I have to admit, I have seen better collecting days.  But there are two sides to everything—I sleep more than I used to.

            In collecting as in real life, I am a realist.  Mix well-timed sarcasm with an equal blend of optimism, some pessimism, and common sense.  I don’t expect to find multiple treasure hunts or even the latest offering from Jada.  But hey, it happens.  Like today. 

I have to admit, the last year has been a trial.  I didn’t complete my 2002 Hot Wheels set.  It is the first year since 1998 that I was unable to finish the First Editions and the Segment Series.  However, there were valid reasons, including a change in jobs, a move to another state, and new hunting ground—after all, cars don’t find you.  It’s been frustrating to say the least.  On top of everything, I have less time to hunt.  When I do find time to venture out, the spots are less rewarding than the old spots I used to hunt. 

 Still, I collect. 

It’s important to stay grounded.  There is a reason I started collecting.  And in terms of the amount of diecast offered, there’s never been a better time to collect.  We are living in the Golden Era of diecast collecting.  We have become a diecast nation, with aisles and aisles of diecast bounty.  Never before have I seen so many companies vying for my hard earned cash.  And never before has there been such a diverse population of collectors.  So why are so many of us unhappy? 

The internet has given us a forum to voice our opinions.  To some extent, we’ve been successful in influencing diecast companies.  Take the Hot Wheels VW Drag Bus for example.  Last year, how many were produced?  Every time Mattel issued the VW Drag Bus, we rewarded them by buying them up faster than a trip through the tri-oval at Daytona Motor Speedway.  But for every time we show loyalty for taking our requests to heart, there are examples in which we were completely ignored.  Enter the Highway 35 Series.  Whose idea was this?  If this is Mattel’s way of celebrating 35 years of our support of their product, they fell short of my expectations.  Judging by the pegs, I’m not alone.  Now, they’re bribing us with the VW Drag Bus again, to buy a series no one seems to want.  I would have liked to see Mattel ask collectors to vote on the best 35 cars of all time, and then make a 35^th Anniversary set of those cars.  The potential of resurrecting redlines like the Cockney Cab could send electrifying energy through our hobby.  And although some old favorites are returning as Hot Wheels Club exclusives, not every collector has access to the internet.  Make the set available to all, make it available at retail. 

Here we are.  Diecast collecting is at an all-time high.  Diecast product is available in record numbers.  Yet, we have so little input.  Shouldn’t that change?  The state of the hobby depends on your happiness, my happiness.  As collectors, it’s time to speak up.  We need to voice our opinions, and reward the companies who listen.  I’m tired of being frustrated in a hobby that I love, aren’t you?