Airfix Club and Mystery Box - An International Perspective

Update - I don't remember mentioning it in the original video, and it has come up in the comments. That is the Airfix points system "Hobby Rewards". I logged into my Aifix earlier today to see I have over 50 pounds in credits sitting there from my intitial purchase and the Club membership. So looking back at my order and checking properly ~$700AUD and I now have ~$100AUD in credit. Like a lot of memberships I was expecting $5-$10 off my next order, to the point where I didn't think about it too much at the time. So I definitely cannot complain.
DO YOUR OWN CALCS to see if it is worthwhile for you. And as mentioned it is a big outlay, but it isn't something I am doing weekly or monthly.
Full Order
Airfix Club Package 2024 £22.92
Airfix Aircraft Mystery Bundle £91.67
Double Buccaneer Bundle £100.82
Gloster Meteor F.8 £43.07
Hunting Percival Jet Provost T.3/T.4 £10.99
Aircraft Display Stands £10.99
Airfix Club Membership 2024 - ROW £11.75
Airfix Club and Mystery Box my thoughts and opinions. I am really happy with it.
Great value:
Spitfire $69
Lightening $50
Tiger Moth $44
Vampire $66
Swordfish $47
Sabre $82
TOTAL RRP if bought in Australia seperately: $358AUD
PAID 100UKP ex shipping approximately $200 AUD
NO PAID SPONSORHIP. Purchased myself at my own expense. Thoughts and opinions totally my own.
#scalemodel #modelplanes #scalemodelkit
About Modellers Workbench:
Run by me - Scott. Aimed primarily at plastic scale modelling, but I also do model with other materials. I do have a bit of a passion for Large Scale Planes in 1/32 but I also model Armour and Vehicles and well whatever else I feel like. I am also in the process of building an n scale model railroad layout so I enjoy modelling scenery and dioramas.
Expect to see Tamiya, Airfix, Trumpeter, Academy, HobbyBoss Walters and other scale plastic model kits. Build videos along with some tips and tricks I have picked up.
I have been modelling on and off for decades now, but got back into it seriously during lockdown.
Be patient with my editing and youTube skills - I am a learner :)
If you have any comments or questions I would love to hear from you!
Scott

[@MOS6510Models]

I'm really glad someone overseas bought the membership.. nice to hear and watch a review like. I think the membership is value for money but I live in the UK.. Youve gained a subscriber here :)

[@Modellers-Workbench]

Thanks for subscribing and the comment! A month later and I am still thrilled with it, so no regrets at all.

[@Alan_Saund_Models]

I live 2 miles from Airfix... lucky me... fantastic factory shop in Margate Kent not far from Manston airfield

[@Modellers-Workbench]

That is very convenient. I have always meant to get out there when I am in the UK just to say I have been. Thanks for watching!

[@paulg-sg]

I'm also international and did the same calculus;-) Tends to encourage one big order every year to get over the free shipping limit! Main disappointment for me was that they can't ship any of the kits with paints/glue included which rules out some kits I'd love to get my hands on (like the e-type jag) as they are only available in starter/gift sets. I also haven't worked out if it's possible to use the passport combined with another order to avoid the £50 shipping - if you do figure that out, hope you post another video about it!

[@Modellers-Workbench]

I have to admit I never thought about the starter sets and shipping. Some of them are actually neat little kits. The Passport...I have read (glanced) through the information but I couldn't quite figure it out. It would be great if we could just add it into another order. When I find out I will post it. Thanks for bringing up something else to consider.

[@paulg-sg]

@@Modellers-Workbench it took me an afternoon of fiddling with an "un-checkout-able" cart and a query to customer support to figure out the paint/glue shipping restriction. It may only apply to some destinations too; I guess it's a dangerous/declarable goods import restriction issue. I suggested they update their FAQ or checkout error messages accordingly but not sure if that's been done. But if you ever have a cart that unexpectedly fails at the final stage of the checkout.. this could be the one reason why.

[@Modellers-Workbench]

Thank you for the heads up. That is exactly the sort of thing I would have done.

