When I was a youngster I used to build model kits, mostly aircraft or other Airfix kits. Painting was done with a brush and Humbrol paints, usually small tins, and they were not very good. This progressed on to the Tamiya Military Modelling kits as I went through senior school – we had an excellent modelling club. Then fast forward to early 20’s and I again started building models, 
this time of American and custom cars. There were lots of places where you could get “after market” detailing parts, or they could easily be bought from the USA – a modelling column in Classic American car magazine was the read of choice for the information on these items.
Now we have the internet, and there is more than enough information out there on where to buy these kits and detailing – but not many places in the UK it seems. So I have decided that this winter I am again going to give it a go and start building some model kits on the dark winter nights. But wait! HOW MUCH for postage? I have been researching getting the detailing parts from the USA. The prices for the parts is what I would expect to pay, in fact they are similar to what we used to
pay in the 1980’s and 1990’s.
So I put a small order together with a kit of an old Ford step side pick up (I have an idea for a small diorama), some engine detailing for a couple of kits, some interior detailing, and and a couple of US modelling magazines we can’t get here in the UK. Roughly around $100.00 for the lot. Through all the ordering and I was just about to press the payment button until I looked at the postage. $70.00 for a small box weighing around 3 to 5 kilogram.
All I can say is “Dick Turpin wore a mask!” And I think this was with the US postal service, not a courier.
And I know at this end I would have had import duty and tax to pay. What happened to the $30.00 postage? Yes prices of fuel and wages has gone up, but $30.00 would have got you a 10 to 20Kg package – and I am talking within the last 10 years this price. So what has happened? yes the price of fuel has gone up, yeas wages have gone up, but to more than double within 6 years is outrageous.
So i am now waiting on a model of a VW T2 camper for another diorama I am going to build, and this one will have an amateur radio theme.