Disney Pixar Cars - Collector Frustration and Loss of Momentum

I've always had my finger on the pulse of collecting, and am a fairly good barometer of how collectors feel. Have you been frustrated with the lack of supply of the new releases over the last few months? I know I have! For the first time in three years, my collecting has become discombobulated. I'm not even sure what I need to be up to date with my collection, and feel like I've hit a wall. I know I need Impound Snot Rod, Greta, Hank, Tumbleweed McQueen, White Walls McQueen and Race Damaged King. The problem is, who knows what's out?! Distribution is so screwed up, that some parts of the country are just getting T Cases that came out four to five months ago, while others are seeing Impound DJ! Can you relate?!

How about the economy? Are you starting to buy just one Car instead of two of each character? I've started to curtail my spending. Especially in light of the pathetic supply. We all ran around like a bunch of goofballs during Black Friday through Christmas looking for New releases and Haulers that never showed up! I don't know about you, but I'm tired and over it all! Ever visit MattyCollector.com? This is what you hear...Chirp, Chirp, Chirp, Chirp!! So, is it any surprise that Mattel comes out with a lousy earnings report? As I've said in the past, Mattel blames retailers, while the retailers blame Mattel. Passing the proverbial buck doesn't matter to customers. We want service, supply and not some artificial scarcity! Doing some stupid promotion to get us to buy up "Peg Warmers" to get a racer in a case is losing it's appeal. People ordered three to five Sidewall Shines, then only ordered one to three N2O Colas. Buying all those Cars that we don't want or need is getting old fast.

Well, I guess we'll see what happens. The Haulers are finally showing up and Dustin Mellows is making appearances. New singles are still pathetically scarce, and who knows where all the Chase Cars are. Mattel has no excuse for poor earnings. They can print money by simply getting their act together and meeting consumer demand for the hottest toy line in the world...CARS!

Coming to Alternator Valley: The Mater the Greater Prototypes will be Previewed SOON! Subscribe to Alternator Valley and get the Hottest Cars News before anyone!

http://CarsDieCastToys.Blogspot.com

Disney Pixar Cars - Over Sized, Mega Sized, What's, What?

What's bigger...Super Sized? Mega Sized? Over Sized? Value Sized? Up Sized? Holey Cow, stop, stop, my head hurts! If you haven't noticed, Mattel has released the "Mainline" die cast Cars, then Over sized Cars, and now Mega Sized Cars. What is the difference between an Over Sized and a Mega Sized Car? Which is larger?

I naturally think a Mega Sized Car is bigger than an Over Sized Car. Mega connotes very huge! In fact, it is 10 to the power of 6, which means one million. Over Sized means...being of more than standard or ordinary size. My logic is correct, but in the world of toys and packaging, my assumption is wrong. The Over Sized is larger than the Mega Sized. Does this make sense?!

I had a little talk with Mr Cars himself, Martin Arriola. Martin told me that Marketing makes the calls that Packaging's copywriter follows for package design and copy. He also mentioned that Design is responsible for the product and giving Marketing an accurate description asap. Then, Packaging can start their process. In this case, maybe they never saw the prototypes. Maybe they don't know the difference between Mega and Over Sized! Maybe they missed the memo.

When you compare, you see that Al Oft the Lightyear Blimp (Over Sized), is pretty close in size to Dustin Mellows (Mega Sized). Before seeing the two in person, I expected Dustin Mellows to be much larger in size. So, you'd think that Dustin would be Over Sized and Al would be Mega Sized. Guess it is better to just say they are BIG! It worked for Tom Hanks!! ;-) I think I'll go to Mc Donalds and get a Super Sized fry. Wait, they did away with that. Instead, I'll go to Chick Fil A and get an Up Sized Sweet Iced Tea!

http://CarsDieCastToys.Blogspot.com

Disney Pixar Cars - There's a New Sheriff in Town

In the last week I've seen Walmart shelves filled with the Talking, Squawking, Light-up Sheriff! I believe he is selling for $21.99. He is very cool and I almost bought him today. It is amazing what those Chinese can do with plastic, lights and sound chips!!

Still no sign of the Haulers, hardly a single Oversized anywhere, no Dustin Mellows or Case C's here in Orlando! I guess nobody wants my money or yours.

http://CarsDieCastToys.Blogspot.com

Old Route 66 Days - Fini from Comic-Con '08

Comic-con was a grand buffet for the collector! I've been told next year will be even better and bigger for the Cars line! There were a load of great things I reported on from MattyCollector.com to the coming of "Elvis!" This is my last story from Comic-Con 2008.

If you recall, the scene in Cars where Sally and Lightning are at the Wheel Well Motel looking out over Radiator Springs, Sally reminisces about the good old days when she reminded Lightning that, "Cars didn't drive to make great time, they drove to have a great time!"



Well, you're going to get the opportunity to add the Old Days Cars to your collection as well! I'm going to discuss a couple I saw at Comic-Con to whet your appetite!

The first I'll discuss, is a truck that has a very distinct look...his name is Dustin Mellows. He was a delivery truck for Trophy Spark Plugs in the 1950's and travelled through Radiator Springs each month.

Here's Dustin in die cast form! He looks as if he'll be part of the "Over Sized" line. When will he be released? I don't know that yet.

I also saw this big green machine...Edwin Kranks. A Car who would eat at Flo's each night. Like a human partying and waking up with an unintended tattoo, Edwin woke up to find he had a metal flake green apple paint job. Girls suddenly stared at Edwin quite a bit, and those dinners at Flo's became dinner for two.

Here's Edwin in die cast form! A very cool looking character. Again, no release date as of today. There will be many more of the Old Days Cars. So, buckle your seat belts...there's going to be a great time ahead!

http://www.CarsDieCastToys.Blogspot.com