I did call Walthers and placed an order. I also asked the lady taking the order if she knew why certain slot car items were "unshippable to California."

She stated she was "unsure" and acted as if Walthers did not have a full understanding of it as well. I found this answer very lacking.

In the original post, I chose not to mention this as it offered such little relevant information. I am asking around and will post any additional informationas to why this is the case.

You have to wonder where we are in this country when a product on the shelf for years is suddenly banned by a single state.

Jim Norton
Huntsville, Alabama

california has new legislation making toy store owners (as well as makers) responsible for supplying toys that are lead free, and testing to prove that they are. if lifelike is made in china (which it most likely is) and there are lead testing issues then that is the most likely scenerio. we'll see. mj
heres an article:
http://www.nbcactionnews.com/content/morningnewsteam/story/Complaints-About-The-New-Lead-Testing-Law/2qBRvPgGE0qQfxZ-_AVlZA.cspx

From what I am gathering, Life-Like is experiencing the same road blocks as mini-bikes are. Slot cars, like parts off a small motorcycle engine could be put in a child's mouth. Boy.......................

Government should have no dealings in slot cars which require soaking in brake fluid to remove their paint.

Take heed.....life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are becoming more and more difficult to acheive.

Jim Norton
Huntsville, AL

life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are becoming more and more difficult to acheive.

Tell that to the 7+ million people who lost their jobs between 12/07 and 1/09

Oh well at least the oil companies made all time record profits, so we should all be happy, right?

I just discovered a similar thing over the weekend, a friend of mine does high powered rocketry. We're talking J-motored sort of stuff. Two of the out of state companies no longer will ship him above H-motor reloads because of the material used in the solid rocket engines, he needs a hazardous materials waiver now. While a third company out of New York will send him stuff, possibly because they have similiar laws regarding this stuff. Still is has to cross state lines because you can't send it air mail. It may be a matter of hazardous materials coming into the state, like lead. I'm just not really aware how much lead is in an HO slot car, and I haven't been able to turn up anything in recent legislation that would cause this. Maybe Walthers misunderstood something along the way?

Videojimmy:

"Tell that to the 7+ million people who lost their jobs between 12/07 and 1/09

Oh well at least the oil companies made all time record profits, so we should all be happy, right?"


Jim adds:


Start counting from 1/20/09...........Sadly, you ain't seen nothing yet.

Jim Norton
Huntsville, Alabama

Maybe you should change the thread title to "...the speculations so far".

If you are really interested in getting an answer to your original question, get past the Walthers gal taking the phone orders, and get to someone who can give you the answer.

Get the facts, or give us, in your best Rosana Ana Dana voice, a big ol 'nevermind'.

Or not. :)

I can see it now; HO slot car smuggling into California. State Troopers at road blocks with specially trained K9's that sniff out Life Like slot cars and rocket motors stashed in secret compartments of cars and trucks. Guys on dark corners selling slot cars under their rain coats. "Psst, hey, wanna good deal on a Life Like Slot Car?" The suspects are rounded up in a massive sting operation and put on trial before Arnold the Governator. "Asta La Vista, Slot Car Racers."

Stay tuned for the next episode of Chips Toy Patrol! :freak:

I can see it now; HO slot car smuggling into California. State Troopers at road blocks with specially trained K9's that sniff out Life Like slot cars and rocket motors stashed in secret compartments of cars and trucks. Guys on dark corners selling slot cars under their rain coats. "Psst, hey, wanna good deal on a Life Like Slot Car?" The suspects are rounded up in a massive sting operation and put on trial before Arnold the Governator. "Asta La Vista, Slot Car Racers."

Stay tuned for the next episode of Chips Toy Patrol! :freak:

Where did you get the wee people from?

Roger Corrie

Too funny Slott V !!! I liked that:thumbsup::thumbsup: RM

Our government has lost touch with the people.
Instead of representing us they give us what they
think we need not what we want.
NAFTA,the WTO,the UN. If Thomas Jefferson was
here today he would recommend another revolution.

