Looks like your customers get a lot of bang for the buck.
That's the idea.
Most mainstream resin model makers cast on a thin wafer. You have to wet-sand the article to remove the surrounding material.
This hook shaped island and the new Island class cutter set island are made in this way. Using the wafer method is, cheaper, easier and generates less wasted resin material and uses less RTV silicone mold for the model maker.
Care must be taken when casting such molds is messy. Overly enthusiastic sanding means the customer has to build the model back to square and flat on his own. It's a pain in the butt for the modeler to get his scale model just so. I don't favor the wafer method. It seems cheap.
Most everything else I make is cast on a pedestal, so that the bottom of each, building, tent or vessel has a flat base or waterline hull. Smarter, deeper molds with all the complexities of the ship, boat, vehicle or aircraft contours take more RTV mold silicone and valuable time.
Conversely, tooling these deeper molds and getting the air bubbles out to insure a quality scale model requires more diligence and liquid polyurethane resin, much of which is waste, by the time the pedestals and frameworks are cut away for packaging.
As far back as the 1/700 Shrimpin' Boat set in 2015, I made up my mind that the quality of my products would be tantamount.
If I am not happy with the model, why would you be? I don't shirk on the quality of decals or other products I buy to include.
If I can't make them myself, I out-source from other American small businesses as often as is possible.
Many "do-overs" of masters and molds insure a TLAR Model easier and more fun to build than the first issue. I know this, because I build every model I sell. Many of them are award winners in IPMS model shows.
I am a former automotive aftermarket Field Sales Representative. I know what Customer Service excellence is. Secure packaging, English instructions that make sense and speedy shipping at a reasonable cost. It is common for related bonus items to find their way into a TLAR kit before it ships.
Price:
The price is the price. Because of the time and labor intensive effort it takes to get a new Kit to market, I don't dicker much. In a world of ever increasing model kit costs, I had my first price increase this year. "By Cheap, Buy Twice". I used to offer a discount to model ship club members, but that relationship has cooled. I take good care of my model friends.
You know who you are.
Well. That's enough of "tooting my own horn" for now.
