Mellow Mike
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Brakie said:Sorry,Mike..I met a guy that is as good or maybe a tad better then you (in some areas) and his prices are very reasonable seeing that most of his cars are priced between $35.00 and $65.00..Cheaper if you furnish the car.
Larry,
So your point being...?
I don't doubt there are modelers off eBay who are equal to - or better - than myself. I'm not putting a price tag on my work when it's up for auction. Only a starting bid amount. This fellow you met ought to try selling some things on eBay - and then we'll all see how they're received. He'd certainly make more than a paltry $35 for his efforts! If I sold at train shows - no one would pay $100 for my stuff either. Or on commission at a train store.
You see to him its not a business, but a hobby within the hobby.
You're making me out to be a maniacal monster. I've always been into model trains since the late 1960's. It's been a satisfying hobby all these years, even without having a layout to call my own. I've found a way to maximize profits by selling HO projects online, which in turn usually gets re-invested into the N items I couldn't normally afford. And all the practice doing said HO will only keep my chops up for when I eventually do my N cars.
As I've stated to Curt and other detractors - I do not have a shingle hanging like "Smokey Mountain Custom Painting & Model Works" or something. That to me indicates a "business". Sure, I have a website showcase, but that's to archive what I've done. In case someone who bought a car a year ago, goes around the circuit saying he painted it himself.
BTW..I would hate to judge your work and his work in a contest...
True. But who's going to be a household word soon? A guy languishing at a swap meet table selling affordable cars... or a guy dominating eBay?