motorcade1's Blog
Posts: 100
Member of: Official Code 3 Collectibles Forum.
This recent announcement has created a great deal of discussion from fears it will be like the first ALF to claims of collectors finally getting excited over this news. The latter is something I have not seen in recent history. I look at this as Code-3's Opportunity to Redeem Themselves, to return to the glory days of the past.
To me this is the "Final Test" for Code-3. This is Code-3's Alamo if you will. Do this one right, dot the I's and cross the T's. Go the extra mile if it kills you and correct the past errors that have plagued you. Double, triple, quadruple check for accuracy and if it is not there.... PUT IT THERE.. CORRECT IT AND MAKE IT RIGHT!!! Everyone will be watching.
Furthermore, please don't insult us by posting "letters" explaining away the problems repeatedly encountered as being due to unrealistic expectations by the collectors as this is totally absurd... (eg: Gettysburg).
Over the years YOU set the Bar for Quality... YOU set the Bar for Accuracy... and rightfully so, that is until the last few years. Here is your chance to Change all this and to reclaim your former self. If this one ends up being error riddled as in recent releases, then you will have simply wasted your time and that of your collector base. With that, I cannot imagine anyone believing anything from Code-3 any more.
Carpe Di C-3... Sieze the Code-3 !!!
- from the topic: new american lafrance 900
Updating Existing Molds ??
November 4, 2009 by motorcade1
Ken...
Everyone hears the old song and dance about "repaints" but I personally have no problem with them if new liveries or stations are made and better yet if some updating is done.
My question is... How difficult is it to "update a mold"?? Can it even be done??
Discussion has been going back and forth on this forum and others from time to time complaining about things being brought back but without substantial improvements. I admit I am one of those very vocal about this. My fear is that due to costs, Code-3 will go back to using all old molds and in the process give up the many fine details and improvements that Characterized Code-3 Products when it was in it's prime.
Let's look at the recent release Ladder 33 for example. Some things cannot be changed I know (eg: complaints of the cab not in scale). However, and I will be the first to admit that I do not know what it takes or costs to modify a mold but... How much effort would it take to update a mold such as this one to include features from your later, more improved lines.?? I am referring to making the windows flush instead of recessed, adding updated lights (head and taillights molded in clear plastic and appropriately colored as required), and perhaps sharper details or reliefs, anything that would update the quality of the existing mold to your higher standards.
On the same note, if you used a mold that had various "molded in" details like grab handles, taillights, pump panel details, etc.... Could these be updated with add ons like actual grab handles, making lights more realistic looking (as noted with Ladder 33) by using clear plastic and coloring them, and finally the pump panel enhanced with greater detailing either through sharper relief or decal type graphics...?? Or would this be too cost prohibitive verses the return on the investment..??
I am not trying to get you to reveal costs, that is none of my business, I'm just wondering if it was cost effective to say "update" an existing mold to bring it to the higher quality we have come to expect from Code-3. In my mind (not educated in die cast manufacturing) I would think that since the primary cost has been made, updating a mold, if it can be done, would be minimal cost with possibly greater return on the investment.
Am I on base or running all the way to the outfield...????????
Mark
10-Truck Clear Cover
July 17, 2009 by motorcade1
Ken...
Sometime back there was a brief discussion regarding the lack of a 10-Truck Clear Protective Cover. I thought I saw something mentioned that an improved re-issue was in the works. I have not seen anything regarding this since. Can you update us? Did I missunderstand this?
Thanks in advance... motorcade1
Re: Thumbs up/down
July 7, 2009 by motorcade1
The removal of thumbs up/down was a good decision. It was being used as a tool of harrassment by a few "self appointed moderators" and thus served no useful purpose. Good move Ken.
Re: What else do you collect
July 4, 2009 by motorcade1
ex wives and restraining orders
-nhjake
ROTFLMFAO
Re: new american lafrance 900
June 21, 2009 by motorcade1
This recent announcement has created a great deal of discussion from fears it will be like the first ALF to claims of collectors finally getting excited over this news. The latter is something I have not seen in recent history. I look at this as Code-3's Opportunity to Redeem Themselves, to return to the glory days of the past.
To me this is the "Final Test" for Code-3. This is Code-3's Alamo if you will. Do this one right, dot the I's and cross the T's. Go the extra mile if it kills you and correct the past errors that have plagued you. Double, triple, quadruple check for accuracy and if it is not there.... PUT IT THERE.. CORRECT IT AND MAKE IT RIGHT!!! Everyone will be watching.
