Mattel Disney Pixar CARS: D23 Expo Convoy Brothers SOLD OUT
By the time you read this, the Convoy Brothers are SOLD OUT at the D23 Expo. Well, probably around 10 AM PST.
It looks like they only produced 1,000 sets. Making it one of the rarest production CARS of all time. In fact, now tied at #1 with the Apple CAR.
You can check out the list here.
And unlike the Apple CAR racer based on a common Piston Cup body, these will be near impossible to bootleg/counterfeit as there are no random RV bodies laying around.
They are the KING.
We’re #1! We’re #1! We’re #1!
Er, no McQueen, you do hold a lot of #1 records but not the ones we’re celebrating here:
#1 most number of diecast produced in a year.
#1 most number of unsold diecasts.
#1 most number of face.expression.wheel.decal color variants ever in a 6-month period.
#1 most number of face.expression.wheel.decal color variants unsold on store pegs.
Sorry, dude … Number #1 in rarest production – WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS, NO TIME FOR “LOOSERS” (production run models numbering more than a thousand … of the world).
The oddity is it seems that the daily guesstimate of sales so do really so NOT add up to 1,000 as SAT & SUN were very limited (announced at 100 sets per day). Friday sales were estimated at about 300. Thursday Sorcerer Day sales @100 leaving about @200-400 un-accounted for? Did Mattel not want to bring that many to the show as they were heavy – thinking they would only have to haul them back and then send them to Digital River? So, perhaps there will be a MattyCollector post D23 Expo sale? It does not look like Small Fry Mini Buzz sold out so look for an announcement in a week or so … but I’m betting the Convoy Brothers only last a few minutes in the “advance” sale period to subscribers and never makes it back to the general public.
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11 August 2013
137 Comments
Received my Convoy Brothers yesterday afternoon. They have far exceeded my expectation.
Thanks to Kevin, Josie, Mariela, Pablo, Monica, Marc T and his family and everyone else who helped with this monumental task.
Got my Convoy Brothers today from Kevin and it felt like Xmas! I waited patiently all day for the UPS guy to arrive, knowing he was coming because I could track my package on their website. To say these are awesome is an understatement. I can’t stop looking at them. I am so grateful to Kevin….
Thank you!
Hey Kevin,
got my convoy bros today
well packed and as promised
a big thanks to you and all your friends that helped you
great work my friend
John
Got my Convoy set yesterday, arrived in perfect condition! Its awesome! A great big thank you to Kevin from my family. 100% reliable as usual!
Howdy y’all!!
Just got mine yesterday up in Michigan…They’re beautiful!! I also pondered cutting the tape versus going through the bottom…went with the tape…figured there was less of a chance of messing anything up!!
Wanted to thank Kevin for what he did for us. I have seen what people go through at these conventions, and I know I lack the energy or patience to do what he does for so many people. It’s sad he has to deal with the negativity, but I very much appreciate what he has done and will hopefully continue to do. This is the first time I got something through him…I usually wait till after and hope I luck into the item at a later date. I did not want to miss out on the Convoy Brothers.
Just for perspective for everyone…I got this from the DisneyWorld Personal Shopper page (their charges):
***We Charge actual price plus tax, a 30% Service Fee ($8.00 Minimum), and actual shipping … NO HIDDEN FEES!***
I’d say Kevin’s pretty reasonable as our “personal shopper” at D23…It’s the same thing, we are ‘hiring’ somebody to shop at a retail location where we can’t do it. And call it what you will, D23 is in fact a retail location, just with a much more difficult rules of admission…The difference is that Kevin is not doing it as a “business model” Kevin just does it because he cares about his fellow collectors…which I think is pretty awesome!!
Anywho…thanks Kevin!!
Long time no post…I wanted to thank and support Kevin for what he did. The effort he made was worth another $20 to me that I just sent him so that if he wants to get a set on eBay (after giving up his own set) that he can pick up one while they’re still under $200 shipped. If any others feel the same way, please consider it. I know $20 is $20, and it is to me too, but I’ll just watch a little harder before I waste that $20 this month.
Kevin is not buying a lot of sets to flip…he is being pre-paid for sets that he is buying as a proxy for others, and being paid a fixed fee for each. I appreciate his efforts and hope he continues to find his service worthwhile.
Agreed! $20 sent!
I just received my set today. Thanks again, Kevin!! You’re the best!!!!
Got my sets today! Thank you very much to Kevin and anyone who helped out at the Expo. You made 4 MN collectors very happy!
I am still getting requests for Convoy Sets:
Just a reminder…I have NO EXTRA Convoy Sets, Mine and my wife’s sets went to other people. There are no extras and never were.!!!!!!
I DO have OTHER Extra D 23 stuff and extra SDCC 2013 stuff…
NO EXTRA CONVOY SETS !!!
Hey Met,
Just a small detail I noticed on the Convoy Bros., they don’t have any entry doors on them like you would see on a regular RV. Obviously because they ARE the people/driver and would not need a door. But all the other cars in the series have had some sort of door and handle reference ie: seamline. A nice detail that was thought of when they were designed! I got a set of these guys and they truly are much nicer in person then they are in the pictures. Very nice detail on the RVs and packaging. Love ’em! 😀
They came this afternoon!
Perfect!
pictures here. The packing was incredible as always and you can see how Kevin packed the box!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26216606@N06/sets/72157635083649569/
A dream come true really. Kevin has helped me countless times in the past.
I can’t thank him enough.
OMG! 😯 You cut the top open? I left mine intact and simply pulled the flap out the bottom! That way you can move them in and out of the box and they still appear mint! 😀
I thought the same thing, egads!
Ha! I thought about it but did not want to bend the bottom of the box.
It looks like it would get pretty crumpled the way its put together, it was not intended to open from the bottom.
There is currently one Ridemakerz Metallic Blue Lightning Mcqueen available.
