To summarize: 1. No longer numbered, hence the exclusivity has gone. 2. Multiple recolors of each RLC release which additionally ruins the value/exclusivity. 3. As a result of the larger production run, the quality control is no longer there. 4. The resale value sometimes doesn't even fetch the price when new. 5. The bad customer experience for the Mattel Creations members still hasn't improved.
1. I hope they continue the way they are and completely destroy the secondary market for good. 2. Overdrive and opening the memberships was the best decisions they ever made. 3. You can all take your exclusivity and shove it.
Collectors for investment, OR Collectors for the love and the hobby ? As for me it has always been a hobby, never thought of it as an investment, My love of Hot Wheels started as a kid and has never changed, So with that said, I'm ok with RLC right now.
I'm not ok with the high price. They are WAY too expensive for how many they produce. I can get limited stuff just as nice or nicer for $5-10 cheaper from other companies and their production numbers are smaller.
I feel you are spot on with your opinion here. When you remove the numbering system, collectors of RLC can and will judge the finest of details to justify the purchase. Some of these models genuinely are amazing, but the lack of details absolutely kill it for some whereas if the same model had a number it genuinely would sell better simply for that fact. Now, as for how HW can rectify this and implement a new system for keeping these limited while also not frustrating everyone, that is a much trickier proposition.
should buy mini gt if you are looking for details. They are cheaper, better paint and details have side mirrors, roll nicely, less problem with packaging.
It's actually not even possible. Lowering production totals all while selling hundreds of memberships every week just doesn't work. People already cry about sell out times. Can you imagine 200,000 members fighting to get 4000 cars every sale ? Hell, even the bots wouldn't work for that.
Nothing they can do. They opened this Pandora's box and now collectors will close it. No one really wants to pay $25-35 for ONE OF A 35000 or more collectable. I personally am totally over it. I can buy AWESOME stuff elsewhere for cheaper and more limited and EXTREMELY detailed. As long as it lasts I will buy from those companies.
@@VladimirBlarp Except we really don't know what the actual ballpark number is on the STH is like we do the RLC. AND even if it were 150k they are spread out through the world. most recent RLC the last couple years don't even go for $100.
I have been a long time collector of Hot Wheels and the only reason I Preferred having the quantities low was because I always had good internet and a fast hand so I would usually be lucky enough to get one or two or three and since they would sell out so quick I would use them to my advantage to trade or sell them for pieces I was after. But I like that it is easy to get the models just wish they still held a bit more value in the collector world. That is my stance.
@@jaredgel5599 there's a great difference between holding value and raising it. you may choose not to open your cars so when ur bored of owning them, you can let them go and have the same money that you bought it for. if you sell for profit, the only result is that those who like the cars now have to pay extra to scalpers or cannot afford it at all.
With shipping and taxes a $25 RLC costs $50 by the time it gets to me. At this price it’s not worth it for me. This will be the last year for me as a RLC subscriber.
The other issue effecting current RLC sales is having repeats so close together. In the cars you've shown in this video, only the Typhoon, RX7 and Nissan minitruck are new castings. The 1971 GTR has been released 4 times since 2021 in RLC. The 510 was released 5 times in RLC since 2016. The 1964 Impala was released 3 times in RLC since 2021 and twice in 2021 alone. The 1970 Boss Mustang was released 3 times since 2017. And the Integra was released just last year.
but people are crazy about the 72 GTR, the 71 510, the R34 GTR and many others. They buy every release + vote for them in the sElections at every opportunity.
My complaint about rlc is the quality. We should have 0 or very little blemishes on them. Too many are nice models but poor quality. But to be fair everyone has some qc issues. I hate paying $40 for a car with bad paint or crooked mirrors or spoiler. Great video!
Oh boy don't even get me started on QC issues. I started collecting last November and it's been a complete lottery. I am super ultra picky and even a scratch on the card can bug me but the amount of cars I've gotten that I've had to return is just silly at this point. It's gotten so bad that I feel as though I will need to order 4 in order to get one that I'm happy with. It's just frustrating because I really like hotwheels and RLC cars but I shouldn't have anxiety opening up the package. QC combined with the nature of RLC makes it hard because if I get bad ones, I can't resell them, I could return but might not get my $7 shipping refunded, and I can't get replacements. I have less QC problems with Mainline hotwheels than I do RLC. This might come off an ignorant but I don't understand why they can't hire a couple people to look them over before they get shipped out. I got two root beer AMC javelins and returned both because they were both unacceptably scratched up. Whole spots of paint just chipped/rubbed off.
I'm a new hot wheels collector and I just love hunting down the super treasure hunts and trying to find all the other makes and models that I like. Also its fun to hook up my friend and his kids with some nice hot wheels cars. Wish I would have started collecting a long time ago! Never realized how fun and addicting it could be lol When I saw that Typhoon RLC go on sale I had to grab two of them. Only time I've ever bought two of the same RLC cars. Just waiting for the 1990 454 SS to drop again. Definitely one of my favorite castings!!
QA this year is NOT good. My Yellow Integras were terrible, black marks, paint issues, scratches. The RX-7 had only a small spot of glue on the blister, so they separated from the card. I did get a partial refund for it. The Nissan truck had paint issues too. For the price we are paying, QA needs to improve.
Yeah QC issues are uncalled for at that price. And it’s not like you can exchange it. But honestly these RLC cars are made in china and not in the same factory as the mainlines etc.
This is exactly the video we needed from you being absolutely honest about the state of the Redline Club right now and we all know it’s not good right now. The reason why I joined is because of the numbering and rarity factor just like you stated because to me it was something not everyone had and if I could get one it was that much cooler and better. But they slowly did away with the numbers and things have gone down hill. More quantity means less quality and that’s exactly what we’ve gotten I mean every one of those RLCs shown has a paint defect on them…and yes the models are fantastic looking but the quality just isn’t there. They shot themselves in the foot with doing away with the numbers even though yes, they are “making more money” by letting everyone get them now but now like you stated people will start judging them more and passing on them. Simply go back to making them more rare and sought after and keep the quality there as well. Really don’t see myself renewing after this year and I still find it funny how I haven’t needed overdrive once this year 😏 funny how they come out with overdrive yet there’s no need for it when there’s an unlimited amount being produced now….
Also have to push back on making some of these more exclusive. Having bots become a problem on the website again would be a nightmare. The answer is Hot Wheels can and should knock $5-10 off there prices to be more in line with other premium diecast brands
I don't care about rarity or resale, it's nice that more people have an opportunity to own a RLC car, but with there being infinite memberships and unknown amounts of cars, it's just weird at this point. The other issue is, with the heavily increased number of memberships sold, why do they also need to raise the prices of everything going on?
I am in favor of removing the exclusivity and rarity of RLC, cant get behind the "I need to feel special" mentality from the collectors that want it the old way. I just collect nice looking cars and share them with friends/family. RLC went from putting shiny paint on old models to having a plethora of their own models to use, we've had 19 new RLC models in the last 3 years with more still coming this year. The QC issues, while inevitable for any brand, should be addressed and taken care of since this is a "premium product" we are paying for. Ive just been lucky enough to avoid some of them, like with the white Integra. Side note if you are only in it for resale/investment purposes, get bent.
As an RLC member since 2008, I don't like the fact that they make way more cars like the skyline over and over again. They don't do so many American Muscle cars, Street Rods & Customs or Classic Pickups.
half the RLCs don't even have side mirrors 😭 how does a company NOT FIGURE OUT side mirrors on premium releases...... shit will never make sense to me. I buy less and less HWs every year due to their stupid childish choices.
Man the thing with hotwheels right now is the lack of identity they been puting a lot of lines but feels flat, compare the integra with the rx7 paint, that doesnt feel exclusive looks like a premium with moving parts add a dollar of yellow spectra like the mustang for christ sake, they dont have to compete with other brands but the reality is that people now have options to put their money so i hope Mattel realize that they need to improve the game because right now they are not leading
The two Iconic colors with the Integra type R are championship white, and Phoenix yellow. I remember hearing one of the designers say when the white one launched that they didn't to spectra flame because they were trying to capture those colors. The integra type R is my favorite car of all time, And spectreflame yellow is my favorite spectreflame color. That being said I'm glad the yellow isn't spectreflame. It feels like THAT makes this car authentic not cheap. But that's just my perspective. I would love a spectreflame one next but I'm glad we got the two icons first.
I disagree, I think the problem is they have an identity but people don't like it. I collect all sorts of brands but I prefer realistic models, in the past I considered collecting scale models only, stuff like Mini GT, Tarmac, Inno and so on; if I were going that route, HW's lack of detail and super-flashy paint wouldn't appeal. And if I were a HW only collector, I wouldn't buy these because THEY WANT HOW MUCH FOR A HOT WHEELS?!?! I feel Mattel is really starting to stretch the value proposition of HW beyond what it can support at times.
I’m really digging your channel. I just fell in to collecting 1:64 die cast and realized there is a lot to learn. It started with me grabbing the M2 Machines A100 series vans as well as their Econoline series vans. Doing so led me down a rabbit hole and now I’ve gotten a RLC Tradesman van, several Kaido House, Pop Race and so-on. Keep up the great content 🤙😎
In my opinion we collectors love all these models. However, since we pay premium prices for these items and there’s an issue with a certain model as far as paint and quality is concerned then Mattel needs to somehow consider reimbursing members in a way that we don’t lose interest. Nevertheless, I personally appreciate the design team and beautiful models they produce!
- People on the internet just love to complain, and everyone enables each other. There's still a silent majority watching and rolling their eyes. - Quality. Literally nobody else is chrome-plating castings and using candy paint. - The few imitators I see out there are actually VUM or PVD coatings like on xmas ornaments, not actual chrome and they're nearly the same price. - RLC castings are probably the sturdiest-built, smoothest rolling diecast on the market. - The RX-7 sold out immediately after people started getting them in the mail and posting pics online. - Comparing true 1/64 and highly accurate brands to a toy-spec brand is ridiculous. Like you said they're totally separate things.
