Can someone from Greenlight explain why the Mustang Series.... Cruise In, rang up as - 1:64 County Road Trucks, and more importantly why they are $5.99?

Prices are determined by individual retailers, as is the data reading pulled from a UPC. Both are questions for the retailer, not the manufacturer. In your post you neglected to mention where the goods were purchased, a key element in navigating the question.

Sincerely,

Russell Hughes
GreenLight Collectibles
Director of Sales & Marketing
e. rjh@greenlighttoys.com

Can someone from Greenlight explain why the Mustang Series.... Cruise In, rang up as - 1:64 County Road Trucks, and more importantly why they are $5.99?


I scanned those cars at my local TRU on Tuesday and they were also $5.99. Last week the TRU exclusive Black Bandit Mustang series was $5.49 (it was $4.99 the week before:freak:) I asked the manager at TRU why the prices were increased on several different items in the store. He said TRU and Greenlight are in business to make money (it's a business thing:dude:). He said as long as people keep buying them at the current price (increased price), don't expect to see them at the old price. I had 10 Greenlight cars in my hands and put all of them back on the pegs. I beginning to think of TRU and Greenlight as scalpers.....GREEDY:dude:

Thanks Russell.... they were from Toys R US.... according to them TRU, the shipping box read Assortment and they claim it's GLs fault?!?! Tried telling them that the 6 cars were definetly NOT County Road Trucks. I can buy GL all day for $3 each, $4 at the worst from a local vendor. Of course it's after the stores have had them but at a 50% difference, you know where I won't be getting them.

I wonder why TRU increased the TRU exclusive Black Bandit Mustang series ($4.99 to $5.49)?

yeah i just saw that in a TRU yesterday. $5.99!!! greenlight- county road trucks or cruise-in's should still be $4.99. I love GL's but that is crazy. bought a bunch of shelby collectibles instead. won't by another 1 from TRU or anywhere else for that price.:(

well, pending an answer from GL, these will probably be going back to TRU.... I mean crarp, I could get two sets at Collectibles Corner for pretty much the same $$.

Hey TRU, ain't happenin'!!

That is why we stopped carrying them - Especially with M2 and others at lower price points.

Solution: as prices go up, stop buying them. :)
Simple demand theory (assuming Greenlight cars are not Giffen Goods ;))

fuddmiester, there is no other answer from GreenLight other than what I posted earlier in this thread - prices are determined by individual retailers, as is the data reading pulled from a UPC. You'll find GreenLight at mass market stores anywhere from $3.99-$5.99 based on the individual chain's mark-up requirements or profit margin decisions.

Regarding the Toys 'R' Us "1:64 County Road Trucks" UPC scan data, they are working to update that information currently. The SKN for all GreenLight SE items is the same - County Roads, Hot Pursuit and Cruise-In - all fall under the same product line umbrella and in turn, the same pegs at the store-level. Since the item was originally set up as "1:64 County Road Trucks" and then transitioned to "1:64 GreenLight SE", it appears to have taken a while for them to update their systems, which is not uncommon in the mass market.

I hope that clarifies the situation. As always, we have our "Where to Buy" section at www.greenlighttoys.com, which will provide our collectors with many purchasing options around the country from OLDs to hobby shops to mass market stores. The direct link is: http://greenlighttoys.com/where-to-buy.html

Sincerely,

Russell Hughes
GreenLight Collectibles
Director of Sales & Marketing
e. rjh@greenlighttoys.com

O.K., that answers enough.... won't need the Greenlight on-line store as it's apparent that I'll be weaning myself off Greenlight, just as I did with JL, thanks! What retailers and companies need to understand about my collecting habbits is that, I need $5.99, I like diecast! Actually works out well as the display case just filled and I was trying to justify getting another!

Russell,

Thanks for informative answer. :thumbsup:

Are Greenlight wholesale prices the same to all retailers? Or do any mass retailers or hobby dealers get preferential pricing?

Thank you.

fuddmiester, there is no other answer from GreenLight other than what I posted earlier in this thread - prices are determined by individual retailers, as is the data reading pulled from a UPC. You'll find GreenLight at mass market stores anywhere from $3.99-$5.99 based on the individual chain's mark-up requirements or profit margin decisions.

