I just wrote that headline, and I am not sure why. I guess that is the present mindset for me, and whatever caused it can’t really be ignored.
Is my collecting based on getting new shit as soon as I can? Is it predicated on having something that others don’t? Is it based on the thrill of entering a store and finding something I have been looking for? Is it the pursuit of creating the perfect collection? Is it because I make friends with a lot of cool people? Is it because I like cars? Is it because I like toys? Is it because I am trying to recreate the joy of my childhood, and every inevitable failure in doing so just leads me to start again?
I have no idea. Some of those ideas are shallow, cheap, and not fair. Others might be accurate. Ultimately everyone collects for their own reasons, and there is probably a mix of reasons you are happy to admit to and others you’d like to keep sheltered away.
Collecting is also a window into the best and worst of us. It is in many ways a trivial pursuit. Literally pursuing a toy that you can put in your possession, so you can feel the satisfaction of having it and telling people you have it. No reason to judge that, as I am the first to say it can be very satisfying. But it can distort itself quickly, taking more headspace than it needs to, demanding more than it should, and forcing itself higher on the list of life’s priorities.
It can create lifelong friendships, but also baffling rivalries. It can bring joy to someone’s life, but also completely destroy one’s family structure. It can make one person share the joy of the latest acquisition, while make another share the strange satisfaction of simply having more of one thing than someone else.
This is a free write. Just me letting my fingers move on the keyboard. Maybe because with all the others things I do I miss just writing. But my mind is somewhere. Not ignorable, these thoughts.
But don’t read too much into them. It isn’t about Lamley, it is about collecting. #tranquilcollecting is a thing I believe in. It comes from experience. It comes from focusing on the joy of collecting, whatever that means to you. It means in a general sense to always contribute to the hobby in a positive way. It also means to CONSTANTLY assess where collecting stands in my life, and checking to see if it is properly balanced.
And that means to not ignore my thoughts. It would be odd if I was always into the hobby. Doing Lamley means I am always on the pulse so to speak, but if I wasn’t I could see myself fading in and out. I don’t know where I am now, but my thoughts are where they are, and my job is to not ignore them. Plus I love writing about them.
This is very much related to the fact that the world itself is demanding our attention, asking us to put trivial things aside. It is also related to the fact that COVID-19 is not going anywhere, and we are all coming to terms that life is changing rapidly, and the new normal will be more about NEW and less about NORMAL.
The hobby can provide relief from reality, and that is a good thing. But as it can also be a microcosm of life in general, it should also be a place to reflect change and new thinking. Systemic change means changes in the massive and the minute, and the collecting world falls right in.
So if collecting for me is boring at the moment, that is actually pretty cool. It is because I realize it is. It means I can happily put my brain elsewhere, and know the hobby isn’t going anywhere. It will be there for me when I want to come back. It will also give me an assuring smile, and a wave, and send me off into the sunset if that is where I want to go.
This is no manifesto. Collecting isn’t boring. The hobby is more dynamic than it has ever been. There is plenty for me to enjoy. There is plenty for me to write, talk, and chat about in this Lamley world that has been created. I love doing it.
But telling you what is coming, what I think is cool, and even worse, adding some fun facts to what you collect has its limits. I am evolving, Lamley too, and I am enjoying talking more. Talking to you, not just about what you collect, but what your life is like. Using the hobby as a connection only, as a starting point. Creating a stronger dynamic, one more honest and real. Don’t come to me just to find out what is coming out soon. Come and tell me what you like. How you collect. When you are sick of it. When you can’t get enough. And I will tell you the same. Let’s connect. (And I will still tell you that Hot Wheels is making a new Trueno when I can. I can’t yet.)
Let’s see where the 1/64 hobby can take us. I have learned that there are a lot of interesting people in this hobby, and they can take us to new places.
Sometimes I will write about where my mind is. Mine is here. No further along than where I started writing a few minutes ago. But a little better after writing.
I have no idea what all this means. I am looking forward to showing some cool shit here and telling you why I like it.