-bad quality control -not original enough compared to premiums; too simmilar (f.e. wheels) -requires membership just to enter; no actual "club" benefits -way lower value compared to true 1/64, it's overpriced when you start adding all fees and expenses around it
@@speedster8138 - Still sells literally 6-times the other brands' entire production run loool. And even direct to consumer, vs the other guys distribution which sits around in shops for months. - Instead of leaving HW fans alone, the self-centered complainers show their constant need for attention and validation. By mass complaining in the forums of a brand they don't even like.
"Toy-spec brands" with toy-spec quality control need to charge toy-spec prices, then - not high grade scale model prices (and membership fees). Unless you're 10 and you plan on taking your chrome-plated Datsun 510 to school in your backpack to play with on the playground, they don't need to be sturdily built or smooth rolling. They are only separate things if you want them to be, they are still model cars.
@@Josh_Quillan Muscle Machines are models of cars as well, yet you wouldn't compare them to true scale models. All kinds of product can exist without having people pigeonhole it all into the same catagories. Again, HW is literally the most popular diecast vehicle brand prolly outselling every other brand combined in the US. Your opinion is fighting an uphill battle towards worthless. Don't like HW? Don't buy it, it's very simple.
I'm sure you are correct for the most part. If the Red Line club had remianed as it was, I would not be part of it. There wasn't just a time limit, there was also a quantity limit. I'm happy with the cars I've gotten and don't really care how rare they are. I have the ones I want.
Easy to ask for rarity, exclusivity and limited access to collectors when you don’t have a problem getting what you want from Mattel. At the beginning of the new version of the RLC everyone had access to a limited number of cars and it made the vehicles rare and more collectible. What I see as an issue with the hobby is for some collectors asking for more exclusivity pushing away others from the hobby these are toys and not investments. Let’s all have access for those who want them.
Asking for realistic production numbers shouldn't be a problem for most collectors. If cars are sitting in the shop for days, weeks or months your making way too many or making terrible choices in what you produce.
@@carlosherrera0001 iwell if you are happy paying $25-35 for a 35k release go right ahead. Making enough for everyone is completely OK. Charging limited exclusive prices...IS NOT. Soon it will kill the club. Good riddance I will say....
Hot Wheels has a large portion of “hype beast” style collectors that simply want valuable hard to find things. Super Treasure Hunts and chases while a fun part of collecting have attracted these collectors in droves, and RLC was a great frontier for them. The more gearhead oriented collector realized they could migrate to mini gt and others for premium cars that were easier to find at a lower price. Hot Wheels is now figuring out how to deal with those repercussions. The hope should be quality that matches there prices! And as you pointed out sometimes that matches, sometimes it doesn’t. We’ll see how it shakes out over the next few years
Awesome redline club cars and trucks you open up and you reviewed congrats.👍 I have never been a redline club member and I never will be they want to much money for they're cars and you not guaranteed you gonna get every redline club car you want. So the only redline club vehicles i collect are the ones i can find at the flea market, car shows, and toy shows, that vendors are selling for reasonable prices of the ones that i like. Otherwise i don't add any other redline club cars to my hot wheels collection.
I agree with everything that you said in the video . If they are going to change that much the quality needs to be improved also the way they ship the cars out
RLC- I don't know about all-FEW collectors, and more Resellers. But for me, I joined RLC only and only for one reason. I love BMERs, R32s and Mustangs, so I only eye for those drops. Also, I just collect to fulfill my passion, which is way more broken by resellers and price inflation. Seems at a point that even to collect 1-2 favorite model, its a nightmare to purchase. No wonder how high R34 prices rocket or how low, I won't buy it cuz I don't want it, and now I want Lamley and all fellow readers to give a perception if possible, to have their opinion if they were somewhat like me.
I would like to see super treasure hunt castings sold in their own exclusive package for 10 dollars or so like a F&F because I open them. Great if you can find them with the basics for $1.25 but in the last four years I have found three. I do not want to pay a scalper 50 to 80 dollars for them but would like to have them. The in the packages means nothing to me
I like your views on how to make them better and more intriguing to collect/become rare. Also love the close ups of the insides of the vehicles. Great video! Thanks for all the work you put into these.
Absolutely disagree with the mini gt rlc topic, the argument is if one maker can make that quality and qc at that price there’s no reason why Mattel can’t do it, leave alone the price cus hot wheels obviously has a bigger following, but the qc and details should at least be on par with the others
The argument he was trying to make, if Hot Wheels quality and detail improved, the product would not be recognizable as a Hot Wheel. Hot Wheels consistently under delivers yet they still sell ... eventually.
I guess i dont really care about the numbers because ever since overdrive came out, and I dont have to go through the anxiety of trying to get one while im working and still missing out ive been much happier with the program. I think the models are the best they've ever been, and now i dont have to lift a finger to get them. I buy them for me to enjoy. Not to horde, or resell. And rlc cars always hold weight for trades. I dont see them being any less desired because of rarity in my locla market honestly.
I feel the same way. I don't have overdrive though, just one account and only one item for myself and its never been better. I don't get EVERY model released either, only the ones that are interesting. In 2018 I was only able to get ONE car for the YEAR, as I was always working at the 9am PST + restricted amount of memberships, the multiple accts members, insane amount of bots it was ridiculous trying to get anything unless you were a professional reseller.
@@stevendavid13 overdrive was a complete rip off. I know those of you don't want to believe it but except for the pink every single release has been an easy get and almost every single one can be bought for close to retail or even less in the aftermarkets. Complete sham...
@Anth230 I've tried to buy limit 2 cars and not gotten them. I've also sold several of this year's cars at above the retail. The diferance is i havent missed a single car, and last year i spent 100s of dollars aquiring cars i missed. I'm also a consumer with a valid opinion on what I spent my money on, so that's just your perspective.
@@stevendavid13 I barely tried and got everything I wanted last year and this year not much I wanted but I got the Skyline for example. Very easy. Seriously if you have 10 minutes for a sale. Break at work or whatever. It's easy to do and no need for overdrive. Mattel latched in to this fear of missing out that a group of you have and completely ripped you off. $100 more for the privilege of getting a 35k mass produced car?? Ridiculous and it was an easy $1000000 for Mattel. They literally had to do nothing for it but take advantage of your fear of missing out. I'm not trying to make you feel bad about your choice but there is not one thing released this year that made that extra $100 worth it. Maybe to you but to the entire collecting hobby.... NOTHING. All you did was over pay for items most paid less for. I'm stunned that you also paid 100's of dollars more last year. That is just crazy and all you are doing is fueling resellers to buy even more. Nothing RLC releases today is worth extra cash. At least you made a little extra cash in your doubles. I personally don't want to bother with it.
@Anth230 I took a break from work on every single car last year was there right at launch and lost it in checkout on probably 60% of the rlc cars last year, and yes to aquire them I had to buy them from scalpers. So no I don't mind if I buy every single car and it adds a few dollars to each order over the course of the year for the peace of mind. If I get every car this year what's it shake out to? An extra 3 or 4 dollars a car? As someone who puts thousands into this hobby a year that's a drop in the bucket. I understand your perspective too. Mattel may have capitalized on fear of missing out, but they didn't create it, bots did. They offered consumers a guaranteed chance for the ones willing to pay and the ones that dont can still play the game of maybes.
I've all but stopped collecting RLC since they ditched the limited production. Part of what you're paying for the exclusivity factor. The models are great, but not $30-35 great. They should be $20 if they're going to be made to order. If there's a car that really stands out to me, I might still consider. But I haven't bought a piece in well over a year.
I don’t collect all RLC’s We all have our favourite cars Sometimes RLC just nails it My favourite being the 1969 Camaro in blue Amongst collectors, I’m sure it’s not that desirable and still seems to be pretty cheap on eBay. But i love it and cost simply wouldn’t enter the equation i just had to have it . I like it so much I’ve got 3 of them . Being from the UK I would like to see more European cars like the Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth or Ford escort series 1 RS Turbo or a mk2 ford fiesta XR2i I think RLC should look at different countries and the different cars people have a fondness for . Even though JDM is really cool All I see is the same sort of stuff . More of a variety would be awesome 👍
From a UK point of view, the price of the RLC models in GBP is the same number as USD. A $25 car is usually £25, even though a standard exchange rate would be more like £18. (I've seen no justiciation made for that price hike.) Factor in £9 shipping (around $12) and I am very picky about what I buy. If it's not RLC exclusive with an amazing paint job, I'll usually pick up a normal premium at around £10, rather than around £35.
You nailed it! I'm a lifelong "car guy" and believe the automobile to be one of man's greatest forms of artistic expression. In diecast, I collect for the individual beauty of each piece and the accompanying card art. BUT, the NUMBER ONE reason I collect is the prospect of enjoying them for as long as I like; then selling them on to the next collector at a tidy profit down the line. Without at least SOME sort of exclusivity, we'd all end up with shelves FULL of nearly worthless garbage (ACTION Nascar 1/24s ring any bells here?) our kids have to deal with when we're dead. I'd personally rather go back to the days of potentially missing out on a release (not due to website malfunctions) because demand is just that high. It makes it all that much more exciting when you're able to trade one of your own pieces that have gained value over time to snag that new release you missed but JUST. HAVE. TO. OWN. Exclusivity alongside quality sells. Plain and simple.
The problem with rlc is that in the last time u can’t by directly from their site in some contries, they will deliver in New Zeeland and Hungary but in Romania they don’t deliver anymore and there are lots of other contries that they were sending but in the last couples of months not anymore
I started collecting in January last year. Joining the RLC program after 5 months and buying a few RLC's. Now, Mattel is not shipping to my country anymore, so I will not renew my membership and if I find an RLC I want I have to pay the Ebay price + customs fees... Usually ending up being a $100+ car before it arrives at my house....
