Mattel Disney Pixar Diecast CARS: Tanya Says …
Tanya who I think actually began collecting before me sent me these well reasoned and thoughtful comments … I thought, well, okay, there’s a first time for everything 🙂
So, thanks Tanya, I think other TakeFivers will find them insightful …
Top Ten List of Reasons Why I Cannot Collect Disney Cars Anymore
Before I begin my list, I must quote Mattel (www.corporate.mattel.com/about-us/ethics.aspx):
Mattel’s reputation for product quality and safety is among its most valuable assets, Our commitment to product quality and safety is an integral part of our design, manufacturing, testing and distribution processes, and is essential to the success of our business. Children’s health, safety and well-being are our primary concern. We will meet or exceed legal requirements and industry standards for product quality and safety. We strive every day to earn our consumers’ trust through our dedication to safety, and to exceed the expectations of parents.
Mattel’s brand and product promotion activities, including advertising, packaging, point of purchase displays, promotional programs and sweepstakes, should be conducted in a manner consistent with applicable laws and with our reputation for honesty and integrity. We adhere to high standards of commercial fairness in ads and promotions. We must accurately portray the features, quality and performance of our products in all advertising media and packaging in a manner appropriate for our target audience. We do not misstate facts or provide misleading or deceptive information about Mattel’s products, or the products of a competitor.
10. The repeated use of the statement “Collect them all” and the issuance of Collector’s Guides suggest it is possible to collect all advertised items. Why then should certain markets be discriminated against or deliberately excluded from receipt of identical product? With the exception of “chase” items, all product advertised on packaging currently distributed to consumers should be available in all markets. Store specific items should be offered in all markets with the same formula in mind – if “ABC” is a US only store, “DEF” should be the Canadian equivalent to allow Canadian consumers an opportunity to purchase the same item, as these items are not designated “chase”, but exclusive to said store. By not providing an alternative for foreign markets, those consumers are being discriminated against. What is Mattel’s definition of fairness? Are Americans in select states the only ones considered “target audience”?
9. Lack of feedback, input or reasonable physical response to casing policy and distribution plan. We’ve being saying this from day one. How can a store offer the correct merchandise if this is not addressed?
8. Apparent favoritism of certain internet “stores” over physical stores in an attempt to keep price of items higher than MSRP. Certain items are offered in bulk to certain online stores, and remain unavailable in stores. (Not accusing any sellers that are directly or indirectly associated with T5AD)
7. Re-release of existing models in different colored/designed packaging – which is manipulatively done to encourage purchase by “mint condition” collectors, and despite their epic displays of loyalty, Mattel still feels the need to extract further money from their wallets.
6. Too many repeats of the same car in each case issuance – Lightning McQueen being #1, followed by Ramone – instead of releasing cars that are advertised but still have yet to appear in stores. Many are still waiting to collect cars that were advertised 3 years ago, but instead are offered repeats of widely available cars.
5. Chase cars that have one completely ridiculous alteration or addition – ie paper “autograph” (with cheesy silent pun) or lenticular versions of repeat items.
4. Many non chase cars are only available in the USA when all cars are imported through Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. International consumers have to rely on eBay, friends and self travel to obtain these items, though Mattel continues to distribute other toys to these countries.
3. Infighting between collectors, enthusiasts and parents resulting in hoarding, overpriced bidding and ghetto brawls at the toy store. Mattel is and always has been the problem – not each other!
Also: As a voice for frustrated parents and/or collectors, and as an alternative to appease those who do not share the same sentiment, a petition was created to vent frustration and possibly divert complaints from Cars blogs and chat rooms. But it has brought to my attention that people have been discouraged from signing their name to the petition for fear of ridicule. Despite it’s long intro, the facts were clearly outlined. It appears that not everyone’s opinion is welcome on the internet no matter where it may be. Prejudice knows no boundaries… Despite that, the petition will continue to remain where it is for whoever wants it. I still stand by my position and will argue it vigorously.
2. I’m still waiting for the return of Sarge – a car Mattel forced consumers to return because there was lead in the toy and it was unsafe for children to play with. That is a direct acknowledgement that Cars were not exclusively a collector’s item and that it should have been widely re-released to the public. Only those who did not intend the toy to be opened kept it, possibly for future resale – which may result in a child playing with a dangerous toy somewhere down the line.
1. Who are the most important people being ignored in Mattel’s decisions? Children. When they are happy, parents are happy. When parents are happy, shareholders are happy. Win-win-win. Since this doesn’t appear to be Mattel’s goal, I don’t see why I should be compelled to continue, especially in the current economic situation. What was supposed to be a fun hobby for me and my son to do together has now become too expensive to keep up. A 9 year old does not get enough allowance for this. I don’t have enough allowance for this, especially being unemployed for so long!
I really enjoyed chatting with everyone, and keeping up to date with Cars. Take5ADay has consistently been a great source of entertainment and information. We have our differences, just like anywhere else in the world, online or in person. Too much will have to change for my heart to be in it again. Until then, I’ll pop in every once in a while to say howdy, and check on what’s new, but no more ranting or complaining from me. Like me or loathe me, I know I am not alone in the way I feel.
We are also not selling our collection – it was always for playing with and my son is still happily doing so. As a matter of fact, I’ve just updated the labels and cases. But now I ask, what will cause the end all for you?
Thanks Tanya … comments & opinions welcomed …
| « Mattel Disney Pixar Diecast CARS: The Lenticular CAR Asterisk* | Mattel Disney Pixar Diecast CARS: Final Lap CASE D Out & Metallic Finish Ramone in the UK » |
28 January 2010
124 Comments
SO true!
I said this some time ago – Mattel Pixar “CARS” diecast has “JUMPED THE SHARK”.
The thrill is gone!
The nearest Wal-Mart and K-Mart is a 30 minute drive.
NO Target stores, NO Toys-R-Us stores.
The Wal-Mart is a “resort” store and does NOT stock alot of toys – maybe a third to half of what other Wal-Mart stores do!?!
The K-Mart ONLY stocks new product on event days!?!
So, that only leaves online to get new stuff – which is usually OVERPRICED plus add the cost of shipping?!?
Stores do not like to order alot of product and have since cutback their toy departments.
Mattel compounds the problem with poor distribution and even worse case selection (Hasbro is notorious for this same problem).
Store “exclusives” are a terrible concept and should have been done away with years ago!!!
If we cannot find a regular source of new product (at regular retail prices) then, we as collectors, lose interest and will simply take our LIMITED INCOMES elsewhere to collect something else or just stop collecting all together!!!???!!!
Tanya has really spoken out what’s in my mind. For me who’s from Malaysia, an Asian country nearer to China (where Cars are manufactured) compared to US, are forced to pay big money for the Cars if bought locally.
A typical Mattel diecast 1:55 single pack Cars costs RM29.90 here, which is about USD8.50 here. However the issue is, RM29.90 to a local Malaysia is about USD29.90 to an American! So generally, it can be said that Malaysian are paying 3times the price to get the Cars.
Although I’m fortune to know a great american couple who has been helping in my Cars purchase (from US), I have to bear the expensive shipping, which makes the total costs for Cars roughly the same as purchasing locally except I could get the exclusive stuffs (SDCC, Gold McQueen etc) and get the cars which is hard to find here
I still remembered when I first started the Cars collection, the price was RM14.90, but over a period of 3 years, the price has been doubled up by local Mattel, and the best is, Mattel customer service ppl sucks (sorry for this word), they are arrogant and never helps when I called to ask about Cars stuffs.
