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General => Report & Review => Topic started by: Rasputin on August 31, 2008, 04:26:25

Title: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Rasputin on August 31, 2008, 04:26:25
Well lets just start off with "Made in China" I really do not need to say more but i will . It was $19.99, The wheels are hard plastic, no doors open , the water pump reservoir is tiny , it is ugly and i am returning it tomorrow for a real Playmobil set . I do not want this thing anywhere near my other Fire Trucks . sorry for the bad review but this is one of the worst sets ever . I am writing Playmobil and complaining . :'(
(http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/4820/p1010060cg1.jpg)
(http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/1485/p1010061fq4.jpg)
(http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/1116/p1010062tm0.jpg)
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Gepetto on August 31, 2008, 05:21:53
Nice photos Rasputin! But I agree with you, that is one cheap looking fire truck!



Gepetto
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Rasputin on August 31, 2008, 06:11:37
Thanks Gepeto but i am going to throw them away . I do not even want to remember this set years from now .

I plan on smashing the truck up to avoid the embarrassment to playmobil when i return it to TRU >:D
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Gepetto on August 31, 2008, 06:28:27
Rasputin,

You should return the truck so they have to take responsibility for it, it will cost them more to have to deal with the return and so they may reflect on their shortsightedness. The funds could then be applied towards proper Playmobil items that are more deserving! If you destroy the truck it will be game over, they will feel the truck sold and so that must be the future.

Let your righteous indignation rain down upon them!! But return the truck.



Gepetto
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: playmofire on August 31, 2008, 06:31:24
Thanks for the review, Ra, which confirms what I thought - this is not good enough for Playmobil's name to be on it.  I agree though with Gepetto that you should return the set and say why and make them work for their sins, as well as writing to Playmobil at Zirndorf.
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Martin Milner on August 31, 2008, 09:07:44
...this is not good enough for Playmobil's name to be on it.

Absolutely right, Gordon, they should be ashamed.  :'(

Oh my sainted aunt, as my mother says. What on earth were they thinking? Is this really designed by Playmobil, or is it actually a knock off? With apologies to Tim, if Playmobil use their Chinese factories to produce crap of this sort, they're not helping to improve the image of Chinese produced toys. First we had the 5840 wing shedding chicken dragon, and now this.

NONE of the panels open from the look of the thing, but as there are no tools I guess they don't need to, because there's nothing to store anyway.

HARD wheels? As Playmo vehicles have had soft wheels for years, one can only assume that either this is deliberate design change or they used the wrong plastic, and nobody noticed or cared.

This appears to be the replacement for the excellent 3880 Fire truck. The only thing I dislike about that is it only carries two men, but as we've said before many times, Playmobil design represents, it does not reproduce.

Ras, if you can, get some scans of the instructions (if there are any) before taking it back, at least Heather's Playmodb can benefit from this Playmo-abortion.

I haven't had the courtesy of a response to my last email to Playmobil (about getting Roman figures in UK Museum Shops), possibly because I emailed to the Customer Services address given on their UK website. This time I think I'll send the email directly to my DS contact (who at least I know exists) and ask her to pass it on to the appropriate department.

I think I understand their intent - presumably the designers had been asked to produce a fire truck for under $20 for the US market, but couldn't they have used the 3880 truck, and cut out all the extras which make Playmobil such an excellent (if expensive) toy?

This thing is a red plastic box that looks like a fire truck, but I'm not sure kids wouldn't be better off with a cardboard box, at least that way things could be stored inside.

Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: playmofire on August 31, 2008, 11:18:18

This appears to be the replacement for the excellent 3880 Fire truck. The only thing I dislike about that is it only carries two men, but as we've said before many times, Playmobil design represents, it does not reproduce



I'm sure it's not, Martin, something like this would bomb completely in Europe.  I think there will be a new fire engine for2009 using the Unimog chassis of the new construction truck.  Having said that, our idea of a basic 3880 for Target make sense, but it lacks the American profile which Target presumably want.
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Rasputin on August 31, 2008, 14:36:29
I plan on smashing the truck up to avoid the embarrassment to playmobil when i return it to TRU >:D

I just do not want them to be able to resell it  ;)

I just could not believe this was Playmobil at all . Maybe Playmobil is doing this on purpose to prove some kind of point ? Look how low quality the Chinese are ? We gave them the opportunity to make our distinguished toy and look how it turned out in their hands .  Just a long shot that i am hoping is a better explanation than Playmobil dumbing down the toy for the US market .
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Gepetto on August 31, 2008, 18:03:38
I really don't think they  would try to resell the item, especially if the packaging were somehow compromised (wink,wink) but still returnable. I wonder if this truck and the chicken dragon are quality tests in a market considered too small to make an impact (USA) before implementation in a major market (Europe)? I appreciate they may feel the US market is more cost driven than quality driven but the fact that local chains like Fred Meyer (owned by Kroger) and Kmart are starting to carry Playmobil and that Target has been slow to restock means a shift in marketing strategy?


Gepetto
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Martin Milner on August 31, 2008, 19:45:22
I wonder if this truck and the chicken dragon are quality tests in a market considered too small to make an impact (USA) before implementation in a major market (Europe)? I appreciate they may feel the US market is more cost driven than quality driven but the fact that local chains like Fred Meyer (owned by Kroger) and Kmart are starting to carry Playmobil and that Target has been slow to restock means a shift in marketing strategy?


Gepetto

That seems unlikely. As Gordon says, the style of the truck is for the US market, and the firefighters too are US in style. The packaging (for the chicken dragon) is for the North American Market. These arrive in the UK occasionally, but I think as surplus stock rather than a deliberate Playmobil policy.

Add to that the fat that Playmobil has been in the Uk for nearly 35 years, and people know what to expect. If they start dombing down and cheapening the product too much, they're more likely to drive away current buyers than attract new ones.

I just don't get this set. The truck is so simple, it's like it's not aimed at the usual market at all. It's just so.... Fisher Price. 
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Gustavo on August 31, 2008, 20:10:36


I won't try to figure out ...
Too weird.

& I don't want to take the blame away from Playmobil for mistakes; they should take care about what they put in the market. And I agree : You should send it back.

Maybe I should write to Playmobil myself ...

It's so bad to see that we can't simply buy just anything from Playmobil anymore, but have to be careful (?!?!!) ... True is that many children will not complain. We collectors suffer badly, though :hmm:

Gus
:blackhair:
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Jahme88 on September 01, 2008, 02:45:47
Such a shame that this set is such sub-par bunko. :(  The klickies look rather nice.....but I don't think I can deal with those horrible hard plastic wheels just to obtain the firefighter figures. >:(

I was going to purchase this for my nephews.....but I don't think I want to now.  I want to boycott these poor quality abominations. I didn't fall in love with this high quality, European-made toyline just to watch it farm it'self out to the global cheap machine.    :o :-\

I wonder which plant the "Fire Rescue Helicopter" is coming from?
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: socrates on September 02, 2008, 08:50:36
I cant believe something like this is produced under official playmobil license... >:(

The figures are nice, though,...