Ack...soon they will come after my drivers stations...:cool:

Good one Slott V. Can't wait for the next episode. ;) rr

I decided to try and get to the bottom of this situation, and so I called Walter directly.

Walter: “Hello”
Jeff: “Hi. I am calling regarding your decision to stop shipping slot cars to California.”
W: “I’m sorry?”
J: “I wasn’t looking for an apology, but I would like to know the reasoning behind the decision”.
W: “Who the (bleep) is this!?”
J: “My name is Jeff, but that really doesn’t matter. I’m calling on behalf of the slotaholics out here on the left coast, anxious to get some lead-laden Lifelikes. Do you plan on reversing your decision?”
W: (click)

Since I didn’t get the answers I was looking for, I decided to drive over to their Central Distribution center in California.

http://www.walterswholesale.com/Art/mainimage-home-1.jpg

As soon as I walked into the warehouse, it was apparent that they had no intentions of selling slot cars out here. I went directly to a manager, and the conversation did not go much better then my phone call with Walter. It’s almost like they have a script to read when answering questions regarding slot cars. It goes much beyond plausible deniability – they are definitely trying to prevent the truth from getting out.

As the security guards approached, I asked one last question of the manager “Do you have plans in the future to sell slot cars in California, or are you getting out of this market?”

“Get Out” they said, which I think answered the question.

Scafremon...
Wow... hung up on? and nearly escorted by security for asking a question about product availability.... Sorry ,, but I have to Laugh... not at you but at the situation....
Makes you wonder what Bean Counter got in the middle of this one and can't seem to get themselves out of it.. Evidently the whole company knows about it and is rather on the touchy side to say the least..
I could expand this line of thought into other areas I deal with on a daily basis.. but that would be another can of worms...
Later
Chris

you guys are right, the government is WAY out of control and this has been going on forever. As a single guy with no kids who works full time I can tell you that having a good 1/3rd of my paycheck stolen from me---YES, i said STOLEN--between the Feds and the state of Oregon it is NOT a good deal.

Here's what the government should be doing for us: Put out the fires. Bust the meth labs, lock up the rapists and theives, and excecute the murderers. Keep out anyone who doesnt belong here. Bring the hammers of Hell down on anyone who threatens us. Keep the roads somewhat smooth. Thats IT. Outside of that, I dont want uncle sam to know I even exist. I sure as HELL dont want some whiney do-gooder trying to 'protect' me from my own habits of slotcars, alcohol, gambling, tobacco, fast food, or anything else potentially 'bad' for me should I chose to enjoy them.

Ok, end Libertarian rant.

you guys are right, the government is WAY out of control and this has been going on forever. As a single guy with no kids who works full time I can tell you that having a good 1/3rd of my paycheck stolen from me---YES, i said STOLEN--between the Feds and the state of Oregon it is NOT a good deal.

Here's what the government should be doing for us: Put out the fires. Bust the meth labs, lock up the rapists and theives, and excecute the murderers. Keep out anyone who doesnt belong here. Bring the hammers of Hell down on anyone who threatens us. Keep the roads somewhat smooth. Thats IT. Outside of that, I dont want uncle sam to know I even exist. I sure as HELL dont want some whiney do-gooder trying to 'protect' me from my own habits of slotcars, alcohol, gambling, tobacco, fast food, or anything else potentially 'bad' for me should I chose to enjoy them.

Ok, end Libertarian rant.

Wasn't this topic just closed on another thread for getting into politics? Enough already!!!!!!! Unless you have information on this ACTUAL tpic, take it off list or to another board, PLEASE.

Alright, folks. You all know that Hank has a BAN on politics. Please keep this off the forums. There are plenty of other forums to discuss your political feelings, but this isn't one of them. I feel you guys on a lot of this stuff that's happening, but this just isn't the place to talk about it.