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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

#61

Post by Fricken »

russellbeattie wrote: post #8

Experiencing 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.…

I recall spending $86 on a pair of Gap jeans in 1992. It was a lot of money back then, I was 15 and had no job. Checking out the Gap site, a pair of new Jeans today cost $99 CDN.

Re: Hot Wheels are one of the most inflation-proof toys in American history

#62

Post by busyant »

SeanLuke wrote: post #6

An 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.

I was a kid in the 1970s and my recollection is that I thought the two (Matchbox and HotWheels) were one-in-the-same.

They probably were kept apart in the store where I bought them, but I never noticed. And my brothers and I never made that distinction as we honed our "driving" skills on the hardwood floor.

Until I read your comment, I thought Matchbox & HotWheelw were the same thing.

Re: Hot Wheels are one of the most inflation-proof toys in American history

#63

Post by bombcar »

tablespoon wrote: post #16
monero-xmr wrote: post #4

We 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…

> 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. Came here to say the same thing, and the trend was even noticeable in the 90s. I can't even imagine how flimsy they must be now -- probably even worse than a 90s cereal box prize car.

The 90s was a really low point. Somewhere in the 2000s manufacturing or materials got cheap enough and the small toy cars started getting better again. The ones my kids throw at each other are pretty durable again it seems.

Re: Hot Wheels are one of the most inflation-proof toys in American history

#64

Post by bombcar »

Aeolun wrote: post #58
spike021 wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As is usual, price to quality (to enjoyment factor) ratio. These days as I'm older and collect more sparingly, I prefer quality over quantity and the price evens out. But if you're just buying for kids to have a ton of cars then hot wheels are probably still the option.

Eh, it adds up. One car a month for 2-4 years means you have 24 cars spread throughout the house.

And if you keep an eye out at Goodwill you can find them mixed together in a grab bag now and then for cheap.

Re: Hot Wheels are one of the most inflation-proof toys in American history

#65

Post by bombcar »

piceas wrote: post #50
dangus wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The knockoff brands have issues fitting together due to lower tolerances and QA issues. [1] [2] LEGO bricks are built to a completely insane tolerance for a children's toy. 10 micrometers, according to the company. Have you ever found a single LEGO piece that was defective and didn't fit into another one snugly? I've been playing with them for 25 years and I don't think I've found a single one. IMO, LEGO is expensive…

The tolerances are impressive. Not perfect. I had electric Lego parts as a kid, bought new in the late 80s, that had trouble fitting together. It was annoying at the time. My kids have a lot of old Duplo. Unlike the Lego it has not aged well. The fit between parts is all over the place.

Duplo is designed with less “clutch” so tiny hands can take it apart successfully. That and the size of the pieces leads to flex that you don’t get much with Lego.

Primo (rare) and Quattro (super rare) are even bigger and have more flex.

Re: Hot Wheels are one of the most inflation-proof toys in American history

#66

Post by thedorkknight »

itnasotasetin wrote: post #60
082349872349872 wrote: post #2

In 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…

Not only vodka, but any alcohol (at least at more prosperous times). And for a few reasons. 1. It's not a bribe if it's not money. 2. Liquidity: good luck converting your soviet rubles into anything useful.

Given that we're talking about alcohol, this may be the most appropriate use of "liquidity" that I've seen in awhile

Re: Hot Wheels are one of the most inflation-proof toys in American history

#67

Post by bombcar »

ggm wrote: post #47
defrost wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a non USA-ian I can't say I ever heard a single person talk about "legos" until I joined predominately US forums. Hearing people talk about Lego as "Legos" still sounds weird AF.

I'd love to know if any non European language pluralises Legos the way American English speakers do. It's possible their linguistic constructs don't invite it. I have no particular issue with either English changing under use, or neologism becoming normalised. In 50 years Legos may be the predominant form. After all, "dove" replaced dived. Linguistically maybe it made more sense? But for now, the Queens English being…

You step on one Lego, you step on two Legos.

It’s like Kleenex and kleenecies.

Re: Hot Wheels are one of the most inflation-proof toys in American history

#68

Post by bombcar »

Fricken wrote: post #61
russellbeattie wrote: post #8

Experiencing 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.…

I recall spending $86 on a pair of Gap jeans in 1992. It was a lot of money back then, I was 15 and had no job. Checking out the Gap site, a pair of new Jeans today cost $99 CDN.

It can be hard to determine if they’re really “the same” as many items have changed to keep similar price points. I know there’s bowling about Levis.

Re: Hot Wheels are one of the most inflation-proof toys in American history

#69

Post by funstuff007 »

SeanLuke wrote: post #6

An 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.

grew up in 70s, felt the same way. But when I purchase these cars for my son, I felt that best Hot Wheels were way better than Matchbox. That being said, Hot Wheels does make some kooky models that I would stay 100 miles away from just on aesthetic grounds.

Re: Hot Wheels are one of the most inflation-proof toys in American history

#70

Post by petodo »

SeanLuke wrote: post #6

An 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.

I didn't even know Hot wheels existed up until few years ago, while I played with Matchbox in late 80s or early 90s as European kid, they seem to have better marketing/distribution here in Europe, you can find them displayed prominently while Matchbox is either hidden somewhere or not sold at all. My kid has both brands. From what I noticed Matchbox seem to produce real models, while HW has huge share of weird (unbuyable) models.
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