96.00 plus shipping from Redlands California
THERE IS ONLY ONE.
nascarnbroncosfansATmsnDOTcom
There are no words to express the deepest gratitude that I owe to Kevin (nascarbroncosfan) and Josie for procuring my D23 Convoy Brothers set. I cannot imagine the sheer unadulterated chaos that they must have endured to help those of us who could/would not be able to attend the show. Not only did they do us a straight SOLID, but they acted as selflessly as humanly possible – seeing that they had to forgo their personal time at the show merely to fulfill orders for fellow collectors. For those of you complaining about the tiny, insignificant fees that were imposed – please feel free to procure your exclusives elsewhere (good luck on eBay) and leave Kevin alone. Your ugliness, unwarranted nastiness and overall crap is taking away from the joy that is to be experienced. After all, this is not his job, this is his passion. As far as my little family is concerned, Kevin might be better than Santa! I can personally attest that there are two very over-the-moon children – whose happiness I owe to Kevin & Josie = smiling from ear to ear…THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Just a reminder…I have NO EXTRA sets, Mine and my wife’s sets went to other people. There are no extras and never were.
IF……IF these go on Mattycollector, I will fill the orders
CANCELED Main List FIRST, Standby List second… before adding anyone else.
I encourage anyone who has the Mattycollector subscription and time to pickup an extra set to help those that were shut out.
P.S. If you were “shut out” and care to trade your prepayment in for a Monster High Doll SDCC Exclusive, or other D 23 extras I will accommodate you.
Lets not forget what might happen too as Met posted above:
Did Mattel not want to bring that many to the show as they were heavy – thinking they would only have to haul them back and then send them to Digital River? So, perhaps there will be a MattyCollector post D23 Expo sale? It does not look like Small Fry Mini Buzz sold out so look for an announcement in a week or so … but I’m betting the Convoy Brothers only last a few minutes in the “advance” sale period to subscribers and never makes it back to the general public.
Kevin, if you do get more i seriously would love a set. I don’t use eBay and I would have contacted you sooner if my stupid computer wasn’t down.
Typing on iPad difficult at times.
Good email is aspergersrainbow at aol dot com
Just checking in to see if anyone else had gotten an email update from USPS – UPS – Fed Ex.
Thanks.
P.S. make sure you check your spam folders!!
Just wanted to share my store amongst the many. Kevin was generous enough to help me in obtaining two Convoy Bros sets for me and my kids. His communication leading up to D23 was thorough, detailed and organized to say the least. This type of communication continued throughout this past weekend. In the last two days, it has come to light that my package may have gone missing since Kevin’s drop. I’ve been dealing with Office Depot, UPS and the Postal Service to try and locate the box, and again throughout this process Kevin has been incredibly helpful – providing all sorts of pictures and detailed information. He literally crossed every T and dotted every I in his execution of the monumental task to send out the number of sets he was able to get.
I know there has been a lot of talk regarding hoarding and buying limits, but I do know that a lot of the people Kevin is serving are true die-hard fans that spend a lot of time (and money) collecting. For those of us that can’t make it out west like me, Kevin has been incredible to deal with, and kind enough to super-serve.
I have not received any email update about shipping/delivery.
Kevin, do you have the tracking info?
coming up
Can you email me my tracking info?
ITS COMING……hold on
OK – Thanks!
I got the tracking email, so far so good.
nothing my way yet…
thanks again!
james
My thoughts for Kevin after seeing Planes this weekend is Volo Pro Veritas . . . He “buys/flies” for truth! He is an amazing individual and gave up his time to go above and beyond to help individuals receive something they would not have the opportunity to have without paying inflated prices on eBay. A true hero in my opinion who acts with the utmost integrity!
So you are voicing your opinion ‘without conviction’ I think that sums up your opinion very well, there is no conviction in your argument, it is a big pile of steaming Richard the thirds. I have been dealing with Kevin for six years. I have told him on a number of occasions that his handling fee is too low. Being in Australia I do not have the opportunity to attend and purchase items like this. Kevin provides a service and does a wonderful job. He has my gratitude and knows that if he ever needs anything from me he need only ask. But we both live in democratic countries where everyone is entitled to have an opinion even those who like you are wrong. While I respect your right to have an opinion that does not mean I have to respect your opinion.
Kevin as I have said many a time. Thank you!
I want to also note, while we were waiting for more Convoy sets to “possibly show up” on Sunday.. I did get this doll. They were handing out “fast passes” Sunday in the waiting line outside before they opened. I did pass the stuffed animal Olaf the Snowman onto a woman and her daughter from Japan.
This is not my auction, but just to give you a look at it since it has great photos and my camera is still packed away
Frozen Doll set auction: 151100933823
Olaf can be seen on auction 130967164757
The more I read through my03yellowv’s comments ( on a computer and not a small screen phone) the more I wonder if this is not Lauren from D 23.
Anyone else get the same feeling?
Kevin, I thought the same thing as it is someone that works for the show.
I thought that too as I have never seen that name on this site. Or somebody who was there and complained.
I had a conversation with NascarFan a few months back, the details I’ll leave between him and I, but I decided to take up a point he makes about others picking up the slack and helping out.
I went to D23 and bought sets for others at cost to help the fellow collectors. Granted it was about 10% of what he did, but it was still time consuming and it became the priority rather than enjoying D23. The fact that he only picked up items, took them back and packed them up to ship out is very well worth the $12 he charged. My items are still in my living room and being mailed out tomorrow 🙂
Dude, thank you. That means alot to me. I was actually hoping we could meet and the event, but maybe some other day.
By the way…maybe you can shed some light on how BIG these really are and to ship out is daunting.
THANK YOU for stepping up and helping others
The set Kevin picked up for us arrived today, beautifully packed I might add. My boys are over the moon, THANK YOU Kevin, we would not have these toys if not for your selfless efforts.
what state are you in to have received it so quickly?
Los Angeles, California
that makes since you got it so fast lol
I think your package is one of the ones packed by Pablo 😉
you’re very welcome john
Maybe Kevin will have to limit each person to 1 unit in order to make sure everybody gets one that wants one! I wasn’t there so I have no idea what it takes to get the product. But what I can tell you is that for a SMALL fee that Kevin charges to do this, I think he is way underpaid! What some people have to understand is that there are people out there that make a living and support a family by selling product. This is not the case for me, but I do have friends that do. So, next time you want to call a person a scalper, take a step back and ask yourself if you know the person at all or what their particular circumstance is. As always, if you want to drop me a line, my phone number is 734-536-9991 or you can email me at LLXLV18atyahoo.com
Thank you Kevin for trying. When might the unlucky few of us, “Locked Out”, people see a refund minus your $12.00 fee? I had to go thru Evil- 😈 -Bay to purchase a set @ $168. plus $10 shipping. Not too bad considering they are sold out. But could sure use the refund asap. Thanks again for trying. I know you felt really bad not being able to fullfill all your orders and I might take you up on that SDCC 14 offer!
