PlaymoFriends
General => News => Topic started by: Rasputin on January 12, 2011, 18:41:20
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HI
I read all the time about how much we want this set and that set to be re-released and how great life for us and for Playmobil would be. Life for us would be so great that we could finally get that set for a decent price and order the extras to complete our old ones. Life for Playmobil would be great as they would see the items fly off the shelfs due to such high demand that they would actually be ignorant to pass up the opportunity to make a profit.
Now what I started looking at was my own purchasing habits. I was very thrilled that the old 5342 Fish Market was going to hit the mold machines once again in a scaled down version 7455. I was thrilled that I could get that table and many other bits I wanted for years but did not want to pay the "rare" prices. Now when it finally came to the US I immediately bought one, yes a whole one. Now I had planned on picking up more but other items with higher priority soon came. Now some time has passed and I see it is on clearance at PM-US so I naturally pick up 4 more. Well if I who was so thrilled at the news only end up with 5 could this really keep Playmobil's interest? Now if 200 PF members each bought 5 that is still only 1000 sets sold to this group of collectors and how many of us really did buy 5? From what I remember Playmobil has a minimum of 10,000 units per run ? That would take 2000 collectors to buy 5 and few purchase that many of anything. Now this is why I think it is now on clearance.
Now how many of us are going to buy 5, 10 or even 15 of the Victorian Fence that Playmobil decided to re-produce? I just received my first one, yes again I only bought one and I do plan on buying many more (it is really beautiful and my first one ever) but how many of us that have desire lists for re-productions actually are willing to buy dozens of them?
Now one example I can think of that may have worked out for Playmobil's sake is the Framework houses. They were expensive but they decided to not only make the red one but we saw a blue one and then a yellow one. I think there is such a large broad group of buyers that this may (speculation) have worked out .
The question I ask is that with all the topics on what we want to see re-produced how many of us are actually putting our money where our mouths are? I know by looking at my collection I am only putting about 50ยข of my dollar in my mouth . I really want to see Playmobil continue this pattern of re-productions but if the people who are asking are not supportive I feel it will not continue especially with the "club" idea and all.
Now not to confuse the two I do not see the "Classic Editions" as a collectors re-production. I view them as two different categories. The classic seems to be a more nostalgic and sometimes a cheep way for a parent to get a vehicle (fire, construction or etc.). The "Collectors Editions" (as I like to call them) seem to be less kid friendly ideas and usually reflect our desires. How many kids ask for an old house, fish stand, fence and if they were to happen (fingers crossed) the items on the "Clubs" list (large barrel, windmill, more houses, water tower, etc...)
Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
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Well I for certain would be one of those who is willing to get a lot of a single item or set re-production if its of interest to me!
I already have a bout 150 4583 - Sentry (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=4583) and I still need more... The less I have payed for one is 2 euros and the highest is about 8 euros, if I recall correctly. If laymobil would decided to roduce them at a DS bag I'd buy, not sure about a number, but certainly a lot of them
I also have bought a lot of legionaires, Union and Confederate soldiers, red coats from DS...and I need more. I only hope I was living in Athens so I could visit the funpark more often and get more. I'd certainly wanted to buy more western cannons and its a real pity they are discontinued. I'd love to get more framework houses for a medievel town.... I could go on but you get the picture ;D
On the ''Classic Editions'' issue, I don't find it at all different...I think the same would apply! I have already bought most of them but not in big numbers. But if playmobil decided to re-produce the 3525 fire engine I'd certainly buy 10 of them! Its a set I'd love to have and never managed to as a child. I'd also buy lots of playmospace vehicles.... always planing on a big playmospace diorama ;D
So yeah, I am one of those who would buy a single set lots of times and make playmobil's time worthwhile!
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HI
The ones I consider "Collectors Editions"
Market Stall
Fish Stand
Red Timber House
Blue Timber House
Yellow Timber House
Victorian Fence
Sheriff's Office
Medieval house w/Barn
Pirates Dungeon
The ones I consider "Classic Editions"
Green Construction Truck
Orange Construction Truck
Garbage Truck
Fire Truck
Police Boat
Western Stagecoach
Did I miss any (I must have?)
Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
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Well, there are collectors who love the construction and city service themes, so these are probably considered by them as collectors editions too... I certainly feel that way about the fire truck (my first ever playmobil set and true love :love:) the police boat and the western stage coach, of which I have four, and I'd like to get a few more!
So its really up to a person's subjectivity what is collectable and what is not, just my :2c: :)
There are of course these sets that are collector's editions by themselves like all the ones you have listed as being collectable, and to which list I will fully agree!
