Name the 10 things you DON"T want to see GL do. This can be done in a positive and informing light please........

Here are mine in no special order.

1. Stay away from non-auto related license deals like magazines, soda pop, comic books. If this is done, please continue your trend of Pace Cars, famous tracks like Daytona, Indy etc. If more are needed consider things like petrolina, Can Am, SCCA etc.

2. If the price has to raise, don't try and hide it in packaging. For example, if the price needs to go up .10 to the bottom line, please don't raise it .50 and give us .40 more in packaging to give the "look" of increased value. Just raise the price the dime, leave the package alone so these .50 and dollar price increases stop in the die-cast world.

3. The words pimp, donk and dub should never, ever be associated with GL. Trust me on this.

4. Chase cars are a necessary evil. Stick with a formula. Please don't let anyone talk you into thinking by changing the formula you have a prayer of outsmarting a "scalper" and that somehow moving the target increases the odds of getting it to the "goodguys". Smoked glass, ashtray open, words placed backwards on tires is all a sham. Keep the body green....stick with that. You're not going to fool anybody with tricks.

5. There can be success outside the Vette, Camaro '57 Chevy world. Yes I know it's tempting to stick with the basics and there are plenty of castings that others have done (Motormax comes to mind) that also make you go hmmmm? But there is a world of Buick, Olds, Panchos including many more Fords, Mopars and Chevys that can be done for the first time with great success.

6. Don't play follow the leader. If Zingers are hot, Spoilers are hot, BWF's is hot thats fine and those who come up with it should reap the reward but to never do your own thing and always play follow the leader idea wise is what I already see on the pegs done over and over again. See that box.....now look outside it.;)

7. Don't cut off your fan base. Talk to them every once in awhile. Let them know you are out there, let them know you care. It takes a little extra time but like any relationship the reward should be greater than the investment in time.

8. Don't think a fan club is an easy way to show you care about your audience. I have seen many work at first but they all after some time fail for one reason or another. The ones based on selling specialty cars backfire with numbers, greed and one upsmanship. The ones based on info only last as long as the person in charge of it continues to keep it fresh. When that person moves on or less emphasis is placed on this, people become very resentful of old and stale knowledge. Be careful, these clubs can haunt you.

9. Less is more. The casting is the goal. I've never heard anyone buy one brand over another because of packaging, inserts or a million variations. No doubt these can be helpful in some instances but I have seen many times when the casting becomes secondary to the theme. I swear some companies come up with an idea then go back and plug castings in to satisfy the theme. It's a lose lose situation.

10. OK, this one I want to see GL do. Consider an event show. Figure out your needs and goals and the best way to promote yourself with it and make it happen. The PR value and the effort places you in one of two categories. Those that have one (I can think of two) and those who do not. This is not playing follow the leader but rather, "thank you" to those who love you most and if done properly can be used as a tool as well.

Peter.....paging Mr Modsquad. Now is your time to sound off. Place an opinion. Make a stand.:p

Geez Mark, I hate to say it, but I agree with you 100% on everything you posted. I don't want to sound like I'm taking the easy way out, but damn well said!!

I could not have said it better myself.

I agree with everything said except that "chase cars are a necessary evil" - I don't believe they are necessary at all!
- There are not enough for everybody that wants one.
- Damned few will ever get a complete set.
- Most are ugly (ok, thats my opinion).

Instead companies should:
1. Offer FREE collectors club memberships.
2. Peroidically and offer the chance to existing members to buy limited releases at a sane price (one time only, any quantity).
3. Produce only the amount ordered.

Everyone who wants one will get it, and if they wish to purchase extras at the same time for trade later on with newer or those who missed out, they will have something.

I agree with everything said except that "chase cars are a necessary evil" - I don't believe they are necessary at all!
- There are not enough for everybody that wants one.
- Damned few will ever get a complete set.
- Most are ugly (ok, thats my opinion).

Instead companies should:
1. Offer FREE collectors club memberships.
2. Peroidically and offer the chance to existing members to buy limited releases at a sane price (one time only, any quantity).
3. Produce only the amount ordered.

