Warbird AL

My Feedback: (10)

I just noticed a large price jump in the ESM warbirds line. I was thinking about one more of these fine birds and almost pulled the trigger a couple of days ago. Today I was looking again and my heart jumped... I should've known since gas prices jumped a couple of days ago.

Luftwaffe60

Crap!!! Then you add an average shipping costs of 75-100 dollars to ship!!! Now your in the 500-600 range for the 1.20 size warbirds!

irocbsa

My Feedback: (12)

Wow, they just priced me completely out of the market. This is really sad. There were quite a few more models that I wanted.

tevans55

Yeah, it seems strange that the 85" Corsair is now $850 and the B-25 is under $600. I have both planes and there is a lot more to the B-25 than the Corsair. Oh well, I would still rather have the ESM Corsair than the H9 or the GP but that's just me. The price is a secondary issue.

irocbsa

My Feedback: (12)

The problem is that at these new prices, I don't see how they can compete. ESM is at the same price point as Top Flite and Hangar 9 but the quality is lower and they are much more difficult to assemble. Most of the time you have to trash the entire hardware package they provide because the parts are so lousy. The giant scale Corsair from Top Flite is actually cheaper now and the new giant Corsair from Hangar 9 is slightly cheaper when you factor in the astronomical cost of shipping a 50cc ESM plane. If you buy the H9 plane from your LHS, you won't pay shipping. I think they are making a huge mistake.

Katniss

If you buy the giant h9 corsair at lhs......you save shipping, but pay taxes.

ThunderT

My Feedback: (18)

If you call Horizon you pay no taxes and NO shipping. Also I had a 15% coupon I used.

70 ragtop

My Feedback: (24)

I have 3 ESM planes, FW190A, FW190D, and a Tigercat. Just spoke with TBM last week looking for an update on back-ordered parts, and asked about the Memorial day sale, as I was thinking about just buying another kit. He did not even hint at the impending price hike.
The Tigercat has a defective center section right out of the box, and have been waiting on a replacement since January with no estimated date,. Tree got in the way of the Anton turning final, have been waiting on a wing panel since September.
I can't really speak about Hangar 9 replacement parts down the road, but you know Topflite supports their product. Might be time to re-focus "funds distribution" and stick with products from Tower, Horizon, and their LHS'

RBean

I bought the ESM Hellcat last summer and thought I was paying too much at $369 plus shipping. Now $475 a $76 increase. Also it took a lot of work to assemble and redoing a lot of stuff. It flys and looks good and I'm glad I got it, but I think their prices are pushing me towards Top Flite/Hanger 9 next time.

Luftwaffe60

Yep!!!! ESM has now pushed me towards Top Flite & Hanger 9 as well!! Good bye ESM, BIG MISTAKE! I own the ESM Stuka and BF109. Was planning on replacing the ESM FW190 but NOT ANYMORE!

irocbsa

My Feedback: (12)

Yep, I was a big fan of ESM because of their diverse selection of planes that no one else makes. The difficulty in assembly and lack of replacement parts was offset by the purchase price. Unfortunately, that's not the case any more and I just don't see how I can justify buying one. I was anxiously looking forward to doing an Me-110 build this summer, but now it looks like that plane will cost me close to $750 to get it to my door. I'll be in for close to 2 stacks of high society by the time I put engines and servos in it.

irocbsa

My Feedback: (12)

Approximately 6% on $1000....60 bucks. If I was in the market for a giant Corsair I would gladly pay that small amount to get Hangar 9 quality and support. Or buy from Horizon like ThunderT said and avoid the tax (unless you're in Illinois of course).

Joespeeder

Hey Guys,

At the price levels ESM is reaching I would prefer to see the hardware pack and accessories be upgraded to standard proper Dubro hardware and high quality screws. bolts and rigging....

Joe

glazier808

My Feedback: (1)

You don't even want to know how much I was quoted to ship to a Zero to Hawaii...

lets just say if I'm spending $1500.00, it won't be with ESM. Too bad too, there were a couple more I really wanted. It's ok I guess, as I still have three or four unstarted kits to build.

Casey

Mpizpilot

My Feedback: (45)

This is too bad, they were worth they're price previously for what they were. No way would I pay more without getting more in terms of quality, fit and hardware. The gap is too small now between TF and H9 stuff

Luftwaffe60

Again ESM screwed up, I was OK with the last price hike but this one was the NAIL in the COFFIN!!

tevans55

Perhaps the problem isn't with ESM. They are only one part of the supply chain.

JeffH

My Feedback: (43)

This will be happening more and more in my opinion. The Chinese EPA is starting to make companies clean up, shipping is not getting any cheaper across the oceans, and the Chinese people are only going to work for pennies an hour for so long.

vertical grimmace

My Feedback: (1)

Yah, this is called a correction. ARF prices will continue to go up.

dmyers0403

My Feedback: (48)

Looks selective on the more popular kits took heaviest hit??

kwik

Deleted

kwik

I think you are correct. Some political movements, I won't mention any names, would love to see a full stop on all international trade.

Increasing freight cost is the perfect way to do that.

Later they will discover the unintendent consequences.......

joebahl

My Feedback: (2)

There is a easy way to get around all of the price arf jumps and that is to build your own ! lmao God forbid you build your own airplanes anymore they might call you a modeler . Ok you can go back to whining about what they are going to charge you now but thought a good sugestion might help. joe

miklos

My Feedback: (38)

Well, there's 2 good reasons I don't build and I'll start with the one that to me is most important. If I build a plane from a "kit", it will take at least 6 months and much labor on my part, and I will have a lot more emotions invested in the plane. If you buy an ARF it will only take about a month to build and so if it goes in, true I've lost a lot more money, but much less of me is invested in the plane and that to me is more important. I value my time more than the money.
The other reason is....... I've never tried building anything. Many repairs, but no builds.

flycatch

My Feedback: (26)

Our dollar is worth less. H9 and TopFlite are both accepting a lower profit margin.