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I, like most, if not all of you, have models in my collection classified as rare. What makes them rare? Colour schemes, numbers made, or manufacturers? What you might think is rare can only be set by you. What, in your opinion makes your model rare? Who decides the upper limit whether it be 200, 300, or more? I've set my benchmark at 2000, and anything over that makes it, in my eyes anyway, unlimited. I do not buy a model for it's rarity but because I like it and if it turns out to be rare, then that's fine. You don't need me to tell you where you can find out if it's rare or not.
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--For me, once a model becomes discontinued and you cannot find it in any retailers or EBay it's "rare" in my eyes. It's about commonality. How easy is it to find the model you are looking for. I agree with you though, I don't buy jets because of their rarity, if I like the jet I'll buy it, if it becomes rare then it's just an added bonus. But I will say this, I've wondered the same thing you have as well. What makes a model that's been discontinued for 5 years less rare than a model discontinued 5 months ago? I guess we will both have to wait and see if others know the answer to this.
Cloud Services Admin/Collector since 2006 -
It does depend on how long the production run was I suppose. I have one example of the Boeing 747-100 of which 840 were made which makes one question why so few?. How was that number arrived at, and how were they distributed? One assumes that they were for world wide distribution. There just seems to be no logic to it all, or am I missing the point whatever it might be?Comment
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Depending on who you talk to or whose posts you read, there is the feeling out there (among some) that the manufacturers behave more as artists than businessmen. The manufacturers (allegedly) 'don't care' what the people want, and make as many or as few models as they feel like, with no rhyme or reason. Specifically, somebody on another forum informed me that 'Phoenix does what they want', and that they, 'don't care what you (I.e., the collectors) want'. Well, it was news to me that Phoenix was owned by George Lucas! Most of us in business have to care what our clients want.
The short answer is, nobody really knows wherefrom the production decision comes. But scarcity doesn't necessarily indicate value.. There are plenty of obscure limited edition diecast models on eBay with zero bids. But one thing I've learned in the last couple of years is, anything minted for a mainline carrier in the current livery sells out quickly, and invariably goes up in price.. The Lufthansa 747-8i that GJ did last year is a good example of that: it sold out immediately and doubled in price within 12 months.
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Here is definition; 1rare
adjective \ˈrer\
rar·errar·est
Definition of RARE
1
: marked by wide separation of component particles : thin <rare air>
2
a : marked by unusual quality, merit, or appeal : distinctive
b : superlative or extreme of its kind
3
: seldom occurring or found : uncommon
— rare·ness noun
Rare is almost exclusively used for two conditions in our hobby
1. when there is a very limited production or models left from a production run are very few
2. when it's extremely hard to find a model due mostly to it's popularityLast edited by fleetlordatvar; 06-05-2014, 12:17 PM.--Comment
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--Rare is almost exclusively used for two conditions in our hobby
1. when there is a very limited production or models left from a production run are very few
2. when it's extremely hard to find a model due mostly to ti's popularity
Most manufacturers would fall under the first condition though fleet, because they release so many limited numbers of their releases. 1500-5000 units released for the entire world to purchase is a very small number when you look at the big picture. I've seen here and there models that are continuously made but that's something that's very uncommon to see.
And with the second point you've made. popularity is sometimes hit and miss with rarity. A model could be made popular because of the point JAL of "anything minted for a mainline carrier in the current livery sells out quickly, and invariably goes up in price.. ", or a model could be rare because it wasn't popular at the time of the release the company stopped making it and the fact only a limited number were made could make it rare.
I don't think companies make jets and say in their board meetings:
"okay we are going to release this American 777-300ER and hopefully with the popularity it should sell it really quick."
I think it's hit or miss, most of the time the companies making these jets don't realize how "rare" or popular they become. And this brings up a good question. If a model that was at one point "rare" gets re-released then what then?
Supply and demand run this world, as well as in die-cast collecting.
