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-   -   Centuri LJII 1/45: Build, Sell, or Hold? (http://www.oldrocketforum.com/showthread.php?t=15480)

Royatl 10-08-2015 03:22 PM

Centuri LJII 1/45: Build, Sell, or Hold?
 
I've had a Centuri Little Joe II (KS-8), not shrink wrapped, for about 20 years. I kept it as more or less an investment. I've had a few severe financial crunches over the past three years and I've resisted selling it.

In the back of my desires, I really want to build and fly it.

In light of the Estes 1/45 LJII coming out later this year, assuming the collectors value of the KS-8 has been diminished somewhat, and my kit being out of shrink wrap, and I may have another financial crunch coming up, what should I do?

Build?

Sell? (and what price should I expect? In great condition, but open.)

or Hold? (so I can show people, like at tonight's SoAR meeting, what the old kit was like)

(that's also a hint that those near our meeting in Alpharetta, GA tonight should come out and see this, along with a bunch of cool upscales from another member, and have free pizza/salad)

Jerry Irvine 10-08-2015 03:39 PM

Sell for 20%+ above what you think it is worth and someone will buy it.

Buy about 2 dozen Estes rereleases with the funds and shrink wrap two of those.

Jerry

Royatl 10-08-2015 03:43 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerry Irvine
Sell for 20%+ above what you think it is worth and someone will buy it.

Buy about 2 dozen Estes rereleases with the funds and shrink wrap two of those.

Jerry


so you think I can get $1200 for the kit? eh-Yeaaahhhhhhhh....

Gus 10-08-2015 04:07 PM

Roy,

Figure out a price you'd be happy to sell for and put it on eBay with a reserve.

Honestly, the new Estes kit will seriously deflate the market for the old kit by taking builders out of the bidding pool leaving only collectors. The Centuri kits in good shape routinely go for $300 - $400 but when the new kit comes out I expect that price will fall by more the half. Why? Because the simple fact is that the new kit looks to be way, way better than the Centuri kit.

Sell now and use the money to buy another Centuri kit a year from now when they sell for probably $100 to $150 and use the rest of the money to buy a couple of the Estes kits. :)

Steve

Royatl 10-08-2015 04:25 PM

well there's one on eBay now at $110 with four days to go. The contents look like they're the same condition as mine, but my box is in pristine (but faded) shape compared to the rodent-sampled box they have.

rraeford 10-08-2015 06:03 PM

Hey Roy,

Is that the kit you traded me for way back when? If so, you could give me a chance to buy it back. Send me an email and let me know what you want to do...or go ebay but I wouldn't wait much longer.

Royatl 10-08-2015 07:24 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by rraeford
Hey Roy,

Is that the kit you traded me for way back when? If so, you could give me a chance to buy it back. Send me an email and let me know what you want to do...or go ebay but I wouldn't wait much longer.


yes, that's the one, but I really am leaning toward building it. but if you want to make me an offer, go ahead.

Woody's Workshop 10-09-2015 05:00 AM

I don't think the true value (as a collector) will go down that much.
More so that the heat shrink film is off.
Centuri is gone. Estes uses their size BT's.
Centuri had different size, which makes OEM parts more valuable.
IF it was me, I'd hand it down to one of my sons.
Figure it like this; what did it cost new?
Worth now? $300 someone said.
What would it be worth in another 30 or 40 years?
When one of your children has it.

tbzep 10-09-2015 07:08 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Woody's Workshop
I don't think the true value (as a collector) will go down that much.
More so that the heat shrink film is off.
Centuri is gone. Estes uses their size BT's.
Centuri had different size, which makes OEM parts more valuable.
IF it was me, I'd hand it down to one of my sons.
Figure it like this; what did it cost new?
Worth now? $300 someone said.
What would it be worth in another 30 or 40 years?
When one of your children has it.

I just don't think the hobby will be viable enough in 30 years to command a price like that. Heck, with the nanny state it will probably be illegal to own a mini motor. At 49, I'm probably one of the younger folks that was in the hobby and remembers the kit real time. I'll be 79 in 30 years. I know I won't be capable of building rockets to my own standards by then and I seriously doubt I will collect any kits beyond the next few short years. Most people younger than me never had the passion for rocketry, therefore will not have it in the future. Even if they did, their passion will be for a time well past the era of the LJII.

rraeford 10-09-2015 07:52 PM

There is definitely a sweet spot for collectible value for anything. Early Hot wheels were incredibly sought after 20 years ago, less so now. The Centuri LJII kit will always be sought after by a few people. I predict the new Estes LJII Release will be shoot up in value once it has run its course. You have only to look on ebay for any era Estes Saturn V or S1b kits to see that. I snagged 3 Saturn V kits from Amazon for less than $40 each during a flash sale a couple of years ago (and got free shipping). Seemed like they couldn't give them away. Now look at what they are bringing. I thought once the values eclipsed $100 that I would sell a couple and make a little "motor money". With them going for $150+...I think I'll hold on a little longer.


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