There is nothing wrong with posting one's opinion. The problem is that it is always the same people repeating the same thing over and over and over and it has been going on for over a year. It gets tiresome after a while. We all know that Code 3 doesn't produce what some want, repaints, wrong cab, wrong body, wrong light bar, wrong department, FDNY again, wrong this, wrong that, crappy Customer Service, no email answers. After a while, you are beating a dead horse and what does that get you. It seems some are impatient, expecting change overnite. I heard a radio station ask for constructive criticism and a someone called in and said they suck. That's criticism but certainly not constructive and that is what we have here, for the most part.

Just got back in the office from a week on the road...

How did the TOY TRUCKER Magazine get dragged into this one?

Larry Phillips
TOY TRUCKER Magazine
(In Person!)

Location: Jamestown, North Dakota

Well Larry P (along with Larry L, and Rich (Roadblockers), and any other website moderators or dealers. It's like this - I know there is AT LEAST 1 person on this board, if not two or three, that have Code 3's contact information - whether that be the direct or cell # to Arnie, John Dunkel, or someone else high up at funrise/code 3. With all the posts from disappointed purchasers or collectors, on either this site or fireengine.net, you hold some obligation to help them with their problems. Your sites thrive in part based on the tightness of the community. Collectors helping Collectors? Sound familiar? As moderators, board owners, and publishers, you hold yourself out there as experts...and many of you are experts in the diecast collecting world. But I'm sorry - again in the age of the internet, to wait 2 weeks (tomorrow) or more, for several collectors (and we don't even know how many have had problems and are not posting) is beyond ridiculous. Many of you vocally supported code 3s decision to eliminate customer service. Well now what you have is people sending email after email, with no response. At least one person has gotten 2 defective diamond plates, and still hasn't received the third. Everyone is in limbo, and yet some of you think this is funny. To make a long story short Larry P - The fair and equitable thing to do would be to exercise some authority over them yourself and release the direct contact information for Code 3 so that the consumers they have ignored for the last 2 weeks are able to speak with someone directly. Maybe then they will appreciate the frustration the collectors are going through. Even if it is released only on an individual basis. Code 3 has been given 2 weeks, and all John cares about is to make funny comments about his beard, the weather, and other nonconsequential or trivial items. This situation isn't funny any more, and people deserve better. And being in all your positions, you are the only ones presently who would be able to change the situation. Or are you more concerned with your relationships with Code 3 and the benefits you gain from them?

Location: Keep hiding your head in the sand

I find it sad that even though you are having such problems, you still bought another truck. And then to claim that those men who give countless hours and vast amounts of money to keep the sites open that allow you to rant is just wrong. I don't usually chime in on these, but those same guys do more for this hobby than anyone, but they do not own the company, so how can they change it?? Maybe you should stop hiding and actually be a man about it (they make email filters, I will send you one or two).
Scott Lutz
Hamilton, TX

Location: TEXAS

Overall, I'm pretty bored with the whole mess. I've been too busy lately to devote much time (read: none) to the hobby, although picking up the Yat Ming 1:43's have been a recent high point.

A hobby is only what you make of it, and should be what you like. If you have something in common with other collectors (other than ********** good for you.

I'm not convinced that anyone on these forums really has "connections" or "juice" with any particular manufacturer or agency, even if that person moderates a website or contributes to some magazine or tabloid. All it means to me is that his opinions (if he has any) might reach more collectors, by way of mass media. For that reason, he might be mistaken as someone with special knowledge. Don't believe everything that you read.

There are definitely a few guys out there who do have special connections, but who never post. Suffice it to say this is why we see so much FDNY. It's not just because "it sells," It's because it's been made accessible.

You know what they say about opinions.

. . so much, not what someone who has "connections"

Code 3 Collectibles
7811 Lemona Ave
Van Nuys, CA 91405
(818) 883-2400

Call them and deal with it.

Location: PA