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Nigel Cooper's October 13 Ambassador Report
Topic Started: Oct 13 2013, 08:40 PM (714 Views)
mbx64
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Matchbox Collector
This report should answer most of your questions and give feedback to your comments, but some of it is a little cringe-worthy. Some of the runarounds are ridiculous!

============================================================================================================


Last week I flew to Los Angeles for several reasons. I wanted to include a visit as Ambassador to the Matchbox Research and Design Department personnel at Mattel, visits to the three Mattel stores around Los Angeles just in case some more International Brush Fire Truck were hung on the pegs in error and search out the two latest Mission Force sets together with the final single release - the turquoise Tree Trimming Truck.
I must have visited most of the Kohl's stores in southern California without success. I was unable to ring round the stores as the set appears to have been removed from their data base. I then contacted Kiddie Kar in PA and received this response:

Can't help you at this time with the items. Mattel will no longer let us order the new letter codes of the Mission Force or RWRs. They will send me whatever is in the warehouse at that time. Last time I received several cases of 5 pieces which contained 2 new fire, 1 Arctic, 1 jungle and 1 old police set from 2012 in 60th Anniversary packaging. Financially it becomes a problem. The time before I received a better mix containing 1 new fire, 1 farm, 1 new police but 1 old Arctic and 1 old police from 2012. Would you please ask Mattel why they changed their policy on ordering letter codes for these items? (also can't order the letter codes on Creature Catchers) Thanks, Joyce

MATTEL: I cannot comment but will forward your questions to our team.

I understand that the most recent single Real Working Rigs will continue to be made but in exactly the same colour scheme as previously, as there is no possibility of a recolour. However, one piece of good news is that the Tree Trimming Truck has been found in Nashville at Hobbytown but as these stores are franchised it depends whether the owner wishes to stock the range and it may be luck whether the truck is in the case sent from Mattel. I have been asked to find out whether the Mission Force UFO set will be released and I have been told that it definitely will be issued. I asked how many more Mission Force sets will there be before the RWR is replaced by 2 other single miniatures and was given this reply:

There are 7 Mission Force packs this year (2013) that have a RWR vehicle. 2014 will have RWR replaced by 2 “singles miniatures”. 2014 packs will have new deco and themes.

I deduce from this that there are two more Mission Force sets to be released this year, one of which will be the UFO.
My visit to the three Mattel stores proved to be fruitless. There were plenty of old singles and a surfeit of Twin Packs, especially Secret Swamp and Snow Attack, which I think first saw the light of day more than two years ago. I asked at Mattel HQ whether more Hitch ‘n’ Haul Twin Packs are planned and was told that more of the same Twin Packs were being manufactured. Given the very large quantities in the Mattel stores already, one would imagine that it will be some time before they are all purchased.

Some further answers from Mattel


Will there be any enhanced models produced for 2014, such as the 60th Anniversary or Double Diecast models?
There are no plans for enhanced models in 2014 but there could be more in the future.

Is there any further news on the Brush Fire Truck that has featured prominently in discussions?
No decision has been taken regarding this model.

Much of the artwork for the 2013 blister packs has been outstanding. However, some of the design is always lost by having the Matchbox logo printed vertically. Will this change in 2014?
The artwork is produced in China and a decision has been taken to revert to the Matchbox logo being shown horizontally across the top of the blister pack. The new logo will be shown on all products.

Will we see the Mercedes McLaren reintroduced into the range along with other Mercedes vehicles?
The situation with Mercedes is unresolved at present.

When the Mission Force sets are produced with three uniquely coloured miniatures, will the cost be reduced as two miniatures are much cheaper in the stores than one Real Working Rig?
It is not envisaged that the sets will be any cheaper.

Will we ever see a return of the Rover 3500? If Mattel ever decides to bring that awesome casting back, I will be sure to get at least 100 of it.
Manufacturing processes are always changing, often to keep the costs down. Castings older than five years cannot be re-introduced for this reason, so the Rover 3500 cannot be revived. It is also too expensive to extensively alter a mould or change tooling methods.

The Ambassador shows models from many years ago with opening parts, plated parts, suspension and even steering. Why can’t these features be included today in the Matchbox miniature range?
No model today can have more than four parts in its design and there are other considerations such as weight, ease of manufacture, ease of assembly and mould size.

