Monday, December 22, 2008

Disney Pixar Cars - Todd The Pizza Planet Truck In Ratatouille & Wall•E

When I wrote my initial article about Todd the Pizza Planet Truck, I only covered his appearances up through Cars. I figured it was time to update our cameo driven star's last two films...Ratatouille and Wall•E! It is interesting how the directors chose to put him in each film. Brad Bird made him tough to find by having him drive over a bridge in the distance while we focused on Skinner chasing Remy on a scooter. Andrew Stanton put Todd square in our face as Eve scanned the Earth for plant life!

Todd drives over a French bridge in the background in Ratatouille


Todd looks a bit "Trashed" as Eve scans Earth for plant life in Wall•E


It is cool how Todd has been, and will be, in every Pixar feature. Where will he appear in "Up?" You can count on me to let you know! I wonder if we'll see the die cast version of Todd by the time "Up" comes out on May 29th next year. Will Pete Doctor make him easy to find? I'm guessing we may see him from above as Carl Fredrickson's (Ed Asner as Carl) house floats over the city. Can't wait to see it and look for Todd!


Coming Next...A Piece of Pixar History (When I dig it out & photograph it)!

http://CarsDieCastToys.Blogspot.com

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Disney Pixar Cars - For "Customizers" Who Don't Get It

I love genuine, respectful debate. When people disagree and can discuss things in a calm and mature manner, hopefully we all gain some grain of insight. We may not ultimately agree, but hopefully become better enlightened to the issue being discussed. What I don't appreciate is people who flame, insight, insult and act belligerent towards me, or others when they can't stay focused on the topic and resort to making it personal.

This is the last time I'll make this clear...Make all the "Customs" you want for yourself. However, I strongly suggest you don't use copyrighted images and likenesses of Cars items, sell them on Ebay or elsewhere, otherwise you are PROFITING from the illegal use of those images and likenesses.

Nobody needs my permission to do anything.
I'm simply writing articles informing the public that it is unwise to be selling "Customs" using Apple's logos, characters from Cars, or any other intellectually protected image because it is copyright infringement.

People keep trying to attack this blog's author by bringing up the fact that I use the Walmart, Toys R Us or Cars logos. I'll site the U.S. Copyright "Fair Use" Doctrine, and direct you to it so you can be better informed. Here's an excerpt from the government's site. "Section 107 contains a list of the various purposes for which the reproduction of a particular work may be considered “fair,” such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research." Visit this link to become further enlightened...Fair Use Doctrine


If I was using the Toys R Us logo and selling items with their logo on them, I'd certainly be infringing on their copyright and trademark. I'm not making a cent, and am in fact promoting them through comment and news reporting! Frankly, I'm a publicity machine for Pixar's Cars!!

People selling "Customized" hauler after hauler and making thousands of dollars, are doing it illegally! People selling bogus Franks over and over and making thousands of dollars, are doing it illegally. So are the people making ONE item and selling it. The only issue is whether the owner's of those copyrights, Pixar in this case, are going to spend thousands to go after the people selling the illegal items. Anyone with a brain realizes there's a cost/benefit to spending thousands of dollars prosecuting small time thieves. That's why people sell these bogus items. Yet, the fools selling dozens and dozens are far more likely to be prosecuted due to their high visibility and blatant disregard for the law. And simply put, they are making a lot of money doing so. This is the point!

Why do I care? Because it is wrong! Because I'm warning you! Because you shouldn't do it! It doesn't matter what the issue is, if I were to write about the fact that you shouldn't shoplift, you shouldn't rape someone, you shouldn't commit battery, it is all to discuss the reasons why you shouldn't do those things. Maybe discussing it will enlighten someone. Maybe it will stop someone from doing something that could get them in trouble. Maybe it will teach someone about something important.

I have obviously struck a nerve! And, I love it!! Thanks Roger X, you prompted me to write another great article. I'm outta here.


http://CarsDieCastToys.Blogspot.com

Friday, December 19, 2008

Disney Pixar Cars - The Stores To Find Cars

Walmart and Target have been major disappointments for the last couple months. Promises of pallets filled with Cars toys are more like dreams of sugarplums in some whacked out kid's head! They have let us down! No supply and nothing new!

Who are the New heros of Cars collectors?! That old dump of a store...Kmart! Right there with old glue horse Kmart is Toys R Us! Come on, you agree with me, you walk into a Kmart and it is like a morgue! You keep waiting to hear when they are going to file Chapter 11! Yet somehow, the old Blue Light Special keeps its doors open. Heck, Toys R Us isn't much better really! I don't know how they stay in business. BUT, in spite of the fact Kmarts always look like they are going Out of Business and Toys R Us hardly every has customers, they have come through strong in the last couple of weeks!

Toys R Us has been a consistent supply of New releases! I've found Impound Boost, Chief RPM, and Tank Coat Pitty! I've yet to find the next case with Impound Snot Rod, but I have a strong feeling they will have them very soon as well! So, kudos to Toys R Us for meeting collector demand over the last few weeks! It certainly made it easier to buy five Cars for the N2O promotion!

Today I had a feeling I should go into Kmart and voila! There were the two Over Sized Characters I've been searching weeks for...Mack and Marco! And, they had two of each, which is what I always buy! Not only did I find Mack and Marco, but I also found another Impound Boost! So, guess where I'll be going in search of Cars die cast toys? Well, it's safe to say I won't be going to Walmart until they get their act together!