Another dissactisfaction is of course like many ppl feel, Mattel is forcing us to buy repeated cars by packaging them with new cars! This is really not the way to make money. We are sure more than happy to pay our hard earned money to new cars, but not again and again the repeated one.
I wonder there is any government agency in US which we could bring the attention to? Or maybe some sort of online petition for Mattel to really ‘hear’ us and makes some respones
There is an online petition – click on my screen name here – You can address your concerns when you sign your name by entering your thoughts in the comments section
Hello fellow T5ers. First I would like to thank Met for all the amazing information you have supplied over the years and continue to supply on this awesome site.
I recently sold my collection because I was just not into the game Mattel was and is playing. It was fun when the prices were lower and cars were much easier to find. I have to say I do miss my unopened collection but at the same time I’m releaved it’s gone. My son still has his complete opened collection that he plays with but I am done collecting like I used to. I’m not wasting gas and the frustration of going all over town and not finding anything new. When I go to Target, TRU,Fred Meyers etc to buy diapers for my daughter or groceries etc I will wonder to the cars section to see if there is anything new for my son to open and play with but other then that I am done.
I think I will always visit this site because this site and collecting cars is something fun and special I did with my son . I really think Mattel blew it and is going to be losing a lot more people because of the selfish game that is being played.
Well I think I can go on and on but it seems like a lot of people have the same thoughts as I. So, thanks Mattel for the great memories you allowed me to have with my son while it lasted. I was hoping to enjoy it much longer but since I sold my collection I am just not into it like I used and my son seems like he is losing interest very quickly as well since it’s impossible to find anything new and I’m done driving all over town.
Met I’m still a fan of this site and I always will be. Thanks again for all the great writing and keeping us all up to date on everything cars.
Good luck to all you who still continue to collect.
(MET: Sorry to hear you’re stepping away but I hope you stick around a bit longer … hey, it can’t get any worse, right? 🙂 … ).
I am with you with the whole “mattell ruined this whole line” stuff. By the way, i will still be a fan of this site even though I will not be collecting like I used to.
Good evening everyone from the Great White North!
I have been quiet for some time now and refrained from getting into the thick of things preferring to sit on the side lines but here goes…
Seems a lot of venting is going on..and rightly so!
I for one have been collecting all the cars I can (for my son of course!) even have 4 display cases from (C…) don’t want to get in trouble for advertising…but they are beautifull cases none the less!
Has anyone ever considered,nay dared confront Mattel and give them an earfull…because I too am quite frustrated with the way they are milking collectors!
And just to make matters worst they “isolate” Final Lap in just one store…feels funny to me…I could say something else but again do not want to get in trouble with Met.
I have to pay thru the nose on e-bay to get even some basic Cars that are just not available in Canada Eh!
Time for Mattel to get their collector’s hat on and release items collectors are waiting for such as High N Low Ramone, Shiny Wax Hauler (skipping #12!?), the “ICar”, Gask-its and Tach-O-Mint and so on and so forth.
PLEASE! Mattel dump these “googly eyes” and plastic knock-off “color changers” and get back to business of taking care of the hand that feeds you!…and in all major stores so isolated locations have a chance to complete their collection without bleeding dry!
Thank you all for letting me vent a bit,
P.S. If Met does not pull the plug on me then I shall post a list of doubles I have to trade and a Want list as well.
Sincerely,
Rino
e-mail rinoco@nb.sympatico.ca
(MET: Feel free to post and post opinions and comments but only because you’re carrying hockey sticks and you’re missing a few teeth … that is all Canadians, right? 😉 ).
First and formost I want to thank Met for Takefiveaday as it has been my source of the most accurate information and entertaining discussions with other collectors pertaining to finding and collecting these incredible toys. My kids love their nearly complete set that they play with almost daily and I really miss the excited glee they with which they opened the package anytime we were lucky enough to beat the fleabay scumbags (No offense to legit sellers that arent asking completly rediculous prices that are selling anything extra they might want to get rid of.) that make it almost immpossible for “normal” folks to find anything new. My wife and I have finally reaching the point that it just isn’t worth the effort of fighting the battle of finding anything new ever since I had to be restrained from beating some manners into a very aggressive “Onliner” who actually pushed my wife out of the way at the cars display and is very well known for his anticts by the store personel, I guess he makes quite a mess of the racks and has had complaints about his aggression previously. I believe it has been well over two months since I “scored” as I call it when I found a chase DJ that wasnt even in the Cars section as it had been hidden by someone behind some nerf darts. Then you have the going away from the original design to the “googly” eye versions that were a weak effort at best in what we feel is nothing more then a cheap money grab directed at the the real completist collectors. They couldnt keep anything new on the shelves so by making the eye change, the completist had to rebuy everything all over again…. Okay…Breath… As a father who has two little boys who love these toys I am greatly saddened by Mattel’s obvious disregard for anything but milking this cash cow. I know that I continue to look if I am there at the store but no more scramble of futility for us.
Thanks again Met and good luck to all you good folks out there and Peace.
Agree with most of the comments on here! I have been slowly collecting them as and when since it started, never worrying about packaging or variants etc but here in the UK its just gone stupid now!! The main stores like Asda, Sainsburys and even Tescos are just full of lenticular rubbish..this I think is what has blown a hole in the Cars universe for me..well Mattels greed anyway. Argos was another great source but these too have gone wobbly eyed!! The Disney store was great, got many MTT Rescue Squad stuff from them but now they have ‘accidently’ lost my contact details so I don’t hear from them.At xmas I got quite a few models but these were cheap as were loose, played with (slightly chipped)so that caught me up but as we are not getting the final lap here I fear thats that!! There are no sign of the 4 pack mater greater box sets either!! and Jay limo is not even a stretch limo!! Nah, I think my collection are due to come off the shelves and into the loft!! R.I.P Cars!
MET,
Lego DUPLO Cars pics are starting to show up,
http://lego.wikia.com/wiki/Disney_Cars
currently only 4 sets due to be released, click on them to see a vey low res image…
hay maybe lego would be better at this whole, ‘running a successful bussiness and actualy gives its loyal fans what they want’ thing than mattel???
ive been a lego fan all my life and they seem to know what there doing!
there are even some fan created lego sets released.
just a shame its duplo cars and not regualr lego cars, but oh well, they are for the little kids i guess!
Anyone concider trade for custom made cars?? I need the following kmart day 1:transberry juice,sputterstop, shiny wax
kmart day 2 : clutch aid, mood springs, lil torquey pistons, no stall, easy idle. Also need sidewall shine loose without case if possible??
Anyone need customs for trade contact me: keelanlong21@yahoo.com
Well, this makes me a little sad. I am not a big fan of the lenticulars. I am buying one set of the townies in lenticular, but that was all I was planning. I sincerely hope that the remainder of the Final Lap will not be lenticular. I fully expect to keep buying final lap (provided it remains non-googly), Storytellers, Haulers and Toons right up to Cars 2. I really doubt that Cars 2 will be all lenticular, but I could be wrong. If they are, then I will have to make a decision at that point, which will probably be based mostly upon how much I love the movie.
Collecting Cars has been a great experience for me and my sons. I have made many friends and met lots of nice people thanks to this hobby, so it has truly enriched my life.
Love the use of the term “GOOGLY”!!!
