Greetings!
A few shipments
arrived this week. If you log
into your account at www.toywonders.com, before clicking on
any of the links below, you will see wholesale pricing -as well
as a picture.
Forgot your
password? (click
here) and enter your email address.
DIECAST
Collectible Model Cars And More
| Item# |
Description |
Stock
Status |
| 39499YL |
ERTL
Authentics - Chevy Chevelle Malibu SS Z16 Hard Top (1965,
1:18, Crocus Yellow) 39499YL |
New |
| 36195 |
ERTL
- Home Mechanic & Gas Station Accessory Set (1:18, 2 Asstd.
Styles) 36195 |
Restock |
| 7967DO |
ERTL
JoyRide - Dukes of Hazzard Dodge Charger Hard Top (1969, 1:25,
Orange) 7967DO |
Restock |
| 18410 |
Garage
Diorama Accessory Set - Car Show Series (1:24) 18410 |
New |
| 18415 |
Garage
Diorama Accessory Set - Mobile Mechanic Series (1:24) 18415 |
New |
| 18420 |
Garage
Diorama Accessory Set - Repair Garage Series (1:24) 18420 |
New |
| 18425 |
Garage
Diorama Accessory Set - Construction Zone (1:24) 18425 |
New |
| 18430 |
Garage
Diorama Accessory Set - Happy Camper (1:24) 18430 |
New |
| 4004 |
Kinsmart
- Mini School Bus (3.75", Yellow) 4004 |
Restock |
| 5085D |
Kinsmart
- Alfa 147 GTA (1:32, Asstd.) 5085D |
Restock |
| 5303D |
Kinsmart
- Audi A6 Hard Top (1:38, Asstd.) 5303D |
Restock |
| 5097D |
Kinsmart
- Hummer H2 SUT Pickup (1:40, Asstd.) 5097D |
Restock |
| 5308D |
Superior
- Beach Roadster (5", Asstd.) 5308D |
Restock |
| 18055D |
Tins'
Toys - Chevy Cameo Tow Truck (1955, 1:35, Asstd.) 18055D |
Restock |
| 870013 |
IMEX
American Classic Trucks - Peterbuilt Southern Express Truck
(1:87 scale diecast model, Green) 870013 |
New |
| 870025 |
IMEX
American Classic Trucks - Peterbuilt Apex Box Truck (1:87 scale diecast model,
Green) 870025 |
New |
| 870026 |
IMEX
American Classic Trucks - Ford Franklin Union Box Truck (1:87 scale diecast model,
White) 870026 |
New |
| 870027 |
IMEX
Railway Express Agency - International CO190 Box Truck (1:87 scale diecast model,
Green) 870027 |
New |
| 870028 |
IMEX
Railway Express Agency - International CO190 Pickup Truck
(1:87 scale diecast model, Green) 870028 |
New |
| 870029 |
IMEX
Railway Express Agency - International KB-8 Box Truck (1:87 scale diecast model,
Green) 870029 |
New |
| 870030 |
IMEX
Railway Express Agency - International KB-8 Stake Truck (1:87 scale diecast model,
Green) 870030 |
New |
| 870032 |
IMEX
American Classic Trucks - Pegasus Movers Pickup Truck (1:87 scale diecast model,
Blue) 870032 |
New |
| 870033 |
IMEX
American Classic Trucks - American Stake Pickup Truck (1:87 scale diecast model,
Red) 870033 |
New |
| 870037 |
IMEX
Railway Express Agency - Ford Canvas Top Truck (1:87 scale diecast model, Green)
870037 |
New |
| 870040 |
IMEX
American Classic Trucks - CO 16 Fire Dept Water Tanker Truck
(1:87 scale diecast model, Red) 870040 |
New |
| 870041 |
IMEX
American Classic Trucks - Ford US Forest Service Pumper Truck
(1:87 scale diecast model, Green) 870041 |
New |
| 870043 |
IMEX
American Classic Trucks - Ford US Forest Service Stake Truck
(1:87 scale diecast model, Green) 870043 |
New |
| 870044 |
IMEX
American Classic Trucks - Peterbuilt US Forest Service Stake
Truck (1:87 scale diecast model, Green) 870044 |
New |
| 870045 |
IMEX
American Classic Trucks - Ford US Forest Service Tanker Truck
(1:87 scale diecast model, Green) 870045 |
New |
| 870046 |
IMEX
American Classic Trucks - Peterbuilt US Forest Service Tanker
Truck (1:87 scale diecast model, Green) 870046 |
New |
| 870160 |
IMEX
Classic Trucking - Peterbuilt Texaco Tanker Truck (1:87 scale diecast model, Red)
870160 |
New |
| 870164 |
IMEX
Classic Trucking - Peterbuilt Texaco Fire Chief Gasoline Truck
(1:87 scale diecast model, Red) 870164 |
New |
| 870165 |
IMEX
Classic Trucking - Ford Texaco Fire Chief Gasoline Pickup
Truck (1:87 scale diecast model, Red) 870165 |
New |
| 870168 |
IMEX
