Disney Pixar Cars - Disney Shopping Presidents' Day Sale

DisneyShopping.com is having a Big Sale!

Everyone likes to save money. Today I saw that
DisneyShopping.com started a Presidents' Day Sale
and they have Disney Pixar Cars stuff! Here are a
couple of things you may want to add to your stash...

Cars Mack Truck Carrier

Cars Tire Shaped Carrying Case
for 1:55th Die Cast Toys

I haven't seen the Lightyear Tire Carrying Case before. I've seen a similar Hot Wheels Case. About two years ago, I spoke with a Manager at Once Upon a Toy at Downtown Disney in Orlando, he claimed a huge Cars Carrying Case was coming that would hold 35 Cars. That never materialized! This case looks like a DisneyShopping.com exclusive. Happy Shopping!

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Disney Pixar Cars - Printable Lightning McQueen Valentine's Day Card

News is slow, and I always try to bring you something Cars related daily. I found a Free printable Disney Pixar Cars Valentine's Day Card. You and your kids can go to this link Cars Valentine's Card and make one to give to their friend(s)!

There's always something cool out there! I'm adding this NEW link to Alternator Valley's "Important Collector Web Sites," Disney-Stationary.com. You'll find a ton of great Cars images and things you and your kids will love!

You can print things such as Free Stationary, Free Coloring Sheets, and more!

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Disney Pixar Cars - The Transportation of the Toys from China to Walmart

Today I stopped in a number of Walmarts to look for Wally the Hauler. While at one of the Walmarts, I asked a nice department manager for help. She actually headed up Sporting Goods, but was glad to help me. She had one of the Walmart scanner guns that gives you all sorts of great info. She knew nothing about Cars, but was able to tell me the Haulers were Direct Imports from her computer access. She was more than happy to tell me how their system worked.

The interesting thing is she gave me insight into the Distribution problem we're all fedup with! She told me getting popular things could take up to four weeks minimum, regardless of the department. She felt the problem with so many things that are "OUT," has to do with the transportation of goods. As we've all joked, but are unfortunately correct about, Cars are literally on a slow boat from China!!

A Slow Boat from China Delivers Cars Toys to the U.S.

Trains transport the Containers to the Distribution Centers

Trucks also haul the Containers to Distribution Centers

The Walmart Distribution Center Sorts & Redistributes!

A rousing Yeah! as Shoppers Descend Upon Walmart

All that to get a toy to the United States and in your waiting hands! Well, now you are bit more enlightened as to the Distribution problem, and why releases are weeks behind in showing up in stores. Let's hope things speed up and are a bit more efficient.

http://CarsDieCastToys.Blogspot.com

Disney Pixar Cars - The Cottage Industries

Whenever anything becomes popular, "Cottage Industries" (An industry where the creation of products and services is home-based, rather than factory-based) pop up around the thing that is popular. I thought it would be interesting to discuss the many Cottage Industries that have developed around the popularity of Disney Pixar's Cars. Some make a few hundred dollars, while others may make tens of thousands of dollars!

A first example would be Cars blogs and collector web sites. Most are done out of pure joy and rarely make money. If they do, it is through Google AdSense or other ad based revenue.

Another example is Card Guards that were made to protect your die cast toys in their original packaging. These Card Guards keep the cardboard from becoming dog eared, bent and otherwise damaged.

We've also seen people making Cars Display Cases primarily out of plexi-glass that hold various numbers of Cars for display and protection.

We are all highly aware of people selling all sorts of Cars merchandise from the die cast toys to posters on Ebay. The "Secondary Market" is always critical to sustaining collector interest and product longevity.

Finally, we've seen people making what many refer to as "Customs," which I've written about at length. Those I feel are legal, and those I've pointed out infringe on copyrights.

Just how long these "Cottage Industries" generate profits, is determined by the size and popularity of the Primary Industry. Once the Primary Industry is damaged, or the consumer loses interest, you can expect to see the Cottage Industries die very quickly.

The Cars "Cottage Industries" have done fair to poor. No one is making a killing on these things. But, who knows what is around the corner!

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Disney Pixar Cars - Frank's First Showing in the Buff

Here's a "Special Look" at Frank in his raw metallic state! You rarely get to see this step of the die cast process, but today is your lucky day! Frank looks weird without his intimidating eyes staring down his rotating blades. Kinda looks naked doesn't he? Just a step along the way to toy immortality!

