Agora appealing to a younger audience?

[Christopher Christou]

Hey fellow agorians,  just been thinking recently about models that would appeal to a slightly younger audience and wondered how much of your customers are in the bracket of under 30?

I understand that most people ordering these kits would need disposable income and obviously be over 18 to order.but I was thinking that the models on offer are much pushed towards an older audience. Maybe I'm wrong but I'm not sure they are many 20 somethings who remember the DB5 or shelby Cobra. Or even the Gen 1 optimus prime for instance. Apart from the la ferrari (recent launch) all the cars on offer are before the 21st century If I'm not mistaken.  Which leaves terminator (again a mid 80s icon) .

Is the agora build up scale model pushed towards a more older audience and not so much the 18-25 year old?

If you look at other model companies for instance Fanhome,although they have some older generation models they still have models which appeal to a younger audience eg fast and furious, modern star wars,iron man marvel ect.

What's everyone's thoughts on this?

Maybe agora should test a build that would appeal to a younger crowd?

Any agorians on the forum here who are in their 20s?do you like the models on offer,do they resonate with you or would you prefer something more modern?

  Maybe I have jumped the gun a bit but just crossed my mind and wondered what others thought about this.

 

 

 

 

[keramh]

Hello,

I understand your concern, but I think that the market here is well divided. Fanhome offers a lot of things about films and series (which goes well with the name). In my opinion, the providers could be even more divided here. One offers everything fans want, one offers vintage cars, one offers sports or racing cars, etc. Personally, I'm a little older now (52) and would definitely be more happy about vehicles from early history up to the 1930s. The Bugatti
Atlantic by IXO, that's exactly my prey scheme. A beautiful Delahaye 135m, a Horch 835, a Bentley Speed Six - I could list endless cars that I would like to build as models in 1:8. Oh the whole Mercedes / Daimler story from the Patent Motorwagen or the Daimler Motorwagen to the big 770, that would be a fantastic series.

[Detailliebhaber 1 8]

hello Christopher,

I already expressed this (or similar) wish on December 11, 2022 by requesting a wish list for different types of model building.

(see under "create new models, wish list" in new product announcements)

Unfortunately no one wanted to comment on this. Maybe it will work this time. Here all age groups could at least set a goal.

[Christopher Christou]

11 minutes ago, keramh said:

Hello,

I understand your concern, but I think that the market here is well divided. Fanhome offers a lot of things about films and series (which goes well with the name). In my opinion, the providers could be even more divided here. One offers everything fans want, one offers vintage cars, one offers sports or racing cars, etc. Personally, I'm a little older now (52) and would definitely be more happy about vehicles from early history up to the 1930s. The Bugatti
Atlantic by IXO, that's exactly my prey scheme. A beautiful Delahaye 135m, a Horch 835, a Bentley Speed Six - I could list endless cars that I would like to build as models in 1:8. Oh the whole Mercedes / Daimler story from the Patent Motorwagen or the Daimler Motorwagen to the big 770, that would be a fantastic series.

Hi 

That's a fair point and makes sense. I think it would be great if they were more divided. For instance your love of pre 1930s vehicles offered by a single company that specialises in that field only.

 

Thoughtful response keramh, thanks for the input 👍

[37401]

I believe Fanhome have it right when it comes to the younger audience. The problem with the hobby, in general, is that it's not realistically priced to attract a younger audience. For Agora to aim to that market, they'd need to offer more modern subjects. 

[Christopher Christou]

2 hours ago, 37401 said:

I believe Fanhome have it right when it comes to the younger audience. The problem with the hobby, in general, is that it's not realistically priced to attract a younger audience. For Agora to aim to that market, they'd need to offer more modern subjects. 

Fair point,the price is definitely a factor and keeps a younger audience from subscribing. 

Maybe a price cut on a subscription for a model that is not moving from the warehouses much?

 

[notsram]

I gave up on Modelspace/Deagostini/Fanhome after the X-wing, but they certainly used to offer big price cuts on full kits. I picked up the RB7 racer (really must get round to finishing that some time!) for about 40% of the RRP a number of years ago. Of course, you then play the lottery of if/when it will arrive and how many parts will be missing...

[keramh]

I think the monthly costs are quite good, at least better than having to pay everything at once. What bothers me, however, is the sometimes stretched expenses. Okay, a body is more valuable than a small plastic part, but the individual deliveries should still be divided better. I would also like to limit the series to a maximum of 100 issues. Of course without changing the price per delivery. Surprisingly, it is possible in other countries. DeAgostini sells the series significantly cheaper in other countries. If such a series, such a model, cost around 600 euros, younger people would also dare to do something like that and get into the hobby.

[37401]

16 hours ago, Christopher Christou said:

Fair point,the price is definitely a factor and keeps a younger audience from subscribing. 