I did refund someone yesterday with the same amounts without the 12.00.
Check your paypal account to be sure and drop me and email.
I have to get some sleep
Of the people “LOCKED OUT” only one requested a refund right away. That was refunded immediately. K.S. was the initials. Everyone has not responded on waiting for Mattycollector chance, but that is up to the individual.
Thanks Kevin. I sent you a refund request. Howard
COMPLETED
Indeed you are a man of your word! I paid my $12.00 fee to participate and missed out this time but would certainly deal with you again. Thanks for trying and better luck next time. 😎
What Kevin does is incredible. I appreciate all he’s done. If Mattel or D23 was smart, they’d realize how much more money they could make by not having a limit on the toys. Make $10,000 or $100,000? You would think it was obvious.
There are other people in the Disney Cars community not active on this board and for the people that showed up to the convention as the doors opened, and were told the Convoy Brothers were sold out as people walked out with hand dollies full of cases that is not right. Regardless of your reserved set with one person that did this for you as a favor. So I am not a bad apple or an evil person for thinking this. And I have every right to voice that without conviction.
As a parent, I feel your pain but you’re pointing fingers at the wrong person and in the wrong forum. Kevin has been doing this as far back as I can remember, going out of his way to help others at all nine Kmart events, four or five SDCC’s, and the last two D23’s. Your blame needs to be directed at the D23 organizers who were never prepared for this demand, nor were they able to make a timely decision as to limiting quantities of items sold. I can only hope that you will be able to meet your child’s expectations should these be made available on MattyCollector.com.
Started in 2007 when I knew a group of diehard batman fans that went to SDCC and gave me a song and dance about getting me 2 of each batmobiles, while they were in the line themselves, GETTING ONE piece each. (Limit was 6 per person per line pass). I said screw it, and bought a ticket, drove down 670 miles to get MY OWN and several other “collectors” their own. It was also again in 2008 with the Lightning Storm McQueen Rescue Mission as we all called it then….and ever since.
When someone else can do this and more than “a few”…or EVERYONE commits to help 3 people…. Then I guess I go again to SDCC in 2014
I think you mean either “with conviction” or “without condemnation” but, if you’re a regular reader, you already know there are trade forums available here whereby you are free to offer to trade for a set as well. Or there’s eBay. Personally, I have eBay largely to thank for my children’s collection. So long as a person conducts themselves with some degree of integrity, no one ever says ‘no’ to selling you something on eBay.
(MET: I’ll also add in my note – Kevin is pretty much the only person I allow to pre-sale in the main posts since he’s been doing since 2007 and he offers a set price beforehand. If it’s acceptable to you, he’ll go buy it for you – as far as I can tell, it’s less to way less than other pre-sale offers and he doesn’t raise the price (unless it’s sales tax or shipping because it’s heavier or larger than he first thought) – the buying process NEVER goes smoothly which I’ll discuss in a day or so in a post but that’s not Kevin’s fault – he’s just a cog in the machine. 🙂 ultimately, he’s like that speech Jack Nicholson gives in A FEW GOOD MEN … the ‘you want me there’ line. 🙂 ).
NascarFan’s actions of purchasing for the Disney Cars fans who can’t be at the convention prove his intentions of helping others out (there is really no $ profit for him), not heartless profiteering which the comment above would suggest. There is a tremendous difference between helping out fellow fans and mean-spirited profiteering, so I would need to disagree with the comment poster above. NascarFans’s practically selfless service is a natural extension of the helpful attitude many have cultivated on the trading forums of T5AD, CarsTheToys, and other Disney Cars fan sites. I am continually grateful for the helpful spirit of this forum and hope I can continue to play a small but helpful role in remedying Mattel’s woeful distribution practices – through fair trading and selling – it’s Carsma people. Note: There may be nothing wrong from profiting from reselling toys, but my point here is that Kevin Nascar had an altogether more noble and caring agenda.
I don’t think Kevin even got any for himself. Once they sold out, he selflessly moved others ahead of his own wants and needs.
That’s right! I think the recurring theme here is that Kevin’s actions have been entirely kind-hearted throughout this whole event and all the many others that preceded it. He laboured for weeks to secure sets of the Convoy Brothers for people: other people. I’m not trying to knock those persons who left D23 disappointed because they came away empty-handed and I’m not trying to insult people who buy and sell on eBay either BUT it’s not fair for anyone to take out their frustration on a good person who helped a lot of people at the cost of even giving away his own set. Because that is what Kevin did when he too had to leave short of fulfilling the commitment he made to other people. How’s that for a kick in the pants? He drove 600 miles to something, waited in line at 4 am for three days, and still has no Convoy Brothers of his own to show for it.
And I would like to thank the many other people who so eloquently said that here today too. I very much look forward to reading what Met is able to tell us about the whole D23 Convoy Brothers experience in the future post he mentioned above.
With that, I have one final thank-you to Kevin and I’m going to respectfully retreat from the discussion before I completely monopolize it. THANK YOU AGAIN, Kevin!
John you would be correct, I posted below that My wife’s and my own went to other people on my buyers list.
Met: Thank you for your note. I am glad you feel that way. I have always wondered.
I just got back home to Salt Lake City from Los Angeles literally 20 minutes ago. I have a four or 5 orders with me that I couldn’t ship out because I ran out of packing and time.
Shipping was a tic more expensive because I guesstimated the weights to lightly. I also had to run to Walmart Sunday night – Monday 2 am and 4 am …twice to get materials and just did not stop and grab some ZZZZ’s to be sure most of these went out before leaving Los Angeles.
If you want to know what your shipping was, feel free to ask
If you already know, I would appreciate the payment.
If you ordered 3 sets: you are getting two boxes.
