Old store stock found in attic.

[Tinman]

With the usual foresight and infinite wisdom and that seems to abound with the management of the mcch, both threads started by the person handling this collection have been shut down and locked. Unless someone from the non-profit, which owns these models, discovers another forum, there may not be any public announcement as to how, when and where these models will be sold.

This lot of models is one of the most significant and interesting finds of genuine new old stock in decades. Despite the importance of the find, one moderator complained about fellow members being interested in buying the models (shame on him, we would all like to buy these models) and another moderator simply closed and locked the two discussions without even giving a reason.

For a site that calls itself the "premier" place to discus Matchbox, the mcch site has a very negative way of handling the most historic discovery in decades. The bone head moderator who complained and the other one who closed and locked the threads are truly idiots! If any member or moderator of the mcch would like to pm the person dealing with the models and inform them of Nick's web site address, I encourage you to do so. This large find needs a place where the owners can advertise and inform collectors about the disposition and sale or auction of the lot. Shame on the mcch for once again being a hindrance to the hobby rather than supporting it.

[Idris]

With the usual foresight and infinite wisdom and that seems to abound with the management of the mcch, both threads started by the person handling this collection have been shut down and locked. Unless someone from the non-profit, which owns these models, discovers another forum, there may not be any public announcement as to how, when and where these models will be sold.

This lot of models is one of the most significant and interesting finds of genuine new old stock in decades. Despite the importance of the find, one moderator complained about fellow members being interested in buying the models (shame on him, we would all like to buy these models) and another moderator simply closed and locked the two discussions without even giving a reason.

For a site that calls itself the "premier" place to discus Matchbox, the mcch site has a very negative way of handling the most historic discovery in decades. The bone head moderator who complained and the other one who closed and locked the threads are truly idiots! If any member or moderator of the mcch would like to pm the person dealing with the models and inform them of Nick's web site address, I encourage you to do so. This large find needs a place where the owners can advertise and inform collectors about the disposition and sale or auction of the lot. Shame on the mcch for once again being a hindrance to the hobby rather than supporting it.

This truly beggars belief!

[Moyboy]

Joe
Its the usual MCCH story - any interest by members in buying and it gets killed. Buggered if I know why the crap site still runs or has members but probable reason is they are fed bullshit by the idiot owner. I sometimes wonder why members here and on other sites still frequent there and why they don't advise the members of other better sites around so this crap can die a death. I think as it stands there are more banned members than actual members nowadays.

[kwakers]

I believe that if Matchbox Marcel is still in contact with the owners, he may be able to provide Nick's site information and a link to our Forum. I understand why an 'easy' opinion may be to let Vectis handle this sale as a lot, I feel that rather than have all these Mint originals end up in an investors hands, they should be open to the collector's market for US to enjoy. When sold or offered as singles in our 'Marketplace', many of we slim pocket collectors will muster enough to pay a very retail price for our favorite Lesney Toy that we can document with the terrific story of their 'discovery' in 2014 in 'a loft'!!.
I have never been on MCCH, have no interest in it, but the blokes sound like blockheads, not the true Toy collectors Nick has gathered here on our VBD Forum.
Please Marcel, suggest our 'Marketplace' to the owners, priced at retail Vectis/ Ebay prices rather than a 'Lot' sale to a wealthy collector or dealer who may store them in a loft for another 40 years.......kwakers
A subnote on this discovery. A local to the restoration project may easily take a trip over and directly contact the 'owners' if Marcel's information was not direct enough for results. This is the closest thing to a modern 'Treasure Hunt' we Lesney collectors may ever experience, well worth the effort to have our names associated with it's final dispersal.....kwakers

[matchboxmarcel]

Unfortunatly I am not in direct contact with the owner of this collection but near to this.
I will keep you updated when I have an emailaddress or whatever.
The problem is that most of the MCCH treads closed and if any-one post a question in wating to buy the lot the tread will be closed.
Some suggested a local USA auctionhouse, which all respect don't think this is good when they have no international database of collectors.
I posted information to Charlie Mack his weekend and the owner suggested to bring the collection there for the people to buy.
I liked that idea myself as it would also give a good chance that Charlie will get more people to join for that weekend.

marcel

[kwakers]

