Once upon a time, there were suggestions from members to see how do the stores in our countries look like, therefore I thought I’d try and let LaLD look into one of the last few remaining diecast stores in Singapore. Welcome to Nikko Diecast.
With ever-increasing rental costs of operating a store and cheaper, more accessible online alternatives coming into play, shops that strictly deal with diecast cars are gradually disappearing in Singapore.
The owner of this business used to run 6 stores in popular shopping districts and malls, due to the reasons mentioned above, they have closed down all but one.
I had some difficulty locating this store, the first time I heard of Nikko Diecast was from a forum discussion that took place in 2008, fresh information took a lot of bumping into dead websites and digging to find. The business had a few social media pages and a website but they don’t see a lot of use nor provided any pictures of their store.
Even after taking down their address, I screwed up twice finding the shopping mall where they are located, because there are two malls not far from each other that start with “Far East”; one is “Far East Plaza” and the other is “Far East Shopping Centre”. Their store is located in the former, and I only have myself to blame for the first two mistakes.
Alas, I have arrived and was quickly overwhelmed by the variety of diecast cars surrounding me. I can’t remember when was the last time I stepped into a room filled with this many 1:18 models...
somethingsomething candystore something something
I came at the right time, a sale was taking place. Boy, was I ready to spend! Let’s look at what goodies are present on the shelves; this can take a while...
Minichamps is the dominating brand, one of the section is just filled with Porsches; some LaLDers might just call it their happy place.
The Loot
My intention was to exploit the sales on all 1:43 models. These used to available at a major department store until they suddenly disappeared; this sale has opened up chances for me to acquire more.
Mission accomplished, or is it?
Then there’s this...
I had a friendly chat with the lady who opened the shop, mostly lamented about the shrinking amount of diecast stores in this country. After putting down the money for the 2 1:43 models, I head off lunch promising that I’ll return to browse more.
With a full stomach and renewed energy, I returned and asked about the few selected 1:18 models that were on sale on their website. Their boxes were beat up and may have a hard time finding a new owner, and then the shop offered to let me buy any of them for SG$65 (US$48.30).
Talk about an offer I can’t refuse, since I don’t spend on this hobby for the sake of future resale value, a broken case won’t make me turn away from a complete car. I went for the 2001 Bullitt Mustang GT, its colour appealed the most to me and didn’t have bubbling paint present on some models. This will make it my second eighteenth scale model to own.
Ultimately, it was a very fruitful trip and very satisfying to know that I have helped by being a customer to a local business.
I believe this business and their only remaining store can greatly benefit with solid social media plugging, advertising, marketing, etc. Just give a teenager with too much free time to play with a smartphone the role of being your social media expert, paying him/her with diecast cars, then get ready to see sales shoot off the floor. The lack of presence they have might mean the last store will also disappear but I hope not. It is a totally different experience buying from a store, you can’t touch or walk around your item in an online store.
Address
Nikko Diecast Showroom
14 Scotts Road
#02-91 Far East Plaza
Singapore 228213
Tel : 6732 7717
Open daily : 12 noon – 9 pm
