PlaymoFriends
General => News => Topic started by: Martin Milner on May 23, 2008, 11:16:52
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Well I'm sorry but I've been looking at Lego's website over the last couple of weeks, and compared to Lego's Pick-a-Brick system, Playmobil's spares service is a complete and utter shambles.
They REALLY need to get this service properly sorted out asap, and provide a clear and simple web-based ordering service so we can order quickly and accurately via their website, combining it with a normal order, if they're not to continue looking like a bunch of amateurs playing at providing a professional service.
Without Heather's Playmodb :wow: it'd be near impossible to order anything without the plans, and a lot of parents and kids lose lose plans the minute the set is packed away after it's first assembly.
In some respects Playmobil outshines Lego - e.g. Lego always charge postage no matter how big the order (cheapskates), and the Lego site is not as user-friendly to my mind, but come on Geobra, it's not rocket science, and it'd boost your sales! 360 degree virtual catalogues are all very well, but what about after sales service? It's not reliable, quick, or easy, and it needs to be.
And while I'm on it, could you possibly stop the pop-ups? I keep getting shocked by the noisy police motor boat everytime I log in. Once is enough.
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Hi Martin
My first post so please excuse any naïveté. I just placed my first order with Playmobil DS this week, and sent an Excel file (thanks to this board for the tip) with part no. and description. I agree, impossible without PlaymoDB. The service does seem sort of pre-interwebby, and I asked whether they couldn't supply a price list - not of everything, but just of the themes I was ordering (Medieval and Pirates as it happens). I guess because the order comes from Germany, prices fluctuate vis-a-vis the strength of the Euro, but a guide list would be great. Anyway, they didn't say anything to my request. On the other hand, I am incredibly impressed that you can ask for obscure little things that haven't been on sale retail for maybe a decade, and they have them! So much more efficient than searching eBay and then paying over the odds.
Playmo DB doesn't, however, have a complete inventory of the Museum (3449), so if anybody has the part number for the large angled roof section, then boy would I be grateful.
This place is an amazing resource so thanks for letting me join.
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Hi Pimpernel,
Pleased to meet you! I'm the admin of PlaymoDB. Believe it or not, the roof piece is un-numbered on the 3449 instructions. However, I wouldn't be surprised if it's like this one from the old train station:
30 02 8580 - Roof end section (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30-02-8580)
You'd need two of those and four of these:
30 02 8590 - Roof corner plate (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30-02-8590)
If you can actually get some of these old Steck pieces from DS, do let us know!
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LEGO pick a brick is not what you thing...
You have 2 way to order parts:
1. Pick a Brick: Few parts and few colors
2. Parts Replacement: Few sets inventoried, you have to search the parts in a unofficial web site (www.peeron), and order by email or phone.
I have used LEGO service many time, and they make a lot of mistakes with parts and colors...
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mmm sounds as if Playmobil is doing it only slightly better. Specially the German site which actually lets you order on line some parts ... Unfortunately not all though.
Bogro
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sbblabotw
Or should I say, dear Heather
Thanks so very much for that - those pieces are exactly what I was looking for. Your database is absolutely invaluable, or should I say an extremely valuable and as far as I can see undervalued (by Playmobil) facility.
Those parts are just the sort of item that might be lurking in a parts bin at the main facility in Germany, forgotten and neglected, but architecturally delightful as they enable some marvellous buildings to be imagined.
I don't know if you have seen the uses to which they've been put, but I found some interesting photographs ...
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oops - a better picture of a different building ...
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Hello, Pimpernel ... :wave:
Or , if you can't find what you're looking for at DS ... Or, if they just never made something you'd like to have ... Do as MacGayver (http://www.macgayverplaymobil.be/) does and just make your own ... ;)
Have you seen his home-manufactured roof corner pieces?
All the best,
Richard
see attachment
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sbblabotw
Or should I say, dear Heather
Thanks so very much for that - those pieces are exactly what I was looking for. Your database is absolutely invaluable, or should I say an extremely valuable and as far as I can see undervalued (by Playmobil) facility.
Beyond value, maybe ... :yup: I agree! (& I'm not in days of using it yet, but it's a wonderful and very useful work, I could notice this already.)
G.
:blackhair:
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Hello Richard
Yes, I saw Maguyver's customs, and I'm extremely impressed with them and with all he does - way beyond anything I could think of attempting! I'll keep searching for the old steck pieces, I think. They're out there somewhere ...
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LEGO pick a brick is not what you thing...