-jtl
I collect model cars because I love cars, and I love playing with Hot Wheels and Matchbox. Always have and always will. It’s my escape from reality. Yes, the hobby has changed a lot in the last 10 years (especially after the rise of social media) with new people coming in, both good and bad. Same for the way we buy models nowadays. I personally think we used to have more fun back in the day, when there were no sneak peeks, no Instagram leaks and finding new models by physically going to the store was always a surprise and a satisfying experience (and also easier to do). But I’m not really complaining, as life moves on. I have tried to prevent myself from going after the numbers or particular models for the sake of saying that I have that model (lack of money helps a lot in this case) and so far it’s working. But one thing that hasn’t changed for me even after more than 10 years is the joy I get when I hold a Hot Wheels or Matchbox that I really like in my hand, and read about it on the internet. That’s what keeps me in the hobby. The day that will stop happening is when I will leave. Hopefully, that won’t happen anytime soon.
I have just been collecting Die Cast Cars of all scales, but mostly the 1/24 or the 1/18. This invective hobby has led me to collecting Cast Cars, Wooden Cars, Tin and Pressed Tin cars and now I have started to collecting Tractors (Farm Tractors). When I say cars that also includes Trucks. I recently left Facebook and Messenger for some personal reasons. Nothing bad on my part. I am now trying to find Die Cast Groups that not only offer buying and selling, but also offer dialogues with other Collectable Enthusiasts. These Groups also offer advice and solutions to problems you might be having. Like on a whim I ordered what turned out to be a Japanese car that is not related to any of the well known models. I have a problem with the coating. It is made out of some kind of metal that looks like stainless steel, which I am sure it isn’t. There are light spots on the coating and I need some advice on how to polish them out. My main issue is finding groups to join. Can you offer any advice on these two issues?
Thank You
Stephen Ayers
Let me tell you about the best two cars that I don’t have any more. One is the Jaguar XJ220. I bought the car at a supermarket, opened the package – I’m not a true collector and new at that too 🙂 – and when I packet the stuff to the trunk of my car, I put the Jaguar in my photo bag. And completely forget about it for weeks. After some time, we went to see my 1,5 year old nephew, I took my photo gear. And when I was fishing in the pocket for a battery, I found the Jag. Now it’s my nephew’s Jag. Nice orange one.
The other is a Porsche 934.5 mainline one. Black with blue rims. That went to the little guy who lives couple of doors away. We met in the elevator, he showed me some toy he had with him. So I left a – truth to be told, duplicate – Porsche on the doorstep the next morning.
Sometimes it’s good not to have some cars any more.
You have literally written most of the thoughts in my mind. Some of them are scary to ponder.
The important point is that every collector should learn and practice how to have and maintain the right balance between their hobbies and their responsibilities.
Thank you John.
Well said. There is always room for sensible reflection.
This was very pertinent for me to read as I’ve been feeling the same way recently. Bogged down and surrounded by die-cast models, I’ve really started to reflect on what it means to perpetually accumulate material possessions that ultimately don’t do anything but sit there and look pretty.
Does collecting toy cars actually make me happy, or does it provide a fleeting sense of instant gratification that must be reignited with another new acquisition a little while later? What effects does the collecting hobby have on issues like environmental degradation and social injustice around the world – particularly in Malaysia, Thailand and China where most die-cast models are produced? What makes me happier, spending money on objects or spending money on experiences? Does it really make sense to go out and buy toys, or even purchase them on the internet during a global pandemic? All of these questions have been on my mind for a while, but even more so now that we’re seeing major changes in our daily lives.
There’s no arguing that I like cars, and it’s quite enjoyable to have a collection of replicas representing the real cars I’ll never own. What I’m realizing now, among other things, is that there’s a limit to it. There are only so many die-cast miniatures that I can actually appreciate at one time. The rest just sit in storage, and if they’re doing that, what’s the point? They’re just taking up space. I have some wall displays and a peg board for carded models, and those are the cars I enjoy daily. Other times I will take out my cases of loose cars and pull out some to admire as well, but there comes a point – if you’re not getting rid of them as fast as you acquire new ones – where you’re practically swimming in them. That’s where I’m at, and I think I’m going to be making some changes, be they pressured by the pandemic or not.
