Lamley Readers, here is your chance, once again, to help in the development of Matchbox.
I have said before that this new team at Matchbox has thrown the rulebook away, and is looking at all possible ways to bring collectors back to the brand. Of course, it starts with better models and better distribution, but there are other ways as well.
One of those ways to become more collector-friendly is to introduce chase models to the Matchbox range. The team is toying with the idea, but they want your feedback.
1. Should Matchbox introduce chase models – aka Treasure Hunts – to the basic range?
2. If so, how should they go about doing them?
There are many ways to do chase models. There is of course the Treasure Hunt way of adding one unique model in slightly smaller numbers to each batch, or the Super TH way of enhancing one standard model per batch with Real Riders, enhanced paint, and more deco. Or there is what Greenlight and Auto World are doing. Create special versions of existing models, always in the same color. There are raw chases as well. A model has the same deco as the standard issue, only it is unpainted.
We want your comments too. Let us know what you think, and please share your ideas. And be creative! I promise the Matchbox Team will be reading them. They are looking for ideas, and no better group to ask than the collectors.
This should be fun…
Well I have to say this was a really grte topic, really shows the interest from so many. Thanks Lamley just for keeping MB alive!
As far as TH MB, A BIG No No No! I hate THs I like many have collected them but I gave up. The guys that have nothing better to do than to stake out retailers are the only ones who get them. Just do special editions like The current collections out there. MB has other things they need to rectify before they get into a TH battle. HW is selling more cause their putting out some better product but as of late I have seen some garbage come from blue.
I do however love the idea of bringing back past castings, I think that is a great idea. I love when HW brings back older castings like Poison Pinto and Backwoods Bomb but some only go to the collectors club that imo is a mistake. I consider myself a collector but I don't have time to get on a site and get these things. I go to the store I see something I like and I buy it. It should be that simple, The RR series seems to be doing real well for HW. MB should make a throwback series with RR Call it Matchbox Throwbacks. You tell me they wouldn't sell? Another thing show you want things right go get the Mercedes licensing back, Their making whole cards dedicated to a car now what is a hologram sticker get it back! Never fully understood that at all. There is so much they could do besides following HW. Be original first get distribution right and put out quality product then decide what they want to do with the line.
Matchbox is a time-honoured brand and a return to their roots is most welcome. Real licensed cars, real liveries, and NO chases (chases cheapen the brand IMHO). Tampos front and back are required at a minimum. I really like the idea of a having a `loyalty` edition available for customers who buy a lot – an edition with diecast chassis, rubber tires, and perhaps unique colours offered. Lesney Editions were very nice and it would be fun to see them again. Thanks for listening, Matchbox!
I said this before the castings of yesteryear are collectables because time passed and only so many remain. THs are a fictional collectable, meaning they do not retain their value. True collectables are collectable cause time has passed and models disappeared. Those models were just as mass produced but some were destroyed thrown away or lost. A line dose not make a collectable time dose…
Sure ! but matchbox, Please SCHOOL BUSES more SCHOOL BUSES ! and licensed ones too ! you have Thomas Built buses IC Bus Blue Bird and more !
One thing I like about the MB brand is the way a model will be released and if you miss it may never show up again or for a while. I would like to see some of the vintage castings (50's-60's) show up if they still exist. A treasure hunt would be okay with me but would like to see more real world vehicles with realistic deco's and more premium lines. MB has some great castings of some of the more unusual vehicles from around the world and that should not change.
I think they should do what greenlight does and take certain cars and make the base and wheels orange for matchbox and maybe have some cars have a metallic orange. I do like the autoworld way as well. All three are good ideas
no! looking for those old lesney models are treasures for me!
I think I like the idea of doing what M2 does and adding gold to the car. Gold wheels, gold trim, maybe change the color scheme.
NO! NO! NO!. NO T-Hunts for Matchbox!. Matchbox is the only diecast line that I can still find what I previewed on the Lamley blog before it gets to my stores. Unlike the Hot Wheels T-Hunts that I never find except for on ebay. I dont want the scalping scumbags hoarding Matchbox too.
T-Hunts for Matchbox will not make Matchbox more money but it will just generate more money for the scalping scumbags. The T-Hunt has made a certain crowd a whole lot of money at the same time its turned away a number of collectors. Only the scalpers win.
treasure hunt WAS a cool idea .now its just another way to fetch a little more extra money for the greedy sellers,conspirators,etc.I dont really care about the T hunt -thing.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Let me say that again. No.