[@idiot-cd6pl]

Nice friendly up-beat video and I agree with everything you say especially about the Airfix supply train. I finally managed to get in Cape Town the Airfix Do 17Z, Me 110, (original issue) and He 111 H-6 between 18 to 24++ months after their release and I'm still waiting for the new Mosquito (both releases) and the Me 410 to arrive here. A few years ago we had at least 6 or 7 Brick & Mortar retail shops now I know of only 1 possibly 2 that's left in the whole of Cape Town, and both of those are in the Southern suburbs, plus a couple of on-line only stores, and in the past two years none have had the new mossy. Personally I still prefer and actual store as browsing around them as I always find something interesting, rarely have I left a model shop empty handed.

[@Modellers-Workbench]

That sounds very similar to here. Although a big chunk of Cape Town seems to be in Sydney these days! Agreed, I prefer browsing through a store and sometimes you can still get a surprise. Still it is just how it is now. Thanks for the comment!

[@BladeRunner21577]

Christmas time! Youre going to be having some fun over the next few months. Nice to see what you get in the mystery box. I dont think Ive seen on on line that was disappointing

[@Modellers-Workbench]

Haha well I know I will be broke till Christmas now! But I am really happy with what I got. No complaints from me at all. Thanks for the comment.

[@parsfan4938]

I live in Melbourne and was sitting on the fence about the value of club membership, but your video has got me thinking.. I may sign up next year as D Day aircraft don't excite me, so I'll wait to see what next year's club members kits are

[@Modellers-Workbench]

Yeah I dont think it would be worth it for someone just buying the odd kit, or for that matter like you say if they just didn't have something you were interested in at the moment. Thanks for the comment!

[@billharpur9529]

On your point about buying models in the "internet age". I grew up in New Zealand in the 60's, and we had one TV channel, now with streaming services, free to air and KZbin, there are literally millions of things to choose from to watch so content has evolved and improved. Similarly with models, as you said, every main street seemed to have a toy shop selling models and you took what they had, nowadays there is a plethora of kits and manufacturers and scales and prices and qualities, so now, savvy model builders/collectors have the opportunity to shop around but there is just SO.MUCH.CHOICE! And with the choices, manufacturers are having to up their game, which is why we are getting such beautifully engineered and detailed kits now!

[@Modellers-Workbench]

Totally agree! I just got thinking about how I could walk into a shop back then and be happy with whatever they had. I was easy pleased. But now I am just as guilty for walking into a shop and thinking “oh they don’t have much” when I couldn’t even buy the stuff they have anyway. So our expectations have changed and that must make it tough for retailers. Thanks for the great comment!

[@chrismawson4185]

Ive been a member for 12 years bought many many kits and most of the mystery boxes i cannot fault airfix and to do so would be nit picking very minor issues enjoy 😂

[@Modellers-Workbench]

I am late to the party but so far I am very happy. Thanks for the comment!

[@julianmhall]

I've just checked and currently (28/07/2024) 1GBP = 1.96 AUD, so double isn't far off; £50 was pretty much 100 AUS. I think WRT the Airfix Club, especially for International members it's a question of where is the break-even point? For us in the UK it's simply a question of offsetting the £35 Club membership and how long it takes to save £35. For you it sounds like your break even point is more like £85 (170 AUD). That's more of an ask, especially as every order will attract a hefty shipping charge. Say you buy an £8.99 kit.. you save 89 pence (1.75 AUD). 170 AUD is going to take quite a while, about a 100 of those kits. Of course if you buy in bulk and tip over the free shipping limit then you save a lot more per purchase.

[@Modellers-Workbench]

Yes you are absolutely right wrt to the break even point. It would make no sense for small one off purchases. Your numbers sound right I figured around the $200 mark. When I priced per box the RRP here is almost the same as the Airfix website. But throw in the discount on a mystery box, and I also got the Buccaneers discounted and it was a big saving once I got to the free shipping. The catch of course was that I was essentially buying in bulk - and wont be buying anymore kits for a while. Thanks for watching and the comment!

