Roller Coaster Models

I just recently purchased the K'nex Screamin' Serpent coaster at ebay. I have had some fun in getting it built, but I think it takes way too much time. Anyway, my roommate and I were discussing that with the popularity of these and the new Dynamix model, we came to the conclusion that Cear Point could make a killing if they were to mass market CP coaster toys. What do you guys think?

I think they'd sell, but not as well as you think they'd sell.

Six flags already has that idea and locked it down with walmart!!

I'm just hoping that Dynamix does well, and when I win American Idol(though i can't sing...), I'll buy a few from them.

Either that, or when I marry my sugarmoosh, err, momma;)

If the K'Nex coaster is too time-consuming to put together, then why would it be more popular if it was marketing as a CP toy? Its a quality product and it sells fine on its own, without any kind of marketing ploy.

I'm sorry Rob, I should have been more clear on what I meant. What I was saying is that you would make the CP coasters in the same fashion as the Dynamix model, which appears to be a lot simpler to build than the K'nex. And of higher quality. It wouldn't necessarily have to be made by K'nex.

I think they'd sell, but not as well as you think they'd sell.

I have to disagree with you on that one. Are you saying that K'nex does not sell very well? I think you could combine the popularity of K'nex and the simplicity of Dynamix, and it would be a good product that would sell. *** Edited 5/27/2004 1:30:39 PM UTC by Dragster Freak***

I think Matthew is referring to cost. With the cost of the Coaster Dynamix kit being so high, a lot of potential buyers are eliminated right there.

The K'Nex kits seem to work because, while complicated, they are pretty fool-proof if you follow the directions and are quite inexpensive when you consider how complex they are. When you change one of the parts of that formula, you take a risk.

Yeah, but the cost is high because it is not really being mass produced and marketed like K'nex.

DF, it's also priced higher because of the quality of the parts. It's cheap and easy to make hard plastic pieces, but to make the flexible spine that allows some - but not too much - twisting is a more complex (and therefore costly) process.

Granted if CoasterDynamix gets picked up by a major manufacturer and mass produced, the price will drop, but there are inherent pricing limitations due to the manufacturing costs.

And even if that were to happen, I would imagine the price not going below at the very lowest $200. I have friends that make model boats that are made out of wood, same quality factor, and they are a bit more 'mass produced', but its about quality, and they still sell for upwards of $500 to a grand or more.

Aww man! I came here looking for the equivalent of a Mac Tool calendar but with coasters.

I'd suggest this to mOOSH, but I don't think I'd be interested a calendar with scantily clad mechanics posing in front of the Beast. ;)

No...be _he_ would... ;) (sorry, 'Moosh)