Topic: Poll: In your opinion, what do you believe Code 3 needs to focus on to improve its line of fire & rescue collectibles?
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Mr Dunkell, I know that with this reply I'm not actually providing the answer required and that to a degree I'm playing Devil advocate but I think its fair to say that for a good number of us the issue is not with the actual quality of the products released, its more an issue of the fact that quality control appears to have been lacking in the design and development stage.
Code 3 have brought us some stunning models in recent years/months, but also some nightmares. An example of each, both released within months of each other are the San Francisco E3 and the Buffalo E38. So far as accuracy and authenticity are concerned they are at opposite ends of the scale. This apparent ability to raise the bar on one occasion, yet drop it on the floor with the next is what frustrates, and I'd say, baffles many of us here.
I'm not going to labour the point now as its been thrashed to death time and time again but for me the area that you need to work on first is the issue of creating a standard, and maintaining said standard.
Andy
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The four items to be voted on are all part of the problem that exists within the Code 3 operation that BFF-Andy has brought forth as the item that we would all vote for as the "Most Important" thing that can be done to improve the results that we, as collectors, find the greatest difficulty. Andy and I have discussed this many times over the last few years and it just does not change. Only the current successes and failures change and that has to stop for the sake of success for both the collectors and Code 3. I recently went through a two month exercise in frustration in getting a model replaced that was incorrect when it left the factory but no quality control activity ever discovered it until it was delivered and I sent it back. Improve QC and a lot of complaints will disappear.
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How about producing new releases?????? Then after that, how about releases that are the same as the old ones, just new paint jobs? Do we really need (2) FDNY Squad 61's, (4) FDNY Rescue 2's?
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CREATIVITY!!!!!! Look up in the dictionary Code 3! Two old molds in the form of ARFF's? And then the exact same paint with different decals. WOW!!! Get it together. There are some REALLY good ideas on this forum but instead of moving forward you take the easy way out using old molds.
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Code 3 will not compromise what brought them to the party. The models in the future need to not only maintain but surpass the past models. Code 3 is keenly aware that detail is paramount to the models we produce and quality can never be sacrificed. In the months ahead you will see a new approach to authentic detail to achieve true replication.
-John Dunkel
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John, if you can just keep the quality of the models at their past "peak level” I for one would be happy, getting better is one of those “Let’s take one step at a time” issues.
However, I feel you need to talk more directly to your collector boards out here. That is where some of your best or worst advertising, “word of mouth” begins. Bring substance with your comments... the "meat and potatoes" of the business if you will. I am sure that there are some restrictions on what you can say, but I have to believe that some inside information as to why you can or cannot do certain projects would be welcomed. Educate us as to what drives your business John, what factors affect the decisions to Do or Not Do a new mold. Enlighten us as to the reasons and the need for the apparently “dreaded repaints". (Personally I don’t mind “repaints” as many departments use similar apparatus and the more variety, the better… Just do more than one department though OK ?? Mind you, that’s only my opinion.)
With all due respect, bring openness and honesty. For an example of how Code 3 lost a TON of Respect and TRUST… Just look at the Diamond Plate Squrt debacle. First the whole issue was ignored, then Code 3 ignored their own customer’s attempts to find out what was happening, and finally, the explanation that packaging caused the problem was absolutely insulting to us. One does not have to be a detective to know that if something is broken "in transit" the broken parts should still be there, especially in a factory sealed box. Based on Code 3’s explanation those parts must have just “vaporized”. A lot of trust was lost there John and it will take a lot of effort to restore that trust.
A number of years back, code 3 did try to educate its collectors. They did a "series" on what it takes to make a model. They covered it with photographs and drawings as well as showing what it takes to make the dies and how the process of casting is done. That was early on and was a great idea. Do some of that again, show what it takes to get one project off the drawing board and give us some $$$ numbers to crunch so that we can actually see and appreciate the investment. I for one agree with others that this is the reason for repaints. An explanation with information to back it up will go a long way to stifling some of those nagging complaints.
You are the “face” of Code 3 John, and with that a lot of headaches come your way. I do not envy you. While you have started to talk straight with us; I want to see more with substance, not chit chat. I’m placing my trust in you John and I am looking forward to your input making a greater impact and taking a more obvious effect. Thanks for your efforts, please continue them. Good luck to you.
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Well put!!
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Is it me or was the word "STICKY" recently added to the following two polls...??? (see below in blue)
I really do not recall seeing that before. If I am wrong, then I am sorry and apologize for bringing it up... However, if I am correct, then an explanation should be presented as to who made that change and why.
As for now, I read that to mean that these two subjects are making someone feel uncomfortable, that the responses may not be what was expected or desired...
Any comments...?
Note: The below information is as it was copied and pasted directly from the "Polls" forum menu...
{sticky} Poll: In your opinion, what do you believe Code 3 needs to focus on to improve its line of fire & rescue collectibles? by jdunk
{sticky} Poll: What is the most important issue for Code 3 Collectibles at the present time? by jdunk
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John and others,
I would hope that in the very near future, Code 3 will bring 'home' it's production to the United States. Realizing, of course, that costs may be lower in a third world country, that should not be the driving force.
The models we are collecting are AMERICAN fire apparatus and should be made in AMERICA. Perhaps then, things will be done right.
I have been a member for several years - and have witnessed the decline in quality and service, yet an increase in prices and WAY out of line shipping costs.
BRING IT HOME JOHN! And make it right.
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No more FDNY. That would be a start. Start actually listening to your core buyers. It's plainly obvious you aren't. I've been a pretty big supporter of Code 3 since 1997, but the recent releases of repainted ARFF's and now more FDNY has totally turned me off. I'm totally burn't on you guys. So much potential out there for releases, even if only repaints, and you're just not getting it.
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does the mere question JD poised raise concerns. Should the collector have to pick one of the four, or should the company management be maintaining the highest quality in all four categories. This poll is nothing more than JD's way of skirting the underlying complaints of the consumers who take the time to participate in this forum.
HERE IS A CHALLENGE JD, in your next poll, divide the country up into geographical regions of your liking, list major departments in each geographical area, and then ask the comsumers who particiate in this forum to vote on one major deparment from each geographical area they wish to see produced, post the results, and then lets see if code 3 can stick to the results.
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I think code 3 could add cool little things like small american flags and I don't just mean painted on ones. Plastic or some sort of american flag hanging off the truck. That would make the trucks a little more interisting.
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JD--- I AM STARTING TO BECOME CONCERNED ABOUT THE PRICE AND VALUE OF CODE 3.THERE ARE LARGER SCALE TRUCKS LIKE [YA MENG]FOR $50.00 OR FIRETRUCKS FROM FAIRFIELD MINT FOR $19.95. IF I HAVE $100.00 TO SPEND, DO I BUY 2 CODE 3 TRUCKS OR 5 FAIRFIELD MINT TRUCKS.
I LOVE THE NEW DISPLAY CASE PACKAGING {COMPAIRED TO THE OLD STYLE} THEY WERE A PAIN TO TAKE OUT OF THE BOX.
I LOVE THE DETAIL ON THE TRUCKS.
WE NEED MORE FUNRISE FIRETRUCKS.
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