The Little World

I have had a hint that the next big local scale model exhibition this week will see a trial of an interesting sales experiment.

A table will feature built-up models for sale. Kits that have been completed by modellers who no longer wish to keep them. They will pay a modest fee to have them displayed and sold, and they can put their own price on the goods.

This is quite different from the Sunday Swap and Sell, as this is generally all about unbuilt kits. The sale of potential rather than completion.

So why would someone buy another’s work? Well, think of the collectors who buy die-cast cars and planes right now. Massive collections exist for these sorts of models and people take great pleasure in building up divisions and categories. Even dioramas and airport scenes are popular and catered for by the hobby trade.

What if you were a collector and could get a ready-made model to fill a gap in your shelf – one that will never be kitted out in a box ever again? There are lots of re-pops but statistics say the one you most desire will never come again…

Frankly, I’m looking forward to seeing what the table contains. I’ll be cruising the Sunday Swap And Sell and the dealer’s tables as well, but all I need is one good buy to make the whole weekend sing.