Everyone who wants one will get it, and if they wish to purchase extras at the same time for trade later on with newer or those who missed out, they will have something.

Excellent feedback! I especially agree about the free club. With online service the way it is today and the passing of info within seconds, it is the ONLY way to go. Paper is just too slow and lips are too loose. I think the way you have thought up a limited is also fair and classy.

You sir, get a gold star on your paper and a cookie!;)

You sir, get a gold star on your paper and a cookie!


Hey mark, are the peanutbutter cookies? Yummy if so.

Name the 10 things you DON"T want to see GL do. This can be done in a positive and informing light please........

Here are mine in no special order.

1. Stay away from non-auto related license deals like magazines, soda pop, comic books. If this is done, please continue your trend of Pace Cars, famous tracks like Daytona, Indy etc. If more are needed consider things like petrolina, Can Am, SCCA etc.

2. If the price has to raise, don't try and hide it in packaging. For example, if the price needs to go up .10 to the bottom line, please don't raise it .50 and give us .40 more in packaging to give the "look" of increased value. Just raise the price the dime, leave the package alone so these .50 and dollar price increases stop in the die-cast world.

3. The words pimp, donk and dub should never, ever be associated with GL. Trust me on this.

4. Chase cars are a necessary evil. Stick with a formula. Please don't let anyone talk you into thinking by changing the formula you have a prayer of outsmarting a "scalper" and that somehow moving the target increases the odds of getting it to the "goodguys". Smoked glass, ashtray open, words placed backwards on tires is all a sham. Keep the body green....stick with that. You're not going to fool anybody with tricks.

5. There can be success outside the Vette, Camaro '57 Chevy world. Yes I know it's tempting to stick with the basics and there are plenty of castings that others have done (Motormax comes to mind) that also make you go hmmmm? But there is a world of Buick, Olds, Panchos including many more Fords, Mopars and Chevys that can be done for the first time with great success.

6. Don't play follow the leader. If Zingers are hot, Spoilers are hot, BWF's is hot thats fine and those who come up with it should reap the reward but to never do your own thing and always play follow the leader idea wise is what I already see on the pegs done over and over again. See that box.....now look outside it.;)

7. Don't cut off your fan base. Talk to them every once in awhile. Let them know you are out there, let them know you care. It takes a little extra time but like any relationship the reward should be greater than the investment in time.

8. Don't think a fan club is an easy way to show you care about your audience. I have seen many work at first but they all after some time fail for one reason or another. The ones based on selling specialty cars backfire with numbers, greed and one upsmanship. The ones based on info only last as long as the person in charge of it continues to keep it fresh. When that person moves on or less emphasis is placed on this, people become very resentful of old and stale knowledge. Be careful, these clubs can haunt you.

9. Less is more. The casting is the goal. I've never heard anyone buy one brand over another because of packaging, inserts or a million variations. No doubt these can be helpful in some instances but I have seen many times when the casting becomes secondary to the theme. I swear some companies come up with an idea then go back and plug castings in to satisfy the theme. It's a lose lose situation.

10. OK, this one I want to see GL do. Consider an event show. Figure out your needs and goals and the best way to promote yourself with it and make it happen. The PR value and the effort places you in one of two categories. Those that have one (I can think of two) and those who do not. This is not playing follow the leader but rather, "thank you" to those who love you most and if done properly can be used as a tool as well.
I agree 100 percent, hope they are listening!!!!!!!!

i'm with you. Keep things simple, offer cars that aren't already flooding the market, and stay away from tie-ins. Does anyone really think Clue was a good idea?

I'd like to see them do a club, with a limited edition car available. JL did that for a while, until the extras ended up at Big Lots for $1.99. Less is more. If you sell 500, don't make the next run 3,000. You will end up with stock on your shelf.

Oh, and one last thing - Do a Cougar!

Good points
Only one I would disagree with would be as mentioned the need for a chase car. While it could be argued that a chase car generates interest I also think it frustrates people. Kind of a two edged sword.

I would add that I would like to see a continuing of working with companies that want to have promos of GL cars.

Also would like to see some sort of give and take feedback like was done in September. Doesn't have to include a prize (but it sure wouldn't hurt).