Regarding the Toys 'R' Us "1:64 County Road Trucks" UPC scan data, they are working to update that information currently. The SKN for all GreenLight SE items is the same - County Roads, Hot Pursuit and Cruise-In - all fall under the same product line umbrella and in turn, the same pegs at the store-level. Since the item was originally set up as "1:64 County Road Trucks" and then transitioned to "1:64 GreenLight SE", it appears to have taken a while for them to update their systems, which is not uncommon in the mass market.

I hope that clarifies the situation. As always, we have our "Where to Buy" section at www.greenlighttoys.com, which will provide our collectors with many purchasing options around the country from OLDs to hobby shops to mass market stores. The direct link is: http://greenlighttoys.com/where-to-buy.html

Sincerely,

Russell Hughes
GreenLight Collectibles
Director of Sales & Marketing
e. rjh@greenlighttoys.com

$6 is insane to pay for a regular 1:64 vehicle. All the GMs will be gone, but the rest should stay put at TRUs.

$6 is insane to pay for a regular 1:64 vehicle. All the GMs will be gone, but the rest should stay put at TRUs.



The hardcore Greenlight collector will still buy regular Greenlight issues for $5.99 each, but, How many hardcore Greenlight collectors are there?

If the production run was 1000 of each car for the series, I would buy the GL cars that I like. I doubt if I would be a completist for every GL series though.

The hardcore Greenlight collector will still buy regular Greenlight issues for $5.99 each, but, How many hardcore Greenlight collectors are there?

If the production run was 1000 of each car for the series, I would buy the GL cars that I like. I doubt if I would be a completist for every GL series though.

Well considering that I was buying one set to open and 2-3 & 4 extras in some cases.... I'd say I was hard core!

Well considering that I was buying one set to open and 2-3 & 4 extras in some cases.... I'd say I was hard core!

I too buy 1 to keep and 1 to open But all my purchases are cases through our OLDs :thumbsup:

I buy from both MM's and OLDS. Even at $6.00 the price evens out; mail order requires shipping and even when you buy volume, it adds .50 to 1.00 per car. G/L sells the UTHs for 9.95.
I think G/Ls are worth $2 more than JL's. Just my opions tho.

TRU will see that they cannot sell them @ the 5.99 price point, then in turn have to discount them or risk liquidation to a dollar general/big lots type of thing. TRU is destined to fail as was KB. Note to TRU selling at a moderate point & keeping & maybe gaining new customers rather than to up the price point & potentially lose customers. Simple math. Look at HotWheels they have stayed the same price for over 30 years. Maybe JL & Greenlight should take notes. Keep the same price margin without upping the price points. JMO

Well considering that I was buying one set to open and 2-3 & 4 extras in some cases.... I'd say I was hard core!


I also was a hardcore collector at one time (one to open, one to keep in prison) fuddmiester. I'm no longer a hardcore collector. I also don't consider myself a completist collector anymore. Why buy castings that I don't like just because a company makes them? Most newer castings (10 years old or less) are worth less than what you paid for them if you deceide to downsize by selling them. I buy what I like even though I know that I'd be lucky to get 25-50% of the original price. I'm still a diecast junkie, but the thrill is gone.:dude:

I've been selling my extra (older) diecast cars to make room for the new diecast cars that I like. I no longer NEED a diecast car to complete a series, but I'd like to have it to complete a series. Give me a break, no one NEEDS a diecast car.:rolleyes: The word NEED is almost as bad as the word HATE. The only thing that I NEED is my families health (I've had personal issues), and I don't HATE anything or anybody.

I've been collecting diecast cars for over 40 years, and I wasn't a kid when I started. I worked for U.S. Steel when I started collecting diecast because I liked certain cars that were made. Chase cars ruined collecting diecast. Scalpers (people how don't collect diecast, but know they can make a quick buck selling the cars) really screwed up the diecast hobby.

So many long time diecast collectors (the GOOD collectors) have quit collecting, but it seems like for every diecast collectors that quits, there are 2new people (I won't call them collectors) that only take that collector's place. A lot of the new people sell on the 'Bay, and many don't even collect diecast cars. You can't blame them, there's money to be made because there is a demand for chase cars. Hey, buy a Super TH for a buck and sell it for $20or more when they first come out. Certain new WLs and GMs can bring a nice day's wage. I'm the dumb one because I keep the chase cars that I find (I rarely find one anyway), when I could have sold it when the price was high.

