by JULES » Sun Jan 21, 2018 8:54 pm
Dear, dear, dearest Dave. I love you really Chief, you know that but....you said:
"Jules... I mean this in the most respectful way possible... but
"I’m not entirely convinced by your argument that “there is plenty of room for an active slot company to make whatever it wants.”
You're entire business model is making the same cars made by other companies. So you're not convinced you should also make Mustangs, Camaros and Superbirds? That's all you've made man... come on!"
Axshully, first made the '68 Fastback Mustang. Had been made by Carrera, of course, but the world did need the Bullitt Mustang. Had to be done.
Next was the 1968 Dodge Charger. Not made by any other contemporary maker.
Next was the 67/68 Notchback Mustang. Not made by any other contemporary maker.
Next was the 67/68 Camaro. Not made by any other contemporary maker.
Coming shortly (yes really) are the Legends Racers. Not made by any other contemporary maker.
Anyhow, apart from the correction above, we are (or were) specifically talking about another track system - from Policar/slot.it which will soon (according to my trusted sources) be joined by another two systems from other makers later this year. It's got all to do with several maverick middle-aged slot car makers with money to burn trying to get a foot in the door and make a firm stamp on Slot Car World with some other proprietary systems that won't plug-in/work/connect/synch with what's already out there. It is totally crazy. Remember when every computer had a different data cable/serial/parallel ports/firewire connectors, browsers only worked with some search engines and only on some websites? Thank gawd for USB and interoperability. Remember when it used to cost triple minutes to call another cell phone that used a different service provider? Consumers do have the opportunity to cry "enough" when things are getting silly and they usually win.
With equally returned respect to you, I still remained convinced that the last thing North American dealers need is another track system to stock. Happy to be shot down in flames and proved wrong so Brian (BRS Hobbies), Bruce (Cincy) (and the other nameless guy connected to a dealer that is contributing to this topic), do you want to stock another track system?
Dave, I understand your point about the 'hidden' buyers - the guys that say nothing at all or the new folks that buy a set that we know nothing about. I'm not suggesting that there are no new buyers out there - there are, there is always a churn in any retail sector. What I meant was that I personally feel that, given the tiny market (as it exists today), it is counter productive to the entire hobby and sales process if the choice of track systems is increased from what we have right now. It will further dilute sales opportunities on what is already a difficult sell. [Seller to buyer]:- You can have Carrera that does this and that but doesn't do this or you can have Scalextric that does that but doesn't do this but is quite good at that or perhaps you'd like to try Policar? It's a bit like this one but a little better than that one. Can't make up your mind? OK, perhaps this new one from S******O? It does this better than that one but you can't put those cars on it. Hmmmmm. Not convinced? OK, if you can wait until Spring 2019 you might prefer a new eco-friendly, plastic-free one from R****. You will be able to buy that system and be kind to the environment.[buyer looks confused and somewhat jaded].
Oh, you're thinking digital? OK then. Tell you what, go down the street and get some light refreshments before we get into that marathon. We've plenty of talking still to do.......but we'll get you fixed up with something that'll do. Catch you in a bit. [buyer comes back later with a cone of fries, dipping into mayo and they start to discuss 1:43 vs 1:32 vs 1:24]
So, back to the main issue here......
Hopefully our, as yet, uncrowned King of Slots will come up with something - track wise - that will surprise us all. For the greater good of the slot car business, I rather hope Maurizio proves me to be a complete twit that doesn't know my a** from my elbow. Keep checking HRW for updates.
By the way, some wise old sage once said: "If you want to sell toy planes, make a Spitfire - lots of them. If you want to sell toy ships, make the Titanic - all scales. If you want to sell toy slot cars, make a Mustang (1965-1972)".
Good to chat with you. At the end of the day, it's all good old fashioned friendly banter!
Cheers
Jules