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Where to Buy Cases of Hot Wheels

Collectors have been obsessed with the tiny die-cast replicas known as Hot Wheels since they first emerged and became popular in the late 1960s. Having slowly dominated the market and even swallowed their toughest competitor, Matchbox, manufacturer Mattel continues to produce Hot Wheels to this day. A common problem for the aspiring Hot Wheels collector is how to expand his collection. The good news is that the fans who have come before have made it easier than ever.

Conventions
- While many convention attendees simply make the journey to admire the models, the bulk of them have come to buy, sell and trade. The latest models, rare chase items, and most importantly, whole collections are often available for purchase on the floors of the exposition hall. The Annual Hot Wheels Collectors Convention, held in the Los Angeles area, is the world's largest Hot Wheels event, with more than 400 rooms for buying, selling and trading scheduled for the 2009 convention alone. While serious collectors from around the United States of America and the world make it a point to attend, numerous smaller conventions occur nationwide year round.
Hobby Shops
- Similar to conventions, enthusiasts gather around local collectors' shops to celebrate their hobby with great fervor. Additionally, they often serve as a sort of headquarters for the local community. Search your phone directory for a local hobby shop near you. When you first arrive, take some time to speak with the staff and other collectors in the store. Chances are either one of them or someone else they know in the community may be interested in getting rid of all or part of their collections.
Online Stores
- Numerous larger hobby shops are enjoying an increasingly heavy presence online, which is making finding the Hot Wheel case of your dreams even easier. Mattel operates an official online store, Hotwheelsshop.com, which features individual cars, cases, tracks and more. Nonofficial stores across the country also sell online; their particular stocks are diverse, increasing your chances of finding precisely what you are looking for.
Online Auctions
- Many individual collectors either outgrow their fascination or have to sell for financial and other reasons. Regardless of why, online auction sites are flush with collectibles, and Hot Wheels are no exceptions. A simple search on sites such as eBay, Ubid or others can yield great reward. A search at the time of this writing yielded more than 36,000 listings for Hot Wheels and related products. Be certain to buy from reputable sellers, and you'll be expanding in no time.

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