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Post by Sylvain on May 10, 2008 11:14:15 GMT 1
Given the number of members of this forum and their burning desire to see their favourite 1:1 models in 1:87, the economics of $16,667 per model become very interesting if even just 10 members agree on a favourite model and contribute to a central fund for the devleopment thereof in 1:87. I foresee a plethora of polls coming on. jeffh Is anyone really ready to pay $1667 for one model? Even if it's only 1060€, it's rather expensive, isn't?  |
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Post by hofan on May 10, 2008 11:22:38 GMT 1
Hello:
The prices Mr. Ricko mentioned might be a package deal and from his words it certainly doesn't include licencing, distribution worldwide, insurance, etc as he can only help in that. The idea itself is very tempting and I am very eager to see how many members are interested and what kind of models they have on mind. Also the offer said high class top models and in would be very interesting to know how much the cost would be if the models are to be exactly like the Herpa Magic Series.
I do support Christian view and think that satisfying collectors and model railroaders will be getting harder as quality is getting better. Twenty years ago when herpa released their PC line it was the best and no body complained but in todays standards this line is no longer on the top quality models and we can find many things to complain about.
Regards
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Post by hofan on May 10, 2008 11:33:16 GMT 1
Given the number of members of this forum and their burning desire to see their favourite 1:1 models in 1:87, the economics of $16,667 per model become very interesting if even just 10 members agree on a favourite model and contribute to a central fund for the devleopment thereof in 1:87. I foresee a plethora of polls coming on. jeffh Is anyone really ready to pay $1667 for one model? Even if it's only 1060€, it's rather expensive, isn't? Hello: I think he is talking about money investment here and not only collecting certain models. regards |
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Post by Sylvain on May 10, 2008 11:44:38 GMT 1
I think he is talking about money investment here and not only collecting certain models. regards Of course, but the point in the end is to add a special model to each investor own collection, isn't?  |
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BillC
87thScale addict
Posts: 2,541
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Post by BillC on May 10, 2008 12:24:55 GMT 1
Before you guys start to pony up your pennies (euros, whatever), be very careful. The sum I mentioned puts completed, packaged models in your hands in the U.S. or Europe. It includes all the engineering development that has to happen before the tooling can begin, the tooling, molding, painting, assembly and packaging. Furthermore, it includes licensing and the required liability insurance, presentation box and custom outer package and shipping via container. It also factors in the changes in currency exchange and the current costs in China.
I should also mention that Tony reminded me there are ways to reduce the tooling investment that still results in quality work.
I am not saying other sources can't supply models for less and I am certainly not saying Ricko doesn't make a premium-quality model. What I am saying is you should be careful about what's being offered before you jump on what looks like a bargain.
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Post by ponyman on May 10, 2008 16:16:01 GMT 1
As dear ole mom says if it sounds to good it probably is. Read the fine print carefully. The devil is hidden in the details. IMO if it were that inexpensive don't you think the major manufacturers would be delivering more models. |
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Ricko
Junior Member
Posts: 126
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Post by Ricko on May 10, 2008 17:37:37 GMT 1
I believe many of you know Ricko produces what class of model. It is a good deal if we can have a customer giving us 12 projects AT THE SAME TIME at $200,000. We guarantee the quality should be something similar to Ricko's models. We can give them engineering support, making tooling models and so on. What I mentioned was the development cost including toolings and development but it is not everything included. Our price must be competitive and that's why you can see a lot of 1/87 replicas in high quality at reasonable prices in 2008. The major reason is that we are manufacturer and we are making money through producing the products. We have no intention to charge ridiculous tooling and development cost. We cannot make money through tooling. Instead, the more pieces our customers can sell, we can produce more and make money through the value added products.
I am quite sure you will see more replicas in 2009 (classic replicas from 1910-1980). I guess it will be at least 70 new models making by new toolings at top best quality from different manufacturers.
Of course, the licensing cost was not included as we do not know what car Starmada was interested. Some of the car manufacturers charge for nothing but some of them are ridiculous. Product liability insurance and licensing fee is not a big deal. The more products you can sell in the market, the more money you can earn. After earning the money, it has no reason paying the car manufacturers one penny less. Investors must be more clever than a manufacturer.
Ricko can also make premium cars as the background of Ricko is a reputable premium manufacturer in the world. We have just made 15 million pieces of happy meal formula one pull back cars.
We are making and supplying billions of happy meal toys for two biggest burger companies in the world. However, we are not charging the $200,000 for something like Street Motors. It must be less than $200,000 for 12 cars starting at the same time if they need this kind of quality.
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Post by hovehicle on May 11, 2008 2:11:46 GMT 1
Mr. Ricko,
Who knew that Ricko was involved with Happy Meals? Pretty cool! Please consider replicas from the 1990's-2008 also from Ricko. 70 new models coming up? I believe Masterpiece has close to 2 dozen in the planning or production stages, so that counts for alot.