Shipping Tracking: YOU SHOULD receive and automatic email when your box is scanned and updates. I made sure the info would do this to cut down on emails and time.
Thanks everyone
Kevin I really think the thanks needs to go to you
“Thank You”
Dan
you are welcome
Met: and the other line in that movie: I dont want money or medals, I can deal with the bombs and blood…. Just a thank you …something like that
Can you guys post here if you DID get a shipping email from USPS or UPS or Fed Ex?
Thanks
I got mine!
I got an email from UPS, thanks!
(by the way, the last couple of emails I sent you bounced back — something about hotmail blocking AOL)
Hmmmm not sure why, but thanks John.
I did try to be sure everyones email addresses would get a notification. Just be patient. Shelby has hers and lives across the country…these will start showing up.
I am amazed that as a collector or a D23 visitor that planned their trip, people didn’t think ahead or consider the possibility of high demand/limited supply that would sell out early. This was clearly a coveted item that even higher than usual pricing couldn’t diminish its appeal. As a collector from NJ who did not attend but spent many many hours checking and planning ahead how I would secure a set from someone other than eBay, I feel just as entitled to get one as those who went to the Expo. I agree perhaps there could have been a different way to try to satisfy those new or naive to the difficult even painful side of collecting. There are those who do it for the love of the object but many others willing to take advantage of that love. The sets Kevin was able to purchase did not hurt any attendee’s chance to get a set. D23 did that by not limiting quantity a buyer could purchase for such a highly sought after item in limited quantity. Kevin saved many like me from having to go to eBay so some one could profit from my passion for collecting. If he did not help us dedicated collectors, the sets would all be on eBay for the same jacked up price not waiting for attendees to purchase sometime during their visit. Those wanting to sell them and make a profit were already in line ahead of you and him. The same difficulties are encountered in other collecting (eg. monster high dolls). Collecting is a passion that at times is like a sport requiring preparation, skill, endurance, resourcefulness and sometimes luck.
njkitten8: do not get me started on getting monster high dolls….lol
No not until next years sdcc. Lol. Thanks for your/Josie’s dedication.
Lisa
Whoa, I missed out on a bit of this conversation until just now and I want to add a couple of points. I spent Friday at D23 with Kevin and have spent some days at Comicon with him as well over the past few years. Firstly, Kevin spends zero time having fun at these events. He is all business from 4am (or earlier!) until he fullfils his list. He drives hundreds of miles to get there. He skips sleep and food, spends hours on his feet in line and hauling stuff back and forth, stresses out, packs all night. There really is just no way to really understand what its like unless you have done it. Some of you may remember that I volunteered to buy Lightning Storm McQueens for a small list way back in 2007. Well you may have also noticed that I have never done it ever again since. It is just way too stressful for me and way too much work! Plus, I actually want to attend and enjoy the conventions with my kids! Add to that all the criticism! He doesn’t complain, but I have seen some of the awful rude emails Kevin gets on top of whatever shows up here and in other online forums. Sorry for all the exclamations points, phew.
As for people walking in at 10am to “sold out” news. It was well publicized here and on D23’s site that D23 memberships (and consequently early admission) was actually FREE! All you had to do was sign up for a FREE D23 membership and get yourself there at 4am! Not to mention that if you had waltzed in the door at 10am on Friday, you got yourself as many Convoy Bros sets as you could carry, no problem. Actually well into the day on Friday they had plenty of stock. You simply cannot expect an exclusive item to last much beyond the first day, even with limits. The D23 exclusive Snow White dolls sold out the first day. The D23 exclusive Harvey bags sold out EARLY in the day on Friday. If you went on Saturday or Sunday expecting to be able to buy high demand exclusive stuff, you were out of luck. Just like if you don’t show up at Target, TRU, Walmart etc. on the right day, guess what? You don’t get whatever is in the latest case! Bottom line, that’s how it goes when you are collecting something that lots of other people are collecting too.
You’ve made some very excellent points. And they are especially good to hear from someone who was actually there. I think that literally 98 per cent of us (or more) agree everything Kevin did at D23 went well above and beyond the call of duty. I’ve said all along that I cannot even begin to fathom what a heap of effort goes into doing what he did for us last weekend (and many weekends before). And you are so right: OF COURSE exclusive items run out quickly. Who wouldn’t expect that?
The more I re-read this and the more I think about it (I have been immensely bothered by it all week) the more I agree and suspect that the criticism leveled at Kevin was from an organizer(s) at D23. Even the most naive of beginner collectors couldn’t possibly be surprised that a limited-production, exclusive item would run out. Like, seriously. And I mean “naive” in the truest sense of the word, not as an insult. I’ve only been collecting for little better than a year which by many standards makes me wet-behind-the-ears in comparison to the people here like you who’ve been in on it since the beginning and for my first Cars special event — Kmart Day 8 — I left my house at 4 am to drive 150 miles to get to the nearest Kmart to line up at 6:30 in the morning because I really REALLY really wanted to make sure I didn’t leave empty-handed. There was no line-up; Kmart employees chuckled while the manager brought me a cup of coffee to drink as I waited outside in my line of one. And I felt I needed to do this even after calling that store that week ahead of time TWICE to get details about what to expect. Forewarned is forearmed, as the saying goes.
The criticism here leveled at Kevin feels to me like an insult to all of us who collect, to be honest. It’s as if someone walked into the room and called us all greedy connivers for being organized ahead of time and fortunate enough to have a guy like Kevin who’s willing to drive 650 miles to an event like D23 do this on our behalf. And then the one doing the criticizing lobs an inflammatory statement like “scalpers” into the crowd? The gentleman who runs Children’s Toy Closet did a good job earlier reminding us all to consider our words before using them.
I really do hope there’s a more satisfying resolution to this whole story than the way it sits now. Kevin was ESCORTED from the building on the final day of the expo. By the very people who organized it! I think we lost sight of that in the panic that followed over who among us might be getting their sets and who might not be. Escorted from the building: that is such a slap in the face. If that had happened to me, it would sting for years.
I wholeheartedly agree MoMcQueen. And I was wondering why I was feeling so insulted and you hit the nail on the head. “It’s as if someone walked in and called us greedy connivers for being organized ahead of time”.
