Hot Wheels are one of the most inflation-proof toys in American history
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Re: Hot Wheels are one of the most inflation-proof toys in American history
#2In the Soviet Union, tipping[0] was often done in vodka bottles. At some point, the soviets realised that vodka bottles were not only more stable than the ruble, but had a real return higher[1] than the bank savings account rate.
[0] a carton from Krokodil, in which a Muscovite wife gestures around an apartment where bottles are stacked to the ceiling along the walls and on every conceivable flat surface, was captioned: "My husband is an excellent plumber, but unfortunately he doesn't drink."
[1] did consumption of this "currency" provide deflationary pressure?
Re: Hot Wheels are one of the most inflation-proof toys in American history
#3In the Soviet Union, tipping[0] was often done in vodka bottles. At some point, the soviets realised that vodka bottles were not only more stable than the ruble, but had a real return higher[1] than the bank savings account rate. [0] a carton from Krokodil, in which a Muscovite wife gestures around an apartment where bottles are stacked to the ceiling along the walls and on every conceivable flat surface, was caption…
This reminds me of video games that consume a currency as a form of deflationary pressure.
I guess we never destroy dollars but games will happily destroy gold you hand to a vendor, or Stones of Jordan, or crafting components to items that then become untradeable.
Re: Hot Wheels are one of the most inflation-proof toys in American history
#4We have hot wheels from my brother-in-law’s childhood and the cars made ~30 years ago are much higher quality. All metal, better axels, just feel more hefty. The new ones are mostly plastic and the axels are like cheap paper clips. They weigh significantly less.
I see this as an example of “shrinkflation” - ostensibly it’s the same product at the same price, but it’s clear that inflation has caused it to become shittier over time.
Re: Hot Wheels are one of the most inflation-proof toys in American history
#5We have hot wheels from my brother-in-law’s childhood and the cars made ~30 years ago are much higher quality. All metal, better axels, just feel more hefty. The new ones are mostly plastic and the axels are like cheap paper clips. They weigh significantly less. I see this as an example of “shrinkflation” - ostensibly it’s the same product at the same price, but it’s clear that inflation has caused it to become shitt…
That's for sure. My kiddos play with my old childhood Fisher Price and Mattel toys from the late 1970s/early 1980s and they are still in great condition despite decades of abuse. They really were built to last compared to the cheap instant landfill fodder that lines store shelves today.
Re: Hot Wheels are one of the most inflation-proof toys in American history
#6An entire story lionizing Hot Wheels as historic and seminal and without once noting that the entire brand was created as a cheaper and lower quality knockoff of Matchbox, founded 15 years earlier.
Re: Hot Wheels are one of the most inflation-proof toys in American history
#7We have hot wheels from my brother-in-law’s childhood and the cars made ~30 years ago are much higher quality. All metal, better axels, just feel more hefty. The new ones are mostly plastic and the axels are like cheap paper clips. They weigh significantly less. I see this as an example of “shrinkflation” - ostensibly it’s the same product at the same price, but it’s clear that inflation has caused it to become shitt…
If you want similar toys that are higher quality, I highly recommend Japanese Tomica. They also usually have doors that open. Loads of variety. I believe in the US you can now buy them at Walmart, but they're not too difficult to order from Amazon JP either (just make a new Amazon account with your same or different email as the US or wherever account and confirm the seller ships globally).
Re: Hot Wheels are one of the most inflation-proof toys in American history
#8Experiencing inflation in my lifetime has been interesting. When I was a kid in the 80s, a quarter meant a Hershey's bar or a game of Pac-Man. I remember my dad telling me that when he was a kid, Hershey's were a nickel, and a lot larger.
Of course I didn't believe him. Then over the years candy just jumped up in price every decade. 50 cents, then 75, then it stalled at $1 for a long time it seemed, to today's $1.50.
Two responses to this comment: Wow, only 25 cents or, Wow, you eat that vomit-odor sludge?? inevitably setting off yet another chocolate thread. Not my point.
Re: Hot Wheels are one of the most inflation-proof toys in American history
#9In the Soviet Union, tipping[0] was often done in vodka bottles. At some point, the soviets realised that vodka bottles were not only more stable than the ruble, but had a real return higher[1] than the bank savings account rate. [0] a carton from Krokodil, in which a Muscovite wife gestures around an apartment where bottles are stacked to the ceiling along the walls and on every conceivable flat surface, was caption…
This reminds me of video games that consume a currency as a form of deflationary pressure. I guess we never destroy dollars but games will happily destroy gold you hand to a vendor, or Stones of Jordan, or crafting components to items that then become untradeable.
That's how their revenue recognition works. Buying gold with USD isn't profit till the gold is gone.
https://bam.kalzumeus.com/archive/accounting-for-saas-and-sw...
Re: Hot Wheels are one of the most inflation-proof toys in American history
#10Can't say the same about LEGOs. The LEGO company just raised prices 10-25% across the board. Glad to see Hot Wheels resisting the temptation to gouge customers and stay timeless.
Top-selling LEGO sets (those between $20 - $70) got hit the hardest with inflation this year. Looking at the newly released sets coming out Jan 1st, there are several new sets priced at $30 that would have previously been $20, so you could argue a 50% inflation on those sets.
The UCS sets fared the best behind the $10 sets. The UCS's averaged less than 5-7.5% increase. But these sets are usually $500 - $800, so it still accounts for $35-50 increase per set.