Maybe I did not make that quite clear. When I say a rip off I mean that you dont have to pay top money to get a good model. If you are in the market for an ARTF plane then look at them closely. They may be in different boxes and priced different because one is from another company but they might and I only say might be the same model just labeled different.
I have been a kit builder for many years and I agree, I cant get them to look as good but when I do build one at least I know where the glue is and how much was used.
My 2 favorite models that I fly are both built from proper kits (boxes of wood) and I am in the process of building a new one. All of them are SIG kits. Love them.

Ray.