Classic Trucking - Texaco Havoline Motor Oil Pickup Truck
(1:87 scale diecast model, Red) 870168 |
New |
| 870170 |
IMEX
Classic Trucking - Texaco Crane Truck (1:87 scale diecast model, Red) 870170 |
New |
| 870172 |
IMEX
Classic Trucking - Peterbuilt Texaco Motor Oil Pickup (1:87 scale diecast model,
Red) 870172 |
New |
| 870173 |
IMEX
Classic Trucking - Ford Texaco Motor Oil Pickup (1:87 scale diecast model, Red)
870173 |
New |
| 870174 |
IMEX
Classic Trucking - Peterbuilt Texaco Sky Chief Gasoline Box
Truck (1:87 scale diecast model, Red) 870174 |
New |
| 870175 |
IMEX
Classic Trucking - Ford Texaco Sky Chief Gasoline Box Truck
(1:87 scale diecast model, Red) 870175 |
New |
| 870177 |
IMEX
Classic Trucking - Texaco Havoline Motor Oil Box Truck (1:87 scale diecast model,
Red) 870177 |
New |
| 870180 |
IMEX
Classic Trucking - Peterbuilt Texaco Pickup Truck (1:87 scale diecast model, Red)
870180 |
New |
| 870181 |
IMEX
Classic Trucking - Ford Texaco Pickup Truck (1:87 scale diecast model, Red) 870181 |
New |
| 870188 |
IMEX
American Classic Trucks - International KB-8 DPW Crane Truck
(1:87 scale diecast model, Orange) 870188 |
New |
| 870189 |
IMEX
American Classic Trucks - International CO190 DPW Stake Truck
(1:87 scale diecast model, Orange) 870189 |
New |
| 870190 |
IMEX
American Classic Trucks - International CO190 Inland Box Truck
(1:87 scale diecast model, Blue) 870190 |
New |
| 870191 |
IMEX
American Classic Trucks - International KB-8 Power Produce
Truck (1:87 scale diecast model, Red) 870191 |
New |
| 870192 |
IMEX
American Classic Trucks - International KB-8 Blue Star Cement
Truck (1:87 scale diecast model, White) 870192 |
New |
| 870194 |
IMEX
American Classic Trucks - International CO190 Checkerboard
Truck (1:87 scale diecast model, White) 870194 |
New |
| 870196 |
IMEX
American Classic Trucks - International KB-8 Air Cargo Box
Truck (1:87 scale diecast model, Red) 870196 |
New |
| 870197 |
IMEX
American Classic Trucks - International CO190 Max Grocery
Box Truck (1:87 scale diecast model, Orange) 870197 |
New |
Tin
Signs
TOYS
To remove
yourself from our mailing list, please log into your account at
Toy Wonders, modify personal information and uncheck the option
Keep me informed about new products and offerings. Or reply to
this email and say unsubscribe.
Thank you
Lu
Toy Wonders, Inc.
www.toywonders.com
201-229-1700
God
and the Art of Toy & Diecast Model Car Marketing
The Intrinsic Power Words
By Lu Su
Some
of us in our youth (you know, WAY back in the twentieth century)
caught this difficult read called Zen and the Art of Motorcycle
Maintenance by Robert Pirsig. Probably just a handful
of us, still have that light purple colored book still emblazoned
in the deep recesses of our minds. Although the catchy title was
actually a play off of the German philosopher Eugen Herrigel’s
earlier book Zen in the Art of Archery, the book really
had almost nothing to do with Zen Buddhism or motorcycle maintenance.
So, after reading such a book you would neither have gained knowledge
on how to change the oil on a motorcycle nor a better understanding
of the orthodoxy of Zen Buddhist and their practices. Pirsig’s
book is about the tale of a man and his son who journey across
America on motorcycles. While this man and his son Chris
journey across America, the events of the trip are constantly
punctuated by numerous philosophical discussions. Whether
we realize it or not, all of us are on a journey too. No
reason why they should have all the fun.
Being
that our culture likes remakes and being that we are now in a
new century, I thought I would attempt to come up with new and
improved down to earth version –but this time actually grounded
in something. I also found both of their titles too narrow
in scope; so hence my broader and more encompassing title: God
and the Art of Toy & Diecast Model Car Marketing.