I think they should worry about getting stock to the shelf the same way HW is stocked first. Then and only then when stock is at the same level and frequency should they even give it little to no consideration.
I know it's unfortunate that scalpers form the negative byproduct which stems from a 'Treasure Hunt' variety release. Those greedy freaks do indeed ruin a hobby which is supposed to be enjoyed by kids and adults alike. It's a shame and hard to believe that these individuals, or money hungry thieves if you will, spend their time raiding stores to hoard diecast cars just for the purpose of making a few pennies. Those who do that have no life.
On the other hand, it would be interesting to see if this chase car thing can work. The only way to see if it works is try and if it doesn't work.. kill the program.
I would also love to see older models released like those from the 70's and 80's; I like how HW's took a newer Delorean casting and adorned it with tampos from an earlier casting that resembled a look-alike Delorean… you get the idea. Bring back Piston Poppers, Rolamatics… even if they're fantasy models. How about a Woosh n Push or an Alfa Carabo? Remember the '57 Chevy with a one piece hood or a Porsche 928?
I'd rather there wont be any hunts at all. It would be nice to have a high percentage of decent models coming out from matchbox, than have one super awesome unique model that is almost impossible to find. The only people benefiting from these “$TH chases”, really, are scalpers and very very very few very very lucky people.
If anything at all, matchbox team should do like a golden ticket type of incentive where there is a scratchable/peelable sticker inside every card that can be redeemable online for awesome prizes/hunts. it would probably drive the sales of unwanted models, increase the traffic of the site they use to do this, and make it an even playing field for the rest of us
Thanks
Personally I don't think Matchbox treasure hunts would be a good idea, I think they'd prove almost impossible to find and result in collectors either getting frustrated and stopping collecting, or getting ripped off paying over the odds on the Internet. I think the biggest challenge for Matchbox in the UK is distribution, although that seems to be improving, and it would be good if BotW was offered here. Really pleased with the most recent batches I've found, the red A100 and green '69 Cadillac are awesome…
I think that any chase piece at this moment will be a bad idea. Unfortunately the chase pieces bring out the worst quality in our hobby – greed. Just look at HW. Adults hoarding and sharing pictures of 20+ Piranha Terror THs with captions like “o, I didn't do too bad today'…. WFT?! This is a kid model that will have no collector value after a while, and yet adults threat it like it something special. It's supposed to be for the kids.
Anyway, I think that at this point the most important think is to fix the distribution issue. I live in Bulgaria and from the three major toy store chains only one has recent models…and by recent I mean 2015 D case. The other have 2013-2014 models and the third store does not even sell Matchbox. The collector community here is not very large but 99% of the collectors grew up with Matchbox (they used to make them in Bulgaria in the 80s) not Hot Wheels. Definitely Matchbox is the most loved brand here, but we simply cannot buy MBX. And this is for the mainlines….we don't even dream about the premium products like Best of the Word or Supreme Heroes.
So, to summarize, I think that a larger distribution of mainline and premium series will bring some revenue, because there are collectors in the world who want to be part of the Matchbox mania, but cannot. Fix this, then think about chase pieces (btw chase pieces in HW are soooo unfairly distributed, people in Europe see almost no $THs)
NO!
A resounding NO to MB Treasure Hunts or Chase cars. These only benefit the scalpers/stockroom staff/store managers and ebay.
The first thing the new management team have to take on board, internalise, accept and believe is that there are around 300 million people in the USA and around 7.3 BILLION people in the world. Whenever you are making any business plans, thoughts, discussions, price setting, distribution processes etc, please remember this and gear everything for WORLDWIDE sales and not just the USA.
Why are MB and HW sold for only $1 in the USA and three or four times that amount in most other countries, including those much closer to the countries of manufacture (so freight is not a reason)?
I was a Matchbox car collector for over 35 years but since Mattel took over and tried to destroy Matchbox or turn it into a poor version of Hot Wheels I became a Matchbox buyer. Of all the cars Matchbox issued from the very first Lesney until Mattel took over I have at least one version of every car except for 16 and I plan on getting those as well. I even bought the Tyre Fryer etc eventhough they were horrible but I wanted to have the full set of models. Since Mattel took over I don't know how many cars I haven't got and I don't care, but I know it is a lot. In these last years I have purchased many versions of the older MB that I didn't have instead of buying new models.