Thank goodness I still collect U.S. gold coins (been collecting them since 1967) and firearms (been collecting them since 1967). Both have given me much enjoyment, and it's nice to see that my collection has appreciated in value, and I had FUN collecting them. The first U.S. gold coin that I bought in 1967 was a $20 gold piece (double eagle) in MS-60 condition for $60. I bought U.S. gold coins every year from 1967 to 2004, and it was the best collectible that I ever bought. Not only is gold in the $1000 an ounce range (1oz .999 fine U.S. gold eagles, but the 90% U.S. gold coins can be worth more because of rarity) Gold is easy to sell and it doesn't take up a lot of room (who can afford to a ton of gold?). If you had the gold in a safe and your house caught on fire, the gold would still have value being a blob of gold. Can you say that if that happened to your diecast collection? What's a RARE redline HW worth as a melted blob? I know insure your diecast collection. Sounds good until the insurance company cuts a check for your collection. It's hard to come to an agreement on value. It happened to a good friend of mine.


Sorry for the long read.:wave:

I agree TRU is robbing folks - they have JL Anniv Cars at $2.99 and $2.79 in my area. Having little ones I will say they do have better price points in other areas/other brand toys.

While I am sure Russell will disagree with me, the economics relating to diecast collecting/discretionary income in this day and age do not support a retail price point of $6.00 +/- ESPECIALLY with repaint after repaint coming out.

Logic would dictate - at least to a business I ran - that 45 versions of a given casting in more colors than the factory sold them in over the course of 6 months would be too much for the market to bare - at that price point, is a walk on the path to disaster. Others have tried and failed. The mass retailers, Target in particular in which I have contacts, will not support a product like that. Cranking out the castings AND increasing price seems illogical to me. Maybe GM should release more versions and manufacturer more cars??

I guess it is curious that JL moved to a less expensive line, GL quickly followed (although, I will say a confusing step to me with HS recasts), rather than concentrating on a line in which they no longer have one of their biggest competitors (JL).

M2 has been a great success I believe because of the price hold. They are approx $2.00 cheaper than GL here at retail and get higher ratings from the collecting community. While neither is without faults occassionally, it surprises that one can offer opening features and a more vast selection at a cheaper price point. They are also not on track to pump 50 series releases a month which I am convinced has played into it their success.

I certainly get the mold costs, materials costs, etc - been around long enough to get the costs quite clearly including running my own production facility, but there is really nothing differentiating the line anymore.

I will give cudos for the new Chevy pickup, although all ready out in like 3-4 series, and the attempts at the camper and so forth but one good idea doesn't carry a complete line. It is about repeated hits. ARod hits more than singles.............

My opinion - understand the NEW die cast market (its not the old school we had even as recent as 18 months ago), get to know your collectors they are the buyers and want to buy product THEY want not what is being fed to them, and drive little details (Sean at m2 gets the award for that) that make your pieces different.

My 2 cents.

I fail to understand why $6 is too much to ask for a quality diecast with the details inherently found on a GL. GL blows away 100% HW that cost $10ea!
40th? Gimme a break, if anyone wants to talk disaster in the making let's talk 40th junk. If RCwhoever wants to make "toy" cars they should at least roll, that was important to me as a kid, if it didn't roll it just sat and quickly became my least favorite. Adult collectibles are just that, well detailed with an adult price. JL Gold series were $6, GL is right there in terms of details so why is it OK for JL but not GL? Seems to me 50 cents is not a big increase considering inflation. Energy and manufacturing costs are on the rise again, these little cars we collect have stayed in the $4-6 window as long as I can remember, sounds to me like we are still in that window and the trouble will start with the $6 mark before tax is eclipsed. M2s are OK but just that, OK. I think the majority of their castings are too large. Lots of plastic details that tend to come unglued or are poorly assembled from the start makes for a sloppy finish but I will agree that if examined alone their stuff is OK and some of it actually looks good.
I will agree that $6 is too much for a Couty Roads becase very few of the castings so far appeal to me but for a MCG Hobby or S&C release? A 5o cent increase does not equate to a change in my buying habits, maybe if RC2 gets off their butts and puts out some real diecast I would have a basis to complain about a difference in cost but until then I'm not gonna act like someone ran over my dog. Best bet= OLDs for buying complete series'. It will cost about the same and if you buy from an "honest" OLD you may actually get a green!

Very well said Rattlehed, I agree 100% with everything you said. I buy all my GL from OLDs. I get them way before they hit in the stores. I only go to the stores in hopes of finding a GM, and most of the time i get one in my OLDs order.

