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-   -   Do low production numbers really make kits more valuable? (http://www.oldrocketforum.com/showthread.php?t=7559)

BEC 08-14-2010 12:11 AM

Do low production numbers really make kits more valuable?
 
I just received an order from Semroc today containing Start #7, mini Aero Dart #12 and mini Hustler #17. I didn't order them to collect but to build.... is there a compelling reason not to build 'em and order others?

Just curious.

FWIW, Odd'l Rockets Squatty Body #20 is built and will likely fly for the first time in the morning.

(added: it turns out the Start kit I have is #9....ooooops )

Sunward 08-14-2010 12:42 AM

Unless you are willing to wait 30-50 years and hope no one else saved their low number kit and there is a demand for it, OR unless you want to, nope.

BEC 08-14-2010 12:57 AM

Thanks, Angelo. That's actually kind of what I had figured....but I thought I'd ask. It'll be interesting to see if others have a different idea.

I might manage to last 30 years more and still remember I have 'em. Not likely to make 50 (I'm 55 now). :)

Crocodile 08-14-2010 06:52 AM

I have START #7
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BEC
I just received an order from Semroc today containing Start #7, mini Aero Dart #12 and mini Hustler #17. I didn't order them to collect but to build.... is there a compelling reason not to build 'em and order others?

Just curious.

FWIW, Odd'l Rockets Squatty Body #20 is built and will likely fly for the first time in the morning.



Guess what?? I have a START kit and it's production number is "7" :cool:

hcmbanjo 08-14-2010 06:54 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by BEC
FWIW, Odd'l Rockets Squatty Body #20 is built and will likely fly for the first time in the morning.


Let me know how the Squatty Body launch goes!
I should be flying #0000 (prototype #4) again today at the N.E.F.A.R. launch in Bunnell, FL.

chanstevens 08-14-2010 08:59 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by BEC
I just received an order from Semroc today containing Start #7, mini Aero Dart #12 and mini Hustler #17. I didn't order them to collect but to build.... is there a compelling reason not to build 'em and order others?

Just curious.

FWIW, Odd'l Rockets Squatty Body #20 is built and will likely fly for the first time in the morning.


Hey, I finally get to use my economics degree for something :D !

What a low number is worth depends on supply and demand. The supply is pretty fixed/limited by the numbers. In fact, if you truly have a #7 (I kind of doubt it based upon having ordered it during/after NARAM), duplicated with Crocodile's #7, then you've got a really rare beast--a Semroc goof!

On the demand side, I'm not aware of much evidence of anyone actually trying to sell, so it's very hard to say. There are numerous cases where a Flis #1 will sell for 3x-6x retail, but a #1 is very different than a low number. With Semroc, the only market evidence I've seen is with the Tau Zero, where Semroc sold starting with higher numbers (26 and up) and the designer got to sell the lower numbers directly, starting out at about 2x the price but quickly dropping to 1.25-1.5x the price for lack of sales.

As a collector myself, I say go ahead and build it :p , cutting one out of the supply side of the market.

Seriously, though, I don't think there's ANY chance of a quick buck in the rocketry collectibles market, though if you have issues with getting around to building like many of us in the forum, at least with a low number there's a better chance if you want to sell it in 5 years you'll at least get full price for it as opposed to dumping at 25-50% off retail. About the only short term profit you could eke out would be to trade with another collector, maybe swapping a single digit version for a regular kit plus a 10-20% premium, in which case shipping and transaction costs probably wipe out the profit.

I'll put my theory to test in a few weeks, though. At NARAM, I picked up a numbered edition of Estes Saturn V. Had to pay full retail at $99, versus buying online at about $70, but it's #11 of 50. I'm hoping to sell that for at least a smidgen of profit, which I'd already spent on a couple of their special NARAM-edition Satellite Interceptors.

--Chan Stevens

BEC 08-14-2010 09:36 AM

Hmmmmm......duplicate production numbers? Well that could be like the inverted Jenny stamp. Nah!

I wasn't thinking in terms of a quick profit at all...I was just surprised at the low numbers (order put in as they returned from NARAM) and wondered if there was much justification for holding these for some time (though I wasn't thinking in terms of 30-50 years certainly). Point taken about perhaps being able to resell for a smaller loss if I never get the requisite round tuits - which is certainly a possibility.

The answers are about what I expected, but then I've only been back in the the rocket game for less than two years and have never been a collector, per se, so I thought I'd ask.

Thanks.

JRThro 08-14-2010 10:47 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by chanstevens
Hey, I finally get to use my economics degree for something :D !

--Chan Stevens

Cool, Chan! What were the odds of *that* happening!?!
:p :rolleyes:

Carl@Semroc 08-14-2010 02:27 PM

We have been working on a project to try to locate some of our early production numbers. We consider them missing. The idea is to let the server randomly pick a model and serial number and post it for a week. If the number is located built with a serial tag, we will offer a $25 gift certificate and if it is unbuilt, we will offer $50 gift certificate as bounty for locating the missing rocket. (Kit does not have to be returned, just a photo will be required.

bob jablonski 08-15-2010 10:09 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carl@Semroc
We have been working on a project to try to locate some of our early production numbers. We consider them missing. The idea is to let the server randomly pick a model and serial number and post it for a week. If the number is located built with a serial tag, we will offer a $25 gift certificate and if it is unbuilt, we will offer $50 gift certificate as bounty for locating the missing rocket. (Kit does not have to be returned, just a photo will be required.

Cool Idea.
Mr. Bob
Starlight Model Rockets LLC
www.starlightrocketry.com


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