Furthermore, please don't insult us by posting "letters" explaining away the problems repeatedly encountered as being due to unrealistic expectations by the collectors as this is totally absurd... (eg: Gettysburg).
Over the years YOU set the Bar for Quality... YOU set the Bar for Accuracy... and rightfully so, that is until the last few years. Here is your chance to Change all this and to reclaim your former self. If this one ends up being error riddled as in recent releases, then you will have simply wasted your time and that of your collector base. With that, I cannot imagine anyone believing anything from Code-3 any more.
Carpe Di C-3... Sieze the Code-3 !!!
Re: Did anyone notice all the Squirt 43's on Ebay?
June 21, 2009 by motorcade1
Two thoughts on this....
#1... Where are these all coming from...??? Is C-3 being victimized by disloyal Chinese workers or did they just get tossed into the dumpsters and now "Dumpster Divers" are simply recovering them for resale...??
#2... As for getting one MIB or as a Refugee from a Demolition Derby is literally a Crap Shoot. However, if for nothing else, they should be great for the parts...
Re: Increased Shipping for this?
June 10, 2009 by motorcade1
First of all... Thank You Ken for answering my question regarding this posting.
Since it has been publicly announced that all questions would be answered here, I would encourage you continue to post replies as you did here even if you answer via PMs.
Obviously I could not know that you had answered his question via PM. By doing so, without a public posting of some kind, then not only are the other collectors deprived of some needed answers, but it also "looks" like you are ignoring a valid question when in-fact you are not. Just some food for thought Ken...
Re: Increased Shipping for this?
June 10, 2009 by motorcade1
OK.... Now that this man's question has been moved here... Will his question be answered...???
I for one am appalled at such crap. This only reinforces the negative view shared by many of Code-3. Sadly it speaks volumes and needs a response...
Re: Poll: Bunker pants or no bunker pants thats the question
May 22, 2009 by motorcade1
I guess this takes us back to the time proven adage... Your damned if you do.... Damned if you don't.
This debate can go on forever. As I stated earlier, I am a firm believer in bunker gear. At the same time, I can see the point made about the older gear being lighter and cooler... assuming the firefighter does not go to the fire floor or into a burning room.... But what are the chances of that....??? 
Re: Poll: Bunker pants or no bunker pants thats the question
May 17, 2009 by motorcade1
I was such a proponent of Bunker Pants that I bought my own before my dept issued them. Only a fool would go in without them... might just as well go in without SCBA while your at it.
Re: Copywrites and Links; Question for Code-3 kmistove
May 12, 2009 by motorcade1
For the life of me I can't figure out why my posting is half black and half gray. I tried redoing it several times with the result being the same. I'm sorry if it is hard to read.
Motorcade1
Copywrites and Links; Question for Code-3 kmistove
May 12, 2009 by motorcade1
From the Code 3 Posting guidelines:
- No material posted on the Forum may be in violation of The Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which provides protection for intellectual property.
Please do not put copyrighted images in posts. The use of "hotlinking" to other websites property is also not acceptable. Please provide a link only to external images.
In the future I will ask posters to remove images that are in violation of this policy. In some cases I will delete a post if it contains a majority of copyrighted images. I will always notify the poster when this is done.
Members who do not abide by this policy will be warned. If warned members continue to violate this policy, their accounts will be deleted.From the Code 3 Posting guidelines:
Ken Mistove
Code 3 Webmaster
Funrise Toys
Re: Ladder 10 Diamond Plate
May 11, 2009 by motorcade1
The inner workings of Code 3 and Seagrave will remain just that “inner workings” and enough said."
JHD
=============================================================
OK... With this explanation John provided, I have to admit that I for one am satisfied. John will certainly recognize my "moniker" as I have been very critical of the way things have gone. I have, and I stress, I have tried to balance my criticism with some compliments and supportive postings but the supportive issues have been far and few between with good reason.
I can see where Code-3 may have an agreement to provide such replicas at a lower cost to Seagrave Employees and see that as a reasonable business decision as well as goodwill gesture toward a company you deal with. So let us drop this issue and move on.
However, I must say this to both John and Ken... I can see John by your statement above, especially your "... enough said." that you are getting perturbed. I also note Ken seems miffed as well because we didn't follow the rules..???
Point is the both of you are getting frustrated and angry...
WELCOME TO THE FRICK'N CLUB GUYS.... YOU'RE GETTING A LITTLE TASTE OF WHAT WE HAVE BEEN GETTING FROM YOU AND CODE-3 FOR MONTHS ON END & IT APPEARS YOU DON'T LIKE IT !!!!!!
