PlaymoFriends
General => News => Topic started by: Hadoque on April 26, 2011, 04:11:04
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Hi folks
Guess where(*) I've found this 1st image of the frontcover of the DS-catalogue for 2nd half 2011/1st half 2012
(Germany & Benelux, other countries 1 year later)
It appears the new Redcoats will also come as add-on sets (at least an officer with longcoat), and if the (small) image is interpretated correctly, also the steck-bakery from the 1970's/1980's (or could it be a barn or the blacksmith??)
;)
(*): on "Klickywelt" again, posted by member "bubbel" (thank you!), so hopefully no trouble about the copyright-stuff!
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thanks Hadoque !
and you're most definitely right....the officer +3 of the new redcoat soldiers..
YAHOOO...:eggbasket: :eggbasket: :bunny: :easterhop: :easterhop:
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Oh goody goody!!! That looks so yummy!!!!! Can't wait ot get my hands on it!!! I see red new red coats!!!
George, you gonna love this!!! Better get more of the current red coats... they may not be available in the near future ;D
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Oh goody goody!!! That looks so yummy!!!!! Can't wait ot get my hands on it!!! I see red new red coats!!!
George, you gonna love this!!! Better get more of the current red coats... they may not be available in the near future ;D
NEW REDCOATS ??? REALLY ?? That klicky in teh front is redcoat and not pirate ?? does anyone have a picture of the new redcoat standard soldier ??? Awwwwww Iam going crazy here !!!!!!!!!!!! :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love:
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NEW REDCOATS ??? REALLY ?? That klicky in teh front is redcoat and not pirate ??
Yeap, he is a captian I reckon! Long coat too!!! :love:
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and if the (small) image is interpretated correctly, also the steck-bakery from the 1970's/1980's (or could it be a barn or the blacksmith??)
;)
(*): on "Klickywelt" again, posted by member "bubbel" (thank you!), so hopefully no trouble about the copyright-stuff!
Rather a barn I think, there are sheeps all around. Couldn't be a bakery, IMO.
Thanks for the pics. Some people will go crazy with those RedcCoats!
A.
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Some people will go crazy with those RedcCoats!
A.
Some already are !!!!!!!! :loco: :loco: :loco: :loco: :loco: :loco:
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As for the steck house in the background, looks like the bakery to me- I think I see the folding up window- either way it has parts not seen in prior steck DS offerings- I roof piece with no window, and a timber wall without windows or doors- that's what it looks like to me... :D
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As for the steck house in the background, looks like the bakery to me- I think I see the folding up window- either way it has parts not seen in prior steck DS offerings- I roof piece with no window, and a timber wall without windows or doors- that's what it looks like to me... :D
Roof pieces without windows and timber walls without windows exist from the 70s and can be found in various steck sets such as the old bakery ( wall) and there are plenty of roofs withut windows on one side in most old sets most roofds had windows in only one side and these windows were hollow without any window cross frames in them ... :)
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Great finding!!! I love this red coat!!! :love:
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This is so awesome!!!
I cannot wait! :D :D :D
Thanks for the piccie, Hadoque :wave:
Damo :)
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but how come he is not donning the WIG??? ???
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Now remember, the pilot group had proposed various items for the 2011/2012 catalogua and the bakery was one of them that actually got into production ;)
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Now remember, the pilot group had proposed various items for the 2011/2012 catalogua and the bakery was one of them that actually got into production ;)
is it the bakery for sure ? does this set come with klickies also ? does it have the mediaval lanterns or modern lights ?? lots of questions about it that will only be answered once we have a closer look !!!!! ;) ;) ;)
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Great news that is really is going to happen, thank you geobra for sticking to your word
I see a steck plain wall with 2 male ends :confetti:
I see a bakery window :confetti:
I see a old style dormer window :confetti:
I do not see a chimney for the bakery and this is odd :hmm:
I see the silver-back gorilla is back :confetti:
Why this classic tow truck, I never liked it :doh:
and new redcoats :confetti:
Thanks again for the picture Hadoque :wow:
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I want to see more! I want to see more! :yippee:
:D :D :D
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Rasputin,I think the chimney is on the other side of the house. I hope the chimney will be a new mould because I dislike the old mould.
