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18/10/2004 3:20 pm
1948 Buick Roadmaster from DM - what is the problem here??
This car was just "announced". But what does that mean? Officially? If so, where? DM has two forums for official release announcments. Catalog and flyer. Sometimes magazines. Yet, as soon as something is UNOFFICIALLY announced here (and I'm glad we do get this early, unofficial information) we start ringing DMs phone off the hook. If I called ANY company and asked for a product that was not officially released, and I did not have any more information on, I would not be the least bit surprised if the could not help me. Remember, we are not DM's only customers, and diecast is NOT their only business. That being said, within weeks of these UNOFFICIAL announcements I get usually get the OFFICIAL brochure from DM. Case in point the Corvette ZL-1, which showed up last week. If I don't get a brochure, to be sure somebody else here has. That has the DM stock number you can use to order. By the time the brochures are mailed, you can be sure the item is in the system. All I'm saying is let's be realistic here. And what's the rush? And DM has almost ALWAYS met their (read "OUR unofficial") release dates.
18/10/2004 4:18 pm
Problem is....
Why do outside people already know about a new DM product and DM sellers don't have a clue when we call? Problem is that flyers have been mailed, we call and DM's reps are lost in space when we mention the new model. Fact is DM reps are so lazy to search what we call for and give us a comfortable "Not of our knowledge", a sarcastic "I have no idea what you are talking about sir" or an easy "Sorry, sold out". Its not a about a specific diecast, its about "us" DM's customer. Too bad the job and hardwork of crafters that get paid less than $15.00 a day end up depending on people that do not even care to do a detailed database search. Come on! This is computer age, its not being required for them to make use of any brain cell and learn about each new product that comes out, just punch those keys and do that search, its all there is to it.
18/10/2004 4:21 pm
You raise a good point but we are all ADDICTED! 
18/10/2004 4:40 pm
completely true..........
its why we are here
18/10/2004 4:43 pm
Agree.
It is a little bit of a mixed up system regarding new releases. On another board I guessed at the "hint" given by insiders. I guessed 47-48 Buick. It is a game we all play. Yes the day the '48' was annouced the DM CS people knew of the model, you just had to call the right number during certain hours to easily place your order. I do wish the Mints would give us collectors more notice. Far in advance they are already in production before they release the information. I want to know about a new model and don't mind ordering 6 or 8 months in advance if it is a car I want. I would also be willing to give them an advance payment 6 months in advance if it was a model I wanted. I don't care for these secret games that I play along with others as we wait for the new annoucement and later I find it is a model I don't want. Then I feel really let down. I get worked up on a new model like most other but after all the hype I am more often put off by it when "they" inform us. The hype just causes me to delay orders as I don't want to place an order until I hear about the new and or new and approved model. In the future I hope the Mints just annouce a new model out of the blue and no more game playing with my head. These wait and see games are just causing me to delay my orders.
18/10/2004 4:57 pm
This is so true.... I agree this is a nice treat to every Diecast Addictive!!
Thanks D4C, Thanks Tony!!!
18/10/2004 5:06 pm
Alfred, it's called marketing. I don't know how old you are, but I remember back in the 50's the final announcement of a new 1:1 car was accompanied by floodlights, a band and some hot dogs (and in the case of the "shaker" Mustang, the sound of revving motors and screeching tires) well into the night. Prior to that all was secret. The showing of a new car was a happening, not just an announcement. Car lots were packed well beyond the time most dealerships close these days.
In the case of these little cars . . . the mints announce, we provide the "happening".
18/10/2004 5:23 pm
Born in 1951.
I remember it well. Maybe all this is a generation thing?
19/10/2004 1:38 pm
Sean, I have dealt with DM cs since `87 and have found their staff in 99% of times called to be anything but lazy and most will go out of their way to help until you, the customer, are satisfied:p:)
19/10/2004 4:27 pm
I agree with you 100%. Roger!