I for one would be glad if the Final Lap series was available at all retailers. I hit Targets in my area quite often and have great difficulty finding anything new. The pegs at Walmart and Toys R Us are clogged with those god-awful lenticulars and color changing cars and now the Mater Tall Tales cars are starting to clog up the pegs too. And, again, I will ask the question that no one seems to be asking or answering…what happened to the Hi and Lo Ramone from the Megasize collection????
(MET: Hi Low Ramone no longer scheduled for release but that’s just the situation now – could change down the line).
It better… Matty…!?!?!?!?!?!?
hi and lo ramone was canceled?
(MET: Not really, just not on the current release schedule).
Hello,
my name is Alejandro and I’m from Argentina. I started buying Pixar cars almost two years ago for my godson. Then it grew into a small business I have here supplying other cars fans with new releases and finally I do have my own collection. I think the lenticular versions are just a way to pump more money from collectors and that new releases are trully offensive to common sence. I do want to have them all but I refuse to sacrifice more sallary to accomplish some stupid Mattel executive christmas’s bonus. If they don’t care about customers, why should I care about them. These toys are meant for children and for the reasons Tanya mentioned children are excluded again and again from enjoing their favorite characters since there are tons of main characters that you can not get unless you pay ridicoulous prices on e-bay and there are stupid versions nobody wants of cars there are too many off. So I hope we all stop buying these stupid new releases and show them we are not cows that they can milk for ever.
Hi Alejandro..I’m from Argentina too! Welcome..
So what is up with the relocating of posts…?!?!?
Last one hit 131 comments… Impressive I guess.
This one hasn’t even hit the hundred mark and we are findin’ ourselves fightin’ censorship…
Very interesting…..
Haven’t heard from you, Dude-Met-Dude, in quite some time…
They holdin’ you hostage?
Do them Lenticucraps have tiny little cameras stuck inside “em?
UFO Mater was simply a cover-up?!?!?!
(MET: I only deleted one comment that was too personal without much reasoning. Otherwise as long as you don’t slip in one of those Canadian swear words – speak away 🙂 ).
You can click on “Older Comments” at the bottom to read previous comments. I have a feeling it’s not the amount of comments, but the length of comments per page allowed maybe.
Canadians don’t swear!
Poutine-head!
PS – Glad to see you are still out there Dude-Met-Dude…
Like the fact that Zazzle has the T5 Logo cups available… Sweet stuff!!!
I can’t wait to add it to my collection of ONE Cup… In this action I am an opener and an everyday user…
Also that book on all cars up until 2009/2010 is highly anticipated… ?!?!?!? It will definitely force me to buy all three versions at once…
CAN’T WAIT – CAN’T – CAN’T WAIT!!!!!!!
I haven’t even gotten sidewall shine yet
sorry, this was supposed to post somewhere else, (just ignore)
1.)I still get that surge of adreneline when I find a new car. It just comes a lot less frequently these days. Have had to rely on Nate and Jason for happiness. 2.) I miss Martin who was a sympathetic ear and a voice of reason (and he knew things). 3.)I sent my Sarge back because my collection may eventually be played with by great-grandchildren. 4.) I’d sure like to get a new one! I’d still like to get the whole pit row haulers line up. Why don’t they work on that instead of the color changers/googly eyes (lenticulars is too classy a word for c**p). AND now let’s get on to more cheerful, positive subjects!! Umm, we haven’t had a contest for a while?
crap is too classy a word for lenticular… I was just tryin’ to keep it light for the tweens in the audience!
I’m done collecting when the Final Lap series ends which shouldn’t be long. The back of the card for the first two cases included Jay Limo but he’s not on the back of the card from the third case.
A classic eyed Jay Limo sold on Ebay in December but all the current ones on Ebay are cross-eyed. I for one can read the writing on the wall (or card as it may be).
For my daughter and I “collecting” has meant nothing more than trying to find one of every classic eyed car to open and play with.
MET, your site has been invaluable. You sir have helped me give a large portion of my salary to Mattel over the past few years and for that I thank you.
You’ll know I’m done “collecting” when I hit the donate button! 🙂
Wow…you’re right. Tons of the new cars are on Ebay and they are all moving eyes versions. This is truely sad. Even Vern is on there with moving eyes…plain suck! What’s weird is there is a guy selling One-Eyed Mater, Donna Pitts, and Nick Stickers in packaging from the US and they are non-moving eyes. I’m so confused… Mattel, please feel free to jump in here and clarify what’s going on and calm the masses!
Lots of Mattel bashing here.
Why not be glad they even make them.
Why not be glad that technical detail of this line has jumped markedly. Have a look at Sally from 2006 right through to Christmas Sally.
The detail that they are creating at this price point is amazing.
Why not blame Target and Walmart for their manipulation of the exclusivity of Cars, and ruining the availability. This is what is damaging the line more than anything else.
Mattel controls who has exclusivity. It’s a marketing sale from Mattel. I’m sure this is something that Target paid Mattel good money to have just like K-Mart probably paid for their Car’s K-Mart Days cars and the Synthetic Rubber Tires cars. However, unlike the lenticulars, I would buy every car AGAIN (Got that Mattel?…AGAIN) if they were released with normal eyes and Synthetic Rubber Tires.
Mattel and other toy companies offer exclusive toys to retailers. Hasbro does it! Mattel does it! They all do it! Go down the toy aisles and browse. Go on eBay and key in Target exclusive, Wal-Mart Exclusive, etc. It’s Barbie, it’s Cars, it’s My Little Pony, it’s the Littlest Pet Shop! Over the years I’ve seen many prototypes on collector forums that never made it to production. Why, the retailer has to buy into the concept and obligate itself to enough units to justify the cost of development. If Target did not sign on for whatever the magic number of cases are, Mattel would not produce them. As long as Mattel guarantees exclusiveness to Target, and, the consumer buys them, Final Laps will be produced. Sometimes there will be ‘first to market’ runs like K-Mart Hot Wheel cases!
PS: As to the original Sarge! Buy it in the collectible forums! If Mattel produced an exact replica of the original casting, I’m sure the collectors would scream foul. Wouldn’t you like to see a run of 10,000 of the SOS set set T5AD on fire!!!
Cars are like Hotwheels or any other collectable out there. Once you’re hooked, you’re hooked for life! You may reduce the amount you buy, but you will always look. It’s what you do after you find that one you don’t have that determines if you are really done collecting. Try not to buy it, I dare you. It’s the pursuit OF the toy that keeps me coming back for more! Plus it’s fun! 😀
I haven’t been to my Toys R Us in a while so I tooke the trek to that part of town today. They are cutting down on their “Look, My Eyes Change” cars and seem to be focusing on Mater Tall Tales because they were packed to the brim with them. It used to be the opposite for this store. I did find something odd. I found a WOC Movie Moments Dinoco Chick Hicks & Chick Hicks on the pegs. I already have both of these, but not in the MM so I grabbed it and it was on sale for $5.99. I also found a funny error Mater 4-Pack. I’ll try to upload that to Met. You have to see to believe this one! 😛 I was thinking that since WM and Target don’t seem to be carrying Mood Springs hauler that TRU must have…nope…same deal. Plenty of Sidewall Shine…not Mood 🙁 Where are people finding Mood Springs hauler at???
Ebay is usually a good indicator of the availability of a CARS item in the early stages of release.
There are only about 27 Mood Springs Haulers on Ebay, and the majority are in California, so that tells us that they’ll be slowly working their way across the country in greater numbers.
Target is the only retailer I’ve heard of people finding MS Hauler at so far.
I’m in Northern California and no sign of Mood.