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HI
I mean if you want to get technical, in here everything Playmobil makes is a collectible to us.
I am just separating the two as- ones Playmobil makes for the general market and the ones that seem to only suit collectors . How many generic parents would buy their kid a Pirate Dungeon where as a generic parent is much more likely to buy a $15 classic fire truck . They all really fall under the umbrella of re-releases but I see the "Collectors Edition" as a group that we as a community should try to influence , as long as we are willing to really buy them to keep the trend going so we someday can get real influence over the DS line.
I really would like to know how much we actually support this trend and if it has a chance of continuing.
Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
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I guess the best example is the big beer barrel. Probably most parents are not interested in buying this for their children. A re-release would clearly be for collectors.
But I think we may be seriously under-estimating the number of collectors out there. maybe there are only 400 here on the english forum, but what about spanish, french and especially german forums? many of them are not here, as they don't speak english. Plus you have to remember that MANY, i might even venture to say the majority, of collectors out there don't know any of these forums exist. I only found out recently, but I was definitely contributing to playmobil's bottom line before I was known of in the collector community or knew i wasn't the only adult who spent all my money on toys. I'm sure that is the case of nearly everyone here, and the story will continue to be repeated again and again. More people join all the time.
My point is that worldwide, I am sure that there are thousands of adult collectors who are interested in these rare pieces. Few of them are going to see these old items re-released and not get at least one for their collection, and if it is a part of the theme they collect, some will buy dozens. I think the 10,000 set minimum can be reached very easily on most of the items we have been clamouring for.
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I already have a bout 150 4583 - Sentry (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=4583) and I still need more... The less I have payed for one is 2 euros and the highest is about 8 euros, if I recall correctly. If laymobil would decided to roduce them at a DS bag I'd buy, not sure about a number, but certainly a lot of them
Hi Playmobil did re-issue this figure in a blister . This is how I ended up with the ones I have (http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=2705.0)
Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
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I have bought many of the same sets that were available when I started collecting Playmobil in 2005. I limit myself to the themes i like and have bought less as the economy took a nose dive, especially since Target stopped carrying Playmobil.
Some sets I have bought just a few and others, all I could find, for example, sets that I have bought more than 20 of:
25x 4245 22x 4616 50x 4643 20x 4644 20x 4666 22x 5788 20x 5792 60x 5825
53x 5888 23x 4632 28x 5827 49x 7878 69x 5848
I own some 1,252 sets total. My interest is in playing wargames with Playmobil.
-- Donmobil
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HI Bonnie
The barrel has not even been made yet, and I do hope it is a "yet". How many parents do you figure were interested in 7377 "Pirates Dungeon" for a set. It does not fit any castle or building system that is currently made and is even offered in a bare bones pirate theme. Now I hear members all day long say "Bring Back Stecks" but they have in sets like these. Are members buying them by the dozens to support Playmobil's move. We have long wanted for the Victorian fence but is Playmobil so over run with orders they will soon run out?
I really am curious if say an add on of the barrel or say 7400 was to even hit Mr B's desk would people really buy them as much as they talk about it ? I really feel this is vital information due to it validating our wishes to the company. The information is - are collectors already supporting the re-releases in large enough volume? I know I am not yet but what about others?
Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
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Hi Danmobil
Thanks for your reply but most if not all of those are regular sets. What I am talking about is how much support does the DS system get from collectors in forums where we are so eager to tell Playmobil what they should re-release. Are we really buying the Victorian fences in such great numbers that will warrant Playmobil interest in re-releasing others? Your example actually shows that Playmobil should not re-release old items but continue making new ones as those are the ones collectors are buying in greatest numbers.
Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
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I think it entirely depends on the item. Some are worth bringing back; others are not. Personally, I have my doubts about the beer barrel (sorry everyone), but there are a LOT of people who collect medieval theme, so maybe it would sell. But I'll put it this way. I would hate to see it be one of the first things they try out, because if it fails miserably, they may be less likely to listen to us.
The victorian fence on the other hand (which is already back) is much more likely to succeed. There are also a lot of people who collect victorian theme, and even though the fence is a strange color, paint fixes that. Add to this the fact that it is a set likely to be used in multiples. A person might be very likely to want quite a bit of fencing for a diorama, maybe dozens of sets worth. but unless someone is doing a custom wine cellar (which would be cool) large quantities of beer barrels are not likely to be needed for one diorama. The fence also could be used with many other themes, as this type of fencing is still very common in the real world, making it useful in all modern themes.