It has not become boring to me. Over the years my time collecting, or hunting for things I want, has been going down. I just found a new model vw beetle matchbox in a box at a grocery store. I really like it, and it will sit where I can see it, at least for awhile. That vw is giving me more enjoyment than the dirty blonde gasser I got the week before. I am not bored. Just tired of some of the expense. Like, I told a collector friend today that I was thinking of abandoning the expense of the rlc cars in favor of some greenlight casts, especially the trucks, that I like. But, I would have to buy those online since no stores really carry them. I have never tried to get things because I get to have it and nobody else does. It is just nice to know that some pieces are unlikely to be found in most collections. I still look for the latest hw cases. But I know that even if the casts I want never show up at retail around here, it will be fun to find them years from now at a show as something new that I do not have. Not bored. Just patient and no longer willing to spend as much time and money for the newest and latest. I can foresee dumping large amounts of my collection and becoming more selective. But not yet. Like, I have allot in my collection that I would select to keep now, that I might not have ever gotten. Only a dollar more. But, where to put it all. Ha.
I’m torn. As prices for certain models has skyrocketed over the last couple months (Boulevard 993!!) I am excited as some parts of my collection are incredibly valuable. But at the same time, as prices go up it gets harder and harder to find what you’re looking for.
I made a decision in January to start selling off the parts of my collection that never see the light of day. If I can’t display it or I don’t want to display it, it’s for sale. I don’t want to leave a burden for my family if something happens to me. They know of the value so it would be a huge chore for them to try to sell everything since they wouldn’t dare throw or give them away. However despite working from home and ostensibly having more free time I haven’t listed anything for a few months. I don’t go hunting – and when I do go to the store, I rarely find anything worth buying or I don’t feel motivated to actually buy it.
I don’t know where this is going either. But I will say, if 95% of my collection disappeared overnight and I got what I paid for it back, I wouldn’t be upset.
In a sick twisted way, the pandemic has actually benefited my collection in the sense that I can’t go out to the store, find a bunch of cars, and waste more money that could’ve been saved in the bank. Plus, when I actually do go out, I either encounter empty pegs or old stock. Same old shit. More money saved though. I say this because I’ve been collecting for the past ten years and it sure is showing when I see all of my storage totes taking up my whole closet and wall space. Just like one of the above comments said, I’ve thought about getting rid of a lot of cars that I don’t get to see or display. What’s the point? They’re taking up valuable space. It’s time to de-clutter. There is a limit to this hobby. Since there are certain cars that have value, I’ve actually utilized it, sold some valuable cars online, and used the money in order to put down on a real car. And which you rather have, a bunch of toy cars just sitting on the wall/storage or an actual car? I think that’s a no brainer.
My son, who is five, and remains largely homebound during this pandemic, has found immense joy in “customizing” all of his cars. What that means for him is adorning them with stickers and paint and scraps of tape and whatever else he can find, whatever he thinks look cool (he crookedly glued a toy airplane to the roof of a Lamborghini just this morning) then holds elaborate races across the kitchen floor. These cars, to be clear, are no longer collectible and in some cases barely recognizable but that hardly matters. It’s about the joy of play and it’s really wonderful to see. I’ve started handing over my “collectibles’ for his custom shop and no regrets.
I’m 55 and have been playing with cars for 54 years. Collecting for probably 50. The last time I actually counted all the cars in my collection (all sizes/brands) was 1997 and I had over 5,000. I have several displays up in one room that I change now and then. I just took down Emergency HW, MB, Corgi and Tomica. I put up J. Lightning cars, Majorette and Kenner Fast 1s. I left up 1:43 Yesteryear, Solido, New-Ray, Kinsmart, Welly and 5 Italian-made yesteryear-type cars I recently found at the Volo Auto Museum resale store.
While switching out cars, I went through my earliest cars and had a wonderful time looking at them. I do this a few times a year. I have a great time with my collection. I’m not crazy about going to the stores anymore all that much. Right now, due to the pandemic I suppose, new stock isn’t showing up. Of all the cars I’ve owned, the only ones I no longer have are 1 HW that was stolen in 1st grade, a MB that a neighbor kid stole when my Mom had to babysit him, a number of the original Mystery HW in the black-plastic bubble-on-card that I had extras of and gave away at Halloween and 10 HW 5-packs that I sent to the little boy (in Texas?) who was kidnapped off his school bus and held in an underground bunker by some insane old man.
