Eclectic collecting...

I saw that hearse - wondered who got it!  I did notice there are no doors so I guess it carries ghostly apparitions only!  🤔 😶 

some great models there Randy, love the Design Studio 1950 Nash Rambler

Congratulations on the great additions Randy. I have the Tom Mix Cord and the Rambler but would really like to find that Ford woody. Thanks for sharing your new babies.

I like them all Randy; especially that Studebaker.

Posted by: @randyrusk

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With the whole tariff and shipping spikes putting a big hit on the cost of new quality resin out of China, I've been turning to picking up stuff stateside.

I also have ceased buying from overseas due to the end of the deminimus exclusion.  I only wonder if this has cut into Ebay business, and if so,  if they as a business are lobbying to end this tariff situation.  I can't believe that such tariffs are going to assist domestic based resin, diecast and white metal domestic firms if there are any at all.  Can one contact Ebay to urge their action on this?

Congrats on all the great additions, Randy.  I need a 1/43 hit, stat! 

Nice additions to your collection. 

I really like the '39 Ford station wagon as I have one in each of the colors offered. This of course was the base for the Motor City's Design Studio offering with the revised more realistic wood framing. The Kager '49 Ford station wagon I've thought about from time to time but never pulled the trigger as the doors are to short in length.

@john-quilter Randy; I have often wondered how ebay and the like are faring through the tariff political poker game being played out.  I live in Canada and my ebay sales over recent years have been quite decent, along with my corresponding purchases as a hobbyist.  In recent months my sales (mostly to USA traditionally) have decreased by about 90% and I see no end in sight.  My commissions happily paid to ebay each 2 week payout period were very healthy as well of course, so when you multiply such sales decreases worldwide I assume it must be costing ebay and their ilk countless millions.  Thankfully I am just a hobbyist and don't derive my living from this system; it simply helps finance my collecting enjoyment.  I feel very bad for those individuals who do though as they are basically collateral damage to this unforeseeable catastrophe.  I think I have a fairly good understanding of why the tariff overtures are being played out at this time but I wonder how long business economics can withstand it all.

@jack-dodds The buying power of big US wealthy collectors has not changed because of the tariffs. This is just an excuse to say they scaled down when they really blow a smoke screen. They are not requested to disclose the truth.

They are still buying from overseas whatever they want to fill up more shelves to compete in an addictive hobby to claim what they succeeded to get and what you didn't. 

If you are a Canadian retailer trying to sell to USA, i can feel your pain with business drying away unless you have an unlimited access to extra rare models.

@nickies I would say that the principal users of ebay and the like are average Joes of average financial means and I would say that their business drives the ebay machine's fortunes as opposed to wealthy individuals who obviously are far fewer in number.  This is the basis of my concern regarding the potential disaster continued tariffs may bring to all individuals forming the necessary chain making ebay viable.  Again...how long can this be sustained?  I keep waiting to hear and see major pushback from influential giants such as ebay but nothing of note so far.

Personally I don't much care about the reasons various collectors of differing financial means collect models, it's all good as they are part of the overall contribution to our hobby....we all benefit from our hobby staying healthy.  For example there are individuals within our forum who seemingly spend a very considerable amount of money building their collections; IMHO this is simply because they are interested in car models and love having them.  I think this is great that they are frequently willing to share their passion of collecting with others who might otherwise never get to see some models in such detail and be exposed to or participate in related discussion.  There are braggarts in life of course and there always will be, but in my time participating in this forum I can happily state that I have yet to experience one within our membership.

Although I have no position in Ebay, just for my info, I did a quick look at their share price and earning results.  From a high of $101 October 29 it has been down since, to a price of $80 today.  Perhaps investors are anticipating a tariff impact on their business?  Trailing per share earnings have, in the last two quarters, not shown much of a change from $1.37 to $1.36.   Maybe the impact of tariffs on international business have not kicked in or are not significant in their world wide business results, but investors may be anticipating that going forward resulting in the decline in share price. 

@parisi50 cool! In what other colors was it released?

@randyrusk Randy, the model was issued in two colors, the green you have and maroon.