I like the RLC cars I really do, However I would take no opening hoods to get quality back. Way to many paint issues, some of these have shown up looking like they were in a toy box for a few weeks before packaged and shipped. Will I still buy them? Yes but if quality control doesn't improve I am not sure how long I will spend the money on them,. Kaido House is way nicer of a car for only $20.00 and I think Mattel might want to take note.
Don’t get me wrong I love hotwheels but these things are about $80 (AUD) and the QC just isn’t there anymore imo, I had one RX7 show up detached from the card and a yellow integra with visible damage in the blister
Great video man i quit collecting 2 years ago im back collecting now and i was lost all these castings i missed and wondering about the numbers so thank you for your great information!!
I dont know if anyone has experienced the situation like me. I bought some lamley exclusive models and they seem to have really bad quality control. My Pagani huayra r and nissan s15 both have decals issues, falling head and tailights and the auto world cars paint jobs are just terrible.Hope they will get better with production lines soon
I think the sweet spot is 25K pieces. As long as you are on time to the sale you should be able to get one (as long as the site is working correctly) but they will still sell out fast and will have some exclusivity to them.
On top of that, they got rid of the rewards car which pretty much removed any incentive for me to keep buying every single car to earn enough points to get said car. Now I’m only buying new RLC models and no duplicates. Plus the selections cars have been disappointing because they always have us vote for castings that were just released a few months before rather than castings that have never been used or used in a long time.
My opinion is that the RLC cars only separate themselves from the Premium models with moving parts and/or spectrflame paint, and for a much higher price tag. The paint and deco have flaws, the interiors have gone flat, and the bases have gone flat. And now they place them in acrylic cases for even higher prices. They still carry the Hot wheels look, but I think other manufacturers have better quality in just thier baseline castings. I have moved further from the Hot Wheels cars and closer to Autoworld and Greenlight due to the authenticity of the castings and more affordable prices. Hot Wheels still carries the higher aftermarket price tags, and I feel that alone is why people still are paying these prices. Hot Wheels needs to move back towards the 100% line with numbered runs in my opinion.
100% line was great! You could get them everywhere for $15 and they almost never were based off modified 'mainline' castings as so many RLCs are. RLCs used to be for making 'redlines' of mainline castings of a certain era using opening features, redline wheels and spectraflame paint - much lower price point. It was a good idea. Seems like the Elite 64 is filling the 100% line gap but at a much higher price point, less details, less models released and only avail buying on Matt Creat website.
I don’t collect the Mini Gt’s and all the other fantastic detailed brands because I love toy cars. And that’s what these models are. The more premium you go with Hot Wheels gives you more quality in paint, design, metal etc but in basic it’s a toy car. And that’s what I love. It gives them their “soul”. The same with Matchbox. Not the most accurate model of the real thing but it gives you that certain feeling when having them in your hands.
Almost every car you opened had paint quality control issues… 😢 Every time I get one in the mail I feel like I’m rolling the dice on weather or not my car got damaged in shipping or has some horrible QC issue…
I disagree that collectors (me included) craving exclusivity has that much of an impact on rlc sales. People don't focus on the details because the rlc models are easy to get, but because the price they are paying isn't justified. If the quality was on par with the cost people that wanted them would get them regardless of exclusivity. Having a limited stock only acts as a hurdle to those who want the models and have to pay extra to get them from resellers.
I've only bought 2 RLC's from eBay. The White Integra and the Black '93 Mustang Cobra R. Both of them are great with no quality issues. I was thinking about getting that RX-7 but after you showing that engine bay I think I'll pass. Not what I expect from the RLC in regards to detail.
I have lots of newer and past RLCs, and I honestly never had an issue with getting them or anything damaged. They display nicely, great details, paint and artwork is flawless, price points are alright. They could be more expensive than what they are going for. Despite all the nay sayers in the comments, anything i dont have are RLCs i missed to buy. I usually buy at least 10 a year, or a little less. Depends on what they are coming out with. The Nissan mini truck and impala are definitely my favorites. Awesome details. Collect what you like, and if you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong, man! So do it right and have the time of your life!
It's true that Mini GT is a collector's brand where HW is a toy, but they absolutely are comparable. RLC models are not designed as toys, they are designed as collectables within the same market, and their prices are in a comparable range, so the comparison is not just inevitable but also something HW are obviously aiming for by making their packaging similar (acrylic display boxes, for example - not a Hot Wheels thing generally). I don't think many people are as nitpicky in their collecting as you think - I am not an RLC member and based on the selection here I don't especially want to be, but... people just want cool model cars, y'know? I don't believe anyone's thinking "I want an upgraded Hot Wheels experience and an expansion to the Hot Wheels universe" (that sounds so pretentious, yet naïve - Hot Wheels doesn't have a universe unless you still go to elementary school), they are just thinking "oh sweet, an RX-7!". They're losing out to Mini GT because they are trying to get scale model prices for toy quality/style, and of course, it ain't working. As for this 'rarity adding appeal' line of thinking, I don't know how it got to the point where you feel it's acceptable to just come out and say something like that, but: - if you like something because you have it and someone else doesn't, not only are you a bad person and the reason why the world is going down in flames right now, but that toxic-ass attitude is dying out, which is why these are losing their appeal. Rational modern-minded people do not find rarity inherently appealing, so RLC is just an even more overpriced, tacky-looking (spectraflame paint is beautiful - for jewellery, not model cars) premium for many, and that's ignoring that you have to pay to join RLC before you even think of buying anything. I still find it incomprehensible that a premium costs 4 times what a mainline does where I live, that's why I only bought three this year, and two of those were discounted. These RLC models, if they didn't have the tacky spectraflame paint, would be pretty great premiums worth the £9 price we pay at retail. When I was a kid I rarely bought Hot Wheels because they had the lowest quality of all the common brands; there were opening features on many of the base level Matchbox and Siku and Tomy and Majorette cars you'd get for £1.50 or less ('80s prices, but still). Tomica and Majorette still incorporate opening features & suspension into their basic lines. We shouldn't let Mattel trick us into thinking these are premium-level features, you know it used to be the norm. Mattel feel they have to keep the level of detail we enjoyed as kids for people who don't play with their cars and frequently don't even open them.
Finally someone who has common sense, I fully agree with you on all these points. Hot wheels needs to change now or they are going to lose the battle against Mini GT. People like Lamley need to speak up properly about these issues instead of being Mattel’s puppet and not telling the true reasons for why people are switching over to Mini Gt. It’s like you said, opening doors used to be as standard for matchbox models but is called a “premium” on a £30 plus Hot wheels RLC car, it’s ridiculous.
@@TheGBDiecastHunter I recently bought a Renault 17TL from Matchbox's 1974 Superfast range off ebay recently. It has suspension, opening doors, a metal base, detail more defined than current hot wheels and even a moulded number plate. It's sitting next to the recent HW Premium Abarth 131 Rally (which is a really nice model) on my desk and the only way the Abarth beats it is the 2-piece wheels and rubber tyres and detailed tampos. The Renault was made by the hundreds of thousands in all likelihood; I had one much the same 35 years ago and it's still more commonplace and easier to find than the Abarth, not to mention cheaper. Wonder how good the Abarth will look after 50 years...What is going on?
Watched the video and I agree with the presentation points. I think I disagree with how you've sort of paired the rarity issue with (at least how I perceived it) 'upgraded premium' one. I think they are both issues that should be fixed in different ways. For me, as a casual collector I don't care as much about rarity unless it's a model and casting that I really must have.. and it's limited. To my other point... which I think is summed up really well by the rx7 here - that's such a nice model and casting but as someone that already has the $6 ronin run one.. I just can't justify spending another $30 on this 'RLC' model. IDK if it needs a more interesting tampo or what.. but it needs to feel more special than just it has a nicer spectraflame paint.. at least for me.
As an early member, I was okay with expanding the memberships and castings. My problem is that they have tossed the numbered cars and the NCRL wheel aside. They really need to just change it to the Real Riders Club for everyone. I don't want to return to the days of 4k made. But is it too much to ask to keep the numbers at 20 to 30k.
What might help with the perception of rarity is randomly incert several chase cars in the mix. You buy one but have a chance of getting the chase version. Like a lottery.
I've been thinking the same thing lamley, I have been a member 6 years now and although I want everything, there was an excitement to getting something you were not sure ya were going to get. They should ditch the 10 dollar digital membership, go back to a 1 or 2 week window and make the membership ship car your membership. Great informative video like always👍!
Too spend that amount for a car could be great but now with that 100 fee that you can get it just like that it makes it harder for RLC members that don’t pay that 100 fee harder to get it so collectors aren’t willing to really try for many with the chance of it being sold out before it is released that’s why a lot of them are not sold out
Also lamley the recession is not helping thats my opinion why sales have dropped , well thats one off tge reasons why im getting more picky with what i buy only jdm casting for me
I don't know which commenter told me this, but they said it wasn't worth signing up for the RLC club, I'm starting to understand why. And I'm also wondering how rare is the Proton Saga ?
First of all thank you for the Video. Then my Solution to this very well discussed topic of rarity and what to do with RLC: Why not take the idea of big trading card brands and mix in special Editions to the RLC mailings: Change the color of the Card, put different wheels on some of them, then maybe just number those, change the Art on the Card for some or go the cheap route and put stickers on them to make some models more exclusive. Yes collectors want to order a specific, more detailed car and pay extra, but put in a random factor at whatever scale you want that to be and boom. Everybody will max out on the amount of cars they order just to have that tiny little chance to get a special edition. I would have a trillion ideas so if you or Mattel are reading and listening to this hear me out. You could even mix in a treasure hunt car to some orders or a special RLC Treasure hunt car per year mixed in… I think you get the concept of my idea. There are cost effective and more budget heavy ideas but all is possible for Mattel here… and collectors will love them for simply improving on the concept of RLC
Ways the club can improve IMO. 1. Make memberships a limited window but not a limited amount. What do I mean? Two week window like before to become a member, but it isn't a set amount available. 2. With fewer members, you can bring stickered runs of fewer cars. 3. Make some cars with Neo's.