Vito L.
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Post by hovehicle on May 11, 2008 2:26:11 GMT 1
No model is perfect in HO, and some are not even close. I didn't even notice the roofline on the Ford from the Mainstreet line, but I did notice how toy-like the red color made it look. Bill addressed that and I'm sure we'll get some nice darker colors for the future.
Let's examine the Masterpiece 2007 Jeep Wrangler. The excellent review from Wayne Calder in the May edition of Model Railroad News points out 2 major flaws. The windshield is not high enough and the wheels are way too large. Yet these 2 flaws did not impact sales at all. As a matter of fact, it's the best selling vehicle in the Masterpiece line. I recognized these 2 flaws but didn't make a big deal out of it because the model still looks like a museum piece. My point? Let's not be too critical and appreciate the golden era of HO vehicles that we're in. There are two areas that I wish HO manufacturers would pay more attention to, the wheels and the tires! Please tone down the wheels and make the tires more to an HO scale width.
Vito L.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on May 11, 2008 3:00:00 GMT 1
Dear All:
You see, the point being dorgotten here is that a miniature is. at best, a compromise, and the smaller it is, the bigger that factor becames because some things, even with todays technologies, just can not get properly miniaturized. During modeling story, which reached a Century, there were the ready, poorly detailed miniatures or the ones which were made by talented individuals whose wares were at the collections of the ones who could afford them.
The fact that Ricko makes Happy Meal toys is not an amusing one, is just a fact that one has to face: HO scale is only collected by a Handful of individuals, me included. As I been saying all along, larger sales has a more wide audience and even the big HO manufacturers, such as Wiking and Herpa do understand that; the latter's aircraft models are a very sucessful and in some places, they are known by that activity only. Also, as of today, is a twist of sorts because nowadays adults are the main purchasers of even Matchbox and there are vocal groups who state how bad the wheels, details and even why generic models are being done by the latter, so quality is asked even at that sector of the hobby nowadays. But some people, as me and others understand that some details may be very difficult to reproduce or do not bother with minimum details and are happy that the model exists at all. I also shoud mention that the Plymouth is not, but the Ford is an unique model and let's face it, I do not see anyone (even in the largers sxcales) doing another very soon, so let's give it a chance and if Herpa decides to do one, which will never happen, will they do it right? They may have some issues as well.
I am very enthusiastic because on a couple of years I had miniatures of no less of 5 4-door sedans, a two door sedan and a Station Wagon; can not remember when this happened without being a bunch of Mercedes or BMW and gfrankly, I am quite happy with all of the offerings and I am not downplaying this event by stating that such and such detail is an aberration, a better one should had made and so on because I know also that, for the time being, these will be it and that is that. So, I walk to the Hobby Store, get me another Tempo, the Fairmont and Wagon, the Ford Custom, the Plymouth, the Granada, the 1950 Ford 4-door and 1950 Dodge Four Door and be very happy with my loot. And if either Ricko or Masterpiece comes with more of these sedans (a Dodge Saint Regis would be so welcome) which no one will ever bother with, hey I will be in heaven.
These are may two cents. I would do just that - get all these at once; more satisfying like that.
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skunk
87thScale addict
5th B-day
Posts: 2,762
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Post by skunk on May 12, 2008 2:39:08 GMT 1
I don't reckon that 16,667 will buy you one model, 200,000 will buy you twelve. Multiple discount, you know.
But maybe Ricko'll make me a '83 Subaru Leone if I raise $25,000? Just make the chrome nice and dull, and I'll consider it money well spent.
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BillC
87thScale addict
Posts: 2,541
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Post by BillC on May 12, 2008 6:49:41 GMT 1
Okay, please read what Ricko said again. The $200,000 investment gets you tooling and development for 12 models. It doesn't get you any models at all, except a 3X tooling model and, I assume, an EP shot to show what the tooling will produce.
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Post by starmada on May 12, 2008 18:20:19 GMT 1
Mr. Ricko's offer looks great. I am impressed to find the possibility starting something with this company.
In fact, I also want to make something in Masterpiece if the offer can be better than Ricko.
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BillC
87thScale addict
Posts: 2,541
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Post by BillC on May 12, 2008 23:43:27 GMT 1
Nope, not even interested in competing on price. Ricko is a much larger company than Masterpiece.
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BillC
87thScale addict
Posts: 2,541
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Post by BillC on May 18, 2008 20:50:11 GMT 1
The first two Main Street Motors cars should ship in about ten days. The Challenger and Journey will ship next month and the 1950 Ford in July (we hope-we still have approvals to pass). There will be three new models in the fall, two of which you already know about. We're trying to play catch-up after some months of delays.
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