some models seem to be on the market a long time. Others seem to be short lived.

Is there a method to how you buy?

How do you know how long a company will offer a kit?

Where do you learn about kits that are coming up?

what's a good place to search for old kits?

Also how do you budget?

Do you set aside money to chase kits that are old?

Do you save for new releases?

The reason I'm asking is that I missed out on a couple of kits I really wanted. Now I'm afraid others will disappear before I can save for them. I know this sounds crazy. But its like panic shopping. I'm buying kits that are slipping away. I'm buying kits that are out now. I'm on lists for new ones about to release.

Somewhere in there is a workable budget I'm sure. I just don't know where.

[JonseyAU]

I think the only advice I can give is to purchase what you can afford at the time, many kits that reach their end of run will pop up from time to time in various locations some times for many years to come.

I would like to buy and save every kit I can, but I have to realistic

Ben

[CaptainJack]

How about information sources?

[cib2265]

Is there a method to how you buy?

How do you know how long a company will offer a kit?

Where do you learn about kits that are coming up?

what's a good place to search for old kits?

Also how do you budget?

Do you set aside money to chase kits that are old?

Do you save for new releases?

Having just gone through a similar "rush" after starting the hobby again, here are my experiences/ideas:

Method to buying:
First, make up a list of what you want - use the stash manager in http://www.myhobbyinfo.com/ then download to excel. I added a priority filter and notes to keep track. At one stage I had about 100 kits I wanted but I revised this down.

Revise the list after searching and researching sources - try: http://www.scalemates.com/ for starting research, and google quests. Always look for full build reviews, do not rely solely on out of box reviews. Youtube is also a wonderful resource, in fact, smaller channels can give you the best details.

Dont try to chase everything that comes up on Evilbay. Id bought about 20 kits before I put the brakes on, then swiftly resold those kits that I shouldnt have bought in the first place. Dont be afraid to dump a kit straight away if it isnt up to expectation - someone else will get use out of it, better they do than it sit in your cupboard for years...

Try to do group buys to save on postage - most ebayers (Even the far east ones) will combine postage for multiple buys.

As an Aussie, Ive found the UK retailers to be the best in terms of communication, service and low price. Ive only had to buy about 5 kits from China/Hong Kong. As expected, almost all Aussie retailers will screw you on price although service is ok.

For new releases, use http://www.myhobbyinfo.com/ for info and of course Lee and Pauls show on Youtube.

For old kits - I'm not nostalgic and I much prefer the higher quality of new tooling and intact decals. When buying new decals can cost you half the price of the kit - why not just buy a new one and be done with it? Or decide to invest in several large sheets of good quality decals to spread over several kits.

As for budget, I consider this to be an extremely CHEAP hobby - mind you I used to play with BMW motorbikes (yes, as expensive as the cars), Ive probably spent about $1500-$2000 acquiring the kits I wanted (about 50 now I think, still coming in) and that again - probably more - on tools, supplies, paints.

I'll probably cap my budget for the rest of the year, maybe just buy a few more things - tools and paints mainly - that full through the gaps.I have been selling off some spares and parts from my bike projects, so that might keep funding my acquisitions.

[chief5437]

Great info above! All I can add is checking the manufacturers websites. They usually have a 'coming soon' section for new releases.

[Colin]

The stash manager software has been bought to my attention before and I really must get round to using this ... I'm so scatter brained its unbelievable! I often buy aftermarket for a kit on a whim I dont need or have already.

Apart from that I'm quite focused ... do love 1/12 and 1/6 Motorcycles and 1/32 Aircraft kits too, this old dog can be shown new tricks though and find my self thinking of armour kits more and more. I did once sell off nearly all my massive 1/48 aircraft stash to finance a switch to 1/32 aircraft ... and it worked.

For Tamiya 1/32 aircraft and 1/12 Motorcycles especially I keep my ear to ground for new releases.

As for budgeting ... good question that I'm still learning how to do without impulse buying I have many hobbys but somehow manage to juggle my time and available income between them.

Dont worry too much if you are an impulse buyer ... dont be guilty about it too, often some of the most impulsive purchases I've ever done are some of my most treasured ones now.

We're all different ... but the main thing is to enjoy and have fun

[CaptainJack]

I love this site! That is absolutely brilliant advice. Thank you so much.

[HistoryRider]

I tend to build in themes! For example I will only hunt for and purchase kits that say fit in the Century Series of aircraft (F100-108). That's how I narrow down my searches and expenditure, but it also depends on personal preferences! I JUST got into the MyHobbyInfo, and my primary source of kits has been from the Squadron website!

GOOD LUCK

[CaptainJack]

Funny you say that I'm doing the same with universal monster kits. At least as far as collecting.

[Colin]

I tend to build in themes! For example I will only hunt for and purchase kits that say fit in the Century Series of aircraft (F100-108).

Yes, I find myself doing that too, last year I was buying US WW2 naval aircraft in 1/32, this year it seems to be 1/32 German late war/experimental Jets/rockets and also 1/32 US naval jets.

[ScaleModelling1105]

As I have a very tight budget I look around for something a bit different from what I've been doing lately. i.e bombers gb so next I will build a ww2 fighter, then i'll have a go at a jet etc. I buy all my kits from model retailers as I'd rather support them than save a few pounds on ebay or amazon. Unless there's a major difference like £15 which I've seen a few times.
SO yeah that's how I do it. I only buy kits online with paints or tools etc to save on shipping also.