In addition to Treasure Hunts, Hot Wheels releases a handful of special editions exclusive to various national chains every year. WalMart is the only place you can find ZAMACs for instance, while if you want a 2014 Twin Mill in red instead of green, you’ll have to search the pegs at TRU. A friend recently even told me about calling Fred Meyer stores over an hour’s drive away to get the Kroger-only Halloween Ghostbusters Ecto-1. Unlike those promotions, where the special editions are hung up with the other Hot Wheels in the morning and then sold on a first come/first serve basis, KMart handles their exclusives remarkably different. Just look at his ad in a newspaper(!) XJDano found:
What makes KDays different? Why are they so anticipated by collectors? Should you go?
KMarts get special 36-car cases for KDay. This is half the size of the usual cases, and the cars inside are not necessarily from the same release. (The most recent KDay cases had a mix 2014 “Q” case cars as well as 2015 “A” Hot Wheels). For more about case codes, please see this Diecast 101. Every KDay case will contain four models in KMart exclusive colors as well as several mainline “First to Market” models. Starting last year, KMart began offering entire, sealed KDay cases for sale through their website. If you purchase one you can have it delivered or even pick up at the store. I have done this a couple times but I definitely recommend going to the actual event if you can. A big reason (for me, at least) to avoid buying a full case for yourself is simply the amount of duplicates you’ll get. Each case contains 3 copies of the KMart-only colors, so you are guaranteed that at least 8 of the 36 cars will be duplicates.
Although the way KDays are run can vary by store, my experience has been that everyone attending receives a number.
Picture by XJDano
The 36-car cases are presented unopened for everyone to see. At the store I went to last time, they were lined up like this:
The Portland events are usually well attended, but I’ve heard of many incidents where only a couple of cases are opened. I’ve even heard of collectors arriving to a store where employees were not even aware that it was a KDay! At most stores though, beginning at 9AM, numbers are randomly drawn, one for each case. Each winner takes a place in front of one of the unopened cases. Once each case has a collector standing in front of it, the first round begins.
Here the first people to be called wait for the instruction to open their case, I wasn’t one of them :(
Everyone gets 5 minutes to go through their case. However, when the time is up, you are allowed to take no more than 5 cars with you. The first group takes their cars and leaves the case. Another set of numbers are called from the remaining people for the next round. As in the first round, collectors all line up behind a case. (Of course, the big difference is that the cases will now have been opened and gone through by those lucky enough to get called for the first round).
The last round of collectors go through the cases
As before, these collectors are given 5 minutes to take as many as 5 cars from their case. Depending on how many people show up and how many cases there are this can go on for several rounds. This process is repeated until everyone has participated in a 5 minute round.
The aftermath of the last KDay I attended
At the end of the event, all the cases that have been opened are emptied out. Those that didn’t get opened are usually returned to the stock room. Everyone is allowed to go through and purchase as many of these remainders as they’d like. (Keep in mind these are the leftovers that at least two knowledgeable collectors have combed through. There will not be a surprise Super in here....)
There is a special mail-in exclusive associated with each KDay . In order to receive the promotional car, you will need to purchase a total of 20 Hot Wheels from KMart stores. To get the car you’ll need to send in your receipts, cardbacks (yes, you have to take your purchases off the card...) and a shipping fee.
A couple of aspects make KDays stand apart from other Hot Wheels promotions. Other than the exclusives and mail-in, this is one of the few times the average collector gets to go through a “fresh” selection of new cars. Most of us will only very rarely encounter a store display that hasn’t already been scoured through by someone else. Because of this, KDay’s unique event will be many collectors best chance to land a Treasure Hunt.
The 5 car limit for each round lightens up any tension among collectors. When I first heard of KDays I assumed it was a bunch of stereotypical 40-something guys shoving each other over Chicane Treasure Hunts. Instead, I’ve encountered a surprisingly amount of diversity among KDay attendees. Lots of collectors of different ages and backgrounds (and even the occasional girl!) show up.
Unfortunately the Hot Wheels at the last few KDay events have been fairly disappointing. Honestly, the last KDay cases felt like a hodgepodge of cars KMart was unable to sell. And, although it might be your best shot at scoring a Super Treasure Hunt, they are still extremely rare at KDays. The most anticipated Super of last year, the Datsun 510 Wagon, only showed up once in all the cases opened during last September’s KDay at my local KMart. I heard something like 1 Datsun Super for the 60 cases opened. Then the following KDay in November there were no Supers even available in any of the KDay cases that stores received. Some of this may have to do with the fact that each 36-car case is taken up by 12 KMart exclusives, yet it still feels as if Supers are disproportionately rare.
Finally, KDays are not always managed well. Some of them adhere to a 4 case at a time limit, in which the same 4 cases are gone through by each round until they are empty before another 4 can be opened. This would cause the event to drag out and for those who aren’t called early to get stuck with the least desirable cars. I’ve heard of managers just opening the cases and letting collectors have a free-for-all. And every KDay you’ll hear at least one story where the employees “forgot”.
There are a lot of positives to offset the occasional letdown however. First of all, it’s free! You are also under no obligation to purchase anything. You will get a chance to check out the newest releases in person,
By running their Collector Events this way, KMart gives the average Hot Wheels enthusiast a much better opportunity to obtain desirable cars at the retail price. The KMart Collector Days bring people who have a passion for collecting together and it can be nice to meet your fellow Hot Wheels enthusiasts in your area. What places have they had luck recently? Where are the choice flea markets? Have they heard of a website named LiveandLetDiecast.com? :)
Despite a few minor annoyances, I highly recommend attending KDays
Good Luck & Happy Hunting!
KDays are held 3 times a year: in February, September, and November. You can find information on the next KMart Collectors Day Event, including the four exclusives, from hwcollectornews.com as well as KMart.com.