best,
socrates
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on September 03, 2008, 15:55:43
Hi everyone!
 I went to TRU today, & was able to find only one of the 5843 fire engines in the whole store, because I wanted to see it for myself! When I asked the sales associate how they were selling, I was told that I was lucky to find one because they couldn't keep them on the shelves  :hmm:! The associate said TRU was at the mercy of the suppling warehouse of what items they received on their restocking order. I am like Rasputin in this review! This item is horrible! I cannot believe that Playmobil has resorted to this level of quality & market thirst >:(! I am at this point spoiled from the quality of the retired 3526 & 3880 fire engine's :P. I am going to return this item, because I don't want Playmobil to have my purchase as a positive market reflection on this item  :hissyfit:! I am totally dismayed in regards to the function of this item. All I can figure is Playmobil is going to have two markets for its items in this country. One for the higher scale buyer in the mom & pop, brick & mortar stores, & one for the mass market level Targets, & TRU's. As far as a collector goes, this is a disgrace to the Playmobil name, & I will not endorse this type of quality ever! The only thing that worries me is that Playmobil is receiving a wrong market response to this type of product due to the level of sales with no negative reviews! People are buying this item because of the reputation of quality from the Playmobil name at a can't pass it up price! But I question if people even know what the Playmobil name represents like we do? Do they then swear off buying anything from Playmobil again in the future due to getting Fisher Price quality? I challenge everyone not to buy these inferior Playmobil toys like the chicken dragon with shedding wings, & this poor excuse for a fire engine wanna be, & if they have, to return them to let Playmobil know to change their course of development, or we all may regret not doing anything, because we may be the only voice they will hear! I'll get off my soap box now, ' cause I'm on my way back to TRU to return this piece of   :evilplan:! Oh, & by the way! The instructions for the fire engine wanna be are written in all foreign languages, so it's possible that everyone around the world may get this little slice of heaven in the future instead of a unimog type vehicle?! BEWARE!!!!
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Martin Milner on September 03, 2008, 16:31:01
When I asked the sales associate how they were selling, I was told that I was lucky to find one because they couldn't keep them on the shelves  :hmm:! The associate said TRU was at the mercy of the suppling warehouse of what items they received on their restocking order.

Well now I'm very confused about how the US toy buying public go about their business.

Are these Fire Trucks selling to previous buyers of Playmobil, or to people who aspire to own Playmobil but couldn't afford a proper fire truck with all the tools and bits?

If the former, will they be disappointed to find that you don't get much more than a box on wheels for $20, or did they think all the tools and bits just got broken or hoovered up, and they're glad not to have them?

If the latter, are they happy to find that you don't get much more than a box on wheels for $20, and did they think all the tools and bits just added to thew price for no purpose, and they're glad not to buy them?

How do they know about this truck if they don't already shop for Playmobil? Are there big signs on the shop saying "Playmobil quality at Bargain Basement Prices".

In the long run, as Bill says, does this mean we'll have two streams of Playmobil, the stuff with all the tools and quality, and the stripped down sets? Or will the former slowly vanish in a puff od short-term profits?

Finally, what are these cut-price cut-contents sets doing for Playmobil's reputation and luxury market niche placement? Will the US public be saying, "Playmobil? That's just like Fisher Price, isn't it?"


Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on September 03, 2008, 16:56:52
Well now I'm very confused about how the US toy buying public go about their business.

Are these Fire Trucks selling to previous buyers of Playmobil, or to people who aspire to own Playmobil but couldn't afford a proper fire truck with all the tools and bits?

If the former, will they be disappointed to find that you don't get much more than a box on wheels for $20, or did they think all the tools and bits just got broken or hoovered up, and they're glad not to have them?

If the latter, are they happy to find that you don't get much more than a box on wheels for $20, and did they think all the tools and bits just added to thew price for no purpose, and they're glad not to buy them?

How do they know about this truck if they don't already shop for Playmobil? Are there big signs on the shop saying "Playmobil quality at Bargain Basement Prices".

In the long run, as Bill says, does this mean we'll have two streams of Playmobil, the stuff with all the tools and quality, and the stripped down sets? Or will the former slowly vanish in a puff od short-term profits?

Finally, what are these cut-price cut-contents sets doing for Playmobil's reputation and luxury market niche placement? Will the US public be saying, "Playmobil? That's just like Fisher Price, isn't it?"




Hello Martin!

I'm glad to have you weigh in on this subject!

The wanna be was cleverly disguised on the shelves with the new circus, dinosaurs, roman, skate park, & other quality themes! It is true that most of the accessories that come with the previous Playmobil items are irresponsibly lost or "hoovered up" within a week after purchase, but I feel that is the parents fault for not showing children responsibility of taking care of a high end purchase! When I first got into Playmobil in 1998 at the time of the 3880 fire engine entrance, it was going for approximately $50.00 to $55.00. At that time Playmobil franchises were under contract to sell for the suggested retail price with no internet sales! The 3879 ladder truck went for approximately $65.00 to $69.00 new! Then there were around 8 brick & mortar toy stores in this area. Now that number has dwindled to 3 :'(. And as I reported earlier, Martin, the instructions are in all languages, a scary thought, ey?
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: playmofire on September 03, 2008, 17:20:29
And as I reported earlier, Martin, the instructions are in all languages, a scary thought, ey?