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Maybe they decided to go without the chimney... :uhoh:
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I think I can see the top of a chimney on the other side (if you zoom in really closely! :lens:)
Damo :)
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Rasputin,I think the chimney is on the other side of the house. I hope the chimney will be a new mould because I dislike the old mould.
I would be happy either way but my computer zooming in makes the picture too blurry to make it out, or I have early cataracts :lol:
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I would be happy either way but my computer zooming in makes the picture too blurry to make it out, or I have early cataracts :lol:
Well we youngsters try to help out old people whenever we can :klickygrin:.
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I think damo is right. I see a small point of what seems to be the chimney in the opposite side of the window. ;D
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NEW REDCOATS ??? REALLY ?? That klicky in teh front is redcoat and not pirate ?? does anyone have a picture of the new redcoat standard soldier ??? Awwwwww Iam going crazy here !!!!!!!!!!!! :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love:
Here in 5139 or 5140 could be one of the redcoat standard soldier [KLICK!] (http://www.playmobil.com/pdf/NH_2_11.pdf).
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thank you Hadoque, can't wait to see the real content!
I see the silver-back gorilla is back :confetti:
Why this classic tow truck, I never liked it :doh:
the gorilla comes with a baby!!! :D :love:
and i've never liked that tow truck either :P
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Ras, you're cracking me up today! :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Yes it is a bakery, Playmobil has previously announced that along with the windmill, water tank for trains, and the old timer car in green.
The bakery design may not be exactly like the old one - the chimney may not be there. They are reusing old molds so it depends on what they had still available.
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Yes it is a bakery, Playmobil has previously announced that along with the windmill, water tank for trains, and the old timer car in green.
The bakery design may not be exactly like the old one - the chimney may not be there. They are reusing old molds so it depends on what they had still available.
I can see steck chimney prices going up 10x ..... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:... a worthy investment this is .....
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I hope the blank wall of the bakery is available by itself from DS, and the chimney too if there is one.
The tow truck was available in the DS catalogue already in recent years (as was the current classic small orange truck).
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I hope the blank wall of the bakery is available by itself from DS, and the chimney too if there is one.
The tow truck was available in the DS catalogue already in recent years (as was the current classic small orange truck).
ME too
I remember the fire truck, yellow helicopter, police boat, green truck with the crane arm, the construction orange one and the garbage truck but I do not remember any classic edition tow truck ? great now not only is cataracts setting in so is altimeters
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You're not alone having these problems, Ras! I really like these new add on sets! The want list just keeps expanding! :-\
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:picsplz: Oh wonderful I cant wait to get my hands on some more plain steck walls to make my manor house bigger :cheerlead:
And did you notice the hanging bakery sign! I'll be able to put signs on all my tudor shops now - ebay's too dear to buy them. :banana:
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And did you notice the hanging bakery sign! I'll be able to put signs on all my tudor shops now - ebay's too dear to buy them. :banana:
:love: :love: :love: :love:
I think you are spot on there Queen Emma and i reckon when its released i will have a steck fever and buy something like 10 of them. I will need to creazte a bigger city then , there isnt space for another steck house already !!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
Steck is the best . by far ......
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It's absolutely amazing how much interest can be generated from just one picture.
Are the DS catalogues in Europe separate? Here they come stapled in the regular catalogues now - it didn't used to be this way, but I think not many places carried the DS catalogues and it was a smart move for Playmobil Canada to make sure the two always came together.
This is, obviously the European DS catalogue (?). That means we've another year to wait after this until we get it here in North Am? :'(
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This is, obviously the European DS catalogue (?). That means we've another year to wait after this until we get it here in North Am? :'(
yeah i think it's the same as the regular catalog for the US and Canada :-\
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thanks Hadoque !
and you're most definitely right....the officer +3 of the new redcoat soldiers..