Matchbox was built on realism and when you want to, you can still do it far better than Hot Wheels.
As a long time former collector and someone who wants to be again, my thoughts are to ditch the generics which clog up the pegs. There have been so many posts on various forums about how such and such retailer no longer stocks Matchbox and those that do only have generics on the pegs because the licenced models sell fast. The retailer wont restock until the generics are sold and if that doesn't happen fast enough they simply stop selling Matchbox.
Matchbox used to be available everywhere – big box stores, small stores, corner stores, newsagents, service stations (gas stations), chemists (drug stores), toy stores, etc. Now it appears that Mattel is only interested in selling to the big box stores in the USA and if anything filters through to other countries and retailers then we should be thankful.
Why can Hot Wheels USA have Kmart, Target, Walmart, etc specials and limited edition or special interest series for everything under the sun and yet the rest of the world can't get access to any of these from Hot Wheels let alone Matchbox USA or anywhere else get a full series of Supreme Heroes even with their bad wheels?
If Hot Wheels and Matchbox are currently at the same price point, why can Hot Wheels have more tampo hits than Matchbox?
Unless Matchbox can sort out its terrible worldwide distribution so that the product is available for purchase then no other plans matter.
If that part can be achieved then instead of wasting resources on gimmicky Treasure Hunts and Chases that the vast majority of collectors and buyers will never see except on ebay at highly inflated prices, I would much prefer Matchbox return to a 1-75 series of licenced models with realistic colours and liveries and with proper front and rear tampo hits for lights and grills etc. The colour scheme could be changed once or even twice a year to bring the range to 150 or 225 models/variations per year. Forums are full or photos of collectors' multiple variations of various models however it is very rare to see these photos of generics.
Please return Matchbox to being a diecast car. Metal bases are preferred but plastic bases don't bother me as they can often provide more detail. However the body should be diecast. A plastic Renault Ambulance still looks like a cheap plastic toy no matter how you tampo it. A Two Storey Bus looks stupid with big white poles stuck through the middle of it. The Leyland Titans didn't need them.
If you are doing 9 or 10 packs with one exclusive then please ensure that the other 8 or 9 models are not virtually the same in every other pack. I don't mind buying a number of 9 packs for the different exclusives if the range of other cars is good (but they are usually bad generics) but I won't buy them if the same 5 or 6 bad generics are in multiple packs.
For 5 packs, bring back the themed liveries and all exclusive colours like they were in the early days. For example, with the current Fire 5 Pack the models don't relate to each other. It is not a set. It is a pack of 5 unrelated Fire vehicles. How does a child create a play environment when the vehicles don't match up?
Thankyou for taking the time to read this rambling from someone who really wants Matchbox to succeed again.
i Have been thinking about this – a lot – sad innit, however, MBX did do a chase model a while ago, in the Best of British range, the Chase Route-master, and it took me two years to get one, only because i had the full set and wanted that one as well, then i found a random one, in TESCO, how weird, after all that time.
How about, each ALL NEW model, first version comes with all metal, and a bespoke paint job, and card, then after that, go back to the way they are doing it now, that way, you get both, and do not limit it, build it as you would a normal version, in the mass numbers.
The car brands, actual cars, are now doing this, having a “first edition” model, limited i grant you, but, they come with all the kit, and are special, MBX could do this, but not rare, bespoke card, bespoke paint job, maybe go to the 5 piece set up for the 1st edition, and then go back to normal after that – therefore, you have people that will just want to collect 1st editions, or completists, that wish to have the lot – win win, and with a first edition, you want the model to shine, to make people come back for more…. just my 2 cents/2 penneth/2 euros and so on… LOL…..
I did find the chase chrome red Routemaster when it was first released, but no, I do not want chases. They encourage scalping/reselling at a huge premium. There are one per case models that might as well be considered as such, as they seem to be treated like that already like the recent Mack.
The effort should go into making better premium models (like the F-350/KME mini pumper and Seagrave Meanstick issued in the early '00s), better premium tires, and figuring out how to raise the price to allow for better quality without losing sales. I mean, what hasn't went up since the mid '70s! Matchbox seems to be the only thing that hasn't!