I got mine a couple of days ago @ Target. Happy with it… but still no sign of Sidewall Shine…
I’m not a collector of the haulers, but, Sidewall Shine has been sitting at the local Targets in Pierce County. No Mood Springs tho!
I haven’t even gotten sidewall shine yet.
I enjoy buying Cars. My “hunting” trips are few and far between. Every once in a while I’ll hit multiple stores in one day, maybe going 200-300 miles in doing so (along with doing other things while I am out). Otherwise, it is just once or twice a week when I am in town, and then not every store I could go to. But I enjoy it still. Don’t care if the eyes move or not. Wish they would come faster, but have faith I will find them eventually, or will just buy them online.
I know these are toys, and I am not the target audience. I get most all of my information about the cars from Take Five, and I respect that everyone has the right to post an opinion on these matters. Also, I would like to thank everyone involved in keeping the news current, from the fine folks who do the work on the site to their sources that keep them in the know.
Saying that, it is getting harder to read when all of the comments seem to be so much more negative than positive. It is just something I don’t enjoy. Please don’t think I am telling anyone not to express their view, I am just saying as it seems to turn more and more negative, I find myself less interested in reading the comments. Anyway, snow’s a coming. Hoped to get to Target tomorrow, might have to wait till the first of the week now. and that is okay.
MET:
Obviously you have some contacts at Mattel or somewhere b/c where else would you obtain the information that you do. Can you reach ANYONE at Mattel, WMT, TRU, TGT and get them to look at this site. There is money to be made out there: on the rest of the final laps, haulers, pit crew teams, mater tall tales, etc., but it feels like this ship is sinking, and the captain (Mattel) either doesn’t care or doesn’t know?? in this economy, one would think that a toy company would be eager to here that there are customers out there who want to buy product, BUT they can’t find it. Is there anything you can do, or have you already tried??
As with many great toy lines it is hard to keep going!!
For example almost everybody had the original masters of the universe figures but the figures that came out 6 years after were ignored by most people and usually become even more sought after in the future!!
Because years from now people will want A complete collection especially the later less produced ones when intrest was fading away!!
And it is still only A year untill CARS 2 so we are nearing the end of every car from movie 1!!
Not talking about story tellers or mater tall tales!!
I want to advice everyone to hold on untill number 2 hits the screens!!
From there on I will see which direction Mattel is heading!!
Keep it up,impossible to resist when I find A new model!!
i decided to stop collecting, im selling off 90 percent of the collection, my son has most of what im selling so it doesnt matter to him. im only keeping the almost complete msos set and the cars toon stuff, the rest will soon go.
the reason, mattel sucks, they hold the carrot over our heads, show us all these new cars and release 10 million in each state or 500 nation wide.
they drive me crazy, and i know im not alone.
all i need is gask-its and tach-o-mint, knowing mattel if they release them they will have googley eyes or something really off the wall just to start a new line.
this fish spit back the hook, sorry mattel.
it is a tough decision being a lot of the firt cars are chipped from my son’s playing and poor finishing by mattel.(never chipped on disneystore versions). i am considering just buying all the disney store cars because for $5 each (same as final lap)you get a much better made car. it really stinks that the team sets with such little material used is $20 because i really was going to just focus on the racers from ds ,haulers and pit crews. yet it is hard to part with cool cars like elvis,hummer etc. gonna be a tough decision
I absolutely agree with you on the chipping issue with Mattel cars. I also agree that the disney store cars are way better and they don’t chip. From time to time the disney store has 1/2 off sales too on all toys. During this time the cars were $2.50 and Frank was $12.50. If you haven’t been to the disney store and you happen to be in the neighborhood of a store check it out.
Like most collector’s, my collection has shrunken completely. I went from buying 2 of the same ones to buying 1. The price increase has put a huge dent on my collection. The boxsets from Mater Tall Tales I haven’t even begun buying. The Pitcrew teams as well… (oh that reminds me… Target has them on sale until 4/30/10 for 14.99 I think… It’s a TPC so might not be at all stores YMMV).
The useless trash of lenticulars are useless and don’t care. My store has like 30 lenticular Wingos/Doc Hudsons and Mcqueens. Seriously Mattel… Oh and false advertising SIDEWALL SHINE! Come on… that pissed me off so much… make enough for everybody that sends the orders in!!! Mattel has disappointed me enough last year…
Interesting! As far a collecting Cars goes I first saw these little toys at a Fred Meyer stand alone display ‘before’ the movie premiered. My wife and I took our granddaughter the first week it was showing, and, well, the rest is history. So, that may make me nearly the oldest collector by age and interest. Living in western Washington within fifteen minutes of a multitude of chain stores I can readily state, “I never paid more than retail for anything, and, if I did not buy the toy, I could have.” A collector has to set their goals and limitations. There is nobody forcing anybody to buy anything. There is a great difference between the casual collector and the hardcore “I have to have it all” collector with unlimited funds. These are TOYS. These are not manufactured collectibles. In the past I’ve taken some flak from persons on this site with a difference of opinion and some cyber bullies. There are three entities involved in Cars- the consumer, the retailer and the manufacturer. Each has their own goals.
Break-break! In the past I’ve been accused of being too loquacious. So, those who like brevity, please scroll down to the next commentator!
Are Cars too expensive? Yes and no! The retailer is going to charge what the market will bare. I saw the price of Cars start to increase as the primary toy buying season approaches. The Final Laps at $4.99 are priced just right from Target’s viewpoint. There are no Final Laps languishing on the pegs. The demand exceeds supply. The lenticulars are headed for a nose dive in price, which is unfortunate. Why? Because the retailer does not make money selling at blow out clearance prices. That leads to decrease in orders for the future- zhu zhu pets anybody. Zhu zhu pets did not sell well in the prior year, so retailers did not order and the rest is history. I do not know the manufacturer’s cost of production, so I do not know if $3.50 to $3.99 is an adequate retail price to recover the retailers’ costs of purchasing, marketing, etc. I do know I can buy my nephew at least four Hot Wheels for the price of one lenticular, and, sometimes as many as you may want for 50 cents each. My son collects Hasbro Marvel Universe figures at $7.99 each, which I personally think is overcharging for the type of action figure it has become. So, $3.50 for a lenticular does not appear too expensive, nor does the $4.99 for the Final Laps. Bu, hey, nobody is forcing me to buy them. But, if you’re working for federal minimum wage, then Hot Wheels may even be a stretch.
The Return of Sarge. I love Sarge. I love humvees. I love helicopter gunships. I use to love the sound of F-4 Phantoms flying over my house near McChord Air Force Base. And when those Warthogs were here! Man, what a rush! When the recall occurred, I did not rush over to my friends homes and confiscate all the Sarge’s I tossed to their little boys. I told the moms of the lead recall. Hey, the kids were past the oral stage and did not lick, chew or gnaw on them. Ever read the package on Cars. Not intended for 0-3 year olds due to small parts. Keep that red gas can on Pit Crew Sarge away from junior. If you’re a collector and want the original Sarge, bid on eBay or go to a collectible show. The price has plummeted since Sarge has been reintroduced in other forms.
Brawling in the aisles. I haven’t seen it! That usually occurs when the doors open and those eBayers, resellers, and fanatics run through the store and knock over the other guests. To the contrary, every several weeks another person on this site and I sit down and have coffee and talk Cars and family matters. Very pleasant meeetings.
Chase Cars- If I see them at retail I buy one. I’m a sucker for buying by the numbers for the single pack mainline Cars. If the cards weren’t numbered, I wouldn’t buy them unless they were new castings. A premium for a worthless ‘cup’ or different packaging? That’s why today I even saw unsold Piston Cups at Wal-Mart- the same ones as last week.