YAHOOO...:eggbasket: :eggbasket: :bunny: :easterhop: :easterhop:
:shhhh: :shhhh: :shhhh: :shhhh: :shhhh: :shhhh: :shhhh: :shhhh: :shhhh: georginetto is unhappy with this
*george buy as many as you can from the current ones :)
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Well we youngsters try to help out old people whenever we can :klickygrin:.
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Yes it is a bakery, Playmobil has previously announced that along with the windmill, water tank for trains, and the old timer car in green.
The bakery design may not be exactly like the old one - the chimney may not be there. They are reusing old molds so it depends on what they had still available.
When you look at the bakery image (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30651000 (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30651000)) you can see the chimney does not go over the top ridge of the roof - so you would not see it from the angle it is photographed from.
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User sneba has posted pics of the new ds-catalogue at kw:
(http://s7.directupload.net/images/110430/opxdlfvl.jpg)
(http://s7.directupload.net/images/110430/6bv7gpkt.jpg)
(http://s1.directupload.net/images/110430/n3hhtv27.jpg)
(http://s7.directupload.net/images/110430/drhw43e7.jpg)
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(http://s7.directupload.net/images/110430/v34nm8vk.jpg)
(http://s1.directupload.net/images/110430/6ut4mkzx.jpg)
(http://s7.directupload.net/images/110430/w27bxt83.jpg)
(http://s1.directupload.net/images/110430/jldsxtzl.jpg)
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(http://s7.directupload.net/images/110430/ohu6ufnz.jpg)
(http://s7.directupload.net/images/110430/zpvaumzr.jpg)
(http://s7.directupload.net/images/110430/k7q8rh5x.jpg)
(http://s7.directupload.net/images/110430/szi35ibp.jpg)
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(http://s7.directupload.net/images/110430/dyhdmmki.jpg)
(http://s7.directupload.net/images/110430/vmmcs5ps.jpg)
(http://s1.directupload.net/images/110430/gw8ustj8.jpg)
(http://s7.directupload.net/images/110430/lemip9z2.jpg)
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(http://s7.directupload.net/images/110430/afifif2k.jpg)
(http://s1.directupload.net/images/110430/35gk2jtc.jpg)
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wow!!!!! :yippee: :yippee: :yippee:
I didn't see the barrel but all the rest they said it would be IS there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you zookeeper!!!! :love: :love: :love: :love:
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:yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee:
They're all there! the car, the barrel, the windmill, the water tower, the bakery!!! I'm going to buy them all! :apple: :apple: :apple: :apple: :apple: :apple:
Thank you very much for these pics, Zookepper! :) :) :)
Damo :)
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looks great! thanks zookeper :)
i couldn't find the barrel, could anyone guide me please? :-[ :-[ :-[
EDIT: I HAVE FOUND THE BARREL! 8-) :love: AND ALSO AN OLDTIMER (VICTORIAN) CAR!!!
:yippee: :(o): :yippee:
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i couldn't find the barrel, could anyone guide me please? :-[ :-[ :-[
3rd pic down on the second post!
Btw, is that 1.99 on the piano?! :D
Damo :)
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Btw, is that 1.99 on the piano?! :D
Right, its 1.99 for the piano and 3.99 for the barrel. Some people might be not so happy about that...
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YES YES YES!!!!!
Thank you very much for these images zookeeper!!! Looking forward to this catalogue coming here to greece!!!!
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1.99 only for the piano :o :o :o i woned why so little ? ??? ???
* i don't like seeing some victorian stuff there rearelist thought >:( thak god the car is different colour and you can tell wich is the originall one :love: :love:
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I see some great stuff in there!!!! Besides all the great stuff already mentioned, i see the old playground playhouse, a swimsuit family, geese, and some great new furniture for the dollhouse! I love the new car! And what does it say about the microsets? Are they free with a certain amount?
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:banana:
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Nice selection! Bakery is awesome, but I was surprised by the System X shop- Sweet! :love:
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Right, its 1.99 for the piano and 3.99 for the barrel. Some people might be not so happy about that...
