I guess I could have been clearer, as well, as I didn't specify between a die-cast model maker, and a die-cast retailer. In the case of Code 3, they are one in the same, so they get the worst of both worlds: complaints about model quality, and complaints about retail service.

mjl

Retail obviously can't compete with internet sales, but there is something special about walking into a hobby or gift shop and seeing beautiful diecast models displayed in a big, clean, well-lit glass case.

It makes me want to spend.

Okay, that was my Hemingway moment.

A nicely constructed, well detailed, accurate model at a reasonable price. What else is there?

Amen to Charlie's comments!

What Charlie and Bob said, with a very heavy emphasis on accuracy. At least as far as body shape and scale go (ahem: can you say Seagrave TDA's, and ALF Century series....). Other than that make something that we, as collectors, are interested in. Not just more of the same old "breadboxes on wheels" that we tend to get too much of.

The folks that are getting most of my "toy" budget these days are building older stuff (L-Macks, Foxes, and the like), just the larger scale stuff WILL get to be a problem sooner or later.

If I was a manufacturer, I would only sell models through retailers, it would be a lot less complicated to let the retailers worry about ordering and prices with the consumer.

Give us the best quality-detailed product for the money, but keep the costs reasonable. The workshop is a must-I pay the club fee to be kept informed. Also, build what the customer wants.Yearly production based on polls of club memebers. GIve club memebers first crack at discounts. Scrap the newsletter and place news in monthly reports. Take a look at Corgi. Code 3 tried to go further. Then look at first gear. Good quality, reasonable prices. They have club. Code 3 has done some weird things in the past with releases. I think they worry too much