I guess what i'm saying is we need to be cautious in what we request first. Some things would be nice to have eventually, but maybe should not be what playmobil uses to test out the market. If we demand items that are too obscure and too collector-specific, they may fail and playmobil may stop listening.
As far as what is already happening, i have not bought the victorian fence yet, but it is very high on my wish list and I am extremely likely to end up with quite a few of them. And I do not even collect the victorian theme.
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Hi Danmobil
Your example actually shows that Playmobil should not re-release old items but continue making new ones as those are the ones collectors are buying in greatest numbers.
Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
My point was how many sets I have bought that were available, to show Playmobil and others that people like me are willing to buy sets in large numbers not only in current sets but re-releases of past sets that were discountinued before I started buying.
In my experience with DS is that it is not as effective as it should be. How many parts are stored that most do not know about. You put in a call to them and they look up the piece and tell you how many and the price, but if you do not ask...
There should be an online list with parts available for one to look at what is there and choose what they need. I would also like to see a section on DS where one could list the parts they need. This would let Playmobil see what consumers want and consider making them, this should include sets people want and would buy if they were re-isued.
-- Donmobil
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Excellent topic and discussion - thanks for getting this started, Rasputin! :wave:
Right now, there is no way to determine whether demand for any particular set or item comes mostly or entirely from "collectors." As bonniebeth has already pointed out, the online fan forums, such as Playmofriends, are probably just the tip of the iceberg. Many people who buy a lot of Playmobil may not even self-identify as being a collector. I don't call myself a collector even though I probably own more of the stuff than a lot of people who do consider themselves to be collectors.
What does it even mean to be a collector? Some people like to buy and display MISB sets while other folks just want to get it out of the box and display it or play with it. Others are buying it for their children (that was my own particular slippery slope ;D .) Some folks use Playmobil as part of a particular hobby such as wargaming, filmmaking, miniature customizing, etc. Because there are so many different kinds of "collectors" there are also many different reasons why a person might buy multiple sets or mass quantities of a particular part. All these different types of uses also make it difficult to predict which sets or parts will be most desired by all of the different types of collectors.
Different types of collectors will want different things. The MISB collectors will not want exact re-issues of classic sets Like the Victorian mansion, fence, car, and truck because that would affect the value/rarity of their own collection. On the other hand, a lot of people who want to play with their Playmobil really want those sets. A simple solution is to re-issue this type of set in bags or plain brown boxes and sell them directly from Playmobil (Direct Service.) Also, the whole "Steck, steck, steck" cry is not about wanting a set like the 7377 pirate dungeon - I already have more than enough skeletons, dogs, buckets, battlements, etc. but I do have a peculiar fondness for that grill door (only available in these "carcel" sets) and I might buy more of them individually as parts, if that were possible. I think the particular need/desire here is for unusual parts (such as the Steck balcony, the large beer barrel, clogs, milkmaid's thingie, lectern, etc.)
There is a very easy and efficient way to find out what items "collectors" will buy: just ask them. If Playmobil were to gather information about all of their customers around the world who order directly from them (whether by mail, phone, or online) and keep that information in a database then they could begin to develop profiles of the "collector" community. They could also ask those customers about their store purchases. They could ask those customers what they would buy if it were offered. As an incentive to provide this information to Playmobil, the company could offer something in return. They already provide free shipping for orders above a certain value as well as free stuff like keychains, etc. Playmobil needs a way to directly link the customer and his/her particular wants and needs to that person's actual purchases in order to fully develop the different "collector" profiles. One very efficient way to accomplish this would be to establish a Playmobil-based collector's club through which the members make all of their direct purchases and to which they could report all of their store purchases (even ebay purchases.) This type of data could be very useful to Playmobil's marketing department and the most efficient way to gather it is at the point of sale.
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My point was how many sets I have bought that were available, to show Playmobil and others that people like me are willing to buy sets in large numbers not only in current sets but re-releases of past sets that were discountinued before I started buying.
In my experience with DS is that it is not as effective as it should be. How many parts are stored that most do not know about. You put in a call to them and they look up the piece and tell you how many and the price, but if you do not ask...
There should be an online list with parts available for one to look at what is there and choose what they need. I would also like to see a section on DS where one could list the parts they need. This would let Playmobil see what consumers want and consider making them, this should include sets people want and would buy if they were re-isued.
-- Donmobil
I totally agree with everything said in this post!