I agree TRU is robbing folks - they have JL Anniv Cars at $2.99 and $2.79 in my area. Having little ones I will say they do have better price points in other areas/other brand toys.




My local TRU sells the JL 40 years cars for $2.79 plus tax. The WAL*MART that is a little over a mile away from TRU sells the JL 40 years cars for $1.96 plus tax. A hobby store that I visit sells JL 40 years cars for $2.49 plus tax. Very few JL 40 years cars can be found on the pegs at WAL*MART, but several JL 40 years cars are still hanging on the pegs at TRU. If it wasn't for the JL mail-in Mustang, I'm sure more JL 40 years cars would still be hanging on the pegs at my local TRU.TRU doesn't seems to be run the way it was about 2 years ago with pricing. The TRU exclusive JL 10 car sets were a bargain at $19.99 plus tax, and the cars had metal bases. The TRU BOGO in the summer of 2007 was a bargain! Wow!......20 JL cars with metal bases for $19.99 plus tax. The economy is terrible! Many people lost their jobs, and are losing their houses. Having a roof over your head is more of a priorty than spending money on diecast cars that are made in another country by people that don't make a decent wage. So......Who owns these diecast companies that don't pay their workers a decent wage? I would support the diecast industry more if diecast cars were made in the USA, even though they may cost more than $6.00 each. Remember the song "Look For The Union Label"? I'd love to have a job making diecast cars in the USA, and I wouldn't ask for a high wage. Heck, I'd give Hop Sing a run for the money making lunch bucket pre pros and test shots.

I actually like vintage diecast better. Most vintage diecast companies aren't in business anymore (don't say Hot Wheels:p), so they are a true collectible. There weren't any chase cars, only HTF cars. A lot of vintage diecast cars were made in the USA to boot. Truly a nostalgic collectible. The Matchbox cars from the early 1950's were crude, but I still like them.

When my local TRU raised the price on 1/24 scale Greenlight cars several or more dollars a few months ago, I knew something was wrong.

I agree Ray, I would gladly pay $10ea for a GL equivalent(quality wise) that was USA made.
On another note, not that it justifies a price increase, the only company out there on a large scale making collectables that actually gives a rat's hindparts about your opinions and checks in on boards such as this which have no company affiliation is Greenlight. That said it is somewhat irritating to me to hear folks badmouth them, at least they are trying. If anyone thinks for a second that we will ever get that level of service from RC or Mattel they are either crazy or stupid. There will never be a company out there that makes every single one of us happy all the time but GL is the closest thing we've ever had to diecast shangrilah. If the criticism is constructive they will listen and as we have all already seen they are reading this thread. Try going over to the JL forum and asking a direct question, do you think you'll get an answer?:rolleyes: HW? HA!

The hard core collector will pay the higher price point but the casual buyer won't unless it's something they must have, like a copy of their car. The majority of my customers are casual die cast buyers and they do have their limits on what they will pay for a "1/64" scale car. Believe me I would sell very few at $6 each.

I agree Ray, I would gladly pay $10ea for a GL equivalent(quality wise) that was USA made.
On another note, not that it justifies a price increase, the only company out there on a large scale making collectables that actually gives a rat's hindparts about your opinions and checks in on boards such as this which have no company affiliation is Greenlight. That said it is somewhat irritating to me to hear folks badmouth them, at least they are trying. If anyone thinks for a second that we will ever get that level of service from RC or Mattel they are either crazy or stupid. There will never be a company out there that makes every single one of us happy all the time but GL is the closest thing we've ever had to diecast shangrilah. If the criticism is constructive they will listen and as we have all already seen they are reading this thread. Try going over to the JL forum and asking a direct question, do you think you'll get an answer?:rolleyes: HW? HA!




Quality, not quantity was important to me years ago Mark. I became a victim of quantity in 1998. I'm going back to my original diecast collecting habit of quality from 1969. I can't afford to keep a lot of my diecast anymore (paying for a 10' X 30' and a 10' X 25' storage units), plus having a spare room and basement loaded with containers of diecast cars.

I enjoy the old diecast cars that I have displayed in one room more than a stockpile of containers loaded with diecast cars that haven't seen light in years.