I’ve never sold anything and I never will. I open most and roll them. Eventually I’ll be gone and whoever I will them to will make some good money. As for now, I’m still having a great time with my diecast car collection.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about where you are at this very moment. It’s refreshing to hear such honesty. You do so much and in reality, you owe it nothing. Yes, this hobby has its highs and its lows, brings us great joy at times and makes us crazy at others. I tend to be so busy so much of the time that I only get brief moments to tap in, but I’ll try to be more mindful about sharing some deeper thoughts on the subject.
Well said — I love this post and the discussions that have sparked from it. I will be the first to admit, and my wife will be a close second, that I have too many cars. I have been collecting literally my whole life (my parents got me my first car, a blue Hot Wheels Turbo Heater before I was even born) and have amassed somewhere between 15-20,000 of the things since then. I’ve bought Hot Wheels/diecast branded board games, signs, coloring books, storage cases, playsets, tracks – basically anything 1/64, I’m game. The hard part about loving and collecting such a relatively affordable and small item like a Hot Wheels is that it’s easy to overdo it without knowing you’ve done so. A 22 gallon Rubbermaid tub holds what? 400 mainlines if you stack them right? Before you know it you have 50 bins overflowing in your basement and can spend hours looking for a single car you bought 10 years ago.
The COVID crisis has helped me realize the scope of the issue. Staying home and organizing my collection really helped bring to light the problem that is over-buying. What I am currently experiencing is what I think many of us long-term collectors are experiencing: diecast overload. It’s not that I’ve lost love for them by any means, but rather a redirection of that love is what’s needed. I’ll go through my collection, pull out various cars and say, “why did I buy this?”. At the time I was excited to find the newest color or freshest release, but some of that joy faded after it got locked away in a bin. Then there are cars I look at everyday and go, “damn, I love that car”….what I am trying to say is that I think collectors are now starting to realize that quality over quantity is best for a truly harmonious collection. I personally think that is why we’re starting to see a surge in the premium lines like TLV, RLC, Inno64, Mini GT, and many other brands that really bring a static car to life for many of us adult collectors, well beside the Lamley hype influencing us all, of course lol.
Displaying, showing them off and enjoying them are where I’m at now. Even if it means parting with some less-loved castings, that will free up the budget to buy more displays in order to let me enjoy more of the collection, more often. And it will make my wife happy to see those bins dwindle, which may be the best payoff of all.
Nicely said my man!
I’ve just started really getting into collecting not long after you started your blog, which was probably a couple months. I followed you like a lost puppy dog and when you featured a ‘Daily’ item or a ‘First Look’, I would become so enamoured with a particular casting I would have to have it & chase it down until I got it!
I love how a car was photographed and it fueled my desire to get that certain featured item.. call it ‘Lamley hype, but if you something you loved, chances are people were out there to possibly scoop it up.
You’ve come along way & though you seemed to have expanded, you went through ups & downs, so yes.. sometimes as collectors we have to stop & assess. I collected rarities hard to come by, picked up mainlines & after keeping them a few months, returned to the store or sold them. I’ve purchased based on popularity/hype, but realized after a while I didn’t need that particular item so much. I have some I won’t ever get rid of. There are some out there I still want, but either I’ll still get or won’t because of the absurdity of cost.
Anyhow, keep up the awesome work, take a break, take it easy & keep it going the way you see fit!
Really great discussion, thanks everyone. A few months ago motivated by some similar feelings I posted that I’d be OK if Hotwheels had to cease production – almost relieved. I thought maybe this would be seen as unsayable but reading these comments I feel there’s genuine questions being raised. I still love little cars but I think the pollution caused by the industry is a real problem, especially when you see the 100’s of new items in all scales every month. Calm down!
I know of a redline collector several years ago who spent over $200,000. The wife left him, and he lost his house as well as almost everything else he had. This is an extreme example, but it’s sad when someone has an obsession that can’t be quenched. I’m actually grateful for the times I’m bored with collecting, as it balances everything out in the long run.
I really appreciate your style and enthusiasm for the hobby. I was bored with collecting and turned to customizing. Diecast cars take me to a simpler time and help me escape from stress. These tiny, creative, little toys bring me a sense of temporary joy. It’s a hobby. It should not overtake our emotions and create financial struggles or marital stress.
