And here is the final answer from Herpa,
which I think is really the end of this idea... :%
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Dear Emanuele,
Thanks for the reply and the additional information.
Please find pricing for the different scales below.
The snap-fit models are marketed under the Wooster brand name. These are
simplified plastic models without landing gear that come with a stand. Some
assembly is required (wings, stabilizers and display stand). To get a better
picture of these models, please visit our website
www.herpa.de. Right on the
front page is a search field. Simply enter "wooster" and a list of various
snap-fit models that we currently offer will appear.
Model/type: Euroharmony Boeing 747-400
a) scale 1:500
quantity: 2000 pieces
price each: 8,30 Euro (currently 10,04 US$)
b) scale 1:400
quantity: 1000 pieces
price each: 11,40 Euro (currently 13,79 US$)
c) scale 1:250 snap fit model
quantity: 500 pieces
price each: 8,20 Euro (currently 9,92 US$)
All prices are based on an ex works Dietenhofen, Germany delivery.
Delivery time: As a first step, we always produce samples for the customers
review and approval. This step takes around 6-8 weeks for the die-cast
models, and 4-6 weeks for the snap-fit model. After your approval of the
sample, we start full production, which takes the same amount of time again,
plus an additional 4 weeks for shipping.
Selling 'fantasy'-models through retail is rather hard to do and our local
distributors are rather relunctant to do so.
One thing we can offer however: we have an internet shop where we offer
models directly to our collectors worldwide. Such a model is only of
interest to the very serious collectors, who would like to posess all Herpa
models. We could therefore sell part of the amount for you through our
website. Quantities we could sell would roughly be 400-500 for the 1:500
scale size, and around 300 pieces for the 1:400 scale model. I am not sure
if this quantity would help you out.
You would only need to order, as an example, 1500 pieces of the 1:500 scale
model at the same price as for the 2000 pieces. We would keep the remaining
500 models in our warehouse and sell those directly from our website.
If you are looking for only a few pieces of the model, and are not bound to
the size, there is a company called Pacific Miniatures (
www.pacmin.com).
They produce larger size models, mainly out of resin. They produce models
from 1:200 scale and up to 1:5 or 1:1 even in some cases. They specialize in
lower quantities. Minimum quantities start from 10 pieces I think, in the
1:200 scale. Perhaps that is also something that might be interesting for
you?
The models then do cost around 100-150 dollars each, but you can order the
quantity you really need.
Please let me know if I can be of any further help.
Thanks and best regards,
Stephan