I know what you mean, Brian. That was my intention when getting ready for the move from FL to Albuquerque back in 2005, which is why I tossed so many builds from the '70's and a few that dated back to the late '60's as i was determined to go back to model railroading that I dabbled in also in the '70's. 1st hobby shop I checked out that was strictly trains, I about had a heart attack when I saw the prices.....So much for returning to model railroading. Slow started buying model car kits, but at first did not have a place to start building.....But when I got a work table set up and started building......there went the interest.....have lost count of how many builds I've started....that are now still sitting packed away......
David,
Back around 10-12 years ago, most kits were still under $20......now, those same kits are more $25-30 per kit.......but they are still MUCH cheaper that even ready to run model railroad items.
In less than 10 years, Albuquerque lost one trains only store, one model car/plane/RC store, and one hobby store had was a large building that had model car kits, model railroading from N to G scales, and RC. A couple of people who worked the last store I mentioned, bought the RC and model kits part from that store and opened a much smaller store in a small strip mall. If it weren't for one guy in that store, there probably would not be any model cars sold there, as RC stuff is their biggest seller.
Then there his the model car club in ABQ. of which the then president of the club would buy EVERY new released kit! And I mean every model car kit. at the monthly meetings, he would have the latest released and have the boxes opened for members to check out what's in the box. From what I've heard, he has kits stashed all over his condo, and even has a storage unit that back then was almost impossible to walk in back then.....granted, that was just over 4 years ago just before I left ABQ...