Model Selection

If you are considering the purchase of a brass model, whether a new model or previously owned, it is a good idea to have some basic criteria for making an informed selection. Only through being informed can you obtain the best value possible when investing your money, particularly if you are considering a model sight unseen or reserving a yet to be produced model. The key word is 'investing', although you may not be immediately concerned with the resale value of a model that you simply intend to enjoy, the fact is that you are typically spending a significant sum of money and it should be done wisely. Short of having an appropriate level of personal knowledge concerning model construction and prototypes, if you can answer the following four questions you should have a reasonable degree of insight into the value of a model or pending project:

Who is/was the importer?
Who is/was the builder?
What is the condition of the model regardless of whether it is new or previously owned?
Is the price consistent with current market values?

Information about an importer is fundamental in beginning to understand the value of a model or pending project. A few aspects of an importers business practices that should be considered are: does the importer consistently use the same builder to insure consistent quality and features or are projects 'shopped' around so the importer gets the best pricing for his production. If an importer fails to tell his customers who the builder is or refuses to, you'll know the answer to that question. Does the importer stand behind his projects with a written warranty? Does the importer sell direct or have dealers representing his projects, if he uses dealers are they qualified or are these 'dealers' friends selling to friends at cost so they can be a dealer? Is there a consistent pricing policy with everyone paying the same price or is the pricing dependent on who you are, which makes knowing the real value of a model or project very difficult to determine. Finally, does the importer provide direct repair service and parts, even for older models?

Knowing about the builder can be just as important if not more so than knowing the importer. Established builders have gained reputations for the type of work they typically do. Some are known for the quality of construction, some for accuracy, a couple have reputations for high quality paint work and very few are known for producing the 'complete package'. It use to be that if you knew the builder you would know the country of origin, but that is not the case any more. While most quality models are produced in Korea at this point and lesser models are produced in China, there are situations where a number of Korean 'builders' are having sub-contract work and even complete models built in China for delivery to importers as Korean models. Knowing the facts behind the builder will provide insight into what the anticipated longevity for a model will be, not all brass models are created equal even from the standpoint of longevity. Poor construction techniques can lead to a model deteriorating with age, regardless of how good or accurate it looks when new.

Certain aspects of a models condition are subjective in nature, but the basics are just that;. does the model function as it should, are all the operational features functional, do the wheelsets show wear even though it is suppose to be a new model. Is the soldered detail firmly attached? Was the model factory painted or if 'custom' painted, by who? Is the paint finish smooth, dirt-free and have a uniform level of gloss? In the case of a model from the secondary market, are all of the accessories originally included with the model present and is the original box complete with all the packing materials? These are all issues that can greatly affect the price that should be paid for a model.

In evaluating the price of a model, the first and probably the most difficult thing to do is to control your passion for a particular prototype. It is an all too common experience for modelers to come to the realization that they paid too much for a model simply because they like the prototype and it is or was the only model available of that prototype. If you are making a purchase decision based on passion, at least be aware that you are doing so!

Whether you are buying new or from the secondary market, the reputation of the importer/builder, which you should have already ascertained, will be a major factor in how a model is valued. How many models of the type were produced? How difficult are models of the same type to locate? When shopping the secondary market, once you have decided on a particular model, comparison shop to evaluate pricing, legitimate dealers can certainly provide insight into what a model should sell for, especially if they do not have one to sell. If a particular model has unique detail or features compared to other models from the same project, verify that the details are original if they affect permanently the originality of the model. If the production details of a model of are unknown or uncertain do not hesitate to contact the importer for the details.

While the Internet has developed as a great tool for doing background work, there is nothing as rewarding as developing personal relationships within the hobby that you can rely on for guidance and information. Unfortunately too many hobbyists have come to rely on the Internet to such an extent that they no longer take advantage of the assets provided by the better train meets and conventions, the opportunity for face to face discussion is invaluable. Forums and discussion groups on the Internet can be entertaining, but in what other aspects of your life would you rely on input from a person using a fake name to guide your decision making? To a great degree the social side of the hobby has been lost on convenience, be one of those that does their best to rekindle that aspect of the hobby and you will be rewarded!.