Proton Saga Hot Wheels Release Marred By Scalpers

Promotional artwork announcing the Proton Saga Hot Wheels release by Mattel Malaysia via Facebook.

Announced via Facebook last weekend, toymakers Mattel Malaysia have released the highly anticipated Proton Saga Hot Wheels collectible. The 1:64 scale die-cast model can now be purchased through major departmental, toy specialty, and convenience stores nationwide.

The Saga’s arrival in pint-sized Hot Wheels form is a big deal. As reported, it marks the first time a Proton model being inducted into the celebrated collectible toy brand’s line. It also doubles up to commemorate the national carmaker’s 40th anniversary.

Screengrabs of the Proton Saga Hot Wheels advertised by scalpers through a popular online shopping platform. 

However, it didn’t take long before the fanfare was marred and ruined by greedy scalpers and resellers. Many of which have quickly taken to online retail platforms with exorbitant asking prices. A quick search online today revealed that resellers are now asking anywhere between RM70 to RM250.

Prices are dependent on certain condition-related factors, like ‘loose’ status (out of packaging), or still in its original ‘blister’ packaging, with the degree of the latter also dictating resale values. For context, the original retail price of the Proton Saga Hot Wheels set by Mattel Malaysia reads at just RM9.90.

These prices are indeed surprising given the fact that the Proton Saga Hot Wheels is NOT a limited edition release. However, given that this is just the initial phase of release, initial stock scarcity is what’s allowing these scalpers to demand ridiculous mark ups – some by up to 25 times more!

A special blister packaging featuring special artwork designed by 9-year-old Saw Jane Harn (pictured) will release sometime next year as a limited edition special. Expect scalpers to price that exorbitantly too.

In this writer’s personal opinion, those purchasing the collectible from these scalpers at their prices are equally guilty of enabling this problem and ruining what could’ve been a momentous occasion for both local Hot Wheels and Proton fans, as well as local car enthusiasts in general.

Sadly, we foresee this problem getting worse given the next fact. Mattel Malaysia’s plans to release the toy with a special ‘blister card’ packaging featuring a winning Malaysia-themed artwork design submitted by 9-year-old Penang girl Saw Jane Harn in a special contest organised by Proton earlier this year.

This will be a limited release special when it drops sometime next year. Given how scalpers are doing with the regular non-limited edition release of the Proton Saga Hot Wheels right now, we can only imagine how these unscrupulous parties will price that upcoming special packaging.

Early pre-production prototype of the Proton Saga Hot Wheels collectible shown my Mattel Malaysia late last year.

For now, neither Mattel Malaysia or any of its retail partners show any plans to kerb scalpers just yet for that special release. Nevertheless, we’re certain the problem can be avoided simply through the act of not buying the collectible from greedy resellers as such.

But that’s just our opinion. Where are your thoughts on the matter? Hit the comments below, as well as our social media pages, with your take on it…