Before
diving into this abyss, I feel it is important to take pause and
understand one of the basic fundamental. Common in understanding
God and marketing is this basic building block called “words”.
It is through words that allow us to understand these two non-material
concepts.
How
powerful are words? As most people already know, the end
goal of almost all marketing efforts is to get consumers to consume.
From my observation of the American culture, the biggest
accomplishment our marketing engine has created was/is to effectively
blur the understanding of the words “need” and “want”.
I would argue that the average American cannot distinguish between
needs and wants. The truth of this statement can by comparing
the average debt an American has with any other denizen of this
planet. Also, if you have ever moved from one location to
another, you start to realize how much you do not need; just look
at all those unpacked boxes that are still in your cellar or attic.
This powerful accomplishment in confusing needs and wants was
achieved with the use of words.
If
someone were able to arrange certain words in a particular order
so that it caused you to long for love, cry, or laugh, that seems
pretty powerful to me. Some talented writers that come to
mind are Jane Austen, Shakespeare, and Jerry Seinfeld. Think
about it. Certain words grouped in a certain manner can
cause an emotional response from people –that’s pretty
powerful stuff. However, emotional responses tend to be
fairly short in duration. We read or hear something funny,
which causes us to laugh; but usually we don’t go on laughing
for hours or days. So the duration of the effect upon hearing/reading
words has something to do with determining the intrinsic power
of words. This is a reasonable argument right?
Now
if someone could somehow arrange words in a way that caused some
sort of behavior change in people, I think it would be safe to
conclude that those particular words that cause behavior changes
are even more powerful than the former. The words may not
be as funny as “Sponge worthy” or “Man-siere”,
but definitely more powerful. So imagine upon a person hearing
something, he then dedicate his resources (time & money) for
the next decade to a particular humanitarian cause. Those words
would be even more powerful because of its 1) longer duration
and 2) the impact of this person as well as the humanitarian cause
to affect other people. I guess to be fair here, I should
also mention that there must be some particular arrangement of
words that when spoken can cause people to willingly strap on
a jacket full of explosives, walk into a restaurant or bus, and
detonate it. Again, those words are powerful because the
effect has a longer duration. Without a doubt, all those
family members and friends of the victims are going to feel and
live with the impact of this event for the rest of their lives.
So much appreciation or misery can be achieved by the use of certain
words.
How
many of us have been affected by words? If we took a little
time to reflect on it, many of us probably could trace the current
job we have, the type of spouse we have or don’t have, and
even the car we drive to some arrangement of words that entered
our brain long ago. Or perhaps it was the absence of some
certain words that have caused us to be where we are in life (After
all, you might find yourself behind a large automobile or living
in a shot gun shack).
Words
spoken with love and kindness build. Words spoken with hate
and malice destroy. How many wars have started because of
a particular arrangement of words? How many fist fights
have started because an opening sentence started with “Your
momma?” Words are like arrows (got to work that Zen
and archery thing in). Once they are let released, they are impossible
to reel back in. Once released, they hit intended and non-intended
targets. How many of us have been hit with a couple of them
in our youth and never fully recovered? How many adults
today still lack self confidence -all because of words or the
lack of them in our youth?
The
American culture likes happy endings. It seems every time
the conversation gets directed to some aspect of human nature,
we move further away from a happy ending. So, let’s
move to a happier topic.
Have
you noticed that some of the greatest literary works start with
a powerful arrangement of words?
“It
was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age
of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of
belief, it was the epoch of incredulity,…” –Charles
Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities
“Call
Me Ishmael.” –Herman Melville’s Moby Dick.
“It
is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession
of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” –Jane
Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
“Amergo
Bonasera sat in New York Criminal Court Number 3 and waited for
justice; vengeance on the men who had co cruelly hurt his daughter,
who had tried to dishonor her.” –Mario Puzo’s
The Godfather
Notice
the first line(s) from these great books set the stage for a great
struggle that is to take place in the future. “Call Me Ishmael.”
is probably the most famous opening sentence in English literature.
In terms of fame, it’s probably just a few steps below “In
the Beginning God….” Both are Biblical in origin
and found in the book of Genesis. In the first book of the
Bible we learn that Ishmael is the son of Abraham, but not through
Abraham’s wife Sarah; but through Sarah’s maid servant
Hagar. In the Jewish and Christian tradition, Ishmael was
an illegitimate son. After the birth of Ishmael’s
half brother Isaac, Ishmael and his mother Hagar were basically
banished to die in the wilderness by Abraham. It might be
interesting to note here that in the Islamic tradition, Ishmael
is a legitimate son of Abraham. It was no accident that Herman
chose this particular name Ishmael in foreshadowing a great struggle
to come (besides “Call me Fred.” or “Call me
Larry” just doesn’t seem to have that same punch).
