Look at this
blog post on the ZR1 diecast that Jada will be producing. This will surely be an instant best-seller for Jada. Their licensing dept. is getting more aggressive all the time. This is typically an exclusive that Maisto or Mattel would get. It's good to see that at least someone in the diecast business is healthy!
My first post! It took the possibility of a new ZR1 release to get me web surfing again - which is what directed me to this forum. I do hope that JADA will treat it a bit more "reality based" compared to their other products. I do admit , though that I would buy it either way. And I'll give JADA credit for one thing: You can actually FIND their product at STORES !! Not that I mind all the online places to buy from, but, I do enjoy walking into a Target or Walmart and seeing a new Vette sitting on the shelf, pick it up, check it out , kid in the candy shop style.
Yeah vetteman, nothing beats instant gratification. It remains to be seen how the 2009 Corvette ZR1 will be treated by Jada, but surely since they have the exclusive they won't need to "dub it out" too much. I only like Jada items that look like something that might really exist. Escalades sittin' on 'twenty-fo's' ain't cuttin' it for me!
I think the biggest reason Jada got the deal is because they know how to market product. The Hotwheels C6 Vettes are a good example. The quality was excellent I thought. Better than Maisto or even Greenlight - and a way better affordability than Autoart. BUT, trying to find them at retail was next to impossible. Retail stores are Jadas strength. I don't like the inaccuracy of scale/dimensions/interiors/under hoods/few 1/18/no reality in the wheels and tires - but at least they can make a friggin' car, sell 'em at STORES (what a concept) and get product out in the hands of people. Online shopping is not the holy grail for selling collectibles. I recently bought the Autoart Manta Ray Vette concept online. No problems, no damages, but I fail to see what the big deal is about AutoArt detail as far as the high price goes. Had I seen it on display in a window box at a store, I doubt if I would have plunked down the seventy bucks . Anyway.... what you gonna do?
I would imagine that the exclusive license wasn't cheap, but I wonder if Mattel is even in the bidding anymore with all the trouble they've been through. Jada Toys continues growing while all the other companies are declining, or at least going ultra-conservative on releases for the time being. I'm glad Jada got it, even though the larger-than-scale issue and oversized wheels is an always-present problem with them.
You have to understand that the increase in Autoart cost has been in the last 4 yrs or so. Before that they were a great value for high-detail diecast cars. Now they're simply overpriced detailed models!
I didn't know that about Autoart. I mean I can't complain - the tires for example look like REAL automobile rubber - without tireblack applied or anything. And the paint finish is great. So, what happened in the diecast world that has caused such upheavel? I've only been collecting since 2004 right before the 05 Vette was released by Mattel. I can see where the younger generations aren't buying 18th scale collectibles in general (as they are not toys) but i can tell you one thing: If WalMart,Kmart,Sears,Target,various DrugStore chains etc get a fresh shipment of assorted cars, I can promise you that the Corvettes fly off the shelves, leaving the European supercars and the other "sports cars" sitting to collect dust. So, knowing this, why does Mattel decide to make three different versions of the Batmobile - limit again to the internet preorder business - loose their shirt again to when the dust settles and you can buy them for 75% off from closeout kings, as opposed to -- say --- making a really nice 18th and a really really nice 12th scale ZR1 to SELL IN THE STORES where they would fly off shelves?????
There is something you're not accounting for: the Chinese male pride. These decisions are being made by the Chinese who don't operate on the same set of priniciples we do, you know like common sense?!
ooooookayeeeeeeeeeeeeee...... not alot of passionate conjecture about what may or may not be happening with the ZR1 ....... but I'll ask anyway: Anyone know when and how the puppy will arrive? The JADA website is of absolutely no help - even if you sign up for so called membership. No facts. No pics. No dates. No committment as to colors, treatments, yada yada.
On the positive side, I've noticed that someone at Target has woke up and started getting small shipments of 1:18 scale collectables again. Old releases in most cases, but if you don't have them all, they're priced right and there is the thrill of "the hunt" back again. The other retailers just have old stock of the 700 variations of the Camaro Concept car. Like we need those.......
ooooookayeeeeeeeeeeeeee...... not alot of passionate conjecture about what may or may not be happening with the ZR1 ....... but I'll ask anyway: Anyone know when and how the puppy will arrive? The JADA website is of absolutely no help - even if you sign up for so called membership. No facts. No pics. No dates. No committment as to colors, treatments, yada yada.
On the positive side, I've noticed that someone at Target has woke up and started getting small shipments of 1:18 scale collectables again. Old releases in most cases, but if you don't have them all, they're priced right and there is the thrill of "the hunt" back again. The other retailers just have old stock of the 700 variations of the Camaro Concept car. Like we need those.......
Haven't heard anything at all on the ZR-1. Maybe they are planning on this being their Christmas blockbuster?
Good to know about Target. Will be sure to check out what's available locally and report back!