Ken, you never responded to my e-mail to you....though it did not surprise me. I was trying to support you're venture onto the FireEngines.net forum while at the same time trying to give you some insight as to what we all have been through. Once again you guys keep missing the opportunity to do some damage control... especially when a list of problems related to Code-3 is given to you. John... if you want some insight feel free to ask Ken what I informed him. Time to open up the eyes guys.
Re: Acrylic Cases 4 Sale
April 15, 2009 by motorcade1
I Thank You John for your response. I will comment on only two things from your post....
JD: Paying full price and then seeing the item on sale is always disappointing but I don't know how to get around the issue.
This is truly a "Darned if you do... Darned if you don't" situation. As I mentioned, as a collector I see this situation as simply the Luck of the Draw. My only problem was the "lottery" issue, specifically the way it was conducted.
JD: One thing though in the future all items will be offered to members before we seek a home to sell a large quantiy. More important we are working on getting back to a Sell Out through normal channels in a couple of weeks. Phoenix rising!
This is truly good news... Both the decision to afford the members the first oportunity as well the hope of Phoenix Rising.
Again, Thanks John... and thanks for putting up with the critcism. Here's to the hope of the "Rising" and of better things to come.
Mark
Re: Acrylic Cases 4 Sale
April 15, 2009 by motorcade1
Whew.... That's one heck of a nice reply there John. Good to finally hear from you. I personally would like to hear more of this (actual information) from you and more often. You would have instilled more trust as well had you started doing this long ago. So in all honesty... Thank You for your response John.
However, I still stand by my entire post which I believe fired up this response. Furthermore, I'd like to respond to some of your points...
JD: The cases for both the Engines and the Ladder have been redesigned to offer an improved product that will better showcase the models housed within. This has to do with the joints or seams so that the seam does not obstruct the view of the model as much as in the past.
This is good news to hear, especially the part regarding the reason for delays... the improvement of the product. This is always a welcomed act and a reasonable explanation for delay (at least in my opinion). That gets thumbs up.
JD: In regard to information in the Workshop area of the Club pages this is one of the advantages to being a Club Member and is no different than the past for Code 3. This is a vehicle to provide information to the Members before publishing it to the general buying public.
Agreed on this point as well John. However, you too must admit that this "vehicle" has been dead in the water for so long that maintaining a membership to access it was totally pointless. This is Indisputable.
I acknowledge that it has been reported that this and other issues are being addressed for improvement. I shall maintain a "wait and see" attitude because this too has been promised before and has yet to come to fruition.
JD: SOLD OUT – The comments about items listed as sold out is always controversial. When Code 3 lists an item as sold out it is considered SOLD OUT. As is typical in any operation there is always the possibility of a case or a couple cases of an item getting misplaced in shipping and surfacing later in an inventory account thus it appears that it was always available. Since the first time this caused concern Code 3 is more thorough in the count before we list an item as SOLD OUT and I hope in the future we do not have this situation arise where models surface after posting.
The complaint is not that an item is sold out, but rather the method of it selling out. As I pointed out earlier, using Motormint.com as an example (this is in no way meant to slam Motormint.com)... Instead of having a sale for those who are club members as a way of showing appreciation for their loyalty, not to mention as a benefit of being a club member, instead the "sold out" sign goes up and they "show up" on sites like motormint. No John, the question was not that they were marked "sold out", but rather "how they sold out"...
In reality, it is clearly your (C-3's) choice as to how to sell the product. But when C-3
implies it's "concern" for the customers and the so called rewarding of those customers for "their loyalty", the loyalty Code 3 wants, then this seems counterproductive to that ideology.
JD: Code 3 has been offering models to the Members at reduced prices and will continue to do this in the months ahead. This is not without complaints however as we get a fair number of comments about what someone paid when a model was first released versus a special offering. At least we are not selling product thru the big box discounters as we strive to maintain the collectibles of the models and sell in the market that respects the concept of collecting.
Yes this is a dilemma indeed, and I know that you understand why. After all, you would feel that way too if you just paid full price for an item then it comes out shortly thereafter at a lower price. But I can live with that and accept it as the "luck of the draw". However, when you had that sale on the 10-Truck and then "rewarded" those who bought them by creating a raffle or lottery for the #1 serial numbered 10-Truck in both the 1:32 and 1:64th scales, then you really pulled Homer Simpson (sorry Homer).
