A Question

[Draco]

Hello everybody, there is a person asking me to buy me some of my airplanes, how much do you think it will be worth?
Thanks!

[Rubenandres77]

Sometime ago someone asked me something very similar.

After calculating how much my time is worth per hour (X how many hours I spent on each model), plus the cost of materials (paper, ink and glue), plus shipping, and not adding any kind of extra fees or monetary gain, the person was disappointed at the proposed price and declined to pay. Which didn't make me sad at all, because I like to keep my models anyway.

That's when I learned that this is far from a cheap hobby.

The time and materials invested really amount to much more than what one may think at first glance.

[Butelczynski]

Ask for as much as you can and haggle.It all depend how much is it worth to him and how much you value your work.

[MichaelS]

Give them away to kids. You will be repayed a thousand fold.

[romfolmar]

I have always given away my model to people that appreciate them, and to make room to build more.

[Rata]

I've kept all mine because I'm a stubborn old hoarder.

[airdave]

Just think of the fun you would have building them again.
And with the experience you have gained, your builds will be so much better this time.

So, unless its a model that you must keep, or refuse to build a second time,
just sell them...but sell them affordably.
There is no need to overcharge someone who is actually interested in them.

This is not commission building, where you can expect a lot for your time.
The time spent on these models has passed, it has very little value now.
In fact, the only value these models hold is personal value.

If you don't want the model(s) any more, then sell for whatever is offered.
if you don't mind rebuilding it, then sell for what is offered.

Sure, you can haggle a bit...after you hear the offer.
You never know, you might even be surprised by the offer.
At least give the buyer the chance to make an offer.
Tell them to offer what they themselves would expect if they were the builder.

Giving models away is a nice gesture.
But not everyone has children, grandkids, or someone they can give the models too.
And not everyone has the room to keep all the models they build.

Consider...If someone is willing to pay for your models, then I think they will appreciate your work a lot more.

But...I do like Rata's answer.
Me too.

[wireandpaper]

[QUOTE=airdave;637634]
Sure, you can haggle a bit...after you hear the offer.
You never know, you might even be surprised by the offer.
At least give the buyer the chance to make an offer.
Tell them to offer what they themselves would expect if they were the builder.

QUOTE]

I can not agree more with Airdave.

Some one ask me the same question, why not sell them.
I made the calculation of Ruben Andres, not a lot of people would afford them.

En particular muchos de tus modelos son mas artesanales que la mayoria de los nuestros, que son predisegnados por alguien mas!!!
In particular you are an artisan, many of your models you design and build, in contrast many of us use pre design models!!!

[Kevin WS]

I have never sold paper models, but I have sold wooden ship models. Three master sbips took me 4-5 years to build, smaller ships 1-2.

The value if you work it out in terms of time and materials is ridiculous for wooden ships, but when I was doing this I sold off models as I finished another and was able to get huge amounts for the large ones. And I mean huge. Because people wanted them!,

And that's the key - if someone wants one they will pay. I dont have enough money that I can actually afford to refuse. If someone offered me money for a paper model, I would probably take it rapidly!

But that will not stop me giving them away either! In fact many of the models I build are built with a specific recipient in mind.

[Draco]

First, thanks for your answers!!!! Everybody!!!
I made a calculation similar as Rubén Andrés, and yes, the price is high, but is the fair price.
And, as wireandpaper wrote, my models are not "out of the box", but customized. For example, I'm doing two sisters ships, Mauretania and Lusitania. One is going to stay in my ownership, the other is a gift. Can you guess wich one is it?
Airdave, I enjoy giving freely my models.. if it is a gift. In fact, Im going to give away my Sopwith Camel because I discovered that I printed it at a slighty wrong scale. My son can take any of my models that he wants. But if you sell something... don't sell yourself short.
And there is the matter of the transport, a paper model going by customs where the box can be opened...
So, it's a posibility. Why not?
Thanks again!