Just incredible! I've seen the barrel sold on eBay for ten times this price!
I have only one, I want more!
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Lets not get carried away saying how cheap things are :shhhh: The prices are fair ;)
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I wonder if that piano does not play music? Maybe that is why it is such a..... "fair" price? ;)
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when do these become available for purchase in Germany ?
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Or maybe its because it did not sell that well and they want to get rid of it.... there are a lot ob boxes of this piano in various toy shops around here and their number is not decreasing...
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:o OH MY GOD!!!
That has to be a fake! I can't beleave it!!! It seems that Geobra remember their great boxes!
...and the prices! ...yes it must be a fake, just a fake...
Hell, it seems that the in the next year all my diorama-ideas will become real!
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Very nice to see reasonable prices on the watertower, windmill, car etc.
Did you notice there is a new pet shop interior set? It's a great idea since they already had all the parts needed.
A game of chicken too :D
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And to think, I paid some seventy euro for my windmill.... In any case now I get the other cool sets for cheap! Has anybody noticed the cool shepperd ? That is quite an sought after set aswell.
I got a sister living in Germany so she will have to do some shopping form me ;D.
I'll get:
2x water towers
1x baker
1x car
3x barrel
1x shepperd
I'd like to thank Richard and the other guys in the pilot group for making this possible!
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Yes, I saw the pet shop! ;D I wish that pic were a little clearer so we could see details. I was just saying the other day that a pet shop would be cool. And I've thought of doing a pet adoption day set-up, this may have some useful parts in it for that.
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I'm really looking forward to getting a few bakeries some barrels, and some western stuff.:)
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I'd like to thank Richard and the other guys in the pilot group for making this possible!
ditto :yup:
Yes, I saw the pet shop! ;D I wish that pic were a little clearer so we could see details. I was just saying the other day that a pet shop would be cool. And I've thought of doing a pet adoption day set-up, this may have some useful parts in it for that.
ohmygodness where is the pet shop??? :o :love: :o
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In the tenth picture, right above the microsets.
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WOW...these are great!!!! THE GREAT BARREL for just 3.99!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Finally I can get one for my beer-craving playmobil
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WOW...these are great!!!! THE GREAT BARREL for just 3.99!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Finally I can get one for my beer-craving playmobil
This is good news! But, is there an easy way to get the mugs? As I hope my klickies will practice a bit of decorum, and refrain from drinking directly from the tap! :lol:
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I may have to make a scene from the old disney zorro series from the 50s, involving a wine cellar...
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This is good news! But, is there an easy way to get the mugs? As I hope my klickies will practice a bit of decorum, and refrain from drinking directly from the tap! :lol:
I tried ordering them...the mugs....from DS...They are available and cost just a few pennies for one.
Yet what I want most is the foam for the mugs.......they are discontinued from DS :hmm:
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wow!!!!! :yippee: :yippee: :yippee:
I didn't see the barrel but all the rest they said it would be IS there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you zookeeper!!!! :love: :love: :love: :love:
Did you see the Ocean Explorer Ship, Gaston? Another chance to get it! ;)
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I tried ordering them...the mugs....from DS...They are available and cost just a few pennies for one.
Yet what I want most is the foam for the mugs.......they are discontinued from DS :hmm:
Thanks! I'm really happy to hear that the mugs are readily available. Still, it's just not the same without the foam! Must find a way to get the foam!!! :**:
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:o :o So awesome to see the windwill, watertower, giant keg, victorian car. I think it's great they delivered on that. Some other gems in their too. I love the sheperd and swimsuit family, some second chance stuff. Really pleased with this offering. ;D
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I am speechless , i wll buy so so sooo many redcoats of both types, barrels , windmill, water tank, i get to keep my MISB and with gelatine windmill and the bakery, if you have a look at my bakery set up in my mediaval collectin thread they have the same breads etc etc
This is excellent stuff. i cant wait to get my hads on such sets !!!!
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Now we are going to have to put our money where our mouth is a buy this stuff.
