Shite in Miniature II

[sierraman]

6 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

I’ve always wondered why they do three different packaging styles?

Long card, short card, box?? What’s the point. Surely it costs them more money making different types of packaging that in 99% of cases gets torn open and binned.

Different markets I guess, the poundstretcher stuff was historically from outside Europe, unsold stock. Last ones I bought had loads of oriental writing on the back. 

[bunglebus]

11 minutes ago, sierraman said:

Different markets I guess, the poundstretcher stuff was historically from outside Europe, unsold stock. Last ones I bought had loads of oriental writing on the back. 

Yes the long cards all have that, from older mixes which has been great, filling gaps from the Tesco debacle 

[bunglebus]

 

[Datsuncog]

6 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

I’ve always wondered why they do three different packaging styles?

Long card, short card, box?? What’s the point. Surely it costs them more money making different types of packaging that in 99% of cases gets torn open and binned.

From my own observations, it seems that they cater for slightly different retail environments.

Long card - seems to be stocked by 'proper' toy shops and the like - bigger illustration gives more appeal to punters young and old. Cheap diecast are good pocket money toys to attract kids into a toyshop - 'footfall drivers' - with an eye on them then spotting something bigger and more expensive while they're in the shop. The Entertainer seems to stock both long and short card versions of Hot Wheels, and only short card Matchbox, so I dunno if there's any hard and fast rule here.

Short card - seems to be preferred by supermarkets and discounters, where display space is at a premium and it's hard to justify taking up a lot of shelf real estate for a low value, low margin product which aren't the main reason for people to be shopping there. The fact most supermarkets prefer to use dump bins to display their Mattel diecast over putting them on pegs and clipstrips reflects that generally these are incidental purchases.

Box - not seemingly seen much in Europe or US markets, but apparently popular in far-eastern markets. Tomica mainlines seem to come in similar boxes, and I noticed in Japan that toyshops often show unboxed models in a display cabinet - you then pull out the drawer, and there's boxed models you can buy in racks behind the display.

Also easier for street vendors and market stalls to sell on a flat surface, than blister pack models designed to hang from a peg or clipstrip.

But Matchbox have a long history of multiple packaging formats - even as far back as the early '70s, Lesney were producing blister pack models for the US market, to mirror Hot Wheels packaging. Around that time, convenience stores, self-serve supermarkets and drugstores started to become more profitable places for customers to make impulse purchases of toy cars rather than just selling through the traditional toyshops.

The 'pester power' of having small, cheap toys available near tills where kids could see and grab them was seen as a good sales driver - and brightly coloured, clear packaging so the toy could be clearly seen was key to this. Corgi had been successfully using this packaging style with their Woolworths-exclusive Husky range since the mid-60s, so in a way it's surprising that it took so long for Matchbox to catch up. 

I guess there's also the multiformat 'collector angle' to consider - kind of like record labels in the 1990s who reckoned that superfans would be only too happy to buy singles in every format, so would release 'CD1' and 'CD2' (same header track, but different b-sides/ live version/ remixes), then 7" vinyl, 12" vinyl, and cassette - occasionally there were VHS and (later on) USB formats available too - just to boost the number of sales, and help achieve a better chart position.

I'm not really sure what the ratio is of sales to collectors vs sales to kids, but I'd guess there's way more sold to kids than to furtive middle-aged men; Mattel seem to take their collectors very seriously in the US, with honorary collector ambassadors appointed and lots of special editions, but I get the impression they're not overly bothered about catering to collectors elsewhere in the world.

I prefer the cardboard boxes, personally - easier to store, easier to open without obvious damage to the packaging, and there's a sort of 'surprise' element when you get to the model inside - hopefully a pleasant surprise!

[sierraman]

I used to keep the boxes but new ones now I chuck them, I’d need a 20,000 sq ft warehouse to keep all the cardboard in! I honestly think in time the ones that will be worth a few quid will be the main line ones, take for example in the 90’s a model could remain in production for 5 years, now you would maybe have availability for just a few months. Could be completely wrong, I don’t collect for that purpose, if I like them then I buy them. The only people benefiting financially will be the kids when I cark it. 

[danthecapriman]

First couple of coats on the 47 Chevy, then mocked it up loosely to see how it looks & make sure it fit together properly still. I’m happy with it I think!

 

Primer for the KingSize Mercury.

Filler rubbed down and primer on the Corgi A60.

Then got bored waiting for things to dry so I decided to strip this Corgi 007 series Chevy Apache.

It doesn’t look anything exceptional tbh, and I only bought it because it was close to ending with no bids so for 99p I thought why not.

Paint comes off nice & quickly, thank you Corgi! Please never change your paint! 
I didn’t get a pic of it so you’ll have to wait, but once that cab is completely stripped and polished up bright it’s absolutely gorgeous! The front end detail looks brilliant. 
Since the chassis is a dually I’m thinking it’d look good as a tow truck!

[bunglebus]

I was told the reason for short and long cards for Hot Wheels was you can alternate them to maximise peg space. Being as the only time I find them mixed up is when some buffoon has been rummaging before me, and that they only come in boxes of one or the other, I think this is unlikely 

[bunglebus]

Currently kicking my heels waiting to go back to a job - conveniently outside Smyths utilising their free parking.

Not a lot to be found, they had a couple of Modern Classics MX-5s left and a 10 pack with a backwards Corvette, but even I wouldn't pay a tenner for the privilege of owning that 

Tiny F+F Dom Jolly house by Jada isn't something I've seen before

[sheffcortinacentre]

3 hours ago, bunglebus said:

I was told the reason for short and long cards for Hot Wheels was you can alternate them to maximise peg space. Being as the only time I find them mixed up is when some buffoon has been rummaging before me, and that they only come in boxes of one or the other, I think this is unlikely 

Shirley short cards alone would give even more.

