Slot Market:Real Talk about numbers Part 1

[Dave Kennedy]

Let's see if this gets me in trouble.... a video a long time coming. I discuss some of the aspects of production numbers for the 1/32 slot market. What are the real numbers for production? Why aren't more cars run once they're sold out?

[Rooster]

Thanks for the video and sharing your thoughts and knowledge on this matter Dave. What you say makes sense. I will say that over the years, I have been able to purchase any car I want. I never pre-order any car. How quickly I purchase a new release depends on how “hot” I think the car will be. In the end, I can’t buy them all. I’m fine with that.

[vtecfour]

Thanks for an insider who's been there setting it straight.

Dan

[DRW-FJ40]

Dave, I've been really enjoying these. Very interesting insight from someone who knows the industry from multiple perspectives. Love the one on the Firebird as well. I guess the bottom line is if you want 'em... don't beat around the bush... Snatch them up. I recently read a behind the scenes article on Fly's production and it was really interesting and I have since purchased some Fly cars because of that story. Point being, what you're doing is great for the hobby, thanks and I look forward to more. I'd love to see a behind the scenes story on Pioneer and RevoSlot... I know you don't have the same level of insight that you do with the companies you've worked with... but those two interest me... and Slot it... which you may have seen some inside stuff.

[Dave Kennedy]

So I have no insight whatsoever into Revoslot. I don't own any Revoslot cars and I don't plan to.

And while I have talked with Jules over the phone (about a day or two after I got let go from Carrera he called me and we talked for several hours) I cannot claim to have much insight about them beyond that they show us by what they make and their business (based on my discussions with dealers about doing business with them). I've of course done lots of talking with many of the dealers around the US about any brand they have available to them to buy because I needed to triangulate how the company I was working for at the time (whoever that was) fit against the competition.

[DRW-FJ40]

Yea... I don't know your entire resume... only that you were the go to guy at Carrera and Scalelextrix... arguably the two big players... Just stating some personal interest... Interestingly, Jules has said he was going to do another run of the General Lee... Maybe that's driven by the flag controversy but all this stuff is interesting... to me anyway, and I would think others... but then again, I thought Carrera american muscle cars and 1/24 F1 was a good idea. I'll be watching your next video regardless... thanks.

[DRW-FJ40]

Carrera has the 70 Chevelle super stoker with flames or some such.... but Iv'e seen a old LS6 version that looks like a stock '70 super sport LS6 454... That's what I want....

[REL13]

Another good video Dave. Keep up the good work.

[HomeRacingWorld]

Yes very good indeed.

[CJR RACING]

Another great post. Thanks for sharing!

[bigman]

Dave
GREAT VIDEO
It's nice to hear a honest answer to a honest question.

bigman

[chappyman66]

Dave, thanks for the video and information.

This is exactly why I love 3D printing so much. Can you imagine having 1000 of each CanAm car after the first 500 have sold??? With 3D I get the 1-3 copies I want, and will never get made because of the market.

It's a business...like it or not, it's about making a profit.

[Dave Kennedy]

Correct, and that's why I think that 3D printing could be a great addition to the hobby if there were bodies made for oddball slot cars at a reasonable price. But at the moment all I see on shapeways are bodies that cost over 100.00.

[mattb]

We all knew this hobby was small, but the 1/32 may be the largest segment and in better condition than it's been since 1965.

[32lbking]

Really interesting stuff, Dave. Thanks for posting these and please continue..
Randy

[chappyman66]

Dave.....
It's all about managing expectations. I am happy to print any bodies people want. I have done this for HRW donation support, and I am happy to do so again.
But the Area71 posts indicate that folks are not satisfied with printed bodies, and it takes work to get them to finished level. I would guess that's why folks charge $100.

If people are paying $100 for an unfinished body.....
I can print quite a number for that price. One $20 roll of filament makes at least 10 bodies, chassis, and details (drivers, motor plates, inserts).
Ferrari 350, HonkerII, McKee Mk10, Ferrari 712:

I don't mind the finishing work.....I like having a March 707, HonkerII, Lola T163s and T260s, Ferrari 712s....I am willing to do the work and not expect a fine scale model. They run with Fly or Slot.It classics (depending on running gear) and I don't need them to be injection molded quality.



The files are available....Nimrod has made them all printable for us.
A little clean up, filling primer, and a few color coats and they are pretty good.....enough for racing, at least. No company is going to make three versions of the Lola T163, but we can have them if we want. Racer1h has done almost 2 dozen different CanAm cars....he has a full field including some obscure cars that you can't otherwise get, and because of the low volume would never get produced. Who will run 1500 copies of the McKee Mk 14 turbo car? Or even the HonkerII?

[mattb]

This process takes many of us back in time 40 years. Back then we didn't have all the great products available today. Couldn't even buy tires unless you went to a cottage industry. We learned to bash, experiment and make slot cars. This part of the hobby is very rewarding. 3D bodies certainly remind me of how we used to have "create" what we needed and ingenuity ruled the day. There are still a lot of guys that like the satisfaction of making a car from nothing!

[dw5555]

Dave, thanks for the video. Your insight is appreciated. Could you make a comment on Carrera's parts department. Years ago spare parts were available to order but now it's like they don't exist anymore. I'm talking breakable parts such as spoilers and such. The part numbers are available but even Carrera USA can't help. I will say that Carrera USA bent over backwards to get me the parts in needed without any help from the parent company.
Thoughts?

[Dave Kennedy]

i'll do a video about parts in general.