Packaging- Every retailer wants to keep it fresh looking. Art work sells products- even for the little kid. If you’re a completist- stop now!
Repeating the Castings- Hey according to the National Center for Health Statistics there were 4,265,000 live births in 2006; 4,135,000 in 2007 and 4,247,000 in 2008. The toys are not intended for the 0-2 crowd, so the kids born in 2006 are just now entering the prime Cars buying years. Assuming only 50% of those births are boys and interested in Cars (sorry for generalizations Chuki Mama), that’s a lot of McQueens and Ramones to produce every year. Of course, Mattel is going to produce the prime characters.
Interet v Brick and Mortar Retailers- The big box stores control the action. They can command the prices by buying containers of Cars. The small mom and pops cannot buy at the favorable prices, and, the ones that did carry some inventory call it a mistake. They have not reordered because the new castings are sold and they have to eat the rest- no profit. Mattel does not make any money after the cases go out the door. Same with the retailers who watch the eBayers and resellers trash the stores at opening. Every piece of correspondence I have ever received from TRU, Target and Mattel acknowledges they have no control over prices once the merchandise is sold.
Lack of Feedback- I have a file folder full of responses from corporate headquarters to complaints, observations and recommendations. I even have received gratuities from Mattel and Toys R Us for bringing issues to them. I’ve talked to the head Cars buyer for Wal-Mart- nice guy. I think Target and Mattel have worked out some of the complaints of retailers and buyers. The case assortment for the Final Laps is much better than the lenticulars. I believe Target was not prepared for the popularity of the line. Case C has been easier to find around Pierce County, WA than Cases A & B- sorry the rest of the country.
Collect Them All- Don’t if you don’t want to! If Mattel did not market the collector guide, then the collector would find one on the Internet or in a die cast collector magazine. “Collect them all” is wishful thinking on Mattel’s part.
My fingers are tired! Hope this did not exceed the allowable key strokes!
Steve, you nailed it with this comment: the lenticulars are headed for a nose dive in price, which is unfortunate. Why? Because the retailer does not make money selling at blow out clearance prices. That leads to decrease in orders for the future.
The Big Gorilla (Wal-Mart) completely stopped the Movie Moments line when they languished on the pegs forever. Any Wal-Mart I stopped at back then had at least 20 packs of Buzz & Woody and usually at least a half-dozen packs of Cruisin’ McQueen & Sally.
Those UPC codes probably became red flags in their system, and they shut off all orders. Their fault? Nope, it was the marketing geniuses at Mattel who had no idea how to develop case assortments.
Lenticulars are raising red flags in Wal-Mart’s system as we speak, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Cars Toons are as well.
That is the irony of everyone complaining. Too few Cars and Mattel is to blame for bad case assormtents and lack of distribution. Too many cars and Mattel is to blame for case assortments and over distribution. Clearly Mattel can’t win.
My collecting really slowed down in the last 3 months of 2009. Other than Sarge’s Boot Camp, Lightyear Launcher w/Fiber Fuel and Chase Darrell CarTrip, I haven’t found anything else on the shelves.
My down fall that kept me collecting, was back in the summer of 2006 when they released Leakless and Nitroade’s racers, making me excited to think that I could collect all those racers we saw in the opening race. At the time the SOTS was issued, my credit was looking really terrible (your first experience with a credit card can usually lead to terrible things), so I missed out on my chance to buy what would most likely have ended my collecting about 6 months ago.
I’m pleased to say I have never encountered scalpers or fought anyone for a CARS toy. People have been kind enough to trade online, and I abide by the Golden Rule all the time. After all, with trading, it’s not just about you, it’s about the other person as well.
Currently, the Piston Cup Nights boxsets have been passed up by me at Target, and my last 3 visits have turned up no new product that I want (besides, what would be the point of purchasing a Sidewall Shine hauler, if none of us have largely gotten Sidewall Shine!?). At this point, my goal is as follows:
1) Complete the SOTS set
2) Complete what I can of the Final Lap racers
After that, as many have stated, I’ll be taking the interstate away from the Cars aisle, where have come to roost a glut of googly-eyes and Lightning McQueen dopplegangers.
“It’s hard to find a reason left to stay.”
I have sat in a lot of meetings where we have discussed ways that we can distinguish our products from the competition’s. A lot of toy manufacturers such as Tonka are putting “eyes” on their vehicles new. So I imagine that the decision makers at Mattel figured that “Lenticular Eyes” could be a way to distinguish the “Disney Cars” from the rest. However, one thing that we have learned time and time again is that just because you can do something doesn’t necessarily mean that you should!
By-the-way, is there any evidence that Mattel has ever listened to this forum?
No.
I’m glad this stuff is being aired. We play with Cars in my house – everything gets opened up. My very wise daughter decided she didn’t want to buy the “eyes” version of Cars she already had, which has saved us a lot of money. But recent releases – as well as news of upcoming Cars – have been very disappointing.
What is happening to the Cars collecting cummunity is very simular to what happened to those of us in the Nascar collecting world. Very early on there were but a few manufacturers making Nascar collectibles (Racing Champions, Ertl, Revell) then along came Action Racing Collectibles and the RCCA and the world went to hell in a handbasket. A 1:24th scale diecast that once ran $30-50 went up to $65-$75. Action wasn’t happy making just 2 scales of cars to sell, they had to make 1 clear window car, a black window bank, a clear window bank, a 1:18th scale, a 1:64 scale car, a 1:64th scale open hood. then they got the bright idea to sell them as gold plated cars, then platinum plated and copper plated. and color chrome cars. The RCCA which is the club version of ARC then began selling Elite version at $100 per car. Long story short the hobby has turned into the world at large, it’s all about the money. This is the nature of the beast.
Tanya has a lot of valid concerns/comments/feelings. I can jump on board on several of her points. All of us have not seen Mega-size Hydraulic Ramone from the 2009 catalog. Mattel, where is he? I feel sorry for the people of Canada and other international consumers who cannot go to stores and purchase the same thing we can in the United States. Mattel, whose fault is that?
I have posted on lenticulars before, I have a complete set of classic cars which requires me to only purchase new releases on the final lap card and chase cars as they roll out! I did not have the money to buy two of each when I collected my set, and watching him come un-done looking at the cars on the wall prompted me to ask him if he wanted his own set to play with. He thinks lenticulars are cool, so $5.00 for final lap or $3.50 for lenticular, the choice is easy. Also the eyes move on the character cars in the movie which is why lenticulars are acceptable to him and an additional part of that they are cool. My lenticular set includes 6 lightning mcqueens and 1 each of the townies (waiting on lizzie) and then I’m done. My son’ set includes 24 racers, 1 of every lenticular character that has been released and all Toon characters to date, plus a few haulers and a transporter. He is a happy little boy, his first question when coming in from school is Dad, can I have my Cars!
I don’t like the idea of the Chase cars going lenticular, but I don’t make that decision. The fact that they have the Ransburg paintwork will keep me buying them but I’m dis-appointed that there is a change after the fact to the chase vehicles.
There have been a lot of comments about Cars being for Kids and Mattel doesn’t care so much what collectors think or want. What about this 51 year old child who owns a complete set of almost everything they have produced because I fell in love with the World of Cars. What about that? Don’t we count!