You have 2 way to order parts:
1. Pick a Brick: Few parts and few colors
2. Parts Replacement: Few sets inventoried, you have to search the parts in a unofficial web site (www.peeron), and order by email or phone.
I have used LEGO service many time, and they make a lot of mistakes with parts and colors...
True. Having had a bit more of a play with it, I realise that although LEGO boast 900+ parts on the database, they're mostly the standard shapes. If you want a dozen replacement minifig heads, or some bows or swords, or an unusual shaped brick to augment a set, tough, they're probably not in the database.
So LEGO has the surface right, but the substance is lacking. Playmobil have the substance (if it's still in their warehouse you can have anything for a price) but the presentation and process is lacking.
All the more reason for Playmobil to create a proper spare parts ordering program for their website, it'd show up LEGO and really boost sales, I think.
I'm wondering if with LEGO it's a deliberate ploy only to offer very basic parts with their pick-a-brick option, and I think it must be. It can't be hard to add stuff to the database, so NOT doing so MUST surely be intentional?
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Hello, Martin ...
For what it's worth ...
I heard once (awhile back ... maybe three or four years) that Geobra's dream was to have their entire operation fully automatic and internet accessible.
In other words, you could essentially create your own Playmobil sets on-line. When you pressed the "submit order" button it would tell you if all the parts were available (if not, when they were expected to be produced again). If all the parts were available it would calculate your cost (with shipping). When you checked out (with your credit card) you would be given the shipping date with tracking numbers.
As far as all parts being always available ... The idea was to also have this fully automated, so that only in the event of a malfunction (or other problem) all parts would always be available as there would be a continual replenishing that would also be done automatically.
As you can imagine, to set up such a fully automated system (considering the number of different parts, in different colours, now with different printing, that have been produced over the past thirty plus years) would be a gargantuan undertaking. Just the amount of space to stock such a variety of parts is almost mind boggling.
So, until the machines can be developed, that can actually produce (on demand) any Playmobil figure (or accessory) that you can imagine, we probably won't see this vision of a fully automated system become a reality.
However, there is new technology available (albeit in its infancy) that can reproduce 3D objects in plastic ... much like a printer copies a 2D image on paper.
So, who knows ... someday you may actually be able to retrieve your Playmobil order from your own 3D fax machine ... ;)
All the best,
Richard
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WOW, all this automation would be great...i'm happy to wait :yup:
I just placed a rather long parts order with DS in the UK and they did get back to me pretty quickly with a price and a short list of parts that were not available...but it was a long and labourious process to type out the whole order so any improvement that could be made by way of internet ordering would be a huge help ;D
that said, i can't see me stopping collecting playmobil any time soon so i will keep ordering in the current way for as long as it takes :yup:
claire :wave:
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Hi Martin
I agree with your assement of Lego spare parts service vs. PM.
A Duplo set we bought for our kid was missing some pieces. I was able to go on-line, click a few buttons, and I received the parts within a week.
I don't think such a service would be hard to implement for PM USA, and the fact limited service exists in Germany, but hasn't been exported to the US or UK, is proof of concept enough.
I suspect the parts service is enormously man-power intensive (which is why our orders tend to take a month). PM USA seems to have separate facilities for parts and mainline orders--you can't combine parts and sets orders--so maybe there is some internal bureaucracy / logistics they have to wrestle with over here.
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But, you have to know that LEGO web site is a "business" and Playmobil web site is a Service. I'll explain.
LEGO, has ads in google, they do marketing (exclusive sets, releases sets months before other shops can do, etc..) LEGO website is a competitor to retailers.
But Playmobil web site, is a service to Playmobil Fans and Collectors.
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I can't accept that Playmobil's website isn't run as a business - it sells complete sets in direct competition with retailers, as well as accessory sets that retailers don't get.
I do accept that the Playmobil spare parts service is more of a service than a profit making exercise, but maybe it's time they got with the programme and got better organised. I really think it'd benefit them, increasing sales of all their products, not just spare parts, for the small investment of building a proper system into their website.
Edit - I just noticed that the Customer Services page has been updated on the UK website, to make it more obvious.
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I'm a retailer, and Playmobil always says that is not our competitor, and have a good policy with retailers.
But LEGO web site is the biggest competitor we have, they do almost illegal makerting.....
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Playmobil may say they're not a competitor, but if I buy a set from Playmobil I'm not buying it from a retailer, so from a customer's viewpoint that's still competition...