Have I misunderstood what you said about the Panamera - is it to be included in the 2014 range as well as being an exclusive for the 9 pack?
The Panamera is only included in mainline and is not an exclusive in the 9/10 packs. Sorry for the confusion.

Will the Jeep Willys in the Outdoor 5-pack also turn up in the basic range.
Yes.

I'd like to know about the 2014 list which was shown once then was erased from the net. It included Pierce Velocity Aerocity ladder fire truck, Scania airport fire truck, International Ambulance... was it all humbug or will they really be part of the new castings sometime in the future?
This list was a fabrication and is bogus.

Is there any chance of seeing Saabs anytime soon? Now that they have a new owner who is restarting production, I would think now is the time that would become a possibility. I'd love to see the 92, 99, 900, Sonnet, etc., but I'd be happy just to see the new 9-3 if that's all that's possible. Will there be any more European models included in the range - either old or new castings?
We always include European models in the Matchbox line and will continue to do so.

Regarding your website for Matchbox, why is it already out of date? Why is it not possible to see pics of the complete MINIATURES range and be able to print them out ? This issue has been raised too many times to be continually neglected.
We are considering a way to provide “complete” images of the Matchbox singles line in lieu of a hard copy poster in the future. We do not have this at this time.

The Matchbox website is a great way to check out a miniscule portion of the 2012 range. Too bad it's approaching the end of 2013.
Sorry for the disappointment. Currently the ambassador reports will show images of current and upcoming product.

The Lotus Exige is a very good casting, let down only by what appears to be inconsistent paint. Is this something Mattel is working to improve?
Define inconsistent paint.

Why can't we get a non-chrome hub for military models like the Jeep? A near perfect model, let down by a small but important detail.
This is subjective. We do like to add a bit of sparkle on the wheels from time to time. Sorry if you felt let down by this.

(Ambassador - I referred to the Jeep last time. Here are some early pre-production models from the 1970s together with some pre-production samples from 1997 showing black wheels. What do you think?)
Posted Image

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Is it possible to correct the nearly vertical windshield on the BMW Z8? This is a very good casting, deserving the effort to correct this.
We will look into this.

Can you give us the names of the 2014 5 packs please?
Yes. Here they are:
- ICE MOUNTAIN MISSION
- DINO ADVENTURE
- BATTLE MISSION
- CRIME SQUAD
- MBX EXOTICS
- JUNGLE RECON
- CONSTRUCTION ZONE
- FIRE COMMAND
- RESCUE DUTY
- SEA RESCUE
- CITY WORKS
- OUTDOOR SIGHTS

I may have spoilt you by revealing too many images last week, as there are only three available to show you this week. They are all examples of 2014 colour schemes. The Lamborghini Miura, which I thought looked good in the metallic green of the 2013 9/10 pack, will appear in metallic brown. It will be in the Exotics 5 pack for 2014.
Posted Image

Here is an advertisement for the original Miura of the 1960s
Posted Image

The All Terrain Crane is shown in a new deco for 2014 which will be used for both mainline and the Construction 5 pack.
Posted Image

Finally, the International MXT-MVA will be used in the Battle Mission Force pack for 2014 in this livery.
Posted Image

I do read all of the comments on the boards to which I have access and I try to include a cross section of comments and questions. I understand the Matchbox team do read your comments and it is good to have a balance of praise as well as criticism and so last week's comments were well received. I tend to include all the information I have to hand and let the next week look after itself but I do rely on your comments and suggestions. Occasionally I think that some collectors lose sight of the fact that Matchbox miniatures are manufactured down to a low cost and consequently cannot compete with models which are made in far less numbers for a much higher price. However, the models produced for the Conventions have consistently shown what Matchbox can achieve when not tied to a budget.
Finally, a few reminders of what once was the norm. Sorry the fold out leaflet was produced that way. Notice the green paint that was used on some of the new models. No doubt these were samples before a final decision of model colour had been taken or maybe just an artist's impression. If there are particular models that you would like shown, I will do my best to show them.
Posted Image

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Nigel Cooper 13th October 2013

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Stampede
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Team Canada
Why the red window on the Mxt, I don't know why. Too bad theres no news on the Brush truck...looking forward to that one.

