First I'm not disagreeing with anyone about this particular ebay item. I don't feel the model is worth the
asking price either.
It's ok to say you don't believe a particular thing is not worth the price asked; just don't buy it.
But also understand why someone else might. Understand why a seller would think there's even a slim chance why
someone with more money than sense would bite on an over priced kit. Imai's kit was, is and always be a landmark
offering, like it or not, agree or not. Doesn't matter if Hooben or anyone else comes out with another Elefant that is 10 times better for $50 ( fat chance); Imai's kit will always have its place because they were there
first. One doesn't have to agree or assign that fact any value but it is fact. Surely no need to be offended by people who do. People seem to resent items( or their sellers?) on ebay when they have a high start price. It would be interesting to see how high a kit in the same condition as this one would be bid to if there was no reserve. I believe we've all seen such kits in various condition sell for very high prices.
Significance of the company.......I'm only aware of the model figures, Robotech and cars Imai made when I lived in Okinawa, (and the cute little model toys in the box of gum.) So maybe there's some value to it because they dabbled into tanks..... I don't know.
Was it a good kit?
When I see comments like this I realize the writer hasn't the experience with the kit, perhaps they've seen the model built
it photos or in person but have never seen what Imai was able to deliver nearly 40 years ago as a kit when the nearest competitor was the Bandai PzKw IV. Again you don't have to assign that fact any value but others do; they will have the item and you will not; it is that simple.
My fondness for this particular model is very well known to many. Still I'm not a zealot; I can smell a rat also. In this economy the seller is reaching a bit....
I collect other items as well. I believe as a collector one needs to often step outside themselves; that is to say you must have the ability to view something without assessing it with "contemporary eyes". If I couldn't do that I wouldn't be
a collector of anything; some people are incapable of this.
I thought I understood from one of the poster's comments that they
had purchased a kit 40 years ago. I misunderstood that comment.
Jerry