Please Mattel, do NOT bring treasure hunt to Matchbox. Our Vehicules ares already hard to find because of scalpers… And please, can you fix your compagny's problems first? like distribution worldwide, remove all ugly generic models that pollush the pegs and return your model to DIECAST car? L'm speaking about all the cool model that have been victim of changes (Ford F-350 ambulance, Internationnal armored car, Hazard squad & others) into plastic shit, of course.
updating your website first might be helpful
Let me repeat what MANY comments have stated… NO!!! Just, no. Stick to what your good at; nice models. Just fix distribution.
If Matchbox officials (especially the high ranking officials) have any concern for their products and with all due respect if they have any brains than they'll do something about distribution issues and that's the thing if Matchbox officials are concerned about which direction their brand is going than what is holding them back?? Why do they appear somewhat stubborn in rectifying or resolving such issues as the obvious being distribution issues once again.
I live in the United States, visit big box stores multiple times per month in multiple states specifically in search of Matchbox, and I still cannot get all of the regular issue licensed castings. When would I ever see a rare model? It would just divert money from putting more licensed castings with good detail prints in the main line, and from putting more of them in each box.
The mainline black and white Ford Explorer Police goes for more on ebay and amazon than the Supreme heroes version. More than the special International Brush Fire truck. More than a 9-pack. I have never seen a Tesla, yellow Ford GT, or red BMW 1M in a store. Why bother with treasure hunts when the regular releases might as well be unicorns?
How do they appear stubborn in rectifying distribution issues? Fixing distribution has been their top priority since this team took over. Whether or not they do chase models is entirely different.
Distribution issues will take time to fix, but they are working on it.
I don't want to see Matchbox getting into TH's. That is a “Hot Wheel” thing. Continue to build on your strengths Matchbox and don't be a copy-cat to anyone.
Although I voted yes I don't see it being a viable thing unless distribution (or lack thereof) is addressed. And if it was done, I think the changes should be very subtle with just rubber tires to separate the models and not spectraflame paint.
If the Matchbox management do decide to have a Treasure Hunt /Chase type vehicle, and I certainly hope that they do not, then please make it similar to the Auto World red chase cars. This way the chase version would be the same design as the regular but in its special colour, say metallic orange (not spectraflame).
Please do not go down the line of putting a Matchbox logo of any type on the models as per Hot Wheels. It is very disappointing to find a good casting with a decent realistic paint job only to then see the Hot Wheels flame plastered on it. In all my years of looking I have seen very few real cars with a Hot Wheels logo on it.
Likewise, tyres should be black.
Matchbox was built on realism, please keep it that way.
I could not agree with you more. It would be the same like the chase Double Decker Bus. All the scalpers snatched them up for eBay. There was no true interest in the brand. Reward the collectors with mail in offers or retail/hobby exclusives that can be found.
I just seen the new Cadillac limo and the person wants $55 for the two of them.
Actually if they take again the Premiere Líne that should work.
Hot Wheels is Hot Wheels by their treasure hunts. But Matchbox need to get a nineties air, In basic líne and add better series than the supreme heroes, just like the old Premiere Ones. Playable sets for adult Collectors would be fun!
Matchbox Fan from México.
César Augusto Colmenares.
Matchbox castings of real cars are fantastic because of their realism and similarity's to the real car. The problem is the difficulty of finding these castings. For whatever reason, you see the same 10 boring castings on all of the stores shelves. The selection isn't there like it is with Hot Wheels. With better distribution treasure hunts could be avoided. I enjoyed the supreme heroes line. Fantastic tribute to those that serve our communities, I'm from Roanoke(EMS Brush Truck). The only problem was that only TRU carried them.
NOPE! In my opinion, Matchbox should just concentrate on improving their basic line, and bring a premium line that has wheels that actually look good. Ditch the Tonka-esque Ultramaxx wheels for something more similar to the Premiere series.
They should focus on making the brand more appealing to collectors by improving QUALITY, not building HYPE! Honestly, if people start becoming Matchbox vultures the same way they are with Hot Wheels, Greenlight, and the other brands, it would just plain suck.
Just want to specify… If people start becoming Matchbox “chase piece” vultures the same way they are with Hot Wheels, Greenlight, and the other brands, it would just plain suck.