Thanks for posting this! :)
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craftymore
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Support your local demo derby.

Thanks for posting the report Nicholas. The MXT looks beyond odd with red windows though I doubt they're targeting collectors. Only thing I can say about the '13 and beyond releases of MB is to buy what I like and ignore what I don't. The latter is becoming the norm is seems.
Edited by craftymore, Oct 13 2013, 11:45 PM.
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ivantt
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New casting? Quick! Take it apart!
Many of the answers above from Mattel are very interesting, to say the least.
Thank you for sharing this information.
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Ritbi
Microcar
Who plugged in the corporate Muppet with strange answers which is the norm from Mattel. Red windows another one of.there jokes I see.Tomica and Siku are having a right good laugh with a silly crane that offers no play value at all.
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Todd
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Compact
Quote:
 
Manufacturing processes are always changing, often to keep the costs down. Castings older than five years cannot be re-introduced for this reason, so the Rover 3500 cannot be revived. It is also too expensive to extensively alter a mould or change tooling methods.

I guess I finally can stop feeling bad about the Sand Racer then.
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Billy Kingsley
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The Mad Documenter!
The 5 years old thing does not ring true. They say they "cannot" include models older than 5 years, where other companies continue to use tooling 20 years old or more. To say they cannot is essentially an outright lie. They CHOOSE not to, but there is no reason other then their choice not to. The way the final product is made really hasn't changed much in the past 60 years, and it shows how little regard they show for collectors to give this terrible response. The tools they use, once made, can last for decades, even centuries when stored properly, with tooling from the 1960s still in use for plastic models, and some coins being restruck after nearly 150 years, the only thing that's changed is how some of the tools themselves are made- once they are made, there's no real change. I suspect they melted them down for scrap. With the average tooling costing $100,000 or more, that would not be a surprise in the least.

The truth, even when unpopular, would always be better than an outright lie.

Not that this really surprises me much, because it's been pretty obvious over the years that they don't care about collectors much at all.

What's the controversy with the brush truck? I admit I don't pay much attention to modern Matchbox issues; 99% of what they produce does not interest me, and the items they do produce that I want never get stocked on the shelves locally; forget finding the Dodge A100, I still have not found last year's Seagrave or Buick Police car!
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Douglas
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SUV
Thanks again Nigel, and thanks for the pics and info of historical Mbx items, I always enjoy those with these reports.

Not sure why they went with red on the MXT windows, outside of it going with the graphics, maybe it's just the stand out eye catching thing they were after, which it is, but not what I'd have preferred.

The Lambo is going to be nice.

Question for Mattel, I appreciate them sharing the names of the coming 2014 5 packs, but can they tell us which of these 2014 5 packs will have 3 or more exclusive colors/deco included?

Thanks,
Edited by Douglas, Oct 14 2013, 09:21 AM.
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Bill50
Fullsize
Billy Kingsley
Oct 14 2013, 06:58 AM
The 5 years old thing does not ring true. They say they "cannot" include models older than 5 years, where other companies continue to use tooling 20 years old or more. To say they cannot is essentially an outright lie. They CHOOSE not to, but there is no reason other then their choice not to. The way the final product is made really hasn't changed much in the past 60 years, and it shows how little regard they show for collectors to give this terrible response. The tools they use, once made, can last for decades, even centuries when stored properly, with tooling from the 1960s still in use for plastic models, and some coins being restruck after nearly 150 years, the only thing that's changed is how some of the tools themselves are made- once they are made, there's no real change. I suspect they melted them down for scrap. With the average tooling costing $100,000 or more, that would not be a surprise in the least.

The truth, even when unpopular, would always be better than an outright lie.

Not that this really surprises me much, because it's been pretty obvious over the years that they don't care about collectors much at all.