I also have no problem paying $10 or more for a diecast car even if it wasn't made in the USA. Heck, I paid $19.99 plus tax for the Hot Wheels 2 pack cars (like 100% Hot Wheels) in 1998, and I bought 3 each of some sets. It's hard to sell one of these sets now for $10 (so that's $5 a car, and I still think they are nice castings). The 4 car Hot Wheels Legends were $120 when they first came out ($30 each!). The Mickey Thompson Challenger 1 in 1/64 scale is still a favorite of mine. The Hot Wheels Legends 1/24 scale Twin Mill was about $200 when it first came out. I still play with this car (love the audio, lights, and electronic opening roof). You can see this car on youtube if you type in Hot Wheels Legends Twin Mill. Johnny Lightning, Greenlight, and M2 are my current favorite diecast companies. Although I bought the 1/64 scale Greenlight Motor World cars, I doubt if I'll buy anymore. I also doubt if I'll buy any more M2 Drivers cars. Making a more affordable car by making a less detailed car doesn't interest me.

Make a more detailed 1/64 scale diecast car in the $10-$20 price range and make it a limited production. I'll buy some! Visit a hobby store and price a German made 1/87 scale (HO scale) car. They sell for $15-$20 in my area. The train people buy them for their HO layout.

I really like the garage accessories that Greenlight makes!:thumbsup: Please make some 1/64 scale buildings (gas stations, fast food buildings, grocery stores, houses, etc.).

I have stopped buying repaints for the most part because $4.99 was alot. Now if they are $6 I will only buy a NEW casting that no one has really done yet...LIKE a 76 TransAm:wave:

The hard core collector will pay the higher price point but the casual buyer won't unless it's something they must have, like a copy of their car. The majority of my customers are casual die cast buyers and they do have their limits on what they will pay for a "1/64" scale car. Believe me I would sell very few at $6 each.





I don't doubt that you wouldn't sell very many diecast cars at $6.00 each. There will always be some people who will buy 1/64 diecast cars in the $6-$10range though (not many as there were 10 years ago because of the economy).

I see more hobby stores stocking fewer new diecast cars. Hobby stores are buying collections of diecast cars all the time because they can buy collections cheap and sell diecast cars from a collection at a bigger profit than the new diecast cars that they have to order (kindda like a used car salesman). One hobby store bought about eighty 1/18 scale cars that averaged about $6.50 a car. There were some very nice cars in that collection, and some were limited versions. Very good for the hobby store......no shipping to pay for the merchandise because the person brings the small collection to the hobby store. More and more dicast collectors are selling their collections.

A fellow collector I know buys several diecast collections a year. One diecast collector had about 40,000 cars. Many cars were older THs and WLs and limited editions. He is buying another diecast collection with THs from 1995 to the early 2000's with many redlines and limited edition cars.

If you sell diecast cars at shows......Wouldn't it be better to buy diecast collections so you could make a higher profit? I know a store owner that only pays 5 cents for HWs in quantity. He cherry picks to good cars and sells them for $1.00 each to several dollars each. He then sells the dogs for 20 cents each to 3 /$1.00.

The hard core collector will pay the higher price point but the casual buyer won't unless it's something they must have, like a copy of their car. The majority of my customers are casual die cast buyers and they do have their limits on what they will pay for a "1/64" scale car. Believe me I would sell very few at $6 each.


I agree, $6ea plus shipping would be a killer, that's why cheaper diecast sold in larger quantities will always be an OLD's bread and butter. As for me I would no longer consider myself a "hardcore" collector. I don't buy Mustangs, Camaros, or anything made before model year 1965 as a general rule. I only collect Mopars to the point of completion of certain GL castings. I used to buy all kinds of crap that I would later ask myself "why do I own this?" but no more. I completely quit buying HW and no longer frequent stores that don't carry the good stuff. With the extremely limited amount of "real" releases from JL I am buying increasingly less nowadays. I only preorder GL sealed inners if there are 2 or more desirable Mopars in the set. Maybe I'm getting too selective but it seems the window of "stuff I like" is getting smaller all the time. I'm positive I spend less money on diecast than most of your "casual" collectors.

The beauty of a free market system is that competition helps to keep prices at a reasonable level (some industries excluded; but this isn't a collusion thread). In this case, TRU is the last retailer in my area that carries GL. Two of the K-Marts have dropped all GL products and the third has a load of County Roads hanging on pegs all over the diecast aisle (the place is always a disaster), but nothing new for months. The result is a monopoly on a hot product.

A TRU employee who wished to remain anonymous responded to my question about the price increase of the Black Bandit series "we are selling every single one we get, so I guess they figure they'll take advantage of it. We WERE selling every one..." Even the hourly guys get it.

