[Closed] New and last model buy

It's interesting that you've reached the conclusion of your last model purchase. In a similar...

... fashion, without an official declaration to myself as you have done, in reality, I've done the same thing. Space and a change in life's priorities have directed me to the same conclusion. My collecting days are over. As it stands now, the only models that might be added are "Must have."

Yeah yeah yeah, heard that 1000 times at least from my Dad, then something new comes out and Bang goes the bucks!

Yeah, but unlike your Dad, I don't have a basement for display. Display space...

... limitations are controlling my urge to buy more. Plus, my life priorities are changing as well. I've got other things I'd like to do with the money.

Rand, Marlowe... Josh is right. Oh I know YOU SAY you're done but then BAHM ..There IT is!

Marlowe

I have know for several years I would wait for a few " must buys". Well, I have and now I will leave the over priced, resin and no back up for parts from the makers. This is a dying hobby, the young are not into it. All the positives are die hards like I was, but the writings on the wall.

HOOP! .. There it is ..... HOOP! - There it is !!!! ...

RAND ......

As much as I hate to type these words ....

It pains me to say ....

You my friend ... I think ... You're spot on with your observations

I'm not a negative person

I've been with D4C since '61 White Lincolns were selling for $1,500.00

It'll be interesting what D4C offers 5-10 years from now

I honestly do not think the hobby is dying. I participate in a number of 1:18 scale...

... Facebook groups. The audience is international and cater to collectors all over the world. From my non-empirical observation, the interest in collecting seems to be quite strong. 1:18 Scale manufacturers are coming out with new issues, and the collectors are rewarding their production efforts with sales.

I think the diminishing participation in this site gives a false impression of what is happening with the hobby. While the hobby has undoubtedly transitioned from a brick and mortar distribution point to online purchasing, it obviously has changed. We've also seen several manufacturer closings, as well. Fortunately, several companies have survived. They've adjusted to the new online purchase reality and changed their production and distribution methodology accordingly. However, in my opinion, because the hobby has experienced an adjustment, that doesn't mean the hobby is dying. Keeping it honest, what is dying is user participation in this site.

Again, being brutally frank, the site design is way past old. It was designed in the '90s and at that time, cutting edge. However, the proprietary website design has stagnated and never changed. In technological terms, it's antiquated, unwieldy, and the user interface is a PITA to navigate. It's like driving a Model T car. It will run, can be driven, and get you from point A to point B. However, compared to modern cars, it's just old and does nothing as well as a modern vehicle! Technology gets old, very fast. Look at your 1990's cellphone and compare it to your current smartphone. The differences are lightyears apart.

The Zone needs an infusion of younger collectors to replace the older ones that are dying off. I'm guessing that any new, younger participants that come to visit, accustomed to far more user-friendly social media interfaces, see how ancient is the format, and they just move on.

My overarching point is due to the inside-the-site observation of the diminishing participation in this site gives a false impression that it's indicative of the hobby. In my opinion, and based on the international interest I see on Facebook, the hobby isn't dying. It's in transition to the new paradigm utilizing more modern social media.

Years ago, with the closing of many diecast manufacturers, I suggested to the brain trusts of The Zone (most are no longer with us or have moved on) that having multiple forums catering to specific scales no longer made sense. It seemed to me that with the reduced participation activity, it made more sense to consolidate all of the forums into one group. The cross-pollination would stimulate more conversation and introduce different scales to the "scale-centric" collector. Obviously, that suggestion never materialized.

If I were asked today, I would suggest that The Zone transition to a Facebook group. And yes, I know some don't want to "Facebook," but at least it would have access to a much larger audience, and participation would likely see growth instead of the steady decline it sees now as the members die off.

BTW, due to the antiquated design of this website, this post will be buried and few will see it. Every new post added to this Forum will move it further down the page. Unless I repost it, no one will see it and proves my point about The Zone. That single element kills conversations as unlike modern social media, new content doesn't move the thread to the top of the page. Nope, here it remains buried and ultimately moved off the page for no one to see. This very old, antiquated format doesn't foster conversation. It kills it.

Last year I attended two model shows and one toy show, both of which had diecast models too. I am 42 and would say most of the people at the shows were younger than I am, both model show's contestants even had family with them. This hobby may change, but the American love affair with the automobile lives on! In my opinion.

I now understand, Dad said many times "Thats all

I'm done", and I have said that myself. Then something I truly love comes out and I have to have it. This past summer I filled in some older models missing from sets or things like that, paid way too much for those but had to have them. Also said I would only collect racing cars from now on and a little dune buggy and Bronco came out that hit the spot. I am addicted, my name is Josh and I'm a model car junkie! I get it now and sorry to say, my money is on you buying another model. Something soon will come out and knag at you until you are opening that box, but "good luck"!

Well said, Marlowe.

Marlowe ... Thank you for opening my eyes

I thank you for your information -

Yyou sir .. helped me realize I live under a rock ... LOL

I consist of coming to D4C ... eBay ... that's it.

I just don't have the time to do FB or any other social media ... not right now any way ... maybe in 3 years ... that may change

There used to be HUGE toy shows here in Orlando ... but that was 15 years ago ....

I'm surprised and happy to read there's still an interest in these cars

Truth be told ... if my sphere of friends are small then my knowledge base is very small as well ... and that might not be a good thing.

I have started to realize that in my small caveman community that my neighbors are diminishing

SMITHS ... got stomped on by a dinosaur

Andersons ... Mosquito bite

Framptons ... Common cold

Come to think about it ... I've not seen the Johnsons in a few days ....

Better re-evaluate my stinkin' thing ...

Maybe I better start following the sun

Cause the world is changing every day

I may not know - where to go

Open road - But it's still dark

There's an open sky

And a reason why

There's so much to learn

And now it's my turn

To shine - shine my way

Change is hard. That's just human nature and we all resist change. The status quo is just easier.

Marlowe many good points.