I too like the idea of a Collector like Charlie being involved with this large lot's disposal Marcel. If Charlie is to be involved with the sale, the results would be a lot better than a lump sale of all the models to one dealer/investor. Charlie has international ties with collectors such as Nigel Cooper who can help spread these models in a fair manner world-wide, with Forum members being treated fairly no matter where we may live. Charlie has devoted his life to our Matchbox Toys, so whatever he decides will be very positive to all collectors, not just a limited few friends. A boxed model from this hoard with only the pictures we have seen here will surely be a talking point as a display in ANY Lesney collection.....
Thank You Marcel for the positive update, hopefully we will all get a chance at our favorites out of this massive hoard, save some $$ up Boys and Girls! kwakers

[johnboy]

I don't know anything about mcch, only what's posted on here. But as an outsider it does seem that the stranglehold I keep reading about, that is imposed on the site and it's members, is sqeezing the last breaths out of a once vibrant forum and collectors base. I do hope that the lockdown on discussions, especially about purchasing, isn't engineered to allow rich pickings to be made by a select few without too much interference from others (and that the reason is an honest one). As I say, I talk from complete ignorance (as usual) but it seems that this behaviour is at odds with any desire to enhance, protect, nurture and grow the hobby. I hope that if the hoard is sold, it is done through an honest, recognized and open process.

[Tinman]

From the information provided in those now locked & closed posts. The models are owned by a non-profit organization which wants to use the funds, derived from the sale of the models, to benefit the non-profit. The individual who made the original posts was seeking advice on the best way to liquidate the lot of models. It seems like they don't have the time available to sell them off one by one (or in small lots) so an auction house or a lot sale to a dealer is their best route (and one they seem to be leaning towards).

For the mcch to close and lock the thread while advice is still being posted and people are still discussing the find (as several have noted) is truly incomprehensible. The historic saga of these models has only just begun and there is much to unfold in the weeks or months to come.

[Tinman]

Joe
Its the usual MCCH story - any interest by members in buying and it gets killed. Buggered if I know why the crap site still runs or has members but probable reason is they are fed bullshit by the idiot owner. I sometimes wonder why members here and on other sites still frequent there and why they don't advise the members of other better sites around so this crap can die a death. I think as it stands there are more banned members than actual members nowadays.

The membership list/count is truly inflated. The members who were banned by method of having their passwords changed by Curtis are numerous. Many others have simply abandoned the site and no longer post there, yet their names are still being reflected as "active" members. A point in fact, Curtis will not remove anyone from the membership list even if you repeatedly request such an action. I don't know about the current software, but even banned members would still show up in a member search and their profiles were still available.

Having that knowledge, I deleted my profile, my avatar (and my sig line, etc.) before I asked to be removed from the membership list. I also asked that my sticky posts also be removed but was told by Curtis that he now owned all my intellectual property that was posted on his site. He refused to list me as banned and instead he changed my password so I can no longer access the forums. He continues to display all of my informational posts (as fixed sticky posts) and continues to hot link one of his forum headers to my restoration guide. By changing my password and kicking me out in that method, anyone reading my sticky posts still thinks I'm an active member. In fact he changed the title under my name to read "Senior Member." Of course, in reality he literally hates my guts and has banned me from his clubhouse.

The number of people he bans actually exceeds the number of people joining and that's been the case for awhile now. His most recent round of mass member bans happened over two issues: His badly failed attempt to have some member's only mini gathering event and his equally failed attempt at a code 3 club model. Some, who paid well in advance for the model, are still waiting since December 2013 for one (or more) to be mailed out and others are waiting for a refund (which will never happen).

There are many other issues that have caused people to bail on his forum and all are due to the owners sloth, greed, failure to perform simple tasks, heavy handed editing and deleting of posts and much, much more. A great deal of this was discussed here on the old Lefora forum and on Brad's Matchbox Collectors Forum (the latter being made up of numerous banned mcch members). It's unfortunate that the owner of the models in question happened to pick the mcch to seek advice. It's even more unfortunate that the mcch seeks to block discussion and to lock both forums containing this discussion. As usual, Mark Curtis and his out of control small minded moderators continue to be a blight on the hobby.

He won't even allow the Ambassadors Reports to be posted without first editing them. In the most recent Ambassadors Report post, Curtis edited out the answers to the "ask Mattel a question" section of the report. Intentional or error, it's the handy work of a total moron and is typical of his actions.

[SMS88]

Its amazing + fun to know that collectors still want to be performers in Mark´s circus especially now that facebook forums are squeezing most other platforms with their much wider audience for whatever is posted.