Lamley, I think I messaged you this over on insta about my RX7 coming opened. An update about it: I contacted Mattel and they decided to send me a replacement. And guess what. That one was opened too. So I received my $25 back and got to keep the car, but never got a brand new car. I feel like paying $25 for such a crappy quality control is such a waste
I buy RLC cars very rarely because of what speaks to me and what doesnt. The rlc cars cost in Europe starting from 50 and up... In that moment i decide if the realised model is up to my standarts to pay that mutch. Because i can buy 4 greenlight or Autoworld models for that price and be more happy.
Hot Wheels is in an interesting position now. When they came out in 1968, their competition was basically Matchbox, Corgi, and Dinky. Hot Wheels changed the game with their flashy colours and custom hot rods. They continued for decades to innovate and eat the rest of the competition. Then, something happened. All of a sudden, there were people creating mind-bogglingly detailed customs in 1/64 scale. Then, companies like inno 64, Mini GT and others started appearing. Mattel is now the ‘Meccano’ of its time. Its reach is greater than ever, but it will have to up its game to stay relevant. There is a lot more competition doing a lot better work.
Have been able to renew my RLC membership, but frustratingly, have not been able to snag a purchase, and when I click on those that seem to be available, it says 404 page not found. Which is all just really kinda dumb.
Man I wish Mattel/hot wheels design team would make a better 90s camaro I would love to have a good model of my personal car a 1995 Z28 camaro mainly I want a hard top not a drop top since my personal is a hard top but a newer camaro for a rlc would be cool to like a 2023-24 ZL1
The RLC being nothing more than an expensive basic is the only thing i hope for. If collectors only care about having what others cant have, they can go off themselves. If they are not buying it if its not rare, that means they dont collect for their love of diecast, just their feeling of exclusivity. Im sure Mattel will chose the most long term profitable option but i just hope it will mean selling unlimited, quality product.
You only thing on that yellow Mustang is the lights in the front and the emblem are just horrible. They’re not even legible that’s the only problem with that one. The rest of it looks fantastic!
Mattel should do less quantity (and add the numbering) and better quality. Rlc should be max. 10k limit with a lot better fitment, color, interior, engine quality...and it'd be nice if the price will stay same...cuz its a large company with many produkts. So make uno or Barbie or whatever a bit more expensive 2-3$ and make HW in quality and rarity as customers want it to be
So the deal with RLCs is that they're just not unique anymore. When RLC was a nostalgic line for people who like Redlines and old lines like Real Riders, Super Chromes etc., Hot Wheels also had the 100% line for collectors who collect model cars and not the brand. They were true 1:64, had INSANE engine details, sometimes lowrider suspension, and the models were incredibly diverse - from cars by big manufacturers (mostly American, but European and Japanese were also there) to wide range of real life hot rods, models HW fantasy castings like Twin Mill turned hot rods and even some Batmobiles! Really the peak of Hot Wheels in my opinion, and many of them even nowadays not that expensive. RLCs though were also interesting and distinct, and so there was no issue - it was a "to each their own" kind of situation. Then the 2010s come. The JDM craze begins, Hot Wheels collecting becomes much more popular, and by that point the 100% line is long gone. So what do Hot Wheels do? They upgrade the RLC line by making exclusive castings that were on the level of 100%, just not true 1:64 and with spectraflame paint (kind of mixing the two ideas together). On paper that sounds interesting, but when, compared to $10-20 of one 100% model, new RLCs cost $20-25... That's just insane. Shiny paint doesn't cost that much, neither do limited releases. The biggest problem though is that the world of 1:64 diecast doesn't stay in one place. When 100% line was around, the best collector-grade 1:64s you could get were quite expensive Tomica Limited Vintage models and less expensive, but also less fine with their details Kyosho, Aoshima and CM's - the Japanese brands in general basically. Except for the latter (which specialised in rally cars) they were, for the most part, pretty basic cars with stock looks and no engine details (only interiors, lensed lights and suspensions in the case of Tomica). In 2010s, however, the new kings came to this industry - the Hong Kong brands like Mini GT, Tarmac Works, Inno64, Xcartoys/Pop Race, Time Micro and many more. They all had TLV levels of detail (if not more), 100% HW price and MANY interesting castings. Why would I but RLC Advan Hakosuka for $25 without shipping and tax when I can buy Pop Race Advan Hakosuka for $20 WITH shipping and tax, and it would be true 1:64, multi-piece, had not only opening hood but also opening trunk? Even the "shiny paint" argument oftentimes doesn't work 'cause, for example, my Time Micro purple LBWK S15 (which cost me $35 w/shipping) does have spectraflame-esque paint - but also out of this world details, all the way to multi-piece engine and brake discs. And I'm not even starting on new american brands such as Auto World that offer 100% levels of detail for the cost of a Car Culture model. Though I, among RLCs, only collect the Neo-Classics, there was a moment I decided to buy the green DeTomaso Mangusta. It is a great and - what's more importantly - unique casting for sure; but it's also not $40 great and unique (which is what I payed for it, and it actually was a bargain of a price due to it being unsealed). But then I thought: wait, why wouldn't I just sell this model, when I can wait for Pop Race to release this car, buy it for half the price and get a MUCH better piece?! And so I sold it, despite Mangusta being one of my favourite cars ever and me really wanting it in my collection. Hot Wheels try to appeal to modern collectors, but they just can't - not just due to the model quality, but also price. Like, for example, Elite64 has some okay and unique models, but the asking price of one Kaido House just kills the entire line for me from the get go. And it probably won't get better seeing how much hype Hot Wheels gets despite their lack of quality. It's still better than the crap Matchbox fans are forced to eat (plastic bases and grainy print on their most expensive line), but far from Hot Wheels glory days.
Lamley I wanna ask if you'd continue this conversation further with a followup video, as I believe this part of the hobby has exploded in part to people finding content creators like yourself. Right around the Hot Wheels 50th anniversary I discovered your channel, back when you didn't display your subscriber count, and quickly took interest in joining the Redline Club. I'm sure that I'm not the only one that found out about that program in this way, and I believe it was a factor in how the 2020 membership signups were so difficult to get. Back in 2018-2019, every, single, model was special enough to warrant its own video, but now with the way things are us viewers have had to wait many months for the 8 recent releases to be shown in a single video. Whether people like it or not is one thing, but the exclusivity had power in making these castings feel as close as they could to one-of-a-kind. I wish to know more of your thoughts on how your sharing your hobby the way you have may have influenced today's RLC in any way.
Playmates screwed up the Star Trek figures range with their super rare 1701 figures that were impossible to get. RLC needs to walk the tightrope between limited and not exclusive at all. Also just giving a chance for gougers to make bank on resales is not a wise strategy either. Keeping the quality control should be their top priority. That 1972 Skyline paint is unforgivable. Maybe some sort of credit system where each member can only get 80% of each years models, would keep some exclusivity, and encourage members to trade models with each other and avoid the resellers?
To summarize:
1. No longer numbered, hence the exclusivity has gone.
2. Multiple recolors of each RLC release which additionally ruins the value/exclusivity.
3. As a result of the larger production run, the quality control is no longer there.
4. The resale value sometimes doesn't even fetch the price when new.
5. The bad customer experience for the Mattel Creations members still hasn't improved.
You nailed it
@@ThjeDevilTwin I agree...mattel fucked up
numbered or not numbered it doenst matter... its an illusion.
1. I hope they continue the way they are and completely destroy the secondary market for good.
2. Overdrive and opening the memberships was the best decisions they ever made.
3. You can all take your exclusivity and shove it.
@@SZfiftyfourthe more they make the worse the shipping and car quality gets is the main complaint here. So easy on the shoving
Collectors for investment, OR Collectors for the love and the hobby ? As for me it has always been a hobby, never thought of it as an investment, My love of Hot Wheels started as a kid and has never changed, So with that said, I'm ok with RLC right now.
Same here
Yup. Invest in stocks, gold or perhaps bitcoin. This is a terrible idea as an investment idea.
Ditto!
I'm not ok with the high price. They are WAY too expensive for how many they produce. I can get limited stuff just as nice or nicer for $5-10 cheaper from other companies and their production numbers are smaller.
Lego
I feel you are spot on with your opinion here.
When you remove the numbering system, collectors of RLC can and will judge the finest of details to justify the purchase. Some of these models genuinely are amazing, but the lack of details absolutely kill it for some whereas if the same model had a number it genuinely would sell better simply for that fact.
Now, as for how HW can rectify this and implement a new system for keeping these limited while also not frustrating everyone, that is a much trickier proposition.
should buy mini gt if you are looking for details. They are cheaper, better paint and details have side mirrors, roll nicely, less problem with packaging.
It's actually not even possible. Lowering production totals all while selling hundreds of memberships every week just doesn't work. People already cry about sell out times. Can you imagine 200,000 members fighting to get 4000 cars every sale ? Hell, even the bots wouldn't work for that.
Nothing they can do. They opened this Pandora's box and now collectors will close it. No one really wants to pay $25-35 for ONE OF A 35000 or more collectable.
I personally am totally over it. I can buy AWESOME stuff elsewhere for cheaper and more limited and EXTREMELY detailed.
As long as it lasts I will buy from those companies.
@@Anth230 People pay $100 or more for a 1 of over 150,000 Super
@@VladimirBlarp Except we really don't know what the actual ballpark number is on the STH is like we do the RLC. AND even if it were 150k they are spread out through the world. most recent RLC the last couple years don't even go for $100.
Ngl, that Impala Lowrider is absolutely stunning. I mean like absolutely stunning!