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:yup: :yup: :yup: Besides all the stuff I've mentioned, I'll definitely be getting the windmill and water tower. I'm wanting to get back into western stuff. I was asking Chris yesterday, what am I thinking? Why have I not already ordered about 10 or 15 of those covered wagons from DS while they're available? As a kid, I always wanted to do a whole wagon train, and now I can. And then I need Indians to attack it. ;D If no one buys the western stuff that is available, they aren't going to give us more.
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:yippee: :yippee: I can't believe that I've missed this thread! I am so excited!!! Thank you so much for posting the pics! Does anyone know when this will hit the US market?
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Normally it's one year later
Interesting to see what's not there. In animals there are a lot off the list. Flamingos, gazelle, water buffalo, hyena, zebra, warthog.
It's possible some may remain in stock but just not be in the print catalog, but if you want herds of anything now is the time to stock up.
In figures the pirates are gone, and all of the family groups except the knight, also the dwarfs and fairies.
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Excellent point! Something to keep in mind.
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Thx for the additional images!!
I'm going nuts 8} :banana: 8} !
Bakery with all the shields (is the chimney there too??), big barrel, oldtimer-car, windmill, etc....
New redcoats and the old ones still there too!!
Just too bad there ain't no new pirate-figures as well as add-ons, well...maybe next year.
I think the new DS-sets are available starting in June (Gemany, Belgium and the Netherlands). Rest of Europe and world june next year.
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no words, only:
:yippee: <:> :yippee: <:> :woohoo:
:yippee: <:> :yippee: <:> :woohoo:
:yippee: <:> :yippee: <:> :woohoo:
:yippee: <:> :yippee: <:> :woohoo:
:yippee: <:> :yippee: <:> :woohoo:
:yippee: <:> :yippee: <:> :woohoo:
on the bakery, lion & falcon knights, big barrel and the windmill, and the shepherd!
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well to be honest. its great that old items came back, but why not try to get items which are really really rare.. like the rollercoaster set? its only sold in japan many years ago but that would be a awesome one for the rest of the world!
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This is the 1st time that I have been more excited about the contents of the DS catalogue than I have the main catalogue.
I don't collect Victorian themed items but that British racing green old timer is something that I have got to have.
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the only intressting thing is the shepard and the pig family :lol
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Normally it's one year later
Interesting to see what's not there. In animals there are a lot off the list. Flamingos, gazelle, water buffalo, hyena, zebra, warthog.
It's possible some may remain in stock but just not be in the print catalog, but if you want herds of anything now is the time to stock up.
In figures the pirates are gone, and all of the family groups except the knight, also the dwarfs and fairies.
I noticed this also! I guess the bakery took the place of the house. Better get some houses now if your on the fence.
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I noticed this also! I guess the bakery took the place of the house. Better get some houses now if your on the fence.
Are you talking about the yellow steck house?
I get more curious as to what is not there in the catalog as we now have only a year to stock up
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What I noticed, and I wonder if anyone in Playmobil did too, was why have a western themed water-tower for a steam engine but yet they are NOT selling a western steam engine?!
Sales will be very low on these. Only the very few collectors who have western stuff will even bother with it.
Then the executives at Playmobil will look at numbers of sales of this item and see how low they were and how many they still have in stock at various DS locations and then be very reluctant to release old moulds again ...
8}
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What I noticed, and I wonder if anyone in Playmobil did too, was why have a western themed water-tower for a steam engine but yet they are NOT selling a western steam engine?!
Yes you are right that there is no western train and even in the US all the trains have been discontinued. The reason for it was the it was very high on the list as to items the international pilot group voted on. It does not make theme sense but this was/is more of a test to see how it works out.
Sales will be very low on these. Only the very few collectors who have western stuff will even bother with it.
How do you know that this will happen?
Then the executives at Playmobil will look at numbers of sales of this item and see how low they were and how many they still have in stock at various DS locations and then be very reluctant to release old moulds again ...