I wish Mattel would have done a pre sale. Oh well. Clearly they underestimated demand.
So basically because everyone got their Convoy Brothers on here for a little above cost that lives out of state or out of the country this was ok…I am sorry I have been reading this board for sometime but not a contributor until today.
I am sorry but for all the out of state people that were not at the convention at opening watching these few individuals walk out with the cases of these (which were going to be shipped to you out of state)And then be told they are sold out is well a bunch of crock..
If anyone collects the disney Designer dolls that is why they now limit them to 1 Per Person. Yes they should of been available to the public pre order to help those out of state. Even though Nascar Fan did you guys a favor pre-ordering them for you the other guys sent them to ebay??? Get my drift.
It’s a shame that Mattel had limited the production of these so that there were many people who missed out who did bother to attend the convention, and I can understand the frustration of being in line watching people walk out with large quantities not knowing whether they’ll all end up on eBay or whether they are selflessly helping others across the country / globe only to then miss out yourself. It is frustrating, and I have been in your shoes many times (as I’m sure most of us have also), but a little something I learnt along the way in collecting on behalf of my son – if you want something bad enough that’s going to be a hot commodity you need to think smart & strategically because no matter whether you are attending a convention or trying to get a hot release in a shop you are always going to come up against these kinds of “unfair” issues. I practically went to the ends of the earth trying to get my son a Frosty last year – lined up at the crack of dawn in one store only to be told they didn’t receive shipment, then go to just about every store in Sydney only to find out staff were buying whole boxes to sell on eBay & they weren’t even hitting the shelves, not to mention they were only available in Australia in selected Targets at a limited quantity!! Anyway, to get back on track…in a perfect world, there would have been enough Convoy Bros produced for all attendees, maybe a pre-order system & there would be every opportunity for out-of-staters & people from other countries who are passionate about collecting these for themselves / their kids to obtain one. Unfortunately no matter what you do, there is always going to be someone who misses out or is not satisfied because we don’t live in that perfect world and maybe the most constructive thing would be to vent our concerns and feedback to Mattel. I personally applaud Kevin for what he has tried to do for EVERYONE on here – he offered his help to those who needed it & the amount of effort involved in what he has tried to do is just ridiculous! I’m sure even the small surcharge he has added to the orders he has tried to fill for his services is not enough to cover the time, effort, lack of sleep & resources he has had throughout this whole process, not to mention the stress of it all (and no complaints from him either!) Maybe you can reach out to those who were fortunate enough to secure multiple sets to help you out with one? I know its not the point, but in the face of the disappointment you have received there are still other options.
Ozziemum, thanks. I think 12.00 an item handling fee is very fair.
Priority Mail online would have cost everyone nearly double their parcel post rates (Barbaras box was 22.00 ish and would have been 43.00 easy) and offered to take EACH box to Office Depot on Saturday and Sunday at 4.00 a box. I spent 5 hours making sure everyones info was pre loaded on Office Depots system and accessible in Los Angeles. I shipped out right at 97 orders, and I do not give out EXACT PIECE counts, since I do not need “accountants”.
Some TFADers who ONLY Ebay their Convoy sets told me many many times, I do NOT charge enough. Its not about money, its about getting them and getting where they are needed.
I actually had 3 people come up to me at D 23 and ask me if I was NascarFan, shake my hand and or want a photo.
I think what I do would be cancelled out IF……any show attendee WOULD COMMIT to helping 3 other people.
I would not be needed any longer. Sadly, we do not have that many people who do.
Oh and lets not forget these three:
Juan and Jeff and Sally have banged out Star wars cars recently and I highly recommend them …(way to go guys – thanks for stepping up, I do not feel alone now)
Finally: Mariela, Pablo, Josie, Monica, Marc T and his family… THANK YOU.
There was some others to thank but they sadly bailed on their help and never heard back from them to help make sure we got the list done. Theirs off tfad sales are more important.
Ciao
Kevin aka “Nascarfan”
I really appreciate Kevins help. I live in Germany and to go to D23 myself woud have cost me a few thousand $$ which I cannot afford. To call Kevin a scalperer is out of any logic and I would call it a darned cheek to come up with such words. I do not know how many of us would not be able to give their kids a set of Convoy brothers if Kevin and his crew would refuse to help in this way. Like Micky said: instead of making nasty comments – just move on.
I also would like to chime in with my two cents. Kevin has gone out of his way to help those of us who can’t get to California. I live in New Hampshire and could never get out there to get the Convoy Brothers for myself and my nephew. If it weren’t for him, I’d end up on eBay paying 3 and 4 times the selling price. Kevin is not looking to make money but rather to help those of us out who have been into Cars since the very beginning. What’s wrong with that? He’s not a reseller, he’s a genuinely good person who spent months organizing for this past weekend so that he could help others. He even said he’d sacrifice his own sets to make sure others got theirs. Seems pretty selfless to me.
Thank you Kevin for helping so many people out here. There’s always going to be one bad apple who doesn’t like what the good samaritan did. I live in Chicago with 2 young twin sons. The cost to travel to D23, time off of work, hotel, food, airfare, tickets to the convention would have cost me thousands. So paying Kevin a very small shopping fee to take my place in line was well worth it to me. Kevin please don’t let those who are bashing you deter you from the good you did here. My boys will receive a great Santa gift this xmas with those Convoy Brothers as a result and that’s worth it to me.
Lets just say some folks were able to get theirs later in the day ( Sunday ). I am personally very happy with what mattel did. It was nice that us beginners could enjoy in the fun!
Power Buying sounds alot to me like Ball hogging in basketball…hopefully Mattell puts 1 per person limits on this stuff next time around. If mattell wanted pre-orders they would of done it themeselves. instead you took it upon yourself to do your own pre-order system. In a way it’s no different than ebay scalpers. Maybe thats how the Expo saw this too?
(MET: As long as this sub-discussion is kept civil … I’ll let it continue, thanks).
I really disagree with you on this. I live in PA and can not get out there. My 8 year old boy and I collect as we are not high priced collectors. Kevin does this for us. I can not afford them when they go on ebay. If you think a 1 person limit will keep the people that have connections from getting a whole bunch I have a story to tell you that you can have free health care for the rest of your life and it will not cost you anything.