Another thing: the new Victorian Fence is yellow to match the newer houses, isn't it? I would only be interested in buying it if it were the original cream color, and therefore, a true "re-issue." It is good to have the fence available in this new color to go with the new houses but that doesn't help us folks who have the older houses. :'(
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Excellent ideas everyone! This topic does ask some perplexing questions about what impact collectors have on Playmobil's decisions on production, & there are so many ways for PM to find out what desires, the adult sector wants! IMHO, Playmobil is finally attempting to capture the adult collectors market, but doing so in a very reserved approach so it doesn't fizzle out! It is true that most collectors want reissues of retired items to contain the exact contents as their originals, & it really doesn't matter to them about lowering an originals value. I personally don't collect Playmobil to see it increase in value like gold! I enjoy the products, but MISB items I don't have due to my failure to keep things sealed! I subcomb to temptation so value goes out of the window! A perfect example is the Victorian fence as mentioned, it's a different color to match the newer versions, that many serious collectors would consider a dud! I don't like the idea that if you want to match the old version, you would be required to paint them! Is it inconceivable to issue 2 versions at the same time since the molds are the same, but doing so in one of each respective color? The large beer hideaway barrel is another subject that depends on collectors tastes. I would buy maybe 1 to 3 at the most, but 10 to 30 no way! But put the 3526 fire engine back into production with everything the same as the original for $30.00, & I'd be tempted to buy at least 10, because of my attraction to that particular set :love:! The original 7786 small ladder fire truck classic edition did not interest me in the least! I did not even consider purchasing it for any reason, but a lot of people like it due to their association with it through their childhood, but I'm sure not many bought multiples of that set! Everyone has preferences, & it will be difficult for Playmobil to fill them all, but I applaud them for trying, & asking for our opinions!
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. . . From what I remember Playmobil has a minimum of 10,000 units per run ? . . .
I was remembering that number, too - does anybody remember where that number originally came from? Does anyone know more about this minimum number? For example, does it mean a factory run of 10,000 identical parts or a retail order of at least 10,000 sets? Does this minimum still apply? Playmobil has made many improvements to their factories over the past decade and they may have more flexibility now.
Here are some interesting articles about Playmobil's recent manufacturing upgrades:
An article about injection molding (http://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/from-the-field-programming-software-for-producing-playmobile-toy-molds)
Another article (http://www.sescoi.com/casestudies/pdf/wnc-playmobil.pdf)
One more (http://www.plasticstoday.com/articles/playmobil-orders-30-presses-sumitomo-demag)
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If the beer barrel comes available I would buy no more than five. I bet they would sell like hotcakes. Mainly because I believe some people would buy extras to sell at a later date when its no longer available.
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I'd buy ten beer barels for my inn diorama!!! ;D ;D ;D Also, I loooooove beer!!! :**:
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I might seriously consider buying about two dozen in order to do a zorro scene in a wine cellar.
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The Hobbit movie is being made now, so how about a bunch of barrels for the dwarves to escape from the Mirkwood Elves? ;D
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Hi
Thanks for the input everyone, some very interesting points of view :wow:
PS: Danmobil, your comments about Playmobil Parts System are so true and a whole new can of worms. The direct service or DS is the department that also handles the "Add Ons" or items that come in bags like the new Victorian fence. Also I was once told by the department that if you try to order a part and it is indeed discontinued the request is stored in a database for future use. So from this I always keep known discontinued items in my email orders. Maybe Playmobil will use this info as a demand chart ?? I guess I should put the barrel on it as well ;)
Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
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I am told the same story too. Maybe we should send them order of rare parts telling them how determined we are getting the discontinued items, such as the violin and cello set :wave:
Hi
Thanks for the input everyone, some very interesting points of view :wow:
PS: Danmobil, your comments about Playmobil Parts System are so true and a whole new can of worms. The direct service or DS is the department that also handles the "Add Ons" or items that come in bags like the new Victorian fence. Also I was once told by the department that if you try to order a part and it is indeed discontinued the request is stored in a database for future use. So from this I always keep known discontinued items in my email orders. Maybe Playmobil will use this info as a demand chart ?? I guess I should put the barrel on it as well ;)
Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
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I am told the same story too. Maybe we should send them order of rare parts telling them how determined we are getting the discontinued items, such as the violin and cello set :wave:
Hi
As a business they certainly should. If they were getting 100 requests from people a week for a given part they would be foolish not to take notice. If this would ever equate to the part ever being produced is yet to be seen.
I do not know if it is some other issue but I have tried to order a certain train part for years and I kept getting the same answer "Discontinued" but I persisted . Then one day my order of 4 was granted and now I have them . Why this happened, I can only guess
Rasputin "The Mad Monk"