8}
How many people do you think bought the classic fire truck or the orange construction truck. Even the used vintage ones do not sell very well at all and yet Geobra re-released them. The items chosen all of these are very sought after by collectors and the used prices are very high so in my opinion these have a better chance than the ones Geobra itself choses.
One thing you should also keep in mind is that Geobra already put in the capital investment into these molds. Plugging in an old mold and cranking out some classic sets is all profit. No high salary design team, no market research, no mold expense, no fancy child testing, no boxes even. To turn 50¢ of raw goods into $20, those #'s should keep the execs happy enough.
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One thing you should also keep in mind is that Geobra already put in the capital investment into these molds. Plugging in an old mold and cranking out some classic sets is all profit. No high salary design team, no market research, no mold expense, no fancy child testing, no boxes even. To turn 50¢ of raw goods into $20, those #'s should keep the execs happy enough.
This is an excellent point. We're just asking for old molds here, and that should never be a problem, as long as there's a reasonable expectation they will be sold. I know I, for one, will certainly be buying the water tower, though I have no train. There's always the hope that at some future time I may get one.
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Oh wow! I just followed up with this thread to see some fantastic stuff in the catalogue! The bakery is wonderful and I too spotted the old playhouse. Some great things to be bought. As for the western train - perhaps they may release this down the track. Their agreement to re-introduce the barrel and wind tower, car etc give us hope for more :love:
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Oh wow! I just followed up with this thread to see some fantastic stuff in the catalogue! The bakery is wonderful and I too spotted the old playhouse. Some great things to be bought. As for the western train - perhaps they may release this down the track. Their agreement to re-introduce the barrel and wind tower, car etc give us hope for more :love:
Pun intended? ;)
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How do you know that this will happen?
1) For the simple reason that outside of the very small collector market the rest of the purchases are made by parents. If the parent looks at the set and wonders why little Billy or little Sally would need such a thing considering there are no steam engines to use it with.
2) Collectors can only have so many of these in a set up, therefore sales will be very limited. It's not like the medieval house where you can have dozens side by side.
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Cannot wait for the Princess castle to get to the US!!! It's got an extension as well! Yay!!!
Thank you so much for the pics!!! :D
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I for one can't wait unti they are available... I plan to get a serious quantity of the old incarnations ;D
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These British Soldiers ( not the old classic redcoats with the tall hats ) look awesome, they look like tehy came out of the S. Kubrick's movie Barry Lindon . Superb. When will these be available to Greece ? :wave:
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:yippee:
I see so many things there that I want to buy! This has definately got to be the best DS catalogue for a while...now I just have to be patient and wait for it to come out in the UK. :inlove:
naflibomyalp
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na, the best playmo catalog was 1983 :love: :love: :love: :lol
http://www.playmobil.de/on/demandware.store/Sites-DE-Site/de_DE/Search-Show?cgid=1983&psortb1=New&psortd1=2&psortb2=id&psortd2=1&start=0&sz=12
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I have taken a couple of days before writing this post as I wanted to be sure of what I wanted to say as my opinion won't be popular....
I believe that the PCC pilot group have done us a dis-service by requesting the re-issue of some of the chosen items. I am pleased to see the 1900's car in a new colour and the beer keg making a reappearance but not the windmill, water tower or bakery.
I have all the re-issued pieces MIB, but am not worried for the value of my collection as I believe that MIB collectors will still pay good money for the boxes and klickies that will not be included in the re-issue versions.
My concern is that it will only be collectors who will ever buy these pieces.....for example someone with an old western diorama but who couldn't or wouldn't pay £75+ for a windmill. Given that the western theme, and especially the western train, were retired so long ago, many of the children currently looking for extras on DS just will not be interested in either item. The same is true for the bakery building as children are more likely to buy the modern system-x version also available on DS. As a collector, I may have bought them in a new colour, but not as a simple re-issue of what I already have.
An idea would have been to ask for another vehicle, possibly the 4223 estate car, to have been produced in a different colour. Therefore, collectors could have bought it to add to their collection, but also the rest of the public may have bought it as transport to take a PLaymo family to the zoo for example. As collectors, we could have raised our profile with Geobra by highlighting that we can come up with commercial ideas which will benefit them and us. Instead I believe, that by asking them to re-issue pieces which may not have broad appeal, we have highlighted to them that that may not be the case.