Hopefully, that's only with an eye on low price foreign markets.  Certainly, any move by Playmobil to this level of quality in general and I'll be one customer leaving them, but I'm sure it won't come to that.  And to try and see that is the case, I'm going to write to Zirndorf expressing my disappointment at their move.
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: LHAAP on September 03, 2008, 17:30:04
I don't think PLAYMOBIL's home market will accept this quality  :hmm:
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Jahme88 on September 03, 2008, 20:33:56
We have to remember that 99% of the time these are not flying off the shelves because of collectors who are mindful of the overall quality.  Instead these are being snapped up by little fellas, who are walking the aisles with their mom's, who see a brightly colored firetruck and begin to beg for it.  Mom notices a decent price and the niffty features of the water pump, lights and sound and plunks it into the cart.

Mom and Dad will bring the truck home, put it together and hand it to Junior.....never to pay any attention to quality and construction, or perhaps they will mumble something about toys getting cheaper and cheaper these days, yadda yadda.  Probably they will be oblivious to the fact that Playmobil vehicles traditionally have rubber tires and better plastic.  They won't care that it doesn't have a bunch of tiny accessories for Junior to swallow, in fact that may well be why they decided to finally buy a blue box for Junior, as he has a habit of gnawing on everything he plays with.  The little fella will develop an attachment for his firefighter klickies and the next time they go toy shopping, Mom might buy him some more blue box items, since he "loved that firetruck so much."

Ya never know.



I am in no way happy with this new low quality in the US mass market, but, are we, the small community of collectors going to sway them from their business plan when the key customer is not us.....but that wide-eyed little fella at the toystore and his parents.

Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on September 04, 2008, 00:53:18

I am in no way happy with this new low quality in the US mass market, but, are we, the small community of collectors going to sway them from their business plan when the key customer is not us.....but that wide-eyed little fella at the toystore and his parents.




I only hope that Playmobil's history of quality dose not fall victim to the tantrums of American children during an impulse buy! Why have the low quality items started showing up in this country recently, & what makes us think that other future Playmobil themes will not be compromised also? If Playmobil does not think anyone cares about their quality, & we don't tell them like these little wide-eyed fellows parents should, why should Playmobil care? As stated in the earlier posts in this thread, other countries would not accept this low grade quality, so why should we? The made in China effect, Dragons with shedding wings, wanna be fire trucks, what next? All Playmobil vehicles assembled with plastic tires? No accessories which is what makes this toy line so great for a child's imagination, & has hooked faithful collectors like us? It may take people like us to make Playmobil realize that their efforts through the years have not been in vain! That the reason children have grown up, & have started collecting again with their children, & grandchildren, is the reputation for quality & attention to detail from when they were a child, not because it's shiny red, & squirts water theory. Playmobil has maintained their standard of quality for nearly 30+ years, why would they want to tarnish it now?
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Jahme88 on September 04, 2008, 05:49:50
It's looking like their business plan involves limited low quality production in China for US Mass Market releases....which can sometimes show up later in other countries.   

But isn't everything else in the regular catalog still of the same quality we are used to, on the whole?  Certainly the overall quality of Playmobil will not suffer because of this ill-gotten US marketing plan.

If I purchased an item from any other toy company for my daughter and felt let down by the quality, I most likely would not write the company and complain.  Playmobil is different.  I collect it.  Those are MY toys. 

I complained and moaned up a storm about the painted Roman arms.  The problem was fixed although I ended up feeling like a nagging nerdy ninny in the end.

I do agree with your call to us collectors.....don't buy it.  Don't buy that wing-ding Dragon either.

But I just don't know if any of our protests to the company will do much in the end.  The bottom line is the bottom line.  If these sets are selling, that is enough to validate their business plan. 