What's the controversy with the brush truck? I admit I don't pay much attention to modern Matchbox issues; 99% of what they produce does not interest me, and the items they do produce that I want never get stocked on the shelves locally; forget finding the Dodge A100, I still have not found last year's Seagrave or Buick Police car!
Someone who sees the real truth about Matchbox,very refreshing instead of all the typical back slapping.Matchbox have no interest at all in collectors and for the life of me i cannot understand why they waste time and money pretending they do with things like the Dodge pick up and those horrid mini MOY,s,toddlers are not interested in old crooks like that.It stares you straight in the face that they play the 80/20 selling game and Walmart are there only main concern,i read stories like if they raised the price a few cents they could do this and that,dream on boys Walmart calls the tune. :wave:
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realgone58
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Station Wagon
See the first line in the text on the Matchbox advert for the Lambo Muira? "We don't think it's worth making a model, unless it looks exactly like the real thing." Wish they still felt that way.
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Stampede
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Team Canada
realgone58
Oct 14 2013, 02:56 PM
See the first line in the text on the Matchbox advert for the Lambo Muira? "We don't think it's worth making a model, unless it looks exactly like the real thing." Wish they still felt that way.
I totally agree with you on that one.
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cody6268
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Minivan
I found the "bogus" 2014 list bogus, when the Pierce Aerocity was mentioned. Pierce has never made a Aerocity, but they do make a Velocity.
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66alfa_gtv
Fullsize
Quote:
 
See the first line in the text on the Matchbox advert for the Lambo Muira? "We don't think it's worth making a model, unless it looks exactly like the real thing." Wish they still felt that way.


Amen x 1000
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Harvestman
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Captain Slow
Ritbi
Oct 14 2013, 12:48 AM
Who plugged in the corporate Muppet with strange answers which is the norm from Mattel. Red windows another one of.there jokes I see.Tomica and Siku are having a right good laugh with a silly crane that offers no play value at all.
Hi, Bill! Good to see you've registered another account. :banned:

About that five-year rule - what about the Isuzu Amigo that was brought back into the lineup this year?
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JustDavid
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SUV
Their tone-of-voice seems a bit indignant...I wonder why.

Yes these are children's toys, but when collectors have a wide range of choices, they need to think about stepping up their game. The A100 is one of the few Matchboxes I've bought this year. I agree with Zach... " buy what I like and ignore what I don't." It's sad because I leave way more than I buy.
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LF171
Subcompact
Thank you, Nigel, for another great report. Your effort to get our questions answered by Mattel is much, much appreciated.

The MXT is a nice casting, but the red window really ruined it. It's like there is a blood bath inside! Black, gray, blue...but not red! It's a truly appalling choice of color for car windshield/windows.

It's still hard to like the ATC, but at least this time around they got the color right. I would really like it if the crane could also turn.

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Bill50
Fullsize
HarvestmanMan
Oct 14 2013, 07:06 PM
Ritbi
Oct 14 2013, 12:48 AM
Who plugged in the corporate Muppet with strange answers which is the norm from Mattel. Red windows another one of.there jokes I see.Tomica and Siku are having a right good laugh with a silly crane that offers no play value at all.
Hi, Bill! Good to see you've registered another account. :banned:

About that five-year rule - what about the Isuzu Amigo that was brought back into the lineup this year?
Sorry to disappoint i have no need for another account as on every forum i frequent i am known as either Bill50 or Mcnair55. Ritbi is a close friend who mainly collects pre superfast but sometimes enjoys a bit of banter but she seldom posts as her work schedule is horrendous. :wave:
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realgone58
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Station Wagon
I really like the old B & W pic. Ash trays, maybe some cigars, possibly a Martini or two, and the sweet smell of diecasts!
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craftymore
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Support your local demo derby.

Bill50
Oct 15 2013, 11:55 AM
HarvestmanMan
Oct 14 2013, 07:06 PM
Ritbi
Oct 14 2013, 12:48 AM
Who plugged in the corporate Muppet with strange answers which is the norm from Mattel. Red windows another one of.there jokes I see.Tomica and Siku are having a right good laugh with a silly crane that offers no play value at all.
Hi, Bill! Good to see you've registered another account. :banned:

About that five-year rule - what about the Isuzu Amigo that was brought back into the lineup this year?
Sorry to disappoint i have no need for another account as on every forum i frequent i am known as either Bill50 or Mcnair55. Ritbi is a close friend who mainly collects pre superfast but sometimes enjoys a bit of banter but she seldom posts as her work schedule is horrendous. :wave:
Bill is correct. Ritbi is a long time member on several boards most concerning the MB brand.
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