The Scarcity Intensity Scale

[fixer]

i would say the turquoise bus is rare in any area, certainly the UK

[ritchie]

how about these:

1. common
2. HTF = uncommon = difficult
3. VHTF = rare
4. VVHTF = very rare
5. VVVHTF = extremely rare
6. holy grail

whereas the term "rare" and "scarce" is interchangeable

[Miller]

Ritchie, i miss WTF

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Ritchie, i miss WTF

Now now Roland, no swearing please...

Ghosty.

[Idris]

Ritchie, i miss WTF

Now now Roland, no swearing please...

Ghosty.

Yes, I agree. That's very close to the boundaries of acceptability.

[Miller]

Ritchie, i miss WTF

Now now Roland, no swearing please...

Ghosty.

Yes, I agree. That's very close to the boundaries of acceptability.

[motorman]

What is the situation where the models condition dictates if it is rare or not, for example where you can find a model in play worn condition without to much difficulty but finding it mint is extremely difficult? Having a fixed classification of rarity is not that straight forward. Does that make any sense?

[Squid]

What is the situation where the models condition dictates if it is rare or not, for example where you can find a model in play worn condition without to much difficulty but finding it mint is extremely difficult? Having a fixed classification of rarity is not that straight forward. Does that make any sense?

Makes perfect sense. I think those situations occur far more often than not.

[GHOSTHUNTER]

So much comes down to each collectors interpretation of what 'Rare' means. As soon as you start on the long journey of your collecting career, you will see and hear the term 'Rare' used in relation to models, but why is it rare, what makes it rare, we will never establish this, because it is impossible to Police.

Do all so called 'Rare' models have to be expensive to buy, NO, until someone uses the term rare to sell the model. Just think how many models at your average toy fair could be classed as 'Rare' simply because of the issues we are aware of...

Limited production.
Production shortages.
Faulty production.
Cost when new, especially more recent models made to order from some of the collecting Mints.

Etc, etc.

As an example, what is the correct term for the #45a Vauxhall Victor in bright Red, a model we can all too easily say it is 'Rare', what do members think, should it be given just the single status of 'Rare' or something a bit higher like very rare, extremely rare or whatever!

#45a 'F' Type Victor in Red.jpg (61.21 KiB) Viewed 2653 times

Ghosthunter.

[motorman]

Ultra rare?