As a child Hot Wheels were my world. I always had 1 or 2 in my pocket. To this day if I am feeling down I will put one in my pocket and take it with me to work. I have been known to sent them rolling down conveyor belts and slides. If I scare someone or make them smile by being childish….mission accomplished. Most of the time when I have a car sitting on my desk, it randomly gets picked up 4 or 5 times during the day by a jealous onlooker. Occasionally someone will ask to keep it, but it always makes them smile.
I enjoy meeting other collectors who have a story about certain cars. I create my own diecast to relive good memories. Others because their dad or grandfather had that car. That’s another reason I turned to customizing. I can remake grandpa’s old flatbed farm truck, or I can make that race car hauler how I feel it should look. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Arguably, no, it’s only gotten more interesting. Used to be, go to store, find old stuff, or even worse, nothing, and then realize you wasted a trip, as that certain store (in my case, Walmart) is not one you typically go to. Now, on the internet, I’m becoming more interested in the more exotic (at least to us Americans) brands from Asia and Europe, as well as some South American stuff (some Buby, among others is very high on my list). Auto World, JL, and M2 are commonly found online at MSRP from dealers. Walmart only has old stuff. Hobby Lobby, same, and it’s overpriced. Greenlight–see the last sentence. Online, very easy to find at MSRP; and even some Hobby Exclusive stuff I won’t find at HL.
At present, it’s mostly older pieces pre-1980 that are coming into my collection; along with modern Majorette and Siku. HO scale is also seeing a revival, as I’ve bought a Marklin set; and am pretty much buying it as an excuse to buy more 1:87 German models from the likes of Herpa and Wiking; among others.
And even with a lot of online purchases, my bank account is actually lookin better than it did. A lot less online purchases.
I have been collecting Hot Wheels since they first came out….yeah..I am old! I have always collected stuff…baseball cards…old bottles… fossil’s ( I grew up in an area where they were plentiful )….and Hot Wheels + other die cast cars. I mainly collect Ford’s…especially Mustang’s!
I think love of Mustang’s happened because my best friend, for over 50 years, got one when we were in high school. It was the coolest car I had ever ridden in…my parents always bought station wagons. So…it was nice to seen in my buddy’s Mustang…we were the coolest guys in that car.
I also collect NASCAR die cast…and it’s a shame Hot Wheels gave up producing NASCAR die cast. I have a lot of them stored in totes…and wish my local Walmart and Target would keep NASCAR Authentics in stock and on the shelves! They don’t, so I end up buying them off of eBay. What I wish is that people that have YouTube channels would not go into a store and buy up every “Rare” car they see on pegs or in bin dumps. I have seen guys buy up 3 or 4 TH and STH’s and say on camera…I got one for myself and the rest I am selling on eBay. I have found multiples from time to time, and only purchased 1 Treasure Hunt for myself and left the others for other collectors.
Just my opinion only…but I think that if collector’s hoard up the “good cars”… it’s only discouraging new collector’s.
maybe you just have a reduced or altered levels of dopamine and serotonin neurotransmitters which don’t stimulate your axons as much as they used to
I cannot say that I am bored with collecting, but I have questioned my motives over the years. There was a time when I had an entire room in our house dedicated to 1960s Lesney era Matchbox. Every day, another package would arrive in the mail, and the toy room would continue to swell with models. I stepped back and asked the hard question – to what end?
I travel a lot, and one of my fears was dying in an accident, leaving this diecast dynasty for my wife to sort out. It seemed like a selfish thing to do.
So, I decided to keep my favorite 100 models.
The collection shrank immensely, but as a display it was much more focused and interesting. Quality experience over quantity experience.
The money made from my auctions went into my small classic car collection, and I was free from the daily ebay shopping bug. The money I spent on those daily deliveries is now going towards out next house, and we have more money to travel with. I love my smaller collection of diecast models, but trips around the world are just better.
Since selling off most of the Matchbox, I have expanded a little into other brands. I have a tidy collection of Tomica TLVs, Schucos, and AutoWorlds. I will likely thin these out a little bit, just to maintain control of the collecting monster.
The joy of collecting went for me when it just became far too difficult and expensive to get even the basic lines of models I have collected since I was a kid. I spent an awful lot of money over the decades on Matchbox and Hot Wheels, and when the Pixar Cars line started I got into those as well. As far as Matchbox was concerned I was a completist, but when it got to the point where my usual go to guys for the rare stuff had trouble even getting the basics themselves that’s when I had to give up on a hobby that I had fully immersed myself in for a long,long time.