Oh, and one last thing - Do a Cougar!

I have been doing my part badgering them about doing a 70 Cougar Eliminator

You sir, get a gold star on your paper and a cookie!;)

Thanks for the cookie! I'll make it semi-sweet chocolate chip with walnuts and made with real butter, then add it to my ever (satisfying?) collection of 'virtual beers' :p

Mark, I think you hit on the head. One thing I would like to see is a little more variation, here is example, a old mopar let say a 70 dodge super bee, make most of them without vinyl roof, and few mixed in with it, is this a chase car? well kinda but that's ok with me. this is a example too of what JL could do but don't

here is another example, that JL could do, the 64 dodge, make some of them with the hood scoop and make a batch of them without it in the same series. now I wish GL would do some thing like this, it could be done on the 64 max wedge plymouth

do a website like hot wheels. BUT, don't be afraid of your product. mattel is obviously scared to death of competition, and realizes they are selling an inferior product. they treat club members like dirt, and you don't dare mention another brand.
be proud of your product. let people openly discuss it on your website. if your the best, you don't have to worry. that's why mattel is on the run. value your club members opinions, amd let them openly voice them without immature repercussions as mattel and it's "dictators' do..

Well thought out post. I concur 100%.

NO TAMPOS!!!!

Unless it's for Pace Cars etc......

I would hate to see Beanie & Cecil or Campbell Soup cars. Yuck

I would like to add another one: do not make your products impossible to find in local stores and do not allow distribution issues to annoy your fans

Mark, I think you hit on the head. One thing I would like to see is a little more variation, here is example, a old mopar let say a 70 dodge super bee, make most of them without vinyl roof, and few mixed in with it, is this a chase car? well kinda but that's ok with me. this is a example too of what JL could do but don't

here is another example, that JL could do, the 64 dodge, make some of them with the hood scoop and make a batch of them without it in the same series. now I wish GL would do some thing like this, it could be done on the 64 max wedge plymouth
I agree with what Mark mentioned plus I love the option of having a few different options on some of the cars.Maybe even GL could pull off a couple mod tops scattered in a release. I`d also say increase `green machine` production to 5% or so since there isn`t many regulars made either.This way more people could get `the chase` car.

Mark,

Great constructive points. Bottom line is Greenlight has done many things right so far and seems to be a small company staffed by people who love small metal cars and a honestly want to build a business around catering to those people who share their passion for quality diecast. If GL keeps "passion" top of mind and puts "profit" a close second then we will
enjoy a long fruitful relationship.

Regards, DrDeaL

One more thing i would like to add to my Dads list...

11. Stick with quality. If you save a dime because you cheaped out on a detail it will hurt you in the long run, because some of us would rather pay that extra dime to get a better casting.

Name the 10 things you DON"T want to see GL do. This can be done in a positive and informing light please........

.

3. The words pimp, donk and dub should never, ever be associated with GL. Trust me on this.
Seconded by EN

.

5. There can be success outside the Vette, Camaro '57 Chevy world. Yes I know it's tempting to stick with the basics and there are plenty of castings that others have done (Motormax comes to mind) that also make you go hmmmm? But there is a world of Buick, Olds, Panchos,Mercurys , including many more Fords, Mopars and Chevys that can be done for the first time with great success.

(Cyclones and Cougar Eliminators come to mind)




Good job Mark! :thumbsup:

How about making the 69-70 Grand Prix in 10 different colors.

Agree 100% with Mark:) I hope Matt from GL is lurking.

Jeff

I do enjoy when somebody takes an idea and makes it their own. Jada seems to do really well at this in many aspects. I like the truck/trailer/race car tri-pack and the "snapshot" WV beach diorama is killer which plays on the early JL dios. I thought JL's Spoilers which obviously were based on early redlines was just outstanding so yes, I think others can put their spin on it and be very successful without playing follow the leader. Wanted to make a point of that. :thumbsup:


To this day I think one of the coolest subtle firsts was when JL did that Inspiration Point diorama and the cops flashlight beam is captured in the cars frosted glass. That was just SO cool and yet so simple to me.