I think a lot of people are just mad that they can’t scalp and resell them at stupid high prices anymore.
I have been a long time collector of Hot Wheels and the only reason I Preferred having the quantities low was because I always had good internet and a fast hand so I would usually be lucky enough to get one or two or three and since they would sell out so quick I would use them to my advantage to trade or sell them for pieces I was after. But I like that it is easy to get the models just wish they still held a bit more value in the collector world. That is my stance.
@@jaredgel5599 there's a great difference between holding value and raising it. you may choose not to open your cars so when ur bored of owning them, you can let them go and have the same money that you bought it for. if you sell for profit, the only result is that those who like the cars now have to pay extra to scalpers or cannot afford it at all.
100%
Good! Scalpers suck!
With shipping and taxes a $25 RLC costs $50 by the time it gets to me. At this price it’s not worth it for me. This will be the last year for me as a RLC subscriber.
100%, it gets even worse when you don't live in the US.
Why do you even consider it when theres mini gt, inno64?
@@IF040020 Because I like the chunky toy aesthetics of Hot Wheels.
Try to buy this in Malaysia. You will probably pay RM300-700 per item. For comparison, it's like buying something worth 300-700 USD.
@@IF040020 Why do you care?
The other issue effecting current RLC sales is having repeats so close together. In the cars you've shown in this video, only the Typhoon, RX7 and Nissan minitruck are new castings. The 1971 GTR has been released 4 times since 2021 in RLC. The 510 was released 5 times in RLC since 2016. The 1964 Impala was released 3 times in RLC since 2021 and twice in 2021 alone. The 1970 Boss Mustang was released 3 times since 2017. And the Integra was released just last year.
'71 or '72 GTR?
but people are crazy about the 72 GTR, the 71 510, the R34 GTR and many others. They buy every release + vote for them in the sElections at every opportunity.
My complaint about rlc is the quality. We should have 0 or very little blemishes on them. Too many are nice models but poor quality.
But to be fair everyone has some qc issues. I hate paying $40 for a car with bad paint or crooked mirrors or spoiler.
Great video!
Quality control is my main complaint.
Oh boy don't even get me started on QC issues. I started collecting last November and it's been a complete lottery. I am super ultra picky and even a scratch on the card can bug me but the amount of cars I've gotten that I've had to return is just silly at this point.
It's gotten so bad that I feel as though I will need to order 4 in order to get one that I'm happy with.
It's just frustrating because I really like hotwheels and RLC cars but I shouldn't have anxiety opening up the package. QC combined with the nature of RLC makes it hard because if I get bad ones, I can't resell them, I could return but might not get my $7 shipping refunded, and I can't get replacements.
I have less QC problems with Mainline hotwheels than I do RLC.
This might come off an ignorant but I don't understand why they can't hire a couple people to look them over before they get shipped out.
I got two root beer AMC javelins and returned both because they were both unacceptably scratched up. Whole spots of paint just chipped/rubbed off.
I'm a new hot wheels collector and I just love hunting down the super treasure hunts and trying to find all the other makes and models that I like. Also its fun to hook up my friend and his kids with some nice hot wheels cars. Wish I would have started collecting a long time ago! Never realized how fun and addicting it could be lol When I saw that Typhoon RLC go on sale I had to grab two of them. Only time I've ever bought two of the same RLC cars. Just waiting for the 1990 454 SS to drop again. Definitely one of my favorite castings!!
QA this year is NOT good. My Yellow Integras were terrible, black marks, paint issues, scratches. The RX-7 had only a small spot of glue on the blister, so they separated from the card. I did get a partial refund for it. The Nissan truck had paint issues too. For the price we are paying, QA needs to improve.
I agree man, you can't send premium product to customer with quality issues.
The doors on F1 ✈
Yeah QC issues are uncalled for at that price. And it’s not like you can exchange it. But honestly these RLC cars are made in china and not in the same factory as the mainlines etc.
The problem is that since they stopped putting numbers, quality stopped mattering to them and now they have more people who do not buy their cars.
This is exactly the video we needed from you being absolutely honest about the state of the Redline Club right now and we all know it’s not good right now. The reason why I joined is because of the numbering and rarity factor just like you stated because to me it was something not everyone had and if I could get one it was that much cooler and better. But they slowly did away with the numbers and things have gone down hill. More quantity means less quality and that’s exactly what we’ve gotten I mean every one of those RLCs shown has a paint defect on them…and yes the models are fantastic looking but the quality just isn’t there. They shot themselves in the foot with doing away with the numbers even though yes, they are “making more money” by letting everyone get them now but now like you stated people will start judging them more and passing on them. Simply go back to making them more rare and sought after and keep the quality there as well. Really don’t see myself renewing after this year and I still find it funny how I haven’t needed overdrive once this year 😏 funny how they come out with overdrive yet there’s no need for it when there’s an unlimited amount being produced now….
Also have to push back on making some of these more exclusive. Having bots become a problem on the website again would be a nightmare. The answer is Hot Wheels can and should knock $5-10 off there prices to be more in line with other premium diecast brands
I don't care about rarity or resale, it's nice that more people have an opportunity to own a RLC car, but with there being infinite memberships and unknown amounts of cars, it's just weird at this point. The other issue is, with the heavily increased number of memberships sold, why do they also need to raise the prices of everything going on?
I am in favor of removing the exclusivity and rarity of RLC, cant get behind the "I need to feel special" mentality from the collectors that want it the old way. I just collect nice looking cars and share them with friends/family. RLC went from putting shiny paint on old models to having a plethora of their own models to use, we've had 19 new RLC models in the last 3 years with more still coming this year. The QC issues, while inevitable for any brand, should be addressed and taken care of since this is a "premium product" we are paying for. Ive just been lucky enough to avoid some of them, like with the white Integra. Side note if you are only in it for resale/investment purposes, get bent.
As an RLC member since 2008, I don't like the fact that they make way more cars like the skyline over and over again. They don't do so many American Muscle cars, Street Rods & Customs or Classic Pickups.
half the RLCs don't even have side mirrors 😭 how does a company NOT FIGURE OUT side mirrors on premium releases...... shit will never make sense to me. I buy less and less HWs every year due to their stupid childish choices.
Yes bro... well said... it's pathetic
Man the thing with hotwheels right now is the lack of identity they been puting a lot of lines but feels flat, compare the integra with the rx7 paint, that doesnt feel exclusive looks like a premium with moving parts add a dollar of yellow spectra like the mustang for christ sake, they dont have to compete with other brands but the reality is that people now have options to put their money so i hope Mattel realize that they need to improve the game because right now they are not leading
The two Iconic colors with the Integra type R are championship white, and Phoenix yellow. I remember hearing one of the designers say when the white one launched that they didn't to spectra flame because they were trying to capture those colors. The integra type R is my favorite car of all time, And spectreflame yellow is my favorite spectreflame color. That being said I'm glad the yellow isn't spectreflame. It feels like THAT makes this car authentic not cheap. But that's just my perspective. I would love a spectreflame one next but I'm glad we got the two icons first.
Yes!!
I disagree, I think the problem is they have an identity but people don't like it. I collect all sorts of brands but I prefer realistic models, in the past I considered collecting scale models only, stuff like Mini GT, Tarmac, Inno and so on; if I were going that route, HW's lack of detail and super-flashy paint wouldn't appeal. And if I were a HW only collector, I wouldn't buy these because THEY WANT HOW MUCH FOR A HOT WHEELS?!?! I feel Mattel is really starting to stretch the value proposition of HW beyond what it can support at times.
I’m really digging your channel. I just fell in to collecting 1:64 die cast and realized there is a lot to learn. It started with me grabbing the M2 Machines A100 series vans as well as their Econoline series vans. Doing so led me down a rabbit hole and now I’ve gotten a RLC Tradesman van, several Kaido House, Pop Race and so-on. Keep up the great content 🤙😎
In my opinion we collectors love all these models. However, since we pay premium prices for these items and there’s an issue with a certain model as far as paint and quality is concerned then Mattel needs to somehow consider reimbursing members in a way that we don’t lose interest.
Nevertheless, I personally appreciate the design team and beautiful models they produce!
- People on the internet just love to complain, and everyone enables each other. There's still a silent majority watching and rolling their eyes.
- Quality. Literally nobody else is chrome-plating castings and using candy paint.
- The few imitators I see out there are actually VUM or PVD coatings like on xmas ornaments, not actual chrome and they're nearly the same price.
- RLC castings are probably the sturdiest-built, smoothest rolling diecast on the market.
- The RX-7 sold out immediately after people started getting them in the mail and posting pics online.
- Comparing true 1/64 and highly accurate brands to a toy-spec brand is ridiculous. Like you said they're totally separate things.
ALL EXCELLENT POINTS!
-bad quality control
-not original enough compared to premiums; too simmilar (f.e. wheels)
-requires membership just to enter; no actual "club" benefits
-way lower value compared to true 1/64, it's overpriced when you start adding all fees and expenses around it
@@speedster8138 - Still sells literally 6-times the other brands' entire production run loool. And even direct to consumer, vs the other guys distribution which sits around in shops for months.
- Instead of leaving HW fans alone, the self-centered complainers show their constant need for attention and validation. By mass complaining in the forums of a brand they don't even like.
"Toy-spec brands" with toy-spec quality control need to charge toy-spec prices, then - not high grade scale model prices (and membership fees). Unless you're 10 and you plan on taking your chrome-plated Datsun 510 to school in your backpack to play with on the playground, they don't need to be sturdily built or smooth rolling. They are only separate things if you want them to be, they are still model cars.
@@Josh_Quillan Muscle Machines are models of cars as well, yet you wouldn't compare them to true scale models. All kinds of product can exist without having people pigeonhole it all into the same catagories. Again, HW is literally the most popular diecast vehicle brand prolly outselling every other brand combined in the US. Your opinion is fighting an uphill battle towards worthless. Don't like HW? Don't buy it, it's very simple.