The lack of product hasn’t prevented me from my love of stopping by this site, fully appreciating the enthusiasm the likes of David Tilley still have for the hobby, but my money has been diverted entirely to my other lifetime loves in record buying and football shirts. I have yet to decide whether or not to commit to selling my diecast collection, but for the time being I have great memories of how I amassed it and meeting some great people involved in the hobby along the way.
I wouldn’t say boring … definitely frustrating. With so many folks previewing and/or providing sneak peeks, well in advance of release dates, I find my stress and frustration levels growing as I patiently wait for product to hit pegs. My collection is on the small side compared to most, because I only purchase online what isn’t available at stores and regularly purge unwanted items. The manufactures release dates all seem to be on the same cycle, resulting in a feast or famine situation for collectors. The bubble is about to burst and I think that might be a good thing … time for a reset.
This was an interesting post to ponder.
I have loved diecast since I was a small child and I’m old enough (and young enough) that I received most of the red lines as childhood gifts, didn’t sleep for weeks after the Sears, JCPennys or Montgomery Wards Christmas catalogues arrived, and I’ve replaced most of two childhood collections stolen (both devastating events).
I’ve never been to a convention, never attended any club events, and (hangs head in shame) only in the last few years did I even realize youtube features diecast orientated videos. All my cars are out of the box. I have also probably given thousands of cars away as gifts, including to little kids stuck with grandma and grandpa on the road.
I love your videos not just because of the neat cars, but because I don’t even see them as investments, as status, or a competitive thing but as brief glimpses of merriment and respite from everything that can make life challenging.
So much of our lives involve change. Retail stores we grew up with have vanished or are shutting their doors now during these challenging times. But the diecast finds, these almost seem to be timeless, rooting me in specific times, the simple gifts from relatives I loved, linked to locations, events, and these memories extend beyond the toy I hold. They are priceless.
I was a trucker for decades–(think millions of miles) and as part of my routes got hung up in several riots, saw way too much carnage on the highways/innrr cities, but –one of the few human moments I enjoyed during my months on the road was finding a WalMart or Big K with truck parking. The Hot Wheels aisle made me feel human again. Although I saw some collectors do atrocious things–and this was really before Ebay made things worse–such as ripping cars right out of little kids hands. I’d score a few cars here and there and it made me feel reconnected again.
I now live on a mountain in the northern rockies, the closest town has only 190 people and the closest big box stores are over a 120-140 miles round trip away. I still collect — and I hope I always will. Just as I hope you keep producing these wonderful videos because for many of us, they provide a sense of connection, joy, and unity–something the world can never get enough of.
If this were the only comment, the post would already worth it 🙂 Thanks for the story.
HOLY COW! Sorry for the above, I don’t think I realized how long it was 🥺
I been a car addict all the time I can remember. This really hits home. I’ve had collecting breaks. I always return. This year with the pandemic it’s different. I now realise I gotta try sell some on to build my future. I will return but until I get my own property this will be on hold or the very least cut down.
Good read John and interesting discussions.
It’s said people with hobbies live longer happier lives, hence I have many hobbies and I’m very happy . I’ve never read too much into the ‘why’ of it , or do I question my time spent in the garden/garage , it’s just a thing we do .
My wife jokes that I don’t have the money or time for Drinking , smoking and Gambling so she’s happy , and everyone knows a happy wife leads to a happy life .