[@billharpur9529]

If you are an airfix club member (10% discount) and use any club points you accrue from previous purchases, along with spending enough to qualify for free international shipping, it actually works out to be quite economical, notwithstanding you have to spend $AUD450-500 to reap the benefits. We also don't pay the VAT. I've managed to maximise my ordering to the point where kits are almost half the price I would pay retail from a store here in Australia, but again, you have to spend a wad to make it worthwhile. The shipping cost is the killer if you don't manage to qualify for free shipping. Some of the other manufacturers in europe could learn a lesson and offer a free shipping threshold as well. I want to order direct from the likes of ICM and Eduard, but shipping kills all motivation......

[@Modellers-Workbench]

Agreed, under the free shipping threshold and it is painful. I also forgot about the club points which do add up. It seems like you are way ahead of me on the planning, but I was at least thinking along the same lines. A couple of big orders each year when the right stuff is on sale and I would be very happy. Again that wouldnt work for an occasional modeller though.

[@whotube220]

Are they charging you VAT on these export purchases? They shouldn't be charging you under these circumstances and it would represent a significant discount from what UK customers are paying.

[@Modellers-Workbench]

If only life were that good...(Disclaimer I am a long way from being an accountant). But my understanding of how it works is that Hornby/Airfix is GST registered with the Australian Taxation Office so the VAT on the invoice is directly paid as GST here. I am not sure of the technicalities but that is the gist of it. So on the invoice it has VAT paid but on the delivery note it said GST paid. You can't escape the tax man.

[@billharpur9529]

The VAT (20%?) is deducted from the UK price for overseas customers, Here in Australia we have a similar thing called GST, currently 10%. I've been lucky so far, I have made 3 big orders from Airfix and haven't been charged GST but I've also ordered stuff internationally from ebay and had GST added to the price. It's a bit of a lottery really but generally, even though it is supposed to be charged on all imported goods, they don't seem to bother with smaller amounts. I believe Airfix theoretically should be charging Aussie customers GST and paying it to the Aus government direct, like Ebay and Amazon do. I could be wrong, but short answer, no, we don't pay VAT and that takes a further chunk off the price

[@Modellers-Workbench]

I have to admit I have never really understood that side of it. Like you say it seems a bit hit and miss.

[@tonyde6423]

AIRFIX prices in Oz are way to over priced cheers

[@Modellers-Workbench]

Yeah most things seem overpriced here. Small remote market I guess. Although for individual RRP kits the Airfix Website is roughly the same as RRP here but the club membership brings that down 10%. I think the wins are the mystery boxes and bundles (especially when discounted) which can be a big saving. The two Buccaneers were roughly 100pounds but rrp $130 and $140 here - if they are in stock. With the Meteor etc. it got me into free shipping which made it worthwhile.

[@billharpur9529]

@@Modellers-Workbench There's also a points scheme you have to join seperately from club membership, gets you roughly 10 points for every pound you spend which you can spend against orders, so with club membership, points, no VAT and free shipping (if you spend enough) it can actually be a bargain ordering direct from airfix. Also, I mightily impressed with how fast orders arrive, I've had stuff from airfix arrive here in brisbane from UK faster than Auspost can deliver a parcel from one side of brisbane to the other

[@Modellers-Workbench]

I only just saw your comment, and interestingly enough I logged into the Airfix website a few hours ago and was surprised to see I have 50 quid worth of points sitting there from my initial purchase and the membership purchase. I was really only expecting 5-10. You are absolutely right, the points in itself has surpised me.

[@billharpur9529]

@@Modellers-Workbench The only problem I have found, is that when you are building an order, you have to reach the 250GBP threshold to get free postage, but that is AFTER club discount, points discount and VAT removal so in reality you are ordering over 350GBP of kits which comes down to around 250GBP net. I worked it out, 99.99GBP for the 1/24 spit comes down to an actual price of around 63GBP, a bargain!!! I'm not complaining about the savings, if you're prepared to spend around $500AUD you get quite a bit of plastic and it works out around 50-60% of retailer price here in australia