In
the opening lines of the Bible we see that God spoke time and
space into existence. Those must have been some powerful
words. The concept (speaking things into creation) may seem
a little strange at first, but after you think about it –it
really does make sense. Every military officer, building contractor,
and decision maker has firsthand experience with this concept.
You speak and something comes into existence. A few words
come out of your mouth (cause) and then something happens (effect).
A
captain speaks and soldiers fan out and a hill is captured.
A contractor speaks and a house appears. You place an order at
Toy Wonders and a dozen people jump and within a few day items
that you used words to express are suddenly sitting in front of
you. No special incantations or magic wand required –just
some assistance from the UPS driver. So it seems that the
more authority one has, the more readily you would understand
this concept. So theoretically, if there happened
to be a person that had a huge amount of authority given to him,
his words would have to be pretty powerful stuff –probably
even sound like commands when he talked. In college
I often ate with my suite mates and a group of friends across
the hall. As you know getting 4 to dozen people to suddenly
drop what there are doing and go to dinner is not an easy task.
“Come on, let’s go eat!” I would say. Often
there was no reaction and no response. To encourage them
into action, I would then tack on the sentence “I have spoken”.
Usually laughter would erupt. What makes the statement comical
is that the words come from someone that had no authority over
them. So here we see that the intrinsic power of words are
tied into the duration of its effect and the amount of authority
from the speaker.
What
other intrinsic power do words have? In the past, knowledge
was passed from generation to generation orally. Only in
the last few centuries with the invention of the printing press
and better education did words in written form take words to a
whole new level. Print on paper was definitely a new high,
but I think a new level has recently been reached. In man’s
history, almost all cultures have the concept of knowledge to
be analogous with light (i.e. dark ages, age of enlightenment,
the blind leading the blind). Now with CRT, flat screen
LCD, and plasma monitors, knowledge in the form of words is being
illuminated before your eyes. So the analogy of knowledge and
light has actually come true now. Knowledge in the form
of words are appearing in front of you in the form of light.
Without
a doubt the spoken and written words allow us to communicate very
efficiently. “Pass the salt” is a sentence with
three very small words, but it is probably the most efficient
way to convey what you want. Try communicating “pass
the salt” with other forms of communication like art, dance,
music, humming, and a guy like me will not understand what you
want (but perhaps if you pointed to the salt shaker and made some
monkey sounds, I probably could eventually figure out).
I
would argue that all marketing of product and services involves
words. Whether it is through a catalog, web site, email,
picking up a phone, or face to face contact, words are involved.
Even Nike in their all image advertisements, required the use
of words to get that ad to appear in magazines and on Tiger Woods’
cap. Now what happens if God wanted to communicate to us?
What I find very interesting is that at this point many people
suddenly shift their thinking and think some other form of communication
would be implemented.
People
get side tracked here and engage in something that doesn’t
bring them any closer to God. People engage in sitting in
some uncomfortable position, handling snakes, mutilating their
body, entering in some type of trance, engaging is something that
involves pain and sweat, sitting in front of a wall and blanking
their minds. There is nothing spiritual about a blank mind.
Do these same people think rocks are very spiritual objects?
Understand that if you engage in any of the above activity, I
am not arguing that it is wrong or that you should not engage
in the above. I am simply arguing that these activities
do not aid in communicating with the creator.
Wouldn’t
God also use one of the most efficient means to communicate with
us? Wouldn’t he use words too? I realize that
my question is biased here; I am making many assumptions here:
1) There is a God, 2) He wants a relationship with us , and 3)
A relationship would be accomplished by communicating to us. This
would probably be a good subject matter for another time.
But the point that I am trying to make is if God had something
he wanted to communicate to us, it shouldn’t be too far
of a stretch on the imagination that words would be used.
Words are in the human skill set, but not in God’s?
Perhaps he could somehow send word (the Word) to us. Because
we are a very litigious culture, perhaps God could put what he
wants to communicate to us in writing too.
In
terms of the intrinsic power of words, I believe I have uncovered
some words that form a very unique concept. When understood,
its impact is even more powerful than the impact of words affecting
a person’s entire life. So what kind of words can
have an impact lasting over the span of a human life? The
intrinsic power of words have a beauty all their own; hence the
subject of next week topic: The Intrinsic Beauty of Words.