Maybe a price cut on a subscription for a model that is not moving from the warehouses much?

 

I strongly believe the prices are artificial. From Agora I have the Cobra and I have recently started the Routemaster. I strongly believe there is no comparison when it comes to "value". It's disappointing that all of the models are pitched at the same price point rather than their worth; especially when some are available as complete kits for around £500 - £600 less elsewhere. 

[Christopher Christou]

1 hour ago, 37401 said:

I strongly believe the prices are artificial. From Agora I have the Cobra and I have recently started the Routemaster. I strongly believe there is no comparison when it comes to "value". It's disappointing that all of the models are pitched at the same price point rather than their worth; especially when some are available as complete kits for around £500 - £600 less elsewhere. 

Interesting view and agree with your point.you say some models are available for 500-600 less elsewhere could you send some examples for me?

Would be interesting to see what models are available for that much of a discount.

[37401]

2 hours ago, Christopher Christou said:

Interesting view and agree with your point.you say some models are available for 500-600 less elsewhere could you send some examples for me?

Would be interesting to see what models are available for that much of a discount.

It would be either fair or ethical for me to do that. Do study the hobby though.

[Christopher Christou]

54 minutes ago, 37401 said:

It would be either fair or ethical for me to do that. Do study the hobby though.

After a quick research I haven't found any of agora models for less than £2000 on ebay.

Which is much more than what agora charge...🤔

I would still prefer to buy straight from agora when it comes to their models.

Although some of fanhome,deagostini and hatchette come up from time to time ready to build from issue 1 for maybe £900 which would be 300/400 cheaper than buying through them.

Also you don't have to wait each month for a delivery.  It's good if you have a big chunk of money ready to drop I guess...

[37401]

5 hours ago, Christopher Christou said:

After a quick research I haven't found any of agora models for less than £2000 on ebay.

Which is much more than what agora charge...🤔

I would still prefer to buy straight from agora when it comes to their models.

Although some of fanhome,deagostini and hatchette come up from time to time ready to build from issue 1 for maybe £900 which would be 300/400 cheaper than buying through them.

Also you don't have to wait each month for a delivery.  It's good if you have a big chunk of money ready to drop I guess...

I purchased the Mercedes 300 Sl for €832 which converted to £721 literally 2 weeks ago. That included postage for 5 day delivery. Import duty and VAT was £142. If eBay is the expanse of your research then consider that the Mercedes W 196 R, albeit number 8, is available for £601 plus £14.46 postage. Again, study the hobby. 

[keramh]

I don't think eBay offers a comparison here.
Dealer websites should be used here. When I look at Eastern European pages directly from De Agostini etc. you can see that the prices per issue there are sometimes only half as high as here in Germany. Sure, the purchasing power in these countries is not very high, but the publishers will still make money from it. I just find it astonishing that the IXO models, for example, are offered significantly cheaper on dealer websites than at IXO directly, especially now with the Bugatti, which was almost 300 EUR more expensive before the reduction at IXO. Here the dealers seem to get significant discounts when purchasing, which they pass on accordingly.

[37401]

2 hours ago, keramh said:

I don't think eBay offers a comparison here.
Dealer websites should be used here. When I look at Eastern European pages directly from De Agostini etc. you can see that the prices per issue there are sometimes only half as high as here in Germany. Sure, the purchasing power in these countries is not very high, but the publishers will still make money from it. I just find it astonishing that the IXO models, for example, are offered significantly cheaper on dealer websites than at IXO directly, especially now with the Bugatti, which was almost 300 EUR more expensive before the reduction at IXO. Here the dealers seem to get significant discounts when purchasing, which they pass on accordingly.

In my experience the authorised German dealers are cheaper, or the ones I use at least, because they rightly deduct the VAT post Brexit. I had originally contacted IXO direct and they don't/won't deduct it. They do however stand behind their product, I had a part set missing from my Peugeot and after contenting them directly, they swiftly posted it out to me at no cost. The ebay seller in Germany also deducts VAT which is why they offer the same product and different prices on their ebay store and website. The other sellers on ebay selling the Agora branded items at over-inflated prices are a completely different beast. They will still profit though unfortunately. When it comes to IXO though, it's a no-brainer.

[Christopher Christou]

11 hours ago, 37401 said:

I purchased the Mercedes 300 Sl for €832 which converted to £721 literally 2 weeks ago. That included postage for 5 day delivery. Import duty and VAT was £142. If eBay is the expanse of your research then consider that the Mercedes W 196 R, albeit number 8, is available for £601 plus £14.46 postage. Again, study the hobby. 

Interesting stuff,ok I will do some more research and see what comes up.  You are definitely getting a good deal on the mercedes. Happy days for you 🙂