The Diecast Zone · Model Car Club Since 1994
Diecast Collector Forums
Eight forums, every scale, and thirty years of shop talk — new arrivals, restorations, reviews, and the finds you won’t see posted anywhere else, with the full archive back to 2002 restored and searchable. Free to Register.
8Forums
195,000+Topics
1,276,000+Posts
10,000+Members
Notifications
Clear all
Topic starter
30/12/2004 4:07 am
My 2005 resolution is to rethink my diecast purchase strategy next year.
I only buy 15 to 20 1/24th scale models a year (roughly). I pepper in a few 1/18th and some First Gear images that turn my crank.
With the new pricing structure just released by TFM for mostly repaints, I have to pause. That Cord is beautiful in blue, but at a $170 price point, it ain't gonna happen. I'll go pick up a couple 1/18th AA or Kyosho images that I really want, then buy a cup of Starbucks with the change.
My heart, and most of my collection, is centered around 1/24th. However, I'm passing up too many other images in other scales that impress me more than a lot of recent releases from DM or TFM. And if I have to forgo working suspension or an opening fuel filler door, so be it.
I guess the mints have found my ceiling. Once I have to start forking out $150+ for a 1/24th scale diecast, it's time for me to be a little more prudent with my money.
30/12/2004 4:30 am
Listen.......Is that the voice of reason I hear??
I believe it is. Rick, I think you just verbalized what many of us have been thinking. There has to be a point when you say "Whoa Nellie" and put the brakes on buying more and more cars despite the quantum leaps in details.
P.S. I take it this means not too many Exoto's in your future. :)):))
Have a great 2005!
30/12/2004 4:32 am
Rick... put the way you just did makes a lot of sense
30/12/2004 4:47 am
Amen, Rick. I feel the same way. That FM 37 Cord is real pretty in blue...
but, for $170 I can buy 4 or 5 Hwy 61 MoPars, or a bunch of other 1:18 beauties I've been eyeing.
The other thing I have to consider is this, 2005 is the year that I can retire from Civil Service. I will be 55 and have 30 yrs service. I don't have to retire, yet, but it is something I have to think about now. So, my model buying is going to be reevaluated.
Have a great year in 2005 everyone.
30/12/2004 5:26 am
check the auction for the last year most FM releases for last year show up at buy it now prices [mint in the box] for 20% to 40% off retail. I know dealers who can not move inventor , sell them off on ebay at greatly reduced prices. I'm sure that after the inital rush the Blue Cord will be in the $120 range or lower.
30/12/2004 5:47 am
That's why I switched to 1/18
Rick,
I started collecting the Mints's 1/24s. I got out when the prices for one model got out of my budget range. Very frustrating to be able to buy only used, damgaged pieces because of the money.
I find that many 1/18 models now have the same quality for nearly triple less the cost! Yeah, 1/18 is larger, but all the more beautiful in their gorgeous, large detailing.
My own, personal opinion, and it is personal and merely my opinion, is that 1/18 is where the collecting value is. The difference is details has closed the gap.
Patty
30/12/2004 9:25 am
Patty, Have you seen/bought any Exoto models yet? If the subject matter...
suits your taste, you'll find no better detailed models..period. However the price is about $170.00 already and will go up more sometime soon. That's why I buy them from reputable dealers on ebay for a fraction of their retail value.
30/12/2004 2:32 pm
John, where did you order the travelall from?
31/12/2004 3:41 am
I phoned FirstGear directly...
...their website is here. The nice lady said that they were taking inventory this week and that they would process my order next week. She said that the model was blue (like the pic on the "What's New" page) with a Briggs & Stratton logo. She kept calling it a "panel van" but assured me that I would be sent the one that "had all the windows" as she called it.
31/12/2004 4:13 am
I'll give them a call today. I love those old Internationals. Thank you very much