Hop in the boat with the rest of us “older kids”! (Of course, “older” is anyone over 20 if you ask a teenager.) My wife and I got started collecting the CARS line after seeing the movie on Blu-Ray in 2008, but we caught up quickly and continue to maintain the “open 1, keep 1 moc”(except for haulers, just 1 with those). Are we stopping now? NO!
carscrazydd, I’ve said it many times…CARS is for adults as much, if not more, than kids. They don’t catch the little things like the “no line/long line” at the restrooms just before we see Elvis in the infield.
Normally, I come to TFAD to get away from the troubles of the daily grind and read some news about Cars items that are coming and what people are finding in their searches.
The last 2 days or so have been so negative that I find myself searching for other forms of distraction.
Are we all forgetting what brought us all together in the first place, without which we wouldn’t have had ANY of the die-cast vehicles that we’re all so fond of?????
“CARS”, the movie itself.
Approaching 4 years ago, yes 4 years ago, CARS came to the big screen.
How many movies still have NEW products still hitting the shelves 4 years after the movie release?
We had no idea what would follow the movie, more die-cast than any of us ever dreamed would come from such a fun, family-oriented film.
Now, everyone’s ready to jump ship?
Well said! Cars rules!
I feel sorry for who ever makes this site as well. They maintain and update it everyday! Thats pretty insane for such a specialised topic. And now the poor guy has to listen to everyone cry about how they are giving up on collecting.
This should definately stay a fun site.
MET is just trying to give all sides a chance, and that’s only fair. It’s just that we’ve all gotten used to looking forward to the next thing coming, and I think things like “lenticulars” put a kink in the armor when it’s not a change we’re thrilled with as a whole.
Joe and I are going to keep a positive outlook on whatever’s coming, hopefully many others will follow!
It was the comments from the past month that really prompted me to respond. The frustration is growing and spilling everywhere. We’ve been posting that same frustration on every other post, and the one post where one should feel free to vent is now a frustration for others. Can we agree on this: we cannot please all people all of the time? In the second last paragraph, I did resolve not to complain again on T5AD past this post and declared that I would not classify myself as a Cars collector anymore.
I am very grateful to have been directed to T5AD because I met a lot of good people and learned sooo much that I would never have known otherwise. Most people here have wanted to help each other with trades and reasonable purchases for those in need. T5er’s have been very generous. And maybe to the seasoned collector, some posts may have seemed trite, but do you realize how many new collectors have learned from Met’s wisdom and insight? Our griping may have annoyed you, but it was through those grips the learning process began. So, I will not jump the T5AD ship, but the Mattel ship – oh yeah, most def.
I think you can separate the movie from the toys. Cars was a great movie that is still a hit with kids (and many grownups!). It spawned several lines of merchandise that now stand apart from the movie.
There are other toys that began only as toys and if they had a movie or tv show, it was after they got popular, and those toys stuck around or are still around today (I can only think of Cabbage Patch Dolls, Mr. Potato Head and Lego right now).
I-am-speed – despite what you interpret from my words, every moment my son and I have shared through Cars has been and always will be positive. I think we can also agree on that.
I have found the key to happy collecting is only buy the cars you like. Chase cars?! Please! They are rubbish! The same old car with a little plastic Piston Cup, WOW!
Also, don’t keep them in the packets. Open those little suckers and play with them. My son and I love playing with our cars.
These collections will never be worth anything. Its not like in the 70’s when no one had the foresight to keep their Star Wars toys in there packets. Every man and his dog has ‘mint’ condition toys in the packet now.
As for the cars 2 line. Bring it on.
Anywho, don’t lose the love. Happy collecting everyone!
ok you guys are all right just sell your collections and make them worthless, I’m sure the demand will return right about the time the new youngsters jump on the cars bandwagon after seeing Cars 2 and their parents get hooked on the first movie and decide to pick up ‘just a couple’ of the original cars. I’ll be sure to buy anyones collection for a buck a car if they are selling.
sorry Joe this was not ment to be added to your post. My comment was just general in nature. I like what you said though
Very well written. We’re in agreement with most, if not all, points noted.
My kids actually returned a couple of their higher priced Cars items this week as they hadn’t even been interested enough to open them after being given it as rewards for good behavior. The money went to instantly opened and enjoyed Transformers instead.
How many people have contacted Mattel? I doubt they would read a petition, but they couldn’t turn their heads to 2,000 plus people ringing their phone.
Why not just called their Public Relations – 310-252-6620
People did that in the beginning, but it didn’t seem to do a thing. I called and the customer service reps said the company was “looking in to it”. You know what that means…
trying to “collect them all” was always an impossible task once you realize that they are releasing every single character in the movie including those you wouldn’t even notice if you rewind and pause 20 times.
that said, i continue to try to collect the characters i feel add to my son’s enjoyment. and for that purpose, i think Mattel has largely made the error of not making more “main” characters unavailable… where is the souvenir guy? or the winnobago McQueen’s biggest fan? or Jay Limo? plenty others… thats my gripe.
as for not making all toys available to all for purchase… there is NO TOY COMPANY ON THE PLANET that succeeds in distributing every character they have to all markets. come on, dont be ridiculous!
there’s a point where you step back and make sure you are enjoying yourself. for me, i stopped and said… why is my credit card bill suddenly 200-300 higher per month than it was before June 2009? the answer was clear… and thats when i said it is time to slow down, and then stopped shortly after. now i grab one here and there if needed, but i dont need to check on ebay every 5 minutes in an attempt to blow my family’s budget.
in the end, it is not Mattel’s fault for selling and making money on an AWESOME product. these toys are basically like crack/cocaine… you get addicted, but in the end… you are not physically addicted, when you realize cigarettes cost $7 per pack, YOU STOP SMOKING! at least the LMCQ aren’t laced with Nicotine… then i’d have an issue! 🙂
I agree with ALL that was said. and I too have decided to retire from collecting CARS.
I should have stopped when I first saw a 4 pack for $24 or Sarge’s Boot Camp for $30. This is ridiculous.
I have collected “stuff” for most of the 45 years spent on this planet. Mattel is heading right down the path that “upper deck” and “topps” took in the late 80’s with baseball trading cards. To many options can be a very bad and expensive thing. But,as my Mother has always told me, “you can’t have it all”. I always collected things, simply, because I love the chase. OK, I’ll admit my third word in life after Mom and Dad, was Batman.In this case, my two boys and I fell in love with the movie. I too am guilty of collecing three of everything when the desert backs first hit the pegs. I do love the variety that is currently out there, but do not wish to own 12 different McQueens or Ramone’s. The side ventures that have come up with the likes of “chase” vehicles, “toons”, etc do give one a chance to own a vehicle that cannot be purchased from another line at that moment. I also like the fact(but not a fan of ebay)that I’m able to connect with people in other countries. I don’t collect thinking that I’ll pay for the boy’s college education later, when I sell the collection. To you “Mattel”, please do not take the line of car’s figures down the “Hotwheels” road. People don’t hang on long for gimmicks and other distractions. Keep it straight and on target with what the collector wants.
Where do you live where you can’t find a Sarge, in Chicago area there
are many everytime I go to the stores. Not Saluting Sarge, but the Lenticulars.
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada – where all Cars are imported. They don’t stay here, they just visit. Seems odd but it’s really true.
Tres sad Dude – Tres sad…
i think the first lenticulars are ok they have fixed eyes and the eyelid closes but this new version i dont care for 2 sets of shifty eyes comon man whats that? new way to get our money not buying it.
