Discussion: Star Wars Model Kits - why so expensive?

Why are Star Wars vehicle model kits soooo expensive to buy now. Is it because of the 2021 “May The Fourth Be With You” Day Celebration or is it because of something else?

Have they jumped up in price of late mate - or is it a thing that being going on for a while?

What sort of lines of models are you looking at?
 

I used to be somewhat up on the Star Wars models - though there were so many differing toy and model lines… they all began to blur into one, and I began to lose interest. Especially given the prices of some of them, or lack of availability as collectors and scalpers would snap many of the more intriguing models and toys up.
 

oojason said:

Have they jumped up in price of late mate - or is it a thing that being going on for a while?

What sort of lines of models are you looking at?
 

I used to be somewhat up on the Star Wars models - though there were so many differing toy and model lines… they all began to blur into one, and I began to lose interest. Especially given the prices of some of them, or lack of availability as collectors and scalpers would snap many of the more intriguing models and toys up.
 

Mostly I am looking for the AT-AT I saw them on Amazon for $74.90 early this year 9since then they have shot up pretty good to $150.00 im still going to one. I just a Snowspeeder but its very small I thought I would be bigger. plus I am going to have to paint it silver cause its a dull plastic grey colour. So after those two I will get more rebel ships. but I do want the Slave 1 That ship is a very exotic design. don’t you think so?

Yeah, Slave 1 is an iconic design - and looks great across the toy ranges.

The snowspeeder size thing is weird - as it was somewhat oversized when it was available via Kenner / Palitoy back in the day - something the toy companies have ‘rectified’ in making it considerably smaller / to scale (less plastic - though costing more money 😉)
 

This may be of some interest to you (as to the numbers of models made, making it to store, & scarceness of them on the shelves)… likely resulting in price rises for the few models actually available? Not to mention Hasbro’s recent price increases - and also the rise of scalpers…
 

‘Rise of Evil, Fall of the Toy Industry’:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azaFs60N6oM - a 25 minute video at the RetroBlasting youtube channel.
 

I think similar could be said for the availability of comics in stores too.
 

I don’t really know what’s going on, but I think regarding the Bandai Star Wars model kits that the pandemic affected the manufacturing and so a lot of kits became unavailable, especially via the official US distributor. So the prices are for direct Japan imports, for what was left of the pre-pandemic stock. Hopefully the situation will soon improve. Be patient, young padawan!

Well all I can respond is that its a calmanation of situations Yes its anniversary time and its the market of rarity of model kits have become. I just purchased a full size (or there of) Millennium Falcon Model kit but haven’t even opened the box up yet and and I have 144 scale AT-AT Walker built with wear and tear paint on it its OK but I still want the bigger one also I have the T-47 Snowspeeder i painted mine all silver (looks better that way to me) yes the small one as well ive seen a lot of YouTubers showing off thier wares or model kits. So what do you have in your repertoire?