I am now and will always be a Greenlight fan. I love their cars and am always pleased to see the personal interaction between the company and the collector right here on these boards. But a young company MUST learn from previous example. We all know what happened as Johnny Lightning prices increased dramatically, and we know where they are now. Hot Wheels 100% / Black Box cars are the only Mattel line that ever came close to GL quality, and those slowly crept up from $5.99 to $11.99. That line died a tragic death in the clearance aisles of big box retailers.

Even now, GL products are showing up at clearance center retailers like Gordmans. Though I understand that GL allows their retailers to set their own prices, they need to be careful not to allow them to price the cars out of interest if the average collector. Most of those collectors are not in the business of buying sealed cases from OLDs, and buy what they see in front of them. Out of sight, out of mind in retail...

If you sell diecast cars at shows......Wouldn't it be better to buy diecast collections so you could make a higher profit?

That's what I do when possible. I stopped buying a lot of my die cast from distributors because of the high cost and low profit.

There have definitely been some insight and valid points made in this thread. Not to beat a dead horse here... but I think the point was lost at times along the way.

How much you would pay for the product, or how much it is worth vs. the competition? ...isn't really the issue. Rather, should a retailer mark up their stock so drastically at our expense?

Greenlight has a great line and they have proven they take the time to listen and respond to their customers. That is plainly evident here. RJH answered the question, covering all the points mentioned.

TRU has jacked up the prices because they think they can get away with it. I've never been that good at math, but even a $1 increase is as many have put it- insane.
Easy answer- don't let them: buy your diecast (greenlight) elsewhere.

The problem here and across the board with all die cast companies is a simple equation Perceived Value=$$'s at retail, Nothing more.

When you are repeating castings 95% of the time, and churning the same product you can't expect a market to accept increased prices. It is not just the retailer adjusting prices - the prices start with the manufacturer and work their way through. In GLs instance, they certainly make their opinions known regarding pricing.

There are specific reasons why certain companies are in Mass Retailers, why they are not and why they get dropped.

In my opinion, GL is following in the exact footsteps of JL - excessive repeat castings, too many series releases, now dioramas are coming (the mock ups including JL Figures even), less costly budget line, increased price point grows higher and higher, now a lower end line.... We are not seeing a new story here. Aside from the initials being slightly different, I feel like I am watching the same movie.

There needs to be some uniqueness to the line. I full agree in the impact of a US made line, I fully agree in the impact of a more limited, highly detailed casting fetching a higher price point. But it also can't just be a repaint sold in a club or through mail order in a fancy box.

It has been said by many here and otherwise that folks would pay $10 for a quality diecast that is limited in nature, large in quality and highly detailed. Tomicas, Kyosho, Konami, CMs are all fine examples of highly detailed pieces, unique subject matter, and quality diecast. They are not releasing 45 6-car series a year, they are limiting availability and are very successful. Tomica has Regular releases on a quarterly schedule, limiteds come a couple/few a quarter.

When looking at the core US brands - How is it that one company can make a highly detailed casting and stay around $3.00, another can add opening features for a dollar more at retail, and another ends up $2-3 more with less of the the previous two?? Makes no sense. And they are all using similiar if not the same factories/materials/subject matter. Confusing.

For me and my personal collection, I buy what I like and what is different. I don't need 23 Mustangs - one gloss back with flat black stripes, one flat black with gloss stripes, etc... I realize there are some who do. IMHO - For a $6 price point either subject matter better be new and never done or the detail better be spectacular. Vintage is also very popular in my collection including some x thousand Playarts, Schuco and Yatmings - price is no limited here for a highly limited and unique vintage piece.

From a business standpoint, the sales drive the inventory. While it may just be my customer base - there is a reason why a companies sales plummet yet anothers is down to final pieces in just weeks......

I agree there are a lot of good points here - it is interesting as these type conversations happen here and there and one would think a manufacturer would heed some of these comments and utilize them to their advantage. We are their focused core customer.

Big, huge selection of GLs at TRU in Lancaster, PA. All the latest releases except CRs. I filled in some MCG 11 gaps. Still priced at $4.99 here. They also had a restock of JLs and a few M2s that were last releases.

The problem here and across the board with all die cast companies is a simple equation Perceived Value=$$'s at retail, Nothing more.

Agreed, ya hit the nail on the head!

