WNW LVG CVI - on eBay

[Jim]

Hello all - I noticed someone selling a LVG on eBay with a starting bid at $79.00 (see item no. 331141275766). Sale closes in 2 days. I would consider putting a bid on it myself, though seller apparently won't do shipping outside of US, so thought it might be a good buy for a US forum member.

However, please note I am a bit hesitant posting this since although the seller looks to have a good history, I also noticed the four bids that are currently on the model are all from the same bidder and have remained at $79.00.

Regards

Jim

[OEFFAG 153]

Just for fun I checked the closing bid...$256...

[ALBATROS1234]

i think that is way too expensive.

[Jamo]

Market value was established. Clearly two buyers really wanted it and budget was not an issue. Lucky seller!

[ALBATROS1234]

buyer beware i guess.believe me i understand a free market system but i still think its kinda uncool to hold people over a barrel like that. there should be a site where its all set price first come first serve. in my opinion there is no need to charge such a high price for $5 of plastic and paper.

[OEFFAG 153]

E-bay prices are from fantasyland for sure, what facinates me, is that they even manage to sell still in production and easily avilable kits for pretty hefty sums... For intance Why would anyone buy a WNW Late Snipe for $100 + postage? (Just one  example I just found) Seems people want to be conned!

Also Seems buying plastic can be a better investment than buing in stocks.

Mikael

[Des]

Ebay used to be a good place to auction items, but with all the rule changes over the past few years it is now not a good place to sell, they even charge you a selling fee which includes the postage the seller was asking for, what a rip off. Selling Wingnut kits on ebay has become very popular of late, I noticed that an English firm have advertised quite a few Wingnut kits at highly inflated prices, if people are silly enough to pay the huge prices well so be it, it is their choice, but as far as out of production kits go it is an open market, if someone wants one bad enough they will pay any price to get it, this is not the seller jacking up the price but bidders who are fighting each other for the one kit, and the best man wins.

Des.

[Ian from Doncaster]

Do you mean Hannants in the UK, Des?  They offer current WNW kits at virtually the same prices in UK£ as on the WNW site in US$.  The exchange rate is about 1.6 $/£ therefore this is quite a big difference, but when you take into account the VAT and postage "release fee" we pay on original WNW orders, then the difference becomes only a few £.  Hannants charge for postage, but I can't remember if there is a zero rate on orders over a certain amount.  Of course, the postage is avoided if you buy at a Hannants shop (there are 2, including one in London near to the RAF Museum at Hendon), and they often have a stall at big air shows.

[Des]

No it's not Hennants Ian, I have seen the Hannants ads and they are quite reasonable. From memory, I'm sure the name of the seller was Greentail Models, but don't hold me to this, they have quite a few Roden kits advertised at the moment all at ridiculous prices, like the Roden 1:32 Albatros D.III for $79 plus $26 post, you can buy this same kit direct from Roden for half that price. There are no Wingnut kits advertised on Australian ebay at present but as soon as there is I will let you know and who is selling them.

Des.

[Ian from Doncaster]

OK Des, I don't often use EBay but I guess there are some folks there who use it as a shop so would need to make a profit.

I would always look to the original suppliers for prices to compare, as often there is a free postage rate, and also just occasionally, WNW gets through without the VAT etc!

[Des]

I used to be an avid user of ebay buying and selling lots of items, but since the rule changes I don't use them anymore. I find it now works out cheaper to buy from online shops where lots are offering free post. I only look ar ebay now when someone points out a really good bargain.
BTW, I have made quite a few purchase from Hannants over the years and always found them to be reasonably priced, fair with their postage and an honest company to deal with.

Des.

[Jim]

Wow! That kit sure didn't end up as a good buy.

It does annoy me that WNW have not come through on providing the LVG and W29 as a special release, which would significantly reduce the demand/cost of the original kits that sellers get on eBay.

I also don't understand how ebay sellers can sell Roden kits for the prices they're asking, when they can be purchased from Roden's online shop.

[Jamo]

I believe the deluxe editions are still in the (very long) pipeline - the WNW chaps assured me of this at the recent model expo.

[Checkers67]

But will I live long enough to see the LVG or W.29 re-released?

[petrov27]

yeah the pipeline for those deluxe kits sure is a long one! I seem to recall the old Windsock from when WNW first burst on the scene (2009?) and I think it mentions that the Special Edition kits and figures would be available that year....

Not a big deal though - they sure have released many fantastic kits in the meantime and I already have a backlog I will be lucky to build in my lifetime, but it sure makes you wonder what happened to delay those special kits and figures?