I like how the carded are more accessible and the acrylic models are the grail cars
Great observation!
I'm sure you are correct for the most part. If the Red Line club had remianed as it was, I would not be part of it. There wasn't just a time limit, there was also a quantity limit. I'm happy with the cars I've gotten and don't really care how rare they are. I have the ones I want.
Easy to ask for rarity, exclusivity and limited access to collectors when you don’t have a problem getting what you want from Mattel. At the beginning of the new version of the RLC everyone had access to a limited number of cars and it made the vehicles rare and more collectible. What I see as an issue with the hobby is for some collectors asking for more exclusivity pushing away others from the hobby these are toys and not investments. Let’s all have access for those who want them.
Too right! Well said.
Yes! The membership should be an early access, not requirement!
Asking for realistic production numbers shouldn't be a problem for most collectors. If cars are sitting in the shop for days, weeks or months your making way too many or making terrible choices in what you produce.
telling ppl bro, He glazes Mattel and brown nose mattel for free cars.
@@carlosherrera0001 iwell if you are happy paying $25-35 for a 35k release go right ahead. Making enough for everyone is completely OK. Charging limited exclusive prices...IS NOT. Soon it will kill the club. Good riddance I will say....
Hot Wheels has a large portion of “hype beast” style collectors that simply want valuable hard to find things. Super Treasure Hunts and chases while a fun part of collecting have attracted these collectors in droves, and RLC was a great frontier for them. The more gearhead oriented collector realized they could migrate to mini gt and others for premium cars that were easier to find at a lower price. Hot Wheels is now figuring out how to deal with those repercussions. The hope should be quality that matches there prices! And as you pointed out sometimes that matches, sometimes it doesn’t. We’ll see how it shakes out over the next few years
Awesome redline club cars and trucks you open up and you reviewed congrats.👍 I have never been a redline club member and I never will be they want to much money for they're cars and you not guaranteed you gonna get every redline club car you want. So the only redline club vehicles i collect are the ones i can find at the flea market, car shows, and toy shows, that vendors are selling for reasonable prices of the ones that i like. Otherwise i don't add any other redline club cars to my hot wheels collection.
That's a smart move sam. You are actually probably saving cash by not joining....😊
You are correct my friend I'm definitely saving money and thank you for the nice comment my friend congrats to you my friend.👍
I agree with everything that you said in the video . If they are going to change that much the quality needs to be improved also the way they ship the cars out
RLC- I don't know about all-FEW collectors, and more Resellers. But for me, I joined RLC only and only for one reason. I love BMERs, R32s and Mustangs, so I only eye for those drops. Also, I just collect to fulfill my passion, which is way more broken by resellers and price inflation. Seems at a point that even to collect 1-2 favorite model, its a nightmare to purchase. No wonder how high R34 prices rocket or how low, I won't buy it cuz I don't want it, and now I want Lamley and all fellow readers to give a perception if possible, to have their opinion if they were somewhat like me.
I would like to see super treasure hunt castings sold in their own exclusive package for 10 dollars or so like a F&F because I open them. Great if you can find them with the basics for $1.25 but in the last four years I have found three. I do not want to pay a scalper 50 to 80 dollars for them but would like to have them. The in the packages means nothing to me
I like your views on how to make them better and more intriguing to collect/become rare. Also love the close ups of the insides of the vehicles. Great video! Thanks for all the work you put into these.
Absolutely disagree with the mini gt rlc topic, the argument is if one maker can make that quality and qc at that price there’s no reason why Mattel can’t do it, leave alone the price cus hot wheels obviously has a bigger following, but the qc and details should at least be on par with the others
IKR. He defending Mattel as usual lmao
@@bearabletable7527 yah I mean he can’t risk losing all the free stuff and what not lol
The argument he was trying to make, if Hot Wheels quality and detail improved, the product would not be recognizable as a Hot Wheel. Hot Wheels consistently under delivers yet they still sell ... eventually.
@@jameshollar9461mainlines, sure. But these are supposed to be quality, hence the big price tag.
Lamley is a Mattel employee, correct? I mean, it's pretty obvious.
I guess i dont really care about the numbers because ever since overdrive came out, and I dont have to go through the anxiety of trying to get one while im working and still missing out ive been much happier with the program. I think the models are the best they've ever been, and now i dont have to lift a finger to get them. I buy them for me to enjoy. Not to horde, or resell. And rlc cars always hold weight for trades. I dont see them being any less desired because of rarity in my locla market honestly.
I feel the same way. I don't have overdrive though, just one account and only one item for myself and its never been better. I don't get EVERY model released either, only the ones that are interesting. In 2018 I was only able to get ONE car for the YEAR, as I was always working at the 9am PST + restricted amount of memberships, the multiple accts members, insane amount of bots it was ridiculous trying to get anything unless you were a professional reseller.
@@stevendavid13 overdrive was a complete rip off. I know those of you don't want to believe it but except for the pink every single release has been an easy get and almost every single one can be bought for close to retail or even less in the aftermarkets. Complete sham...
@Anth230 I've tried to buy limit 2 cars and not gotten them. I've also sold several of this year's cars at above the retail. The diferance is i havent missed a single car, and last year i spent 100s of dollars aquiring cars i missed. I'm also a consumer with a valid opinion on what I spent my money on, so that's just your perspective.
@@stevendavid13 I barely tried and got everything I wanted last year and this year not much I wanted but I got the Skyline for example. Very easy. Seriously if you have 10 minutes for a sale. Break at work or whatever. It's easy to do and no need for overdrive. Mattel latched in to this fear of missing out that a group of you have and completely ripped you off. $100 more for the privilege of getting a 35k mass produced car?? Ridiculous and it was an easy $1000000 for Mattel. They literally had to do nothing for it but take advantage of your fear of missing out.
I'm not trying to make you feel bad about your choice but there is not one thing released this year that made that extra $100 worth it. Maybe to you but to the entire collecting hobby.... NOTHING. All you did was over pay for items most paid less for.
I'm stunned that you also paid 100's of dollars more last year. That is just crazy and all you are doing is fueling resellers to buy even more.
Nothing RLC releases today is worth extra cash.
At least you made a little extra cash in your doubles. I personally don't want to bother with it.
@Anth230 I took a break from work on every single car last year was there right at launch and lost it in checkout on probably 60% of the rlc cars last year, and yes to aquire them I had to buy them from scalpers. So no I don't mind if I buy every single car and it adds a few dollars to each order over the course of the year for the peace of mind. If I get every car this year what's it shake out to? An extra 3 or 4 dollars a car? As someone who puts thousands into this hobby a year that's a drop in the bucket. I understand your perspective too. Mattel may have capitalized on fear of missing out, but they didn't create it, bots did. They offered consumers a guaranteed chance for the ones willing to pay and the ones that dont can still play the game of maybes.
Your turntable displays are the best hands down!
I agree completely. Love the models and buy them but would love to feel like their rare too
My issue is they're not numbered anymore. Who knows how many are made.
I've all but stopped collecting RLC since they ditched the limited production. Part of what you're paying for the exclusivity factor. The models are great, but not $30-35 great. They should be $20 if they're going to be made to order. If there's a car that really stands out to me, I might still consider. But I haven't bought a piece in well over a year.
I don’t collect all RLC’s
We all have our favourite cars
Sometimes RLC just nails it
My favourite being the 1969 Camaro in blue
Amongst collectors, I’m sure it’s not that desirable and still seems to be pretty cheap on eBay.
But i love it and cost simply wouldn’t enter the equation i just had to have it .
I like it so much I’ve got 3 of them .
Being from the UK
I would like to see more European cars like the Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth or Ford escort series 1 RS Turbo or a mk2 ford fiesta XR2i
I think RLC should look at different countries and the different cars people have a fondness for .
Even though JDM is really cool
All I see is the same sort of stuff .
More of a variety would be awesome 👍
From a UK point of view, the price of the RLC models in GBP is the same number as USD. A $25 car is usually £25, even though a standard exchange rate would be more like £18. (I've seen no justiciation made for that price hike.) Factor in £9 shipping (around $12) and I am very picky about what I buy. If it's not RLC exclusive with an amazing paint job, I'll usually pick up a normal premium at around £10, rather than around £35.
You nailed it! I'm a lifelong "car guy" and believe the automobile to be one of man's greatest forms of artistic expression. In diecast, I collect for the individual beauty of each piece and the accompanying card art. BUT, the NUMBER ONE reason I collect is the prospect of enjoying them for as long as I like; then selling them on to the next collector at a tidy profit down the line. Without at least SOME sort of exclusivity, we'd all end up with shelves FULL of nearly worthless garbage (ACTION Nascar 1/24s ring any bells here?) our kids have to deal with when we're dead. I'd personally rather go back to the days of potentially missing out on a release (not due to website malfunctions) because demand is just that high. It makes it all that much more exciting when you're able to trade one of your own pieces that have gained value over time to snag that new release you missed but JUST. HAVE. TO. OWN. Exclusivity alongside quality sells. Plain and simple.
The problem with rlc is that in the last time u can’t by directly from their site in some contries, they will deliver in New Zeeland and Hungary but in Romania they don’t deliver anymore and there are lots of other contries that they were sending but in the last couples of months not anymore
loving these long videos lately! These videos are great brain food as a break away from work. Like everyone already said, your opinion is spot on
The tires on the lowriders are wobbly. Could be better, reminds me of m2 machines.
I started collecting in January last year. Joining the RLC program after 5 months and buying a few RLC's.
Now, Mattel is not shipping to my country anymore, so I will not renew my membership and if I find an RLC I want I have to pay the Ebay price + customs fees... Usually ending up being a $100+ car before it arrives at my house....
it's time to be back with the Premium lines, they are still serve us well you know...