We can hope though.
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: playmofire on September 04, 2008, 06:04:18

But I just don't know if any of our protests to the company will do much in the end.  The bottom line is the bottom line.  If these sets are selling, that is enough to validate their business plan. 


But the risk is it's short-term gains at the expense of long-term growth.  If PM gets associated with cheap, poor quality toys which do little to stimulate a child, then it will affect the core, higher income PM market, while if low cost releases aren't continued and expanded, then then low income market will get bored and shop elsewhere.
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Jahme88 on September 04, 2008, 06:23:04
But the risk is it's short-term gains at the expense of long-term growth.  If PM gets associated with cheap, poor quality toys which do little to stimulate a child, then it will affect the core, higher income PM market, while if low cost releases aren't continued and expanded, then then low income market will get bored and shop elsewhere.

All true.  I guess that is the risk they are taking by producing these sub-par offerings.  The short-term gains must be pretty juicy. ::)

But they had to do something.....the higher end "educational" toy-store market is dying if not already dead here in the US.  This was their answer to marketing in this slowed economy, as sad as it is. :-\

I just don't think this type of junk will affect the rest of the regular line.  It seems like we have always gotten the cast-off "after thought" sets here in the US, except now it's more obvious and they have a production facility in China just for the US market.  :hmm:  Yay.
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on September 04, 2008, 12:12:05
My thoughts about the MADE IN CHINA theory is that type of investment is looking like a broader market saturation endeavor! Why would a company such as Playmobil that has kept its quality control, & market value so closely watched through out its history, by its mother company, suddenly open a production plant for just one market place? Especially after the very recent China lead paint issue where Playmobil dealers were able to say up until now, that Playmobil has always been carefully manufactured in Europe? It seems they are shooting themselves in the foot right now of all times! My true concern is about the compromise of other Playmobil future theme items! If as a group that understands their quality, & doesn't bring to light that it is not in their best interests to pursue this marketing strategy, shedding wing dragons, & wanna be fire trucks may become the norm! Jahme88, you have proven that even 1 voice can make a difference, the Roman collectors no longer have painted armed figures to worry about! Job well done, you "nagging nerdy ninny" ;)!
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: playmofire on September 04, 2008, 15:00:33
It's bombed on klickywelt - cheap production, the low point is probably reached about sum it up in the first three posts.
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Gepetto on September 04, 2008, 16:44:20
Not to digress too far afield but I fear something even more insidious than firetruck wannabes. The tassel for the spear of the Barbarian Chief has me fearing that some accessories may be made in China! If the little pieces then are mixed in with regular specials and sets it will change the complexion of Playmobil as we know it (think soft plastic swords and scenery pieces). I do not feel this is something we can afford to be complacent about.



Gepetto
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Rasputin on September 04, 2008, 17:42:51
Well from the "Klickies Mouth" They said that do to the overwhelming work load at the other factories it was necessary to do . I guess they want to capitalize on the holiday shoppers . Mind you this is just what the reps are told to say to us. I will continue to email my complaints to the E-Commerce Manager at Playmobil USA . The squeky wheel gets the oil :hissyfit: ( or replaced :doh: )
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on September 05, 2008, 02:21:15
 
                                                                                       I will continue to email my complaints to the E-Commerce Manager at Playmobil USA . The squeky wheel gets the oil :hissyfit: ( or replaced :doh: )


Rasputin, If you don't mind, let me know the email address you are corresponding to so I can help apply pressure!

Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Rasputin on September 05, 2008, 03:49:56
I do not have her Email but only her name . I do not know if it is OK to put it up here or not ? I do not want the spies to report back and it a negative mark for the collectors . Let me know what you think ?
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: extjmv on September 05, 2008, 07:15:38
This set was planned to be released in Spain, but in the last moment was retired due to lack of quality....
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: LHAAP on September 05, 2008, 07:36:47
This set was planned to be released in Spain, but in the last moment was retired due to lack of quality....

That's a message I like to hear :yup: I really don't hope this will be the standard in the future :prays:
Thanks for telling us, extjmv.
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on September 05, 2008, 12:16:53
This set was planned to be released in Spain, but in the last moment was retired due to lack of quality....