When you are repeating castings 95% of the time, and churning the same product you can't expect a market to accept increased prices. It is not just the retailer adjusting prices - the prices start with the manufacturer and work their way through. In GLs instance, they certainly make their opinions known regarding pricing.

Agreed again, this is why I rarely buy anything anymore. I started collecting Mopar or No Car when they were first released then after a while it was the same old castings over and over, so I quit. I still have the first 36 in package.
I agree it has all gotten a bit too expensive, even my beloved GL.
There are specific reasons why certain companies are in Mass Retailers, why they are not and why they get dropped.
Folks out there are hurting for money, $5+ is too much for what most would see as a toy.
In my opinion, GL is following in the exact footsteps of JL - excessive repeat castings, too many series releases, now dioramas are coming (the mock ups including JL Figures even), less costly budget line, increased price point grows higher and higher, now a lower end line.... We are not seeing a new story here. Aside from the initials being slightly different, I feel like I am watching the same movie.

I for one understand the GL is a relatively new company with a limited selection of castings, development of new ones that meet the GL standard take both time and money, be patient. That said, what the heck is RC2's excuse for doing the same thing. I think both companies should stick to the good stuff they became famous for, drop the low priced junky lines and stay loyal to their customer base. I still contend that the recent success of the 40th line is due solely to diehard JL collectors being starved for product for so long that they will in effect buy anything with the JL nameplate. These are strictly the opinions of a completely biased individual,LOL.
There needs to be some uniqueness to the line. I full agree in the impact of a US made line, I fully agree in the impact of a more limited, highly detailed casting fetching a higher price point. But it also can't just be a repaint sold in a club or through mail order in a fancy box.

I think your statement here is that the releases are starting to lose their uniqueness because there are too many to be "special" any more, I completely agree, this is why I rarely buy cases nowadays.
It has been said by many here and otherwise that folks would pay $10 for a quality diecast that is limited in nature, large in quality and highly detailed. Tomicas, Kyosho, Konami, CMs are all fine examples of highly detailed pieces, unique subject matter, and quality diecast. They are not releasing 45 6-car series a year, they are limiting availability and are very successful. Tomica has Regular releases on a quarterly schedule, limiteds come a couple/few a quarter.

I don't disagree, I am sure you know more about these brands than me. I am strictly a Musclecar collector. I would have no problem with 1:1 eurocars if they were actually dependable, which they are not. The overwhelming majority of the Tomicas(and others mentioned) I have seen are euro stuff, very nice models but not much that fits my taste personally. The limited nature of their product would not be enough to hook me without the proper subject matter.
When looking at the core US brands - How is it that one company can make a highly detailed casting and stay around $3.00, another can add opening features for a dollar more at retail, and another ends up $2-3 more with less of the the previous two?? Makes no sense. And they are all using similiar if not the same factories/materials/subject matter. Confusing.

This section is a bit vague, but I am assuming you speak of JL 40th when you talk about $3 cars.. I recently purchased some for the mailin promo and was quickly reminded why I don't buy them regularly. One I purchased was the Viper GTSr(black), I also recently picked up the 2010 FE HW Viper GTSr. I have opened both, the HW(for $1) completely blows away the 40th in terms of fit/finish/paint/wheels and overall feel. That said if you ask me JL 40th should cost $1, not a penny more. I am glad that the 40th line is bringing sales back to the dealers and maybe you guys can get back to business but this line is simply not for me. I am an opener of all things regular issue and the feel of the 40th vs the feel of a Greenlight? I equate it to comparing a Hyundai to a Rolls Royce. If JL 40th(or motorworld for that matter) cost $3ea, then a real GL should cost $20! M2s contain too many plastic parts and are out of scale, I simply don't buy them.
For me and my personal collection, I buy what I like and what is different. I don't need 23 Mustangs - one gloss back with flat black stripes, one flat black with gloss stripes, etc... I realize there are some who do. IMHO - For a $6 price point either subject matter better be new and never done or the detail better be spectacular. Vintage is also very popular in my collection including some x thousand Playarts, Schuco and Yatmings - price is no limited here for a highly limited and unique vintage piece.

There is NEVER a good time to raise prices, now is the worst time ever. GL is foolish if they are raising prices now, it will certainly result in lower sales, new castings or not.
From a business standpoint, the sales drive the inventory. While it may just be my customer base - there is a reason why a companies sales plummet yet anothers is down to final pieces in just weeks......