Haters will hate I love what they are doing keep it going hotwheels 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
I like the RLC cars I really do, However I would take no opening hoods to get quality back. Way to many paint issues, some of these have shown up looking like they were in a toy box for a few weeks before packaged and shipped. Will I still buy them? Yes but if quality control doesn't improve I am not sure how long I will spend the money on them,. Kaido House is way nicer of a car for only $20.00 and I think Mattel might want to take note.
Can’t wait to get my impala shipped!
Don’t get me wrong I love hotwheels but these things are about $80 (AUD) and the QC just isn’t there anymore imo, I had one RX7 show up detached from the card and a yellow integra with visible damage in the blister
Great video man i quit collecting 2 years ago im back collecting now and i was lost all these castings i missed and wondering about the numbers so thank you for your great information!!
I dont know if anyone has experienced the situation like me. I bought some lamley exclusive models and they seem to have really bad quality control. My Pagani huayra r and nissan s15 both have decals issues, falling head and tailights and the auto world cars paint jobs are just terrible.Hope they will get better with production lines soon
I think the sweet spot is 25K pieces. As long as you are on time to the sale you should be able to get one (as long as the site is working correctly) but they will still sell out fast and will have some exclusivity to them.
I'd love to get some of the RLC stuff, but it's too expensive to get them in the UK
On top of that, they got rid of the rewards car which pretty much removed any incentive for me to keep buying every single car to earn enough points to get said car. Now I’m only buying new RLC models and no duplicates. Plus the selections cars have been disappointing because they always have us vote for castings that were just released a few months before rather than castings that have never been used or used in a long time.
My opinion is that the RLC cars only separate themselves from the Premium models with moving parts and/or spectrflame paint, and for a much higher price tag. The paint and deco have flaws, the interiors have gone flat, and the bases have gone flat. And now they place them in acrylic cases for even higher prices. They still carry the Hot wheels look, but I think other manufacturers have better quality in just thier baseline castings. I have moved further from the Hot Wheels cars and closer to Autoworld and Greenlight due to the authenticity of the castings and more affordable prices. Hot Wheels still carries the higher aftermarket price tags, and I feel that alone is why people still are paying these prices. Hot Wheels needs to move back towards the 100% line with numbered runs in my opinion.
100% line was great! You could get them everywhere for $15 and they almost never were based off modified 'mainline' castings as so many RLCs are. RLCs used to be for making 'redlines' of mainline castings of a certain era using opening features, redline wheels and spectraflame paint - much lower price point. It was a good idea. Seems like the Elite 64 is filling the 100% line gap but at a much higher price point, less details, less models released and only avail buying on Matt Creat website.
at this point, POP RACE is better than RLC lmfao they got Chome (basically spectraflame....) and opening parts.
I don’t collect the Mini Gt’s and all the other fantastic detailed brands because I love toy cars. And that’s what these models are. The more premium you go with Hot Wheels gives you more quality in paint, design, metal etc but in basic it’s a toy car. And that’s what I love. It gives them their “soul”. The same with Matchbox. Not the most accurate model of the real thing but it gives you that certain feeling when having them in your hands.
Almost every car you opened had paint quality control issues… 😢 Every time I get one in the mail I feel like I’m rolling the dice on weather or not my car got damaged in shipping or has some horrible QC issue…
That Mazda Rx7 R1 is already scalped up anyways
How so? They all look good to me
I disagree that collectors (me included) craving exclusivity has that much of an impact on rlc sales. People don't focus on the details because the rlc models are easy to get, but because the price they are paying isn't justified. If the quality was on par with the cost people that wanted them would get them regardless of exclusivity. Having a limited stock only acts as a hurdle to those who want the models and have to pay extra to get them from resellers.
I love the impala it’s my dream car I preordered ordered it too
Interested to know what you think of Matchbox Creations. Not sure how much life it has left given that they now never sell out.
I've only bought 2 RLC's from eBay. The White Integra and the Black '93 Mustang Cobra R. Both of them are great with no quality issues. I was thinking about getting that RX-7 but after you showing that engine bay I think I'll pass. Not what I expect from the RLC in regards to detail.
I buy the integra and the cobra and i received Yesterday,best RLC for me
I have lots of newer and past RLCs, and I honestly never had an issue with getting them or anything damaged. They display nicely, great details, paint and artwork is flawless, price points are alright. They could be more expensive than what they are going for.
Despite all the nay sayers in the comments, anything i dont have are RLCs i missed to buy. I usually buy at least 10 a year, or a little less. Depends on what they are coming out with. The Nissan mini truck and impala are definitely my favorites. Awesome details.
Collect what you like, and if you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong, man! So do it right and have the time of your life!
It's true that Mini GT is a collector's brand where HW is a toy, but they absolutely are comparable. RLC models are not designed as toys, they are designed as collectables within the same market, and their prices are in a comparable range, so the comparison is not just inevitable but also something HW are obviously aiming for by making their packaging similar (acrylic display boxes, for example - not a Hot Wheels thing generally). I don't think many people are as nitpicky in their collecting as you think - I am not an RLC member and based on the selection here I don't especially want to be, but... people just want cool model cars, y'know? I don't believe anyone's thinking "I want an upgraded Hot Wheels experience and an expansion to the Hot Wheels universe" (that sounds so pretentious, yet naïve - Hot Wheels doesn't have a universe unless you still go to elementary school), they are just thinking "oh sweet, an RX-7!". They're losing out to Mini GT because they are trying to get scale model prices for toy quality/style, and of course, it ain't working.
As for this 'rarity adding appeal' line of thinking, I don't know how it got to the point where you feel it's acceptable to just come out and say something like that, but: - if you like something because you have it and someone else doesn't, not only are you a bad person and the reason why the world is going down in flames right now, but that toxic-ass attitude is dying out, which is why these are losing their appeal. Rational modern-minded people do not find rarity inherently appealing, so RLC is just an even more overpriced, tacky-looking (spectraflame paint is beautiful - for jewellery, not model cars) premium for many, and that's ignoring that you have to pay to join RLC before you even think of buying anything.
I still find it incomprehensible that a premium costs 4 times what a mainline does where I live, that's why I only bought three this year, and two of those were discounted. These RLC models, if they didn't have the tacky spectraflame paint, would be pretty great premiums worth the £9 price we pay at retail. When I was a kid I rarely bought Hot Wheels because they had the lowest quality of all the common brands; there were opening features on many of the base level Matchbox and Siku and Tomy and Majorette cars you'd get for £1.50 or less ('80s prices, but still). Tomica and Majorette still incorporate opening features & suspension into their basic lines. We shouldn't let Mattel trick us into thinking these are premium-level features, you know it used to be the norm. Mattel feel they have to keep the level of detail we enjoyed as kids for people who don't play with their cars and frequently don't even open them.
Finally someone who has common sense, I fully agree with you on all these points. Hot wheels needs to change now or they are going to lose the battle against Mini GT. People like Lamley need to speak up properly about these issues instead of being Mattel’s puppet and not telling the true reasons for why people are switching over to Mini Gt. It’s like you said, opening doors used to be as standard for matchbox models but is called a “premium” on a £30 plus Hot wheels RLC car, it’s ridiculous.
@@TheGBDiecastHunter I recently bought a Renault 17TL from Matchbox's 1974 Superfast range off ebay recently. It has suspension, opening doors, a metal base, detail more defined than current hot wheels and even a moulded number plate. It's sitting next to the recent HW Premium Abarth 131 Rally (which is a really nice model) on my desk and the only way the Abarth beats it is the 2-piece wheels and rubber tyres and detailed tampos. The Renault was made by the hundreds of thousands in all likelihood; I had one much the same 35 years ago and it's still more commonplace and easier to find than the Abarth, not to mention cheaper. Wonder how good the Abarth will look after 50 years...What is going on?
@@TheGBDiecastHunter He basically work for Mattel. always praising them to get free cars lmao
Watched the video and I agree with the presentation points. I think I disagree with how you've sort of paired the rarity issue with (at least how I perceived it) 'upgraded premium' one. I think they are both issues that should be fixed in different ways. For me, as a casual collector I don't care as much about rarity unless it's a model and casting that I really must have.. and it's limited. To my other point... which I think is summed up really well by the rx7 here - that's such a nice model and casting but as someone that already has the $6 ronin run one.. I just can't justify spending another $30 on this 'RLC' model. IDK if it needs a more interesting tampo or what.. but it needs to feel more special than just it has a nicer spectraflame paint.. at least for me.
As an early member, I was okay with expanding the memberships and castings. My problem is that they have tossed the numbered cars and the NCRL wheel aside. They really need to just change it to the Real Riders Club for everyone. I don't want to return to the days of 4k made. But is it too much to ask to keep the numbers at 20 to 30k.
What might help with the perception of rarity is randomly incert several chase cars in the mix. You buy one but have a chance of getting the chase version. Like a lottery.
Nah, this is a product that doesn't suit that sort of thing. Keep that to the NFT line please and thank you.
Asany have said, too many repeat models and quality issues are my problem
I've been thinking the same thing lamley, I have been a member 6 years now and although I want everything, there was an excitement to getting something you were not sure ya were going to get. They should ditch the 10 dollar digital membership, go back to a 1 or 2 week window and make the membership ship car your membership. Great informative video like always👍!
If you don't love it just do not buy it, that sends signals to Mattel, having said that, rlc is still producing nice castings like the Pagani.
Too spend that amount for a car could be great but now with that 100 fee that you can get it just like that it makes it harder for RLC members that don’t pay that 100 fee harder to get it so collectors aren’t willing to really try for many with the chance of it being sold out before it is released that’s why a lot of them are not sold out
Only 2 or 3 this whole year have sold out within hours. Many have been available for days.
Also lamley the recession is not helping thats my opinion why sales have dropped , well thats one off tge reasons why im getting more picky with what i buy only jdm casting for me
I don't know which commenter told me this, but they said it wasn't worth signing up for the RLC club, I'm starting to understand why. And I'm also wondering how rare is the Proton Saga ?