My biggest problem is that I have no local shops selling Playmobil. There's one TK Maxx store that occasionally has sets in, but not reliably and nothing like a full range - more like the bits nobody else could sell. ARGOS don't carry Playmobil at all, but do carry a limited Lego range. My town is woefully supplied for Toyshops generally, and I'm glad I'm not a kid anymore.
To buy Playmobil from a retailer, I have to travel at least 5 miles by bike, or ten by bus, and then lug it all home again. I've done that a few times, and will again, but if I'm in no hurry for a set, Playmobil's website works for me, and if I order enough I don't even pay postage.
Lego is comparatively easily available, as it is stocked in ARGOS, though only a limited range. If I buy from Lego's website I still pay postage, and prices are the same as elsewhere if not more expensive for some sets, so if I can get it elsewhere I will.
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O.K. But if it's a crummy service, it isn't really a service.
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But, you have to know that LEGO web site is a "business" and Playmobil web site is a Service. I'll explain.
LEGO, has ads in google, they do marketing (exclusive sets, releases sets months before other shops can do, etc..) LEGO website is a competitor to retailers.
But Playmobil web site, is a service to Playmobil Fans and Collectors.
Hi interesting idea, but given that Playmobil recently required all on-line vendors to match its web prices, the Playmobil website would appear to be competing with them. Also, Playmobil offers discounts (pick of the month, best buy, and discontinued) that by inference compete with online retailers who don't match the discount.
I think Playmobil is just less business savvy than Lego in some regards. Not that I miss the adverts.
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In Spain, I think a monkey set the prices of playmobil.es :) some prices are lower than playmobil.de but the prices to retailer is a 10% higher that german retailers, so we have 15% less margin than German retailers....
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Playmobil has some weirdisms in the USA.
Example:
It pays to order the catalog over the web or phone (even if you receive a catalog with an order).
Playmobil doesn't mail out the individually requested catalog until late spring, but when it arrives, it includes an special ordering insert that comes with coupons. The coupons are bogus--they reflect the web special of the month, but are useful because they reveal future month specials.
In the special insert, there is a discontinued section. The discontinued section isn't completely available off the web--even if you type in the set number (example: Dino Expedition 4170 from 2004 is for sale, but not available off web (EDIT: I mean from the web).
Why not? I had to make a phone order today (alternative: fax) to order the Dino Expedition. Why? (Note: it will become available from the web in August, when it is the "Pick of the Month" and at a 25% discount, according to one of the coupons).
Maybe there's a business plan behind all this. But it seems disorganized. The bright side is that the stuff listed only in the special paper inserts keep me in suspense for a few months until it comes out.
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I just do not see where the big problem is ? The web site lets you order all you want , if it is out they send you a email notice when it is in . Heather's site lets you find part #'s you might not have . It is a toll free # to order parts and they are quite reasonably priced . The telephone staff it quite understanding of the long lists of #'s. It really does not take that long considering each part has to be found in a warehouse, bagged up , boxed , then shipped . I kind of like it the way it is . If the parts ordering was automated i have a hunch lots more parts would be out of stock and sometimes permanently. If they were to put a capital investment into some high tech system then the top brass might get the bright idea to offset the financial loss and increase all the parts prices .
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I just do not see where the big problem is ? The web site lets you order all you want , if it is out they send you a email notice when it is in . Heather's site lets you find part #'s you might not have . It is a toll free # to order parts and they are quite reasonably priced . The telephone staff it quite understanding of the long lists of #'s. It really does not take that long considering each part has to be found in a warehouse, bagged up , boxed , then shipped . I kind of like it the way it is . If the parts ordering was automated i have a hunch lots more parts would be out of stock and sometimes permanently. If they were to put a capital investment into some high tech system then the top brass might get the bright idea to offset the financial loss and increase all the parts prices .
I agree! ( For now ... ) ... :klickywink:
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The web site lets you order all you want , if it is out they send you a email notice when it is in .
This is incorrect.
Refer to my previous message.
Playmobil offers some items on its paper insert that aren't available through the web. Like 4170 Dino Expedition and the Dino Transport. This currently available for order (I ordered one), but you must go through the phone rep (this isn't a direct sale parts order, but a standard box set order).
It isn't a big deal, it just seems disorganized. Or maybe they want to give their phone operators a raison d'etre.
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Tim it just may be a way of allowing some people to get that " special feeling " that they can order something not offered to the general public. There is quite a lot of marketing ( craft, art, style, talent, job, ????? ) that goes into things that to the ordinary person seems irrational . I personally like the secrecy of the discounted clearance items flyer that sometimes appears in a box. It makes me feel like i am somebody in an otherwise meaningless life ;D