Don't get me wrong I'm all for Capitalism and making a buck but the price and shipping seems excessive for a Ringmaster.
Hi Mike! Just to state, I am the one who builds and offers these and other models to the community. Each one is hand cut, sanded, fitted and assembled to the best of my ability. I don't have either a laser or router shaping the parts for me. I refuse to sell one that I'd be ashamed to "show in the bones" or fly myself. That's just me, I can't speak for the practices of anyone else.
Honestly, I'm sorry you feel the price is too high but I'm offering the Ringmaster models at what I believe is a fair price. I just sold one to a fellow in South Florida the other day for the $80 bid price but he picked it up which saved the shipping. Both my wife and I met him at our local I-Hop and had a very pleasant visit. I just received my latest shipment of balsa and as a result the basic price of my assembled models will be going up.
The problem I face is the shipping. I don't have and cannot afford a "commercial account" like Amazon or Horizon. I don't build and ship that many planes on a monthly basis. For some recent examples, there have been models I've built and sold that shipped from here in Florida such as a Sig Banshee to Washington State, a Brodak Bearcat carrier plane New Mexico, Perkys to Las Vegas, a Ringmaster to North Dakota, a Ringmaster to Wisconsin, a Sig Kadet to Louisiana and so forth and in each case the models are packed by the company I listed in the posting then I take them to the Greyhound terminal where they are shipped, insured.
As you can imagine the shipping to these locations varies but from experience the packing and shipping generally ranges from $100-120. These are costs over which I have no control as I'm sure you would agree. Nevertheless, as posted, I've always refunded any excess funds paid for the shipping and handling. Once, just once that I remember, I was truly surprised and pleased when the customer returned the excess plus a tip that had been refunded.
Well, I truly hope this clarifies the pricing and shipping. Believe me, if I could ensure lower those costs I would but I'm at a bit of a loss. Nevertheless, I do offer free pickup!