Again, JL hardcores are starved for product and obviously not as picky as I am. Anyone who opens everything will understand completely what I am saying when I say that GL is my overall favorite due to how the car feels in my hand and the painted details stand out without the plastic barrier of the package obscuring them.
I agree there are a lot of good points here - it is interesting as these type conversations happen here and there and one would think a manufacturer would heed some of these comments and utilize them to their advantage. We are their focused core customer.

I do love a good debate, thank you dipstick for not getting frustrated with me. I have learned a bit from this post as I am not a dealer and do not attempt a living selling diecast so trust me when I say your points are not lost on me. Like I said before at least GL responds to questions and concerns from this side of the fence, JL and Mattel do not and never will.

Yes, I appreciate the fact that GL does respond.... still, have a few F1 questions unanswered from MONTHS ago over at .COM!! And, I believe it's TRU that I should have jumped all over... sorry GL!

And, I believe it's TRU that I should have jumped all over... sorry GL!

Remember the companies do give the stores a MSRP. How close they come to that is up to them.
One of the distributors that I have bought from in the past listed the MSRP on GLs at $6.49 - $7.

Greenlight is not the only manufacturer to increase prices. In Canada, we have seen HW moving from $1.19 to $1.39 now. The JL 1/24 scale from $14.92 at WM to $16.95 now. We have seen so far only 1 release from Greenlight in WM and that was it. My understanding is that no retailer would agree to pay what greenlight is asking since selling price would go for $8 a piece retail. The retailers are not willing to gamble on a product that might not sell when then can make twice as much reselling cheap diecast with 200% profit. Personnaly, I prefer to spend 2-3 $ more and get a detailed quality die cast from Greenlight than a plastic-tire based from JL 40th. But since TRU, Zellers or WM do not carry them, we need to buy from HT or TTP. I challenged Greenlight and it seems like no deal came out after one year. Poor distribution. JL may be not as impressive as GL, but at least they hit the peg in our area once in a while. Also heard that there were raise schedule on the 2010 products for all brands. The bread and milk we buy for our daily usage went up and they are consider essential products, so I am not surprise with the impact on die cast. We need to be selective and choose the product line that suits our budget and match our quality expectations.

The Canadian story is a whole different can of worms. It seems to me that all of the makers have underestimated the Canadian market for years. HW have not gone up on basics but it occurs to me that classics have gone up a bit. 1/24 JL went way up at Wally's but they were less than $14 for a long time before the increase.

It is true that the Canadian market is a whole different can of worms.

Blacknight, I think that the main economic factor that you are overlooking in the Canadian distribution model is the fluctuating US vs. Canadian dollar. When GreenLight cars first hit the pegs here in Canada, our Canadian (CDN) dollar was at par with the US currency (hell, it even went OVER the US dollar at one point). Since GL is a US company, all product coming into Canada is paid for in US $$$. If the CDN dollar increases in value, the costs on US imported products fall. I think Wal Mart was betting that the CDN dollar would remain high, or at least close to, the US dollar in order to maintain their margin.

GreenLight cars have been available through other Canadian distributors but they have decreased (or stopped) spending when the dollar took a dive. Now that the dollar is strong (and growing stronger) again, you will probably see more importing. I know this because my friend who owns a diecast store, brings in the GreenLight cases for me. The distributor had nothing since May and I recently got the Auction Block S9 in a week or so ago.

Also, as rattlehead mentioned, the JL 40th casting of the Viper ACR (not GTSr) is actually quite poor to my disappointment. Looks great in the package, but terrible out of the package. Bent axles, paint chips, terrible looking wheels and plastic base all scream bargain basement. The Hot Wheels Viper ACR "feels" more substantial in all respects, but the tampos are pretty messed up. Hopefully I can customize the JL 40th Viper into a respectable piece.

I scanned those cars at my local TRU on Tuesday and they were also $5.99. Last week the TRU exclusive Black Bandit Mustang series was $5.49 (it was $4.99 the week before:freak:) I asked the manager at TRU why the prices were increased on several different items in the store. He said TRU and Greenlight are in business to make money (it's a business thing:dude:). He said as long as people keep buying them at the current price (increased price), don't expect to see them at the old price. I had 10 Greenlight cars in my hands and put all of them back on the pegs. I beginning to think of TRU and Greenlight as scalpers.....GREEDY:dude:

That is funny.:wave:

Keep the posts rocking!