Thanks Kevin for what you do
Dan
I get where you are coming from but not everybody, I doubt much of anybody, can afford to go to the show unless you live in the area or have some expendable income and vacation time. I live in Baltimore, MD. Almost the furthest east you can bebfrom Cali. The cost for me to go to the show, lose time at work etc. would not have been possible and then I am relegated to paying 2x more or higher on eBay. I could see how it may ‘look’ when Kevin and the gang are walking around with cases but you have to keep in mind that he is helping a lot of people. Does it sound fair that only those in California and those fortunate enough to have money to throw around can have these sets?? I don’t.
Disagree with your analogy about ball hogging and Power Buying.
If NascarFan had done a powerbuy and bought up all the cases for ‘himself’ (see eBay) and then turned around and charged what ever he wanted (see eBay for a sense of what they go for) ; then the analogy fits.
But what NascarFan did was help those who could not attend (or afford to attend) D23 to try to get a Convoy Brothers.
I live in Canada and it was out of the economic stratosphere for me to book a flight, hotel, try to get a ticket, plus pay to become a member of D23, take time off work, get up early to wait in line etc…
I appreciate Kevin did this for ‘me’. If Mattell puts a 1 per person limits on this next time around, unless someone helps me I am out of luck. Then the only way to get it is through an eBay scalper.
Thanks Nascar Fan for the help!
I for one am VERY grateful to NascarFan for what he did. In my opinion, ball hogging is when you don’t pass the ball to others but instead take all the shots yourself. NascarFan passed the ball around to a lot of people, including me. Yes, he charges a “fee” for his services. I’m happy to pay that fee, as it is SO much cheaper than traveling to Anaheim, buying admission to D23 (I have been a charter member since day 1, so I’m not anti-D23; even went to the 2009 Expo), and standing in line. He’s entitled to some compensation for taking several days of his life to travel, stand in line to buy, package up, and stand in line to ship. Plus all the prep time taking orders, etc. If NascarFan were ebaying all of these I’d have a different stance. But he’s not. He’s HELPING collectors who can’t get to the Expo. He’s saving all of us from paying ebay prices. I think it’s very generous of him and I’m very appreciative. Of course, each person is entitled to their opinion. I just think if someone were planning on getting the set at D23 and it was important to them, they would have waited in the line just like NascarFan. It’s not like he got them through the back door–he waited in line like everyone else does. Hope that perspective from someone who has benefitted from his generosity helps see another perspective. Best of a great day to everyone, regardless of opinion. 🙂
For several years Kevin has been getting members these exclusive items for a very modest fee. For all the effort he goes to, its a wonder he doesnt just put them all on ebay himself…have you been there lately? People are asking $199-$400 for these…and the sad thing is some of those folks “bought” them from Kevin. If anything, he is keeping people from what you call “ball hogging”. My kids and myself love collecting Cars and the only way we have gotten some things is from him, and the cost for his time is extremely reasonable. The whole problem would be solved if Mattel made things available to collectors in an easy way, and in quantities that support the collecting community. Having special exclusive items might give the brand some hype but I do not understand them letting so much cash get into the hands of second markets. Also I would like to add I have bought many several things from Kevin over the years and he is totally honest, and very good at communicating things with people who buy from him. He is very upfront about what he is charging, there is no deception so if you dont think it is right, dont buy anything from him. Have a nice day y’all!
If Mattel and the organizers of D23 wanted everyone to play sharesies-fairsies they wouldn’t have a limited-production run exclusive-to-the-show set like this in the first place. Or ever!
What Kevin Nascarfan did at D23 is the opposite of what you’re alleging. He provided a NOBLE service to people like me who live too far away to ever EVER ever consider attending. I shouldn’t have a set of the Convoy Brothers because I live in Canada? Is that what you’re saying? Or I should…. but only if I buy it from an opportunist on eBay for a minimum of twice the sale price? They’re selling for up to $500 each. Last night, a case of six sold for $990. Is that feasible for a single collector?
Were you there this weekend? Do you know anything about this? Or is this criticism from afar without knowing the facts?
Dear My03YellowV,
I love your basketball analogy….but you are just flat out wrong.
How long have you have you been here at Take 5, reading and contributing.
If you have scrolled DOWN to almost any D23 or SDCC event for the past few years here or at other Pixar Cars sites.
Your comment about Ballhoging and NascarnBroncos could not be further for the truth.
I have two young children, (2 & 5) that love Pixar, Two Godchildren and two Pixar collector kids in England I buy for.
So to think Kevin is ball hogging when he has shipped almost all if not ALL he purchased has me thinking your need to review the entire thread.
Now if you are being general then consider going to Ebay at looking at the sellers that all presold the Convoy Bros for at least $200 each.
As for disappointing children, a little planning ahead for the early part of the event would have the potential to eliminate that.
So are you thinking that anyone that purchased more than 1 was ballhogging?
I appreciate the effort but to sincerely think that the time it takes to ramp up to support and go to this event (or any other) is not helping the Pixar collecting community is just plain short sighted or selfish.
The general rule around here is if you don’t like the price of a sale or trade, just move on. No need to make nasty comments. So, my advice to you is…just move on.
As others have said, if it weren’t for Kevin being willing to go through all this, we would not be able to get this set.
Thanks Kevin!
Kevin is providing a helping hand to collectors who can’t make it to D23 as simple as that! The fee he requests is trivial compared to SCALPERS on E-Pay. I too am from Canada.New Bruswick to be more precise.If you Google it…look at the Northern most tip of Maine that small dot bordertown next to Madawaska ME is where I live. I do not know of anyone further east then I (me)(grammar)!…There is no way, NO WAY! that I could get one of these for my son whithout collector friends like Kevin and his TEAM of gracious helpers that CARE enough about collectors to take their time to help.THANK YOU VERY MUCH EVERYONE!
One per customer is what you would see better fit….then ask Disney and Mattel to put these sets on-line….set controls at one set per e-mail address and involve whatever security measure you think is required to avoid whatever basketball analogy you refer to….good luck!
BTW Basketball is a Canadian invention…Surpise!