Just take a moment and think about this JOHN... I, and others like me, bought both scales of that truck and for the full price. Now we can appreciate the need to "move" a product that was not selling... But Come On John!!! To reward those who bought them later at a reduced price?!? Totally ignoring those who bought a $300 model plus the smaller one (we paid in excess of $400.00 including the S&H) and you bypass us to Reward the Loyalty of those who helped you clean out some stock!!! Where did the leadership of Code-3 go to business school??? You shot yourselves in the foot with that one!!!! And you want Customer Loyalty??!!??
These are not just my complaints John... You have read these, or should have, on your very own forum. I know because I have read them myself..!!!
It must be noted that the above is strictly a response to your comments John. Some positive, some negative... The final desire is to see Code-3 recover like a Phoenix.. to return stronger and better than before.
Re: Acrylic Cases 4 Sale
April 14, 2009 by motorcade1
Welcome to the world of Code 3 Justin... I agree, after spending that kind of money for just that one truck (not to mention the many previous purchases) that Code 3 would do something to make it right... After all, it is their screw-up, not ours.
Now we are expected to run right back and rejoin the club; just so that we can see if the cover is back or not..??!!?? Forgive me for being cynical Ken but I really have to know.... If I don't rejoin the "club" will C3 severly limit their availability; in the hopes that they don't make it out of the club? If they don't "sell out" to club members, will they "dump" them and claim they were "Sold Out" like some of the earlier "Sold Out" trucks that have appeared on other diecast sites..???
Code 3, in the not too distant past, tried to stress Loyalty and even spoke of Customer Appreciation but where is it??? To show that Elusive Customer Appreciation, these so called "Sold Out" replicas, "Ladder 43" as an example, could have been sold by Code 3 to it's club members at a lower price. Instead, they appear on the pages of "Motormint.com"..??? As a matter of fact, I don't think that truck was even available for very long before it got "dumped". Customer appreciation... Oh yea... yup... Lookin a little foggy to me.
By the way Ken... this idea of selling to the club members is not new. This was something that Code-3 used to do... among other things they "used to do". I find it hard to believe that the Motormint paid top dollar for those... But then again, they were "sold out"...
Re: Outstanding Customer Service
April 14, 2009 by motorcade1
There goes but a faint flicker of light.... I hope they can nurture that and help it grow into a flame. Only time will tell... but there is a lot of negative to overcome. They have a long way to go and some consistant improvement before I will consider them viable again. You might say I'm from the "Show Me State".
Re: Acrylic Cases 4 Sale
March 20, 2009 by motorcade1
No doubt right there on the top of their list of "Things NOT to do"... 
Re: Acrylic Cases 4 Sale
March 20, 2009 by motorcade1
I have to laugh. You at least got your order cancelled by Code-3 because the item is no longer available. I just went to the Code-3 site and checked on my "orders pending"... Here is what they are STILL displaying on their site regarding my order.... Been about 2 years now...
| Acrylic Case for 1/32 FDNY Rear Mount Ladder |
$34.99 |
$34.99 | Not yet shipped |
Still showing it as "Not Yet Shipped"... Still not cancelled. I leave it be as I find it to be sort of entertaining. Same old $%@% , just a different day with Code-3.
Re: Acrylic Cases 4 Sale
March 18, 2009 by motorcade1
Good Luck to you... Your gonna have to search display case websites. I had to get a custom made one THANKS TO CODE-3's IGNORANCE..!! I ordered mine from their site not knowing that they had discontinued the item. Went for almost a year waiting. I didn't just wait, I contacted them and was told it was on backorder several times.
Finally I tried to get one via an alternate supplier who advised me he no longer had any and that Code 3 told him that they were on back order so I just waited patiently, what else was I to do?? I finally got a hold of someone at Funrise who would actually talk to me and take a moment to check on it for me. This person found out that at the time I placed the order (which Code-3 accepted) Code-3 already had listed it in their "system" (It sure was not on the website we can access so it must have been behind the scenes) as discontinued.
Funny... Discontinued sounds alot different than On Back Order.... >:- (
I would have had that case myself if Code 3 had their act together and let the customer know an item was no longer available. Only way I could display mine was to buy a (high priced) custom made case as all the generics were either too small or too narrow or too short. That's just one of several reasons I have not bought a single Code-3 product in over 2 years now.
Thanks Arnie.... Nice Job there Buck-O
Re: Website Problem
January 29, 2009 by motorcade1
Get used to it... It's turning into a Tradition with Code 3.
No pun inteded but... Join the Club !!
.