[bunglebus]

On one peg short-long-short takes up less room - but of course you have to space the pegs further apart vertically 

[flat4alfa]

7 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

Since the chassis is a dually I’m thinking it’d look good as a tow truck!

Still got those Scammells donors in a box?

Quote

Could bolt a boom straight onto the stake bed.  Remove stake sides and ends, paint it blue and white, fit an Orangutan in the passenger seat and yell "Right turn, Clyde"

[danthecapriman]

29 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

Still got those Scammells donors in a box?

Could bolt a boom straight onto the stake bed.  Remove stake sides and ends, paint it blue and white, fit an Orangutan in the passenger seat and yell "Right turn, Clyde"

I think I have them still. Somewhere. 
The boom’s on them look about the right sort of size for a smaller truck. I’ll have to find them though, which might take a while!

[Datsuncog]

[Datsuncog]

[Split_Pin]

Nice morning by all accounts!

[Datsuncog]

Not a lot to be seen on the main stall this morning, tat-fans...

Unless you've a strange affection for Teddy Ruxpin.

I was beginning to wonder if I'd erred in dragging myself in, but...

...the market provides.

Market Blokey dumped out a small box in my general direction, with apologies that there isn't a lot here this week.

He does still have a load of diecast in storage - but there's so much other stuff on top of it that he can't get to it.

A small selection but still...

Corgi Routemaster was a bit tired and with some bits rattling round the interior, but pretty much complete bar a jewelled headlight.

Dinky Somerset wearing quite a few layers of paint, but otherwise alright in terms of the body casting and base.

Corgi racers also a bit down-at-heel - Cooper Maserati had been got at with the Humbrols, and I might have gone for it only I think I already have one in a different colour.

Superkings Hovercraft was pretty clean; King Size Dodge horse trailer missing a tyre or two but otherwise ok.

This was interesting...

Didn't know Dinky had produced bigger commercials as part of their Dublo range.

Pity this AEC tanker has been given an extended tour of the paintbox also, plus the wheels are a bit chewed.

Brace of Corgi JPS racers in so-so condition.

Likewise, a not-quite matching set of Yesteryear Fowler Showman's Engines.

And some contractually obligated MoYs, missing seats in the case of the Rolls-Royce.

Falling into the 'delightfully batshit' category...

Yup, a Lesney 'Zoomy Balloonies' from the early '70s.

I think the idea was that you blew up a balloon, jammed it over the inlet on top, and it rocketed around the floor scaring pets and children alike.

Axles a bit wonk, sadly.

Still - bit of a rare survivor.

[flat4alfa]

FIAT 850? 

Oo I want that one please

[flat4alfa]

On 02/08/2023 at 10:45, flat4alfa said:

Dinky Catalogue 1960 UK

Dublo range from catalogue posted here ^^

[Datsuncog]

8 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

FIAT 850? 

Yup, Fiat 850.

If only someone on here collected Mercury models - but since nobody does, especially not @barrett, you can imagine how foolish I felt buying it anyway...

[flat4alfa]

Turin plates too

If @barrett doesn't want it... 

[Datsuncog]

Not much else on the stall this morning to pique my interest - though you too could be quaffing your Watney's Red Barrel in style with these delightful* veteran-print tankards...

Or why not create sectarian tensions down on the farm, with these Britains-scale white metal Orangemen?

Colin's stall of Irish Tat had not much new in today...

Some recently acquired, and apparently unopened/ unwrapped, DeAgostini-Norev French Dinky repros were up for grabs at a tenner a pop though:

But otherwise, pickings were slim.

The Charity Stall, despite good times last week, had nothing at all with wheels today.

Alan's Emporium was open, but...

Huh.

Is it... art?

Well, coffee and breakfast procured, anyway

Time to see what's what.

[eddyramrod]

If the Somerset and the Plymouth woodie are going to be cheap enough...

[bunglebus]

That little 850 is excellent! 

[Datsuncog]

So - gotta run, I'm afraid, and I don't think I'll get back again today. But the Corgi Mrs Peelmobile with rather squishy tyres and the Dinky Spitfire are up for grabs, for the fiver each paid...

Few chips, but otherwise complete.

Missing windscreen here, and the seatbelt plainly failed to keep the driver secured...

Fiat is also available for £5 - thought I'd give Barrett first dibs, then F4A's thrown his hat into the ring, so I daresay it'll be rehomed shortly!

And on that note - I have to dash over to Screwfix, so I'll wish you all a very Happy Friday, in case I don't get a chance later on.

Keep on tattin', kids.

[Datsuncog]

1 minute ago, eddyramrod said:

If the Somerset and the Plymouth woodie are going to be cheap enough...

£5 each on those, so we've seen cheaper...

[eddyramrod]

Just now, Datsuncog said:

£5 each on those, so we've seen cheaper...

Thanks Tim, but they're some distance from my threshold.  I'll pass.

[Datsuncog]

They may drop to two-for-a-fiver if they're still there in subsequent weeks, and he wants them gone - new stock like this is generally a bit dearer.

By his own admission, he's no real interest in diecast and doesn't know much about them - as evidenced by only charging me £5 for the Mercury Fiat 850...

[FakeConcern]

Elan and Spitfire if not already claimed plz

[junkyarddog]

That 850 is sweet!!!!

[Split_Pin]

Ah dammit, that 850 is wonderful, Id love that. That has to be the find of the year! Can I call 3rd dibs behind Barrett and flat4alfa please.