Enough already…as someone said…move on!!!
MET, I hope I did not cross the line with my comment…How Canadian EH!
Sorry you got aced out, and i understand your frustration, but you are wrong about Kevin. He is playing buy the rules and doing the CARS collector community a huge service. He had no idea about the limited numbers but he made commitments and I am glad he is sticking to them. Ultimately, if you wanted something bad enough you could have gotten in line before he did or purchased an early buyers pass (or whatever they’re called). Live and learn and blame D23, not Kevin.
I don’t want to rain on anyones parade but did anyone think that for the people who paid Admission to the D23 Expo to come in at 10:00 Am to purchase the Convoy Brothers might have beeen upset because it was sold out.why because some individuals bought cases? I think it should of been one per person. How do I explain this to a child who went to the convention to see people walking out with cases to find mattell employees saying sold out when the doors open?
And the answer is….. how many people here on my buyers list have children and greatly appreciate me power buying?
You can either pay the higher in price for a membership and and ticket and get up early at 4 a.m. And get in line… or you can be friends somebody here on the group that’s already going…. or you can buy it off of ebay.
I’ll wait here’s a better idea you can hire somebody like myself who does personal shopping…. at a small cover cost…
if this was such a high priority for you
then you should have paid for the early admission ticket like Kevin did
also the units were not sold out until the last day so procrastinating cost you too
Kevin got these for those of us who could not come to California ourselves
as for him being a “scalper” you do not know what you are talking about
if he saw scalping these we would all be paying double what they cost him
and for all the crap he had to go though to get them it would have been worth it
if mattel and Disney would make enough items and sell them at a regular store instead of playing these game we would not have to do the things we are forced to do by them to get what we want
I thank Kevin and all his friends that helped him with this endeavor
for without him I would be forced to pay ebay “SCALPER” prices
I have several more orders to do at 4 am in the morning.
Most everything is boxed up for 8 am Office Depot trip #4 and #5. Trip #6 might happen in Anaheim or Salt Lake. It depends upon how long the packing materials last.
Its Miller Time.
I think you need MY packaging expert again 🙂
Ridemakerz has not released the accidental double charge funds for 30 sets yet, so until that happens, I have to get out a day early. I canceled Monday night stay over here.
Joe Kelsey, a buyer of mine had a suggestion tonight that I love and will honor.
For those that got hung out to dry…
YOU WILL BE FIRST on the SDCC 2014 LIST.
Good morning. I am going to send ONE person Office depot shots if anyone wants to verify boxes are there…I would post the link here but it shows addresses. I do not think everyone would appreciate that.
If I did my homework right, ONCE UPS, USPS, FedEx scans these you SHOULD receive an email notification. Most of these have been sitting since Saturday and not scanned/picked up.
SOME OF YOU, will be getting 2 boxes from 2 different services. This was the cheapest route.
Just let me know if you all do want one person to verify it.
I will pick BMW or Tiz or Met or Monica, Mariela, Pablo etc.
Off for morning coffee refill
Somehow I had an opinion that due to the difficulties in fulfilling all the orders you will limit it to one per person. So everyone on your list could get at least one set…
Anyway, how can we get on your Mattycollectors list for this set?
Thank you for the hard work, time and effort!
Nope, I did the list in three stages. Sign up before info for any convention, adjust when we know what the toys are – confirmed toys, prices and then when payment was made.
The final list is just like being in line at the convention itself. Johnny on the spot or not.
my email is nascarnbroncosfansATmsnDOTcom
Not a personal email address, but it might do.
D23 The Official Disney Fan club
contact-us web form
https://d23.com/contact-us/
Send them a quick comment on the week-end.
Kevin,
I just read the post …it is quite the shame you would be escorted out because you are trying to help fellow collectors!
As you said: “I had a long talk with the person who runs d23. Her name is Lauren. She was very understanding and has read this blog and the previous blog about the convoy brothers sets. She doesn’t understand what I am, Josie and Pablo and Mariela were out here doing. It was too much in too little time I to get out the door with what we had.”
…Lauren was not more helpful than that….
I have an idea: If you have it, provide us collectors with her e-mail address and we (the collectors for whom you were shopping for) could drop her a polite, but to the point line, stating that we NEED you and your TEAM to be able to acquire collectibles such as the “Convoy Brothers” that otherwise would not be attainable other than E-Bay at $$$.
I would think that Lauren could pass this informatio to D23 & Mattel’s Executives and make them rethink their attitude towards the collectors that cannot attend D23 because of Distance, cost etc…
Thank you again SOOOO very much for your time and effort (and Josie, Mariella and Pablo and others) again for your efforts.
Best Regards,
Rino
Agreed. I’d be happy to drop her an e-mail as well. You’re doing a great service for fellow collectors who would otherwise not have access to these sets. I, along with everyone on here, appreciate it and I’m sure we’d all be happy to stand up for the good guys.
Shipping costs have been sent out. Please send it as soon as you can. I have more boxes to send out tomorrow. (3 trips with the truck packed) Getting up at 4 to finish boxing and labeling. 9 Internationals are due to go out but those will be done last on usps.com when Paypal debit card recovers from today.
Thanks, leaving Anaheim for home at 12:00 noon
More costs will be sent to you directly via email after they are paid for ……..then on my way out of town.
Thank you immensely for your hard work Kevin (and crew) – I am sorry to hear that that happened to you! 🙁
I do not have her email address, BUT one thing that would have solved it was PRESALES. Everyone should spam D 23 facebook and Mattel facebook over this. Presales are picked up OFF SITE and out of the eye of the common buyer.
She does have my email address and is free to comment here… But she wont…I dare you Lauren.
Good idea Rino, but short of a hard copy print out of my list handed to them to show exact people and count, or THEM contacting me ahead of time, I have no idea what would help.
Oh wait… I did that with Ridemakerz, they let us buy all 30 at one pop.
Good grief, if anything D23 and/or Mattel should be PAYING Kevin NascarFan for providing this service (practically for free!!), not escorting him out. I definitely will be asking Kevin to keep the $12 if my one set didn’t make it! Thanks again Kevin and crew. Don’t feel beat up, you achieved a lot despite the odds against you!!