Stay away from this Ripoff Line Crap
Mainline cars are all produced in the same quantity, none are "rare"
Totally agree with your analysis. Enjoyed the video.
First of all thank you for the Video. Then my Solution to this very well discussed topic of rarity and what to do with RLC: Why not take the idea of big trading card brands and mix in special Editions to the RLC mailings: Change the color of the Card, put different wheels on some of them, then maybe just number those, change the Art on the Card for some or go the cheap route and put stickers on them to make some models more exclusive. Yes collectors want to order a specific, more detailed car and pay extra, but put in a random factor at whatever scale you want that to be and boom. Everybody will max out on the amount of cars they order just to have that tiny little chance to get a special edition.
I would have a trillion ideas so if you or Mattel are reading and listening to this hear me out. You could even mix in a treasure hunt car to some orders or a special RLC Treasure hunt car per year mixed in… I think you get the concept of my idea. There are cost effective and more budget heavy ideas but all is possible for Mattel here… and collectors will love them for simply improving on the concept of RLC
Ways the club can improve IMO.
1. Make memberships a limited window but not a limited amount. What do I mean? Two week window like before to become a member, but it isn't a set amount available.
2. With fewer members, you can bring stickered runs of fewer cars.
3. Make some cars with Neo's.
Lamley, I think I messaged you this over on insta about my RX7 coming opened. An update about it:
I contacted Mattel and they decided to send me a replacement. And guess what. That one was opened too. So I received my $25 back and got to keep the car, but never got a brand new car. I feel like paying $25 for such a crappy quality control is such a waste
I buy RLC cars very rarely because of what speaks to me and what doesnt. The rlc cars cost in Europe starting from 50 and up... In that moment i decide if the realised model is up to my standarts to pay that mutch. Because i can buy 4 greenlight or Autoworld models for that price and be more happy.
You have everyone before anybody gets them
They are looking good, especially the low-rider Impala!
Getting some cars is just too hard to even try.
overdrive was worth the investment. you get a week to decide which ones you don’t want.
This is why I've mostly ditched HW.
The mazda rx7 doesn't have side mirrors but the pic on the card does? Why?
neither does the datsun...or the typhoon...or the impala...or the king cab...damn
Hot Wheels is a modern day hustle. It's all now about the money 🤑
They’re just simply too expensive. If they limit each car to 25K, and limit the price to $25 shipped, and fix the QC, then they’d be on top again.
Truth!
Hot Wheels is in an interesting position now. When they came out in 1968, their competition was basically Matchbox, Corgi, and Dinky. Hot Wheels changed the game with their flashy colours and custom hot rods. They continued for decades to innovate and eat the rest of the competition. Then, something happened. All of a sudden, there were people creating mind-bogglingly detailed customs in 1/64 scale. Then, companies like inno 64, Mini GT and others started appearing. Mattel is now the ‘Meccano’ of its time. Its reach is greater than ever, but it will have to up its game to stay relevant. There is a lot more competition doing a lot better work.
Have been able to renew my RLC membership, but frustratingly, have not been able to snag a purchase, and when I click on those that seem to be available, it says 404 page not found. Which is all just really kinda dumb.
Edith is beautiful 🙂
I just got my self the pagani huayra so clean
Man I wish Mattel/hot wheels design team would make a better 90s camaro I would love to have a good model of my personal car a 1995 Z28 camaro mainly I want a hard top not a drop top since my personal is a hard top but a newer camaro for a rlc would be cool to like a 2023-24 ZL1
Yes i know they made one in the past but they only made drop tops and they didn’t even look like a 93-97 camaro
The only thing that stopped me on buying the Boss Mustang... The HUGE Ford logo in the aft.
The RLC being nothing more than an expensive basic is the only thing i hope for. If collectors only care about having what others cant have, they can go off themselves. If they are not buying it if its not rare, that means they dont collect for their love of diecast, just their feeling of exclusivity. Im sure Mattel will chose the most long term profitable option but i just hope it will mean selling unlimited, quality product.
You only thing on that yellow Mustang is the lights in the front and the emblem are just horrible. They’re not even legible that’s the only problem with that one. The rest of it looks fantastic!
Mattel should do less quantity (and add the numbering) and better quality. Rlc should be max. 10k limit with a lot better fitment, color, interior, engine quality...and it'd be nice if the price will stay same...cuz its a large company with many produkts. So make uno or Barbie or whatever a bit more expensive 2-3$ and make HW in quality and rarity as customers want it to be
You can't do fitment and make them still roll like a toy. If that's what your after check out tarmac works hobby64 line or inno 64
@@stevendavid13 bro...I mean moving parts fitment...for example bmw e46 hood or F1 doors
I really wanted that Datsun 510… but I missed it 😢
Damn the paint looked dull on the impala online! I’m guttered I didn’t get it now 😢
the jdm wave is driving me nuts at this point
Thank you Lamley for the info.
Yeah…..what the heck is it? How does it differ from collecting from mainstream on the rack stores like Walmart etc…?
the RLC Exclusive 1993 Mazda RX-7 R1 Twin Turbo been sold out for a while now...
So the deal with RLCs is that they're just not unique anymore. When RLC was a nostalgic line for people who like Redlines and old lines like Real Riders, Super Chromes etc., Hot Wheels also had the 100% line for collectors who collect model cars and not the brand. They were true 1:64, had INSANE engine details, sometimes lowrider suspension, and the models were incredibly diverse - from cars by big manufacturers (mostly American, but European and Japanese were also there) to wide range of real life hot rods, models HW fantasy castings like Twin Mill turned hot rods and even some Batmobiles! Really the peak of Hot Wheels in my opinion, and many of them even nowadays not that expensive. RLCs though were also interesting and distinct, and so there was no issue - it was a "to each their own" kind of situation.
Then the 2010s come. The JDM craze begins, Hot Wheels collecting becomes much more popular, and by that point the 100% line is long gone. So what do Hot Wheels do? They upgrade the RLC line by making exclusive castings that were on the level of 100%, just not true 1:64 and with spectraflame paint (kind of mixing the two ideas together). On paper that sounds interesting, but when, compared to $10-20 of one 100% model, new RLCs cost $20-25... That's just insane. Shiny paint doesn't cost that much, neither do limited releases.
The biggest problem though is that the world of 1:64 diecast doesn't stay in one place. When 100% line was around, the best collector-grade 1:64s you could get were quite expensive Tomica Limited Vintage models and less expensive, but also less fine with their details Kyosho, Aoshima and CM's - the Japanese brands in general basically. Except for the latter (which specialised in rally cars) they were, for the most part, pretty basic cars with stock looks and no engine details (only interiors, lensed lights and suspensions in the case of Tomica).
In 2010s, however, the new kings came to this industry - the Hong Kong brands like Mini GT, Tarmac Works, Inno64, Xcartoys/Pop Race, Time Micro and many more. They all had TLV levels of detail (if not more), 100% HW price and MANY interesting castings. Why would I but RLC Advan Hakosuka for $25 without shipping and tax when I can buy Pop Race Advan Hakosuka for $20 WITH shipping and tax, and it would be true 1:64, multi-piece, had not only opening hood but also opening trunk? Even the "shiny paint" argument oftentimes doesn't work 'cause, for example, my Time Micro purple LBWK S15 (which cost me $35 w/shipping) does have spectraflame-esque paint - but also out of this world details, all the way to multi-piece engine and brake discs. And I'm not even starting on new american brands such as Auto World that offer 100% levels of detail for the cost of a Car Culture model.
Though I, among RLCs, only collect the Neo-Classics, there was a moment I decided to buy the green DeTomaso Mangusta. It is a great and - what's more importantly - unique casting for sure; but it's also not $40 great and unique (which is what I payed for it, and it actually was a bargain of a price due to it being unsealed). But then I thought: wait, why wouldn't I just sell this model, when I can wait for Pop Race to release this car, buy it for half the price and get a MUCH better piece?! And so I sold it, despite Mangusta being one of my favourite cars ever and me really wanting it in my collection.
Hot Wheels try to appeal to modern collectors, but they just can't - not just due to the model quality, but also price. Like, for example, Elite64 has some okay and unique models, but the asking price of one Kaido House just kills the entire line for me from the get go. And it probably won't get better seeing how much hype Hot Wheels gets despite their lack of quality. It's still better than the crap Matchbox fans are forced to eat (plastic bases and grainy print on their most expensive line), but far from Hot Wheels glory days.
Lamley I wanna ask if you'd continue this conversation further with a followup video, as I believe this part of the hobby has exploded in part to people finding content creators like yourself. Right around the Hot Wheels 50th anniversary I discovered your channel, back when you didn't display your subscriber count, and quickly took interest in joining the Redline Club. I'm sure that I'm not the only one that found out about that program in this way, and I believe it was a factor in how the 2020 membership signups were so difficult to get. Back in 2018-2019, every, single, model was special enough to warrant its own video, but now with the way things are us viewers have had to wait many months for the 8 recent releases to be shown in a single video. Whether people like it or not is one thing, but the exclusivity had power in making these castings feel as close as they could to one-of-a-kind. I wish to know more of your thoughts on how your sharing your hobby the way you have may have influenced today's RLC in any way.
Playmates screwed up the Star Trek figures range with their super rare 1701 figures that were impossible to get. RLC needs to walk the tightrope between limited and not exclusive at all. Also just giving a chance for gougers to make bank on resales is not a wise strategy either. Keeping the quality control should be their top priority. That 1972 Skyline paint is unforgivable. Maybe some sort of credit system where each member can only get 80% of each years models, would keep some exclusivity, and encourage members to trade models with each other and avoid the resellers?
Man that king can is awesome I wish I would of got one now I’m going to have to buy one off eBay I definitely need that Nissan in my collection