Just my two cents worth,
Claire.
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Your point claire has some rational but givemn some of us will eg buy no less than 5 water tanks and 5 windmills etc and probably lots of bakeries , somehow i have a feeling these old sets will sell ratehr well
Also as a response to a previous post , the 1983 catalogue had the fishing trowler and the 4052 train and 4200 train station for htese and these only its very very good but not as good as the massive and diverse catalogue of 2011
By the way , i will be ordering 350 of these british soldiers . no less :love: :love: :love: :love: :love:
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I think the case was that we were just thinking of ourselves, as we have identified that the market for collectors is very great, especially in Giorginettos case! :D
I don't know Geobra's sales statistics for DS items, but I should imagine (especially the UK) that they aren't too big, and I thought that DS was mainly aimed at the collectors (and serious kids) to get some extra accessories, or in this case, have access to special repros of age old sets :love: :love: :love:
I'm definately going to buy all these new sets (and lots of the beer barrels!) I think the water tower would be popular as it could be used with any G-scale trainset or such, so hings like that will have a broader market.
To be fair, I don't know how many 4-10 year olds that would be interested in medieval civilian life and architecture, but we certainly get excited about steck and timber frame :love: :love: :love:
They might sell out of cars! :o
Damo :)
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They might sell out of cars! :o
Damo :)
No! They can't do that I wan't one(at least)! :lol:
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But Damo, that is exactly my point...the pilot group was only thinking for themselves.
How many times have Geobra been criticised on this board for only thinking of themselves and for profit, rather than also taking the collector into consideration. This could have been an excellent opportunity to show that both can be achieved simultaneously. Instead, when given a voice, we have done exactly the thing we complain about Geobra for.
I feel we have missed an opportinity to show Geobra that we can think not only of ourselves and what we want, but also of the greater Playmobil customer base, and therefore prove that members of the collector community can be valuable allies to larger companies.
Claire
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I agree with your point about the windmill and watertower- They didn't sell when they were new- I remember them hanging around on shelves years after they were retired...
The car, the bakery, and the barrel, tho, may have wider appeal, and I have to assume the prior steck offerings have sold well, as they produced the range of colors...
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Playmobil ( and it was about time) needed to respond and I am really happy they have done so to requests of collectors who have been loyal customers since the 70s and have spent litelly $$$$$s in buying massive quantities of their products .
I am really happyt with the barrel coming out ( i only have 6 of them ) , the bakery , the windmill, water tank , old car and i cant wait to buy them in quantities. I really hope other steck house follow and of course the ' classico' nuremberg guard with its impecable shiny armour and weapons makes a glorius comeback. Hell , there will an order of 500 the next day form me ... at least ... :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee:
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@Surfergirl: have you ever considered that it is a great opportunity for collectors who missed those great sets when they came out originaly, to get them now and at a reasonable price? I dont want to pay 75 GBP for a watermill, nor a water tank, not to say 30 to 40 euros for the big barell. I did not have the money to get those sets when they came out originally and I can;t spend so much on a MIB original set, so the reissue is a great service for me, and to others I am sure! Its good to see that you don't feel your MIB sets treatened, because believe me, who ever wants to pay for them, they will not hesitate to do so!
It was a great opportunity to ask for items that are greatly sought after and its a pity we did not think to ask for some more, like the 3525 fire engine, or the 3551 Fishing Trawler...I think Geobra is in for an extra profit with these sets and if you worry about them items not being being bought by children and parents because they do not fit the current themes, I would not worry. Plenty of other items in the DS catalogue to fit the current themes... ;)
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I fully understand your point. However I disagree!
We got asked as a Pilot Group to choose which items collectors would like to see in the DS catelogue. Of the list we provided to Playmobil these 5 were chosen. Many collectors will be very happy with the rerelease of the Watertower and Windmill. I know I for one am very happy. I might get only one of each (not a western collector) but still they are very iconic, unique pieces that I want to have in my collection.
