I am seeing a lot of finished models on ebay advertised as 'pro built'.

What exactly does that mean..? Does this mean the model has been built by a professional modelmaker.? Not from what I have seen. Many of these 'pro built' items are merely an off the shelf kit constructed by a hobbyist in their spare time without any real skill at all.

I suspect that because they have been building models since they were kids, or won a prize or two at their local modelling club, many of these hobbists they think that makes them 'professional'. It doesn't, and in my view they have no right to demand a premium price for what in most cases is a very  average job.

If you are considering purchasing a model built by a 'pro' ask them if they make a living from the craft, ask to see their website, and photographs of their other work and even ask for a reference from someone that they have built professionally for. I am willing to bet that will be the last you will hear from them. Don't be fooled into believing you are buying a professionally constructed item just because it says so in the listing. It may look good in the photo but fall apart when you open the box. It costs nothing to ask questions, or visit the website of a real 'pro' modelmaker to see the difference, and you may be very glad you did..!

I wrote a similar article to this about 'museum quality' ship models because I don't like to see people part from their hard earned cash for something that is less than it puports to be.  I am a full time professional museum modelmaker myself but I don't sell my work here so I have no alterior motive,

but, I certainly know the difference between a professional and an amateur....!