I'm not here to stifle anybody else's opinions, but shame on the people that answered yes. Sure, Matchbox would make a few more measly bucks, but in the end the scalpers will win out, like what happened with Hot Wheels. Why would Mattel want the same dilemma for another brand, even if it was more profitable?
Instead of Treasure Hunts or chase cars, they would be better suited to do what they did years ago, an upscale series with nothing but the licensed models, with realistic paint schemes, graphics, and wheels. Yeah it might be more costly for the consumer- or not as lucrative for Mattel- but at least it would weed out most of the riff raff.
Treasure Hunts have RUINED this hobby for true collectors and transformed it into a “get-rich-quick” scheme.
Treasure Hutns??, en la línea básica de match Box? no me agrada la idea, Señores ejecutivos de Mattel División Match Box, pienso que mejor quedaría una o varias series a la altura de la serie retro de Hot Wheels, claro esta, muy al estilo y espíritu de Match Box, mejores detalles que la línea básica y con llantas de caucho seria muy bueno; Pero sobre todo seria mas bueno que todos los lotes fueran distribuidos equitativamente, pórque hay castings que no llegan a USA y la gran mayoria no llegan a México y las otras series definitivamente estamos marginados de ellas. Que pasa Señores? estamos en un mundo globalizado y uds. se han quedado en el pasado en ese sentido, que ha pasado con su logística de distribución y comercialización y las ganas de llevar US Dolares a sus arcas, habemos muchos coleccionista ávidos de tener los castings de todas sus series habidas y por haber. Una muestra de ello y del potencial de ventas que puedan llegar a tener la tienen en los grupos de coleccionistas que nos encontramos en las redes sociales (Face Book) en donde a cada momento nos quedamos con las ganas reprimidas por obtener una pieza Match box para nuestra colecciones y ya ni decir de las series que simplemente no llegan a México.
Para que queremos un Treasure Hunt en su serie básica, para que no llegue nada y se vicie como ha sucedido en Hot wheels, sobre todo allá en Malaysia en la línea de producción de donde salen a un mercado negro directamente a la venta en EBay y otros portales de venta ya sean loose o en empaque por sus empleados y son comercializados a unos precios por demás sobrevaluados ya ni se hable de los centros de distribución y comercialización al final no encontramos nada si no es en el mercado negro. mejor saquen buenas series de calidad enfocadas al coleccionista adulto en donde este fenómeno causa menor impacto en este tipo de vicios y no un STH en su serie básica.
Saludos..¡¡ desde México
well tell him to go get stuffed, they are not worth that, and are freely available, the only one i have found recently, and have 5, all found from the same shop, at different times, but none of the others… weird.
totally agreed. totally. lots of people quit the hobby for this reason. i am on the line.
Hope you're right but at the same time some of us wonder how long will it take for distribution issues to be rectified or resolved?
What store did you find them at? I have been looking for them. Any luck on finding the state trooper Dodge Charger?
I find it very amusing that the VAST majority of the comments have been NO, and that's my opinion too, yet the actual voting is heading for a yes – so, where are the 500 odd people that voted yes, and why have they not bothered to comment???????????????????????????????????????
If a Chase Car is decided upon it should have a name associated only with matchbox. That way it want be confused with other Chase Cars. Something like ” FIREBOX or MATCHBOOK”. This way MBX will be different. Where to put the name or the deco or the paint scheme will be up to the MBX Team.
I think the yes voters are the Matchbox haters 😉
Something else to consider for the MB team. Why don't change the concept of supplying batches with a random selection. But make it for retailers possible to order specific models or at least something in between e.g. batch of realistic models or batch kids fantasy models. With this approach MBX could service retailers better and see how sales develops.
Absolutely “YES”. Part of the fun in collecting is occasionally finding that rare gem. I like the metal base idea, maybe with rubber tires. The paint and deco, if already done right, doesn't need anything extra to make it special. Just make sure that they are not impossible to find, and I'm all in.
Even if your question isn't directed to me I thought I reply to your inquiries by informing you that I purchased the Dodge Charger state trooper car at one of the local Wal Marts in Fredericton,New Brunswick,Canada.
“Adults hoarding and sharing pictures of 20+ Piranha Terror THs with captions like “o, I didn't do too bad today'….” Funniest thing I've read all week! Says it all, though…