I don’t know but I speculate that some minds at the Mattel think tank had ideas or may even have had requests from consumers for moving eyes cars, based on the fact that in the movie the eyes on the character cars are seldom fixed, or maybe they thought that collectors from all walks of life would go absolutely nuts over the lenticular idea and they wouldn’t be able to make them fast enough. But the end result is there they are on the pegs, you can collect them all or pass them by.
Wow third wild and crazy day in row on this. I not happy either but I can say that I won’t sell this collection. Every time I look at it I think about all the fun me and my now 4 year old had finding these cars. Heck he could barely talk when we started buying these cars. The memories are priceless for me and I hope the cars will someday be priceless to my little guy.
Lenticulars was the day I stopped collecting Cars
Have tried and tried to point this out to the other “Cars site” numerous times. But I have been casted like a outcast. Mattel does not care about the collectors. They care about lining their pockets with as much money as possible. With the new WWE line, and Hot Wheels still their number one seller, they could care less about a few collectors that we are from a movie that was almost 4 years ago. I too have slowed my collecting and hunting down and now rely on people and friends that I have made to help me and my son continue this.
I would love to hear Met’s take on the whole situation. He could do a rant blog and I don’t think anyone would go agianst his thinking.
You were never alone…
Met, I couldn’t have started collecting before you! I’m Canadian, remember!!!
I like #2 the best. Mattel recalled Sarge 898 days ago. Sure, they’ve given us Saluting Sarge; they’ve given us Lenticular Sarge; they’ve given us Pit Crew Member Sarge; heck, they’ve even included “original” Sarge in a $30.00 playset. But when will we ever see Sarge as a single again? 1,000 days after the recall? Never?
This doesn’t make sense to me. Of the thousands of Sarge’s released how is it that so many on take 5 do NOT have the original sarge.
Only 1 version, the one made in China was recalled.
I have one bought at walmart that is NON-recalled that we play with and a sealed one that is also not recalled.
All these post keep saying collectors, collectors, but if all these people were truly collectors they would have the non-recalled Sarge.
Also being a collector NO one said you had to return the car, it just contains high levels of lead for a child.
I’ve got 2 Desert Art 12 Sarge and 3 Desert Art 16 Sarge. 2 Saluting Sarge, 1 Pit Crew Member Sarge, 2 Color Change Sarge, 5 Lenticular Sarge, and 1 Lenticular PCM Sarge. I’m not trying to brag. They were fairly easy to find around here.
Oh, and I returned 2 of the recalled Sarge for vouchers.
so the big question here is: Is Mattel listening?
answer: NO
I recall pointing out last year that Mattel was being distracted by putting out all of the non-canon stuff and the Mini’s stuff and Launchers stuff and the plastic stuff and etc. I said that it would ulitimately detract from our ability as collectors to get all of the real Cars. I was summarily poo poo’d on this site. Responses were generally along the lines of: “Oh it will never happen.” “Mattel can focus on everything and bring us what we want.” “Stop worrying and start collecting.” “Stop hating Mattel, they know what they’re doing.”
Now that my prediction has been proven correct, I’m just here to remind y’all: I told you so.
To answer Tanya’s question, I will stop collecting when I have one each of all of the canon characters and canon character variations from the first feature film.
I got five bucks says you won’t stop once the new characters are released from CARS DEUX>
The line is AWESOME and I know they have gone above and beyond the call of reasonable duty with the amount of characters they actually have released… So I told you so?!?!?! Meh!
I’ll be happy to take your money. In fact, you can go ahead and send it to me now and I’ll use it to buy something canon from the first feature.
Good for you dear tanya-Dude!
I have let go the bulk of my collectin’ urges since again, we are in Canada and the shelves are still stocked with Octain Gain Pity from WOC.
Lenticulars and color changers are dumb and expensive
AND THERE ARE TOO MANY CARD BACKS TO HUNT DOWN TO STAY LOYAL TO MY MIP COLLECTION.
Only the new arrivals will grab our attention and perhaps the odd buck from my wallet too…
See you in Human-sized Radiator Springs in 2012 though I hope!!!
I agree with everything Tanya said, especially being from Canada and collecting this line from the beginning. Even just knowing the reason for some of Mattel’s decisions would ease my frustration. For example, I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why the Final Lap cars are a Target exclusive and only in the US. I have a hard time believing these wouldn’t sell well if they saw a wider release.
The reason so many people are frustrated is because they have been buying this line from the beginning and put a lot of time and effort into finding them. Trying to “Collect them all”, as Mattel says they’d love us to do, is terribly difficult. Wasting valuable time and gas only to come up empty handed over and over will get to people. Collectors aren’t asking for anything crazy. We simply want to buy the products that are advertised. To me, the worst thing is the lack of visibility into why Mattel makes the choices they do.
Oh and Jeff, you sound like a real nice guy. I can tell you have a kind soul. People like you make the world a better place. Thanks for being one of the good ones.
hahhaha Chris you actually made me lol hahahahha
I’m glad you feel that way 🙂
On a serious note, I didn’t really mean for my post to be so negative, so I apologize if it was. I just tired of never-ending rants and constant whining about about this and that. Lenticular chases, toons, lack of classics, bad distribution, target exclusives, mattel that mattel this. My dear GOD! Do you know that some folks that live in other countries don’t have these stuff selling retail AT ALL? They get the stuff on eBay and other sites, and don’t complain. this is called COLLECTING. You folks in US and Canada have it way too easy. Happy collecting everybody.
I haven’t posted in a while, because quite frankly there has been to report on my end. New Jersey seems to be the end of the trucking line for Target, forget about the thieves at Wal-mart – the stuff there rarely even makes it to the shelves before it appears on e-bay.
I have slowed my “hunts” to once a week since Thanksgiving, and the results have been the same as when I was spending triple on gas. NADA!
Going forward I will continue to pick up a few here and there, but continue to “collect them all,” I won’t.
Your frustrations are common among collectors of any and all collectibles. We wouldn’t be whipped into a frenzy for stuff that was readily available anywhere, now would we? However, in defense of Mattel, this is one of the few lines where I feel they haven’t entirely abandoned collectors. Star Wars and Marvel Legends being the worst. My son and I collected Marvel Legends until Hasbro took over and grossly mishandled the line. It seemed as is they not only didn’t care about previously collectors but actively antagonized them by putting out far inferior figures, making retailer exclusives and eventually “forcing” the smaller figures down our throat and abandoning the long line of larger figures.
I know I am a little frustrated about finding Final Lap cars but at least I’m near a Target. Furthermore, I can’t be bothered to collect the same cars with lenticular eyes.
I think I’m here for the long haul but I open everything (except Chases) and therefore don’t have to chase down other cardbacks and only buy what I personally find at the store or can trade for. This restraint has helped to keep it affordable and interesting.
PS-I hope that Mattycollector learns from the last release of DC Universe sets of figures on their website(priced right and no running around) and continues to make sets available to collectors of Cars as well.
I always thought, what would be mattells reaction if they saw how collectors thought about their changes to the line.
Just a thought, I know he is a busy guy, but do you think JL reads these forums? ie do you think he would be happy with the way the fans/collectors are being treated by Mattel recently, does he even have a say in how Mattel market and distribute the Cars?
Unfortuately, I am finding myself agreeing with Tanya. For awhile now, my husband has been completely against my collection. My son still loves them, but we are both getting tired of the repeats and slow appearance of new cars. We never even got the new storytellers at Targets in my area. I dont like the leniculars and I am begining to secretly wish that Mattel only makes them, mayeb then my obsession would come to an end. I would like to see the release of all the racers. It would heave been nice if Mattel could have finished the first movie characters before going into the take-off cartoons. The cost is really what is turning me off. As I try to begin 2010 by trimming our spending, looking at $5 a car is turning me off to collecting.
