if you have been watching the hornby programs on tv you would have seen the excitement when they made the first profit and framed the "first penny" of profit!, since i started the cheapest Airfix. kits have got up from 10P TO £10, i the last 6 years the" cheap" Superior and variants have on average crippled in price, at least,
2 years ago i had paid over £50 for 2 ships,this year i have paid over £90 for 2 ships, but some ships on eBay are at what 10 years ago i would have been happy to pay!! there does not seem to be any logic to the prices, liners seem to be "unpopular" except later British ones, ferries are very much the rising stars despite they are all becoming "boxes"??? though colourful boxes!!!
Roger has explained the cost of production very well, as with anything , you get depreciation when you buy new, but anything has a "stable market price", it is just that at the moment it appears rather unstable!
make the most of "bargain " prices when you can and enjoy what you buy! normally the next 2 months are low prices on eBay as people have other priorities! HAPPY CHRISTMAS!