Watch out Chick! You're gonna be mince meat!

Frank doesn't look so tough with a Pink blade!

Looks like Lightning is gonna escape Frank's wrath!

Frank is expected to be released on May 1, 2009! Now, we all know that the key word is expected! We will just have to wait and see what happens when the slow boat from China docks, unloads, and the trucks deliver him to the warehouses. The good thing...we finally get a die cast Frank!!

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A Creative Disney Valentine to Share with Everyone

Before I go to bed, I thought I'd share this super creative Valentines picture with all of you! Minnie Loves Mickey, and who can resist them?! A good friend who works at Disney World sent this to me tonight. It is very cool to see how creative people can be with just about anything!! Hope it put a smile on your face!

Tomorrow, something cool! Subscribe to Alternator Valley to get the latest Cars News First!

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Disney Pixar Cars - Wally the Walmart Hauler

I was supposed to have something special for you to see today, but my contact at Mattel was not able to get it to me by the end of the business day. I should have it for you tomorrow!

I want to talk about Wally the Hauler today! A friend spotted him in an Orlando Walmart yesterday, but she reported that he must have had a run in with some crazy kid. She told me his package was crushed and that he was terribly damaged. She wanted to justify buying him for me, but she said he was simply too beat up for my taste.

To date, Wally has only shown up in a very few places. Only two people have listed him on Ebay. Hopefully, we'll start seeing him appear in more stores across the country. I've recently seen the first three Haulers...Gray, Chick Hicks, and Mack starting to show up with some regularity now.

I had to laugh when I found out he was named Wally! I assumed he would just be called the Walmart Hauler. Didn't you? Me and many of my friends call Walmart, "Wally World." Now, obviously he could just be named Wally because of Wal being turned into Wally. It would be interesting to know if it was because people often refer to the store as "Wally World." Either way, he's a unique exclusive, and I 'm sure we're all looking forward to adding him to our collections!

Tomorrow, something cool! Subscribe to Alternator Valley to get the latest Cars News First!

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Disney Pixar Cars - The Mysterious Yellow Tanker and Blue Hauler

I wrote an article on January 11th about the release dates of the Haulers for 2009. At first, the list included two little known names...Yellow Tanker and Blue Hauler. I want to remind all, that I get my Top Secret info directly from undercover agents who have infiltrated the Mattel Design Studio as janitors! ;-) So, sometimes the info gets a bit messed up because they smuggle out documents in the garbage that may have gotten a splotch of ketchup, or a cigarette burn on it. Initially, the list had these two little known trucks on it. Many got excited because of the mystery surrounding these two Haulers. Their names even sounded a bit mysterious...Yellow Tanker and Blue Hauler! You do know what yellow and blue makes? Green! Could they be Chick Hicks parents?!!! We'll have to explore that at another time.

I got confirmation that these two were suddenly off the list, and collectors hopes of meeting these mystery Haulers were dashed! We may have to wait until 2010 until they make their appearance, but because of Scooby from the Netherlands (I believe this is where this secret agent is based), we have surveillance photos of both the Yellow Tanker and Blue Hauler!! So, without further delay, I give you the Yellow Tanker and the Blue Hauler!!

This photo was taken by agent Scooby while
concealed in a tumbleweed by the side of Route 66!


We see the Blue Hauler as he appears to whisper to that car
going by him. Maybe he told him where to find the Jackalope!

We'll have to wait to see where these two are sighted next. I'll report my findings when I get verified info from the janitors!

Tomorrow, I'll show you something special! Subscribe to Alternator Valley to get the latest Cars News First!

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Disney Pixar Cars - Jibbitz Crocs Shoe Charms

Here's a cool thing you may not know exists...Jibbitz Cars Charms for Crocs! I came across them while sailing on the Disney Magic through the Panama Canal in May of last year. They attach to the holes in the comfy shoes, and add a fun personalization to them. Kids certainly love them and they definitely caught the eye of this big kid as well! I only saw Mater, Lightning McQueen and Guido while aboard the ship. Now, they have an entire selection to choose from! Click on this link to see them all... Cars Charms

You can even get this cool Display Board in case you just want to collect them! The detail is incredible and they are reasonably priced! See a need, fill it, and you may be the next millionaire!

http://CarsDieCastToys.Blogspot.com