This was a Great post! & had some incredible responses! I think the Hobby is as alive as it has ever been, and while I certainly do not wish anything bad in our space here I agree with someone else’s comment here saying “The bubble is about to Burst” we can look at where the Economy was pre Covid-19 & reflect on where it is now, pretty easy to see that nothing churns on all cylinders forever! Even the finest machines break down, just like the Economy tanked & life as we know it changed so quickly in just a few short days, weeks etc. This Hobby is kind of the same way, the long timers & Lifers here in the hobby I think would surely concur with me here. Many of us been thru this cycle many times, while there will be downsides it wont outweigh the Positives. Ultimately it will be better in the Long run! I think its definitely time for a Reset like many here have already said. Anyone who made it this far into my Ramble thank you! John thanks for the so eloquently written thoughts & being honest & open. I would be the 1st to admit when I first stumbled accross Lamley Group I didn’t get it, but over the years, after many Videos, meeting u at Conventions a few times & diving deeper into the Lamley World u have made quite the impact on this Great Hobby we All share & I thank u for that! I am a Fan! 😉 I tell people ALL the time that the People are the real Star in this show & the many characters they play! The Catalyst that drives & sparks this is the Little cars which really is just a Bonus. But the Discussions, debates, friendships, & great conversations, heck just the communicating with Other Diecast Nuts & New Collectors Old Collectors & All points in between, THAT is the real Prize, the Superest Super Hunt of All, Each & Everyone of you! Thanks again John I wish u well in your continued Journey & ALL the Lamley Tribe (even the Haters)✌
I’ve read alot of your pieces here and this is actually my first comment. I don’t comment simply because I don’t feel it’s any different than what most people share. Just wanted to say, fuckin stellar piece. I apologize if swearing is not allowed but that is where my mind is. Stay well and healthy.
I’ve loved diecast from as long as I remember. Photos as a child I always had a toy car in my hand. Its stayed with me . I have a family with a tolerant missus. I will never get bored and never be ashamed. Its a hobby I always will love. Some mocked, but hey ho…. I’ve always wanted stuff from your end and never could obtain. Eg Mbx products and so on…… Sometimes its just disapoinmant and also too much faffing around price wise. Its a brand which deserves more UK coverage again .How things are at the moment “weirdness”…. Many more things I would like to add…. But….. Just keep sane and don’t watch too much media. Regards to all and keep well. Thanks for writing….. From UK side .
I am bored with it, not the actual products, but with everything surrounding it, the lack of support and help from brands, the lack of product of all brands at proper prices, the lack of help from others, when you yourself go out of your way to help others when you can, the scalpers that take all the best stuff before anyone else gets a look in, the fact that when we do get a new batch of something they are always priced at significantly more than the USA, and that i do not understand, why do we pay nearly £2 for a Mainline HW when you can get them for less than $1 in the USA, and they have more expense with long cards, there are never any events, or store specials and its like the UK is just a second thought, when we have a lot of collectors with significant collections, mine is over 14,500, with the large majority of models purchased in the last couple of years from the USA, or on other brands like Majorette, NOREV, Schuco etc, as they are easier to get hold of.
The lack of help from the USA, is astounding, you ask in Germany, France, Italy, even Greece and there are reams of people wanting to assist, yet from the USA, not a sole, ever, even though the questions for help have been asked many many times, from many people.
I have to agree with Jonboy; The distribution of Matchbox in the UK is a joke – but a sad one. Who would have thought the only place to find MB in a shop is in one grocery chain and then in about a tenth of those? And that’s singles 5 months behind, and forget working rigs, skybusters, superfast, moving parts, convoy or any other MB range. Mattel cannot be bothered; so they shouldn’t be surprised if collectors and kids lose interest. Anticipation will only go so far if there’s nothing to buy….OK OK, just another Mattel moan!!! But it’s a shame when the products have (mostly) returned to form that the only way to get them is pricey postage with ridiculous.duty and collection charges. How about Mattel supplying a UK equivalent of Wheel Collectors.at trade prices? I’m bored with this situation too, so if the makers can’t be bothered, I’ve started to lose interest too.Just saying….
I Live in New Zealand. Sadly for myself and others, I have to agree with Tim and Jonboy. I have looked forward to acquiring some of the new releases of the past 3 years or so but the chance of finding them at the usual outlets is more or less nil. Hot Wheels seem to be grossly overstocked; there are dump bins full of them, while Matchbox stocks are severely restricted. I can find what I want on ebay and online diecast dealers but paying an average $30 for post on a $5 model is just ridiculous, more so with import duty being charged on the freight, not just on the model. Given that Mattel own both marques, MB and HW, there is no good reason for this situation. I am grateful that Greenlight is freely available here.
I wouldn’t say it’s gotten boring. It’s just the lack of not being able to buy anything new has hampered collecting over the past three months due to stay-at-home orders and stores not getting new stock. But now that stores are getting new items in, the hunt is back on.