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As most collectors would agree, a bit part of collecting 1:64 models is the hunt to find new models in your local stores.
Unfortunately this can sometimes be very difficult espically when you do not know where to look. One tip to keep an eye open
on forums, as members often provide tip-offs as to where to find the latest models. But, if you out for a general hunt, I have
put together a quick guide on where you might get lucky, but please note avaialble can change and this is only a rough guide.
Also, Hot Wheels tends to be available everywhere, but it tends to be only the larger stores that regularly receive new stock.
Places to look:
- Toy Stores/Departments:
One obvious place to check is Toys'R'Us, they are nationwide, but finding stock can be hit or miss and only stock Hot
Wheels, Matchbox and Motormax/Realtoy models in their "Fast Lane" range. The Entertainer is often has limited stock and
will predominately be Hot Wheels and maybe some Matchbox models too. Toymaster are typically a franchised store and can
vary. Expect to find Realtoy and Hot Wheel models, although some are known to stock Siku models too. Toy departments in
large department stores typically only stock Hot Wheels to generic stock, but this can vary upon store and location.
- Supermarkets:
Selective large Tesco, Asda and Morrisons stores stock the Hot Wheels and Realtoy, and some of the Tesco Extra and Asda
Walmart stores sell Matchbox models too, although in Tescos they are being reported as being sold on strips along with the general
groceries in store. The larger Sainsburys stores sell Hot Wheels and Yatming models. The Co-op supermarkets sell a
small range of Realtoy models.
- High Street Stores:
Argos have started selling Hot Wheel singles near the tils and Wilkinson sells Hot Wheels and Welly models. Early
Learning Centre sometimes sell Motormax models in their own brand of toys and Mothercare will sometimes sell Hot Wheels.
Some newsagents and pound stores stock a limited range of 1:64 scale cars and tend to be Maisto or Hot Wheel models,
however generally speaking they are not a great place to search for models. Obviously they can be very hit or miss.
- Model Stores/Car Dealers:
In my own experience, 1:64 scale of cars are largely ignored in model shops, as they tend to focus on 1:43 and 1:72 scales.
However, some they do sometimes sell the odd line and I have found various brands over the years including AutoArt, Majorette and
Johnny Lightning. It is worth noting that most car dealers in the UK also ignore 1:64 scale cars and where they do sell Norev
models, it tends to be only in quantities of 36 models.
- Toy fairs/Trading:
Toy fairs are a great place to find models of a makes and ages, and great place to pick up a bargin too! I often see the same
model vary in price between stalls and it is often worth looking around the entire event if you are not happy with the first price.
Please check out the Diecast Collector website for
your nearest event. Trading on online forums is also a good to way to swap models local to you with some models that you cannot
obtain. Various forums are listed on our links page.
- Searching Online:
Shopping online is a great way to obtain models that are hard to find or not available in your part of the world, such as Majorette,
Norev and Kyosho. There is obviously a famous auction website, however I prefer
to use well established online diecast stores and Various stores are listed on our
links page. One quick tip is to not hang around when new stock is released as models always seem to sell out fast.
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