Cloud Services Admin/Collector since 2006Comment
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The statement of 1500-5000 units released for the entire world to purchase is a very small number isn't in contest, but the buyers world wide to buy such items isn't big. As you pointed out supply & demand run the world & if there was enough demand for larger production runs they would do so. the limited release statement is likely more PR than literally. Look anywhere, but especially eBay at how many different models are still available to buy even in current liveries.
I don't agree w/ the statement of "okay we are going to release this American 777-300ER and hopefully with the popularity it should sell it really quick." as this is exactly what they should be thinking. After all the business goal is to make money & if an item they sold wasn't popular enough, then why produce it for the sake of it. I read the comment about Phoenix, but that is hearsay & i highly doubt (if) something is owned by GL that they would be left to do whatever they want.
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Had never thought about the possibility of re-releasing any models .I suppose anyone silly enough to accept the sellers statement that it's rare, particularly if it's for sale on e-bay should look before they leap. As I've said before, I care not one jot if it's rare or not, if I like what I'm looking at, I'll buy it. I'm sure there are lots of people out there who describe their item as rare just to push up the prices being asked.One gains on the swings and looses on the roundabout as is the case with most things these days.Comment
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Seriously your have a conspiracy phobia/ paranoia, you catch one guy & you suspect everyone is doing it. I always thought Medy's eBay storefront is a woman. I have the opposite exp in 1/200 as several have gone for only 30-60% of retail @ WC...I just MISSED a Corsair 747 wave FOR ONLY $50, all because i forgot to write a sticky to remind me what time it was ending!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -
I've won a couple auctions from medy, there are bargains to be had, but also just like the broader ebay some people get very enthusiastic with their bidding. It's a smart strategy as I mostly ignore the buy it now auctions because they tend to be higher than retailers. Medy doesn't include the part number in the auction description though
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In response to JAL 1628's comment, I usually find that if the start price seems too good to be true the postal charges are sky high. That kind of seller I avoid like the plague. I'm learning as I go along how to bid on e-bay but they're not the only people to look at. There's two good companies in Holland I buy from, and in many cases they are a bit cheaper than even e-bay !Comment
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I just realized i missed one of her auctions tonight, the model sold for $40 vs $65 @ WC 
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One other factor seems to be that the manufacturers can release a new tail number version of a old rare model. How much does this decrease demand for the rare one? How many people are trying to build model airports and want the details to be correct and have unique tail numbers so they buy a 2nd?Comment
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I don't think it should be the responsibility of anyone but the buyer on how many planes you want to get that are all the same. It should be about how "real" you want to take your airport and collection. Why in the world do you need 5 jets that are all identical? It takes away from the realism. You don't see in a real airport 3 American Airlines 737-800's with the same exact registration. Like I stated in my initial comment this is my opinion. And I understand if others have different views on this matter. A registration to me is like a license plate, each one is made for the specific jet that flies it. I feel like this adds to the "realism" of an airport when you have two of the same jets with different registrations. I always buy a single jet and try to avoid "doubles" if I can. -
@fireangelzero "real" is your criteria & not everyone else. If the collector can't buy many w/ different then this is a reason someone would buy more than one. To make it more "real" they ignore the reg numbers. -
It's about what others definition of "real" is. You are correct fleet, some people would rather buy 3-4 narrow-body jets all the same so they can make their airport more "real" with a larger number of narrow bodies than wide-bodies. Also, I really enjoy the fact that we all completely jumped from how "rare" a model can be to how "common" it is to buy like registration numbers.
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I must admit I like my planes to have registration numbers, it adds to the realism of them. I have no airport but I agree that seeing the same plane with the same registration seems to show a lack of imagination, or have I got that wrong?Comment
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i've learned to get hung up on the reg numbers...unless it gives me an excuse to get another KLM
Last edited by fleetlordatvar; 08-10-2014, 01:05 PM.--Comment
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--My only experience of buying a rare plane is when DA.C convinced that I must buy the TWA CV-880. I was told plane would be sold out in preorder and be the next KLM 747. So, I bought one. It's a nice model, but out of my criteria. You can still buy them from retailers and I've gained nothing. It's for sale for $600, however.
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