Okay I need to post a correction. Being escorted out was not by Mattel management. It was from the d23 management themselves. Too many identical items not getting out the door fast enough to the truck. Too many people complaining about multiple purchases not only just me but others over the last 3 days. I had a long talk with the person who runs d23. Her name is Lauren. She was very understanding and has read this blog and the previous blog about the convoy brothers sets. She doesn’t understand what I am, josie and Pablo and Mariela were out here doing. It was too much in too little timeI to get out the door with what we had. Had we stayed there to try to get the last 20 pieces would not have mattered. The backup list would not have been covered anyway. The belief that there was 100 sets left for today only was not true. There were more likely less than 50 sets.
So to everybody that is on my buyers list and the backup list….. let’s just wait a week or two weeks to see if they show up on Matty collector. I would appreciate your personal feedback we are leaving the property of D 23 now. I am happy that I made a lot of you happy but I feel very very sad that I let some of you down. Again my greatest apologies let’s let the credit cards cool off… let’s let our tempers cool off and wait for Matty collector.
Also Barbara Wilson has stepped up and been helping on emails…. let’s all give her a break for a few hours or a few days. I am the captain of this ship and its my boat is sinking so please contact me if you have any issues.
any idea what the price on mattycollector or ebay might be after a week or two kevin?
(MET: If any are available on Matty, it’ll be $100 + tax in certain states + shipping).
Since this is my ship, you guys [paid me to do this, trusted me) my wife and I are giving up our own sets to be sure others get theirs first.
I am back at the motel to get started on FINAL counts with sticky notes.
I will be busy for a few hours – shipping and labeling. You can email me but do not expect an immediate reply.
luckofthecarish: I have no idea about ebay prices, but, if someone who DOES get a “LOCKED OUT” notice from me, finds them on ebay, at a comparable price I would be glad to check it out and get it. Mattycollector prices will be the same if they do in fact have them up later on this month.
You don’t need to give up yours, you know WHO got more than enough to supply you and some more on your list.
They will be remembered for their dishonesty…trust me. Mine, and Robins left to its new homes hours ago
Final Count Results email has gone out.
If you DID NOT get it, then you are fine and your order is being boxed up as you read this. I will be billing shipping steady for the next two days. Please pay promptly. Thank you
Who wants a sneak peek at whats ready to be shipped out?
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d142/nascarnbroncosfans/D%2023%202013%20Shipped%20Boxes/2013-08-11_16-00-16_784.jpg~original
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d142/nascarnbroncosfans/D%2023%202013%20Shipped%20Boxes/2013-08-11_15-59-45_867.jpg~original
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d142/nascarnbroncosfans/D%2023%202013%20Shipped%20Boxes/2013-08-11_16-01-38_951.jpg~original
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d142/nascarnbroncosfans/D%2023%202013%20Shipped%20Boxes/2013-08-11_16-01-51_361.jpg~original
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d142/nascarnbroncosfans/D%2023%202013%20Shipped%20Boxes/2013-08-11_16-02-02_316.jpg~original
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d142/nascarnbroncosfans/D%2023%202013%20Shipped%20Boxes/2013-08-11_16-02-33_672.jpg~original
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d142/nascarnbroncosfans/D%2023%202013%20Shipped%20Boxes/2013-08-11_15-59-34_651.jpg~original
Hello my friend, due to past dealings I have had nothing but great experience…..I am not up to speed on where you stand with the 4 The KIng brothers but Id like so very much to buy a set from you, just one set.
Can you send me a message please telling if Im lucky or simply out of luck
Thanks Brother
Tom
Tom, there are NO extras, never was. Maybe mattycollector will have some
I WAS JUST WANNA SAY A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO KEVIN! AND SPECIALLY JOSIE! WHICH I MET BOTH IN ANAHEIM! THEY ROCKED THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HELPING US OUT GETTING ALL THE ITEMS THAT WE NEEDED, MY SONS COULDN´T BE HAPPIER THEY LOVED BUZZ AND THE CONVOY BROTHERS! I WOULD REALLY RECOMMEND GETTING ITEMS FROM JOSIE WHICH MADE EVERYTHING EASY… THANKS AGAIN!!! KEVIN AND JOSIE! AND IT WAS A GREAT PLEASURE OF MEETING YOU BOTH IN PERSON…
-CHUY V.
I’m stunned by the audacity of you being escorted away. That’s awful! I’m so sorry to hear it, and not because it means I’m likely out-of-luck, but due to the scene this must have created for you and everyone there on our behalf.
I am glad they sold out though. Maybe that will give them the impetus to make Albert Hinkey!
OMG Kevin that’s crazy!
I just sent this out to the Standby List:
Mattel management threw us out for buying too many. Security walked us out.
They are gone. No extras remain. My thoughts are…lets wait and see if these pop up on Mattycollector in about 10 to 14 days. Maybe another takefiveaday member or members will offer extras.
Some.of you on the main list will not be getting them either. PATIENCE. I will be tagging these we got this morning and notify you WHO DID NOT get any. I would hope that my 12.00 fee still accounts for hard work regardless.
Thank you for being patient and trusting.
My jaw dropped when I read this. Security escorted you out?! But Mattel had no problem selling CASES of them to people who paid more than a thousand bucks for advance sale privileges that first day. Wow. I guess it really goes to show that big business cares more for other big business than the bread-and-butter collector.
I cannot believe they would do such a thing!
Their loss i guess…
NASCAR, is your mailbox full? Getting undeliverable mail message and mailbox not available.
Sorry I have a typo below. (Not enough coffee I guess)
Try nascarnbroncosfansATmsnDOTcom
I know for a fact that they “blew through” 1000 sets on Friday, then 100 to 125 on Saturday… maybe the same count for Sunday.
So at 1000 sets? maybe 1200-1300. Thats straight from the girls at the Mattel booth.
I DO have a early access subscriber mattycollector account. If these do come up on there, I will be buying more.
BMW does have a Standby List and I will be going to that list first, unless I am short on my own list.
Email me at nascarbroncosfansATmsnDOTcom
The suspense is killing me. With hindsight being 20/20, I’d not have taken my sweet time confirming my order with payment if I had anticipated this. GroooooOoooooan.