Why not make it $2 a car? (i mean, hot wheels are .99 and cars are bigger, but it would be nicer if they lowered the prices and in the long run, they might even benefit from it by collectors not dropping out and more people buying more. The line would probably last longer as well. I can see the end of CARS in sight if mattell keeps going in this direction.
I am curious about how they will get us to buy Cars2 “Townie” characters again. Will there be slightly different castings for the main characters, or will it be the same old cars on new cards? Of course, there will be hundreds of new characters. And I wonder how they will deal with the passing of Paul & George.
Very few collectors collect them all – one of everything on every card. Collect what you like. Mattel is not evil, but unlike Hotwheels collectors, most of us would like the “Chase” to end at some point. The market for Cars by all of us is what has kept the line going. If there hadnt been much of a response for the original 16 characters, the line would have faded and died.
I sense a mutiny by collectors and the value of these cars is going to plummet with the oncoming flood of people selling off their collections.
adding onto the last comment and when not enough buyers are actually buying
I too have been wondering when the ‘end’ will come for me. I have slowed my collecting greatly. I even left Mater the Greater box sets on the shelf at TRU last week. I hope whoever got them enjoys them. I just couldn’t justify $50 out of the budget for TOYS. I will probably finish the Classic line as long as Mattel will let me. (It is good to live in the land of Target.) I have never bought a lenticular and it would have to be a pretty terrific sculpt for me to do so. Toons, StoryTeller, Oversized, Hauler? It will be a budget decision and they will have to be something special.
My wife got me a nice display case for Christmas and there are a few empty slots for where the few remaining Piston Racers will go. That is probably when I will finish. I thought about getting all the pittys and crew cheifs box sets. I saw three of them at Target the other night and grabbed all 3, but then I saw the price: $20 each. That is $60 out of my budget which is simply too much. I have all the initial Haulers and I really like the, but those are $15 each also. This is just getting too expensive. I’ll have to get an imitation Apple car but I am OK with that. The other few racers I’ll just keep waiting for then I think I am done. Don’t like the lenticulars at all. Just a gimmick. And the “color changers” are just horrible. My wife likes my collection, and now that I can properly display it I really love it but the over all cost of time, gas and money (plus a 6 and 4 year old set of boys who each want one also) is just too much. I can see the end in sight.
Tanya, where is this petition you spoke of? I would sign it
click on my name here
When lenticular becomes the only option, that’s when Mattel will be seeing my tail lights.
Well said. And I’ll be braking right behind you.
I am totally behind you on this. I have not purchased 1 lenticular and will not. Unfortunately, that’s about all that’s out there right now.
I have never purchased a lenticular and never will (and im proud of it) however, if mattell decides to turn the line 100% lenticular, the only place I would still collect is amazon.com (and even that is and will be hard)
When my wife and I started getting these for my son, we set an internal “end” to collecting them once Cars 2 rolls around, and Mattel start producing Cars for that movie instead. That day can’t come soon enough!
Agree with all of it and I’m very thankful you have included what the people internationally have to go thou to ‘collect them all’
In the UK I have Chase Ramone to look forward to then that is the end of Cars in the UK if they continue the Lenticulars.
mattel is riding the popularity of the product. Same things happened with Ty beanie babies, NASCAR diecast(which NASCAR screwed up). Ever look at how much space is now given to NASCAR diecast-one or two columns.
One day there will be no more CARS diecast. I love to complete collections but at some point it always gets taken to a point where there will be items you can not get.
Oh well its something to do.
Interesting and very well worded…..
My buddy and I have been discussing whether or not we should continue into CARS2. I have said to him on several occasions that I am growing weary of the collection – don’t get me wrong – I am not quitting or selling my collection either, but I grow weary based on the tactics and decisions put forth by Mattel. I know that lenticulars are selling and yes…..they are toys…….but to me, those who sit in the high rise and line their pockets with our hard earned dollars realize that there are collectors out there – kids and adults alike – why not FINISH it the way it was originally drawn up. (Maybe that is why I am not a CEO of a major company) If they want to mess with the line later so be it, but don’t convolute the pool so bad and make the Cars so hard to acquire. There is so much bias and unfairness when it comes to the distribution as stated above. Rant rant rant………grumble, grumble, grumble……. 🙁
Bottom line….these are toys…..toys are supposed to make people happy……..Finish the line the way it was supposed to be……..make people happy.
Key words above: Target audience!
We ain’t got no Targets outside the US.
There are Targets in Australia but they seem to be the equivalent of US K-mart in relation to Cars. Also Target Australia has no Final Lap 🙁
We don’t have K-Mart in Canada, either.
To answer the question “But now I ask, what will cause the end all for you?”, and mirroring GotFranks’s reply, the end to my collecting these cars will come when the only type of car produced in the 1:55 die-cast line is lenticular. CARS 2, anyone?
500% in with you the Edge
There are actually only Targets in the US. Anything that is called so outside of the US is a different company and not affliated with US Target stores.
As it is I agree with a lot of those statements and I think most collectors would. However I really feel we are such a small part of the people buying these that the majority of these statements wouldn’t bother Mattel. Yes, hardcore collectors want everything right now and are never satisfied. I beleive the majority of collectors are just buying a toy for their son/daughter. They might buy a hot wheels, but hey, those with the funny eyes look more appealing. Think of those who are only just turning say, 4, and may be watching the Cars movie the first time. The parents may buy them a few cars. These people don’t care about collecting every variant ever made. And Mattel probably doesn’t care too much about rabid collectors who are hard to keep happy at the best of times, again apathy is the response.. If you think about it, Cars merchandise is still pretty cool.
To me it seems the ones complaining loudest (not necessarily you Tanya) are those that have been collecting for a long time, maybe since the start, and are worried about how it may end and are getting fustrated by Mattel’s continued bad decisions. Well again, Mattel as done this from the start and you have been waiting how long for things to change? My advice is think about why you are really collecting these. For money? Love? for your kids? an investment? If you think hard enough about the answer you will than find reason to either quit or keep collecting.
hmmm. edit button makes my computer scroll fast when I try type. hmmm. not good.
I used to buy three of each car: One for my daughter, one to display, and one to keep mint. Now, I only buy one to display. Lets do the math: Previously, I spent 3 x $2.99 = $8.97. Now I spend 1 x $4.99 = $4.99. Clearly Mattel (and Walmart) aren’t winning here.
I believe greed has bitten someone in the proverbial… Before Christmas, Walmart had all of the lenticulars at $3.99 and the Toons singles for $4.99. The racks remained absolutely packed (unlike previous Christmas seasons.) I was told by the Walmart stockers that the back room had tons of cars still. Now, after Christmas they can’t give away the lenticulars for $2.00 and the Toons singles for $3.00. (Launchers are $4.00.) Again, I think the math would have calculated out better if reasonable prices had been charged in the first place.
The proverbial can of worms is well and truly open. As always, I feel complaining gets you nowhere and apathy, sad as it is, is the norm. Meh!
probably true
I agree with you on most things, thats why i have slowed down my collection and are not collecting lenticulars (i know i slaughtered that word) and i am really starting to dislike the prices with the bad economy, if i was collecting everything still, there would be no way i could keep up which is why i am cutting back.
Speak it CarsFreak! 🙂