 If it was scrapped for release in Spain, why did it show up in this country  :hmm:? This still dose not sound good  >:(!
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on September 05, 2008, 12:21:30
Not to digress too far afield but I fear something even more insidious than firetruck wannabes. The tassel for the spear of the Barbarian Chief has me fearing that some accessories may be made in China! If the little pieces then are mixed in with regular specials and sets it will change the complexion of Playmobil as we know it (think soft plastic swords and scenery pieces). I do not feel this is something we can afford to be complacent about.



Gepetto

Gepetto, would you let me know the Barbarian Chief set number you are referring to in this post, & any other sets you have noticed with the same decline in quality? Thank you!
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Gepetto on September 05, 2008, 12:35:58
Bill,

It is the new release #4677-Barbarian Chief and it is the only one I have noticed, but it caught my eye immediately as did the difference with the helmet and cloak.



Gepetto
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Martin Milner on September 05, 2008, 13:17:35
If it was scrapped for release in Spain, why did it show up in this country  :hmm:? This still dose not sound good  >:(!

Maybe based on the USA's choice of President for the last 8 years, Playmobil assume they'll suck up any old crap?  >:D
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on September 05, 2008, 14:51:30
Maybe based on the USA's choice of President for the last 8 years, Playmobil assume they'll suck up any old crap?  >:D

OOOHHHH! Low blow Martin  >:(!
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on September 05, 2008, 14:53:32
Bill,

It is the new release #4677-Barbarian Chief and it is the only one I have noticed, but it caught my eye immediately as did the difference with the helmet and cloak.



Gepetto

Thank you Gepetto!
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Martin Milner on September 05, 2008, 15:54:37
OOOHHHH! Low blow Martin  >:(!

Only kidding!

It is worrying how this low quality Playmobil seems to be directed at the North American market, in all honesty. Someone on Playmofriends suggested that it may indeed be a low quality fake, it's so bad.

Like Gepetto, I immediately noticed the 4677's shiny hat and dull cape, unusual because the cloaks are usually shiny too, and his spear tassels are very poorly moulded with a lot of excess flash.
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on September 05, 2008, 20:12:53
Only kidding!

It is worrying how this low quality Playmobil seems to be directed at the North American market, in all honesty. Someone on Playmofriends suggested that it may indeed be a low quality fake, it's so bad.

Like Gepetto, I immediately noticed the 4677's shiny hat and dull cape, unusual because the cloaks are usually shiny too, and his spear tassels are very poorly moulded with a lot of excess flash.

It's strange because I have never seen this from Playmobil ever, & from what others who have been collecting for much longer than I have, say the same thing. The figures have always been excellent, & even components like the vehicle tools that are on the ..... racks, trees, or whatever you call them? Never have any plastic flash! Colors are always consistant, & everything always has a very finished edge! If these are counterfit items, someone needs to investigate the situation ASAP!
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: socrates on September 05, 2008, 20:39:28
Hmpf...  :hmm:
I read in a magazine that playmo has a really hard time to enter the US market. Some sets are just too expensive to hit a nerve at the overall US customer. They stated that it is almost impossible to sell an item which costs over 30 US$ (was it 20?). I always felt, they did a good job in making take-along sets and small pirate ships and - well - these plastic sails...  :hmm:
..but if this is the new strategy, I hope they will get the guy fired really soon, who came up with the idea of Playmobil-branded china crap toys...  >:(

best,
socrates
Title: Re: 5843 US fire truck
Post by: Rasputin on September 05, 2008, 21:04:19
The more i look at my ChinMobile the more i notice how poor quality they are . On my dragon the whites of the teeth, horn & toes was not applied in a very careful fashion. Actually there is a finger print on two of the teeth where somebody actually squeezed it to early when assembling the rest of the parts.
I do understand Playmobils frustration with the US market but i do not see this decision as a solution . I would have been much more in favor of a " holding your head up high " versus the " when in rome " approach to US marketing .