Painting services: What's the going rate nowadays?

[Harry Faversham]

Two hundred and seventy dumpers for a toy sowjer...
they're having a laugh!

 

[swiftnick]

I used to get painting done by a chap in Hungary. Absolutely lovely work and surprisingly  cheap. If anyone wants his details give me a shout.

[Elbows]

I think i have seen him too,  if it is him he paints a nice face but nothing else that explains those kind of prices!

May well be Laundering.

Yeah I lean toward laundering/cleaning money...or he simply has a handful of "whales" that maybe know him personally and think it's helping him out, etc.  It seems weird to use the phrase, but there are hobby "simps" that exist.   Some people who unrealistically support certain hobby professionals or companies outside of the realms of normalcy.

Then there is the slight chance of the "massively disconnected customer".  My dad still gets militaria magazines that sell generic $20 diecast aircraft for $79 a pop...basically because their mailing list consists of 60-80 year olds who maybe are out of touch or can't be bothered to do market research.  There's a sucker for every seat.

[SJWi]

I've used Fernando Enterprises based in Sri Lanka for many years now.  Their prices for a foot figure vary between $1.70- $6 depending on the standard you want. I opt for the middle standard which is about $3.90.  In addition you need to add postage for your figures plus P&P back. That can add say a further $80 .  I normally send them a batch of 100+ figures which would thus add c80 cents per figure giving an all-up price of $4.70. The quality is pretty good but you do need to give exact details of what colours you want. Also more complex figures (eg highly detailed Napoleonics or modern camouflage ) will cost more.

Worth checking out their website.

[pancakeonions]

I've used Fernando Enterprises based in Sri Lanka for many years now.  Their prices for a foot figure vary between $1.70- $6 depending on the standard you want. I opt for the middle standard which is about $3.90.  In addition you need to add postage for your figures plus P&P back. That can add say a further $80 .  I normally send them a batch of 100+ figures which would thus add c80 cents per figure giving an all-up price of $4.70. The quality is pretty good but you do need to give exact details of what colours you want. Also more complex figures (eg highly detailed Napoleonics or modern camouflage ) will cost more.

Worth checking out their website.

Was just going to post this!  I recommend them too.  Very nice work, and their prices were reasonable.  Shipping was expensive (and this was pre-COVID) so it makes more sense if you're doing lots of figures!

[bluewillow]

I predominantly paint 20 and 28mm historical miniatures only start at €6 for foot and up to €30 for heraldry. My charges are per colour and grade. Currently full up until November as I have a museum collection almost complete.

Cheers
Matt