Hope this gives you some help in your search for the elusive toys! You know, I paid $8.79 for each Over Sized and could care less. They had the darn things I wanted and I was happy to pay Kmarts price! Wouldn't you?

http://CarsDieCastToys.Blogspot.com

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Alternator Valley's New Original Logo

Unveiling for the first time...Alternator Valley's New Original logo! Here's your first look at it in its clean, rough form! Designed by my friend Martin Arriola, Mattel Senior Manager of Product Design! Martin is also a fine artist who creates Original Paintings in Oil, Pastel and Watercolor. I urge you to learn more about Martin's art at this link...MartinArriola.com

The final cleaned up version will be done at the start of the year. Another talented friend of mine, Mark Mc Intyre, is a former Disney Design Group artist and one of the co-founders of Hitch Critters. Check out his cool animated hitch ball covers at this link...HitchCritters.com

Our logo as been developed to further enhance our identity, and to connect to our loyal readers around the globe! T-Shirts will be available for purchase after the New Year! We may offer other logo emblazoned merchandise as well.

http://CarsDieCastToys.Blogspot.com

Disney Pixar Cars - Luigi & Guido Hallmark Keepsake Ornament 2008

Real news about Cars die cast toys is pretty much stagnant. With this in mind, I figured I'd talk about ancillary Cars items. I went to a Hallmark store last week and looked for this year's Cars ornament. It was Guido and Luigi. It costs $15.00 and honestly, it isn't worth it. It is the same boring scene of them as fans. Why doesn't Disney get that we want Originality!! How many Franks would they have blown out the door if they made him?! I know I would have grabbed one of those up! I know you reading this would have wanted one! Anything but the same damn, old, tired designs!! Are you people in business to sell product or not?! Oh well, expect those stupid ornaments to gather dust and end up being discounted because they won't sell.

http://CarsDieCastToys.Blogspot.com

Monday, December 15, 2008

Disney Pixar Cars - Disney Pixar Monopoly On Clearance At Toys R Us

I dropped by Toys R Us yesterday and found the Monopoly Disney Pixar Special Edition on Clearance for $14.99! It normally sells for $30.00. I remember when I got the First Edition of the game a few years ago and it cost $45.00. If you can get one, I'd strongly advise you to do so! The game is very cool!

The tokens are really fantastic. I will certainly have to take Lightning McQueen! Kachow!! You can also choose from Mr Incredible, Nemo, Sully with Boo, Buzz Lightyear, and Remy. They are all done in pewter.

The game board has some interesting spots...there's Zurg's Planet, Edna Mode's Mansion, and Andy's Room. You better not speed or the Sheriff will fine you $75.00! You may have to draw a Piston Cup card and pay a fine of $50 because gas goes up again!

I plan on building Al's Toy Barns as far as the eye can see! High roll goes first!

http://www.CarsDieCastToys.Blogspot.com

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Disney Pixar Cars - Mattel Counterfeits Seized In Raid

I started writing an article last year titled, "Customs versus Counterfeits." It was about this time of year that I saw too many people making what they wanted to call "Customs," appearing on Ebay in large numbers. Honestly, there's only one name to call them...COUNTERFEITS!

I haven't finished that article because for a year I've been doing research and talking to Disney Legal, Mattel and trying to get in touch with a number of lawyers. So, the article is still in the works and may be finished soon.

The reason I am discussing this is because of the big bust made a few days ago of 125 thousand bogus toys from China! Toys created to look like Barbie and Winnie the Pooh. Toys that infringe on Mattel and Disney's legal rights.

Richard de Anda, vice president of global security and investigations for Mattel, said the company conducts raids about twice a week in Chinese factories where counterfeit products are manufactured.

Take a look at the official Mattel manufactured Haulers and compare them to this ripoff "The King" counterfeit. Tough to tell which is authentic and which is bogus. These need to be stopped dead in their tracks and the people making them prosecuted for copyright infringement.

There have also been stolen Cars items from manufacturing plants in China showing up on Ebay as well. I've said before that people should avoid buying contraband. People have over paid for these stolen goods and just encourage the illegal behavior by creating a market for the stolen items. Think about this as well...the illegal Chinese counterfeits may also be made with lead based paints. Do you want to give your child toys that could harm them?

http://www.CarsDieCastToys.Blogspot.com

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Disney Pixar Cars - Is The Economy Impacting Your Collecting

KB Toys just declared bankruptcy, Circuit City, Linens and Things, and many more have recently done the same. Mattel, Yahoo, Citibank, even LucasArts have laid off thousands! Unemployment is at a twenty-six year high, the Dow is down 39%, while we carry the largest deficit in the country's history! The globe has fallen into recession as well. Sounds very positive, doesn't it?!

The question I have for you is, "Have these developments caused you to pull back on your spending of Cars collectibles?"

I've chosen to stop wasting time running around like I'm looking for Easter Eggs at Walmart, Target, etc. Thus, I'm saving money on gas. I'm also considering changing my collecting of two of each Car, to just one of each Car. I blame this on the lame supply that both Mattel and the retailers have failed to address to meet collector's demands. I'm getting sick of trying to track down toys like a dog chasing its tail!!

Collecting should be fun, not work! Don't you agree? I'm out for today!

http://www.CarsDieCastToys.Blogspot.com

Friday, December 12, 2008

Disney Pixar Cars - Tokyo Mater Drifts Into Theatres Today

Is "Tokyo Mater" enough to tempt you to see Bolt?

As much as I'd love to see the fourth of "Mater's Tall Tales,"
I have to say seeing Bolt is not on my to do list.

What I'd love to know is...
when will "Mater's Tall Tales" be available on DVD?
  1. Rescue Squad Mater
  2. El Materdor
  3. Mater The Greater
  4. Tokyo Mater
http://www.CarsDieCastToys.Blogspot.com