On the other hand 4223 estate car is not something very appealing to collectors, it's just another car. we have so many modern cars. I wouldn't have bought a single one of those cars and I wonder how this would be for other collectors. It's the uniqueness more then anything that makes it special to me. How easy is it replaced in a diorama by another piece? For each of the five items I can't think of an easy way to replace it, maybe the bakery is the exception but it has so many rare pieces that collectors are over the moon to have it back.
They asked us to list items collectors wanted to see in the DS catelogue and I think we delivered. I think they are very much aware that these won't be great sellers to anybody BUT collectors. But it does show that they listened and apparently feel that is in their best interest as a company to have the collectors on their side.
So in the end, yes we were selfish, but IMO we were asked to be selfish and I for one need to start budgetting because this is going to hurt!
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I fully agree with Gis! :yup: :yup: :yup:
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I agree also and i think we have every right to be selfish as many of use spent lots of playmobil and are probably the equivalent of a year's expenditure of a school or something on playmobil . so its all great news and i have no regrets for MISB and MIB collectors etc etc quite frankly i dont care what happens to prices for such boxed items , when they go down its good as far as i am concerned ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
i was planning to get a mint water tank for 250 euros, so i will buy 5 of them for far far less which is superb !!!!
I want these british soldiers !!!!!!!!! i want them so bad !!! can somone get some for me when they become available ?? anyone ?? ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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I understand your reasoning, Claire, but, as Gis has explained, the PCC was asked to suggest ideas for collectors. However, I think that Geobra will be watching closely how things sell. Some collectors may well buy a large number of some items but that may not mean that they have been successful from Geobra's point as Geobra will want to and will need to make a profit on them. Maybe Geobra should also take note of your thoughts and expand what can be obtained via the DS catalogue which was designed to allow expansion of existing sets by offering extra items not available through the shops.
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Very well explained, Gis! You're right, they asked what collectors wanted to see in the catalogue this time. They weren't asking what the collectors think kids want. They know what kids and parents want; they're a successful toy company, no problems there. Keeping the collectors happy is an area they have always fallen down on, and now they're trying to turn that around (hopefully.) If the collectors are happy and feel appreciated, they keep buying, not just the DS sets, but others as well. And as Ras pointed out, these are old molds, so it didn't cost them much to produce these for us. They'll get their money out of it, many times over, I'm sure.
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I was not part of the pilot group but I'm happy with what is being offered in the catalog. Let's not forget that the official club has not started yet and this is just one years offering. I'm sure there will be other sets reissued in the coming years that will satisfy a majority of us. That being said, we better buy this stuff to insure that PM offers more in the future.
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That being said, we better buy this stuff to insure that PM offers more in the future.
I'm all for that ;)
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First of all, Claire (Surfer Girl,) thank you for having the courage to post comments that you (correctly) suspected would not find much agreement. :wow: Too few people are willing to do that but I believe that civil disagreement and civil discussion often lead to good things.
Having said that, I will now disagree with you myself! ;D
. . . My concern is that it will only be collectors who will ever buy these pieces.....
. . . As collectors, we could have raised our profile with Geobra by highlighting that we can come up with commercial ideas which will benefit them and us. Instead I believe, that by asking them to re-issue pieces which may not have broad appeal, we have highlighted to them that that may not be the case.
Geobra has finally awakened to the fact that there is a sizeable adult collector community so it makes sense that the DS pieces suggested by the pilot group may not have a broad appeal to the market base of children to whom Playmobil usually tailors their products. No one really knows how large the "collector" market is but Geobra will begin to learn that sort of thing about us as they target products to our wishes and needs. They don't need our help to come up with ideas that have broad appeal - they can already do that by themselves. It seems to me that the whole point is actually to come up with new or re-issued products that appeal primarily to collectors. There will still be those kids (future adult collectors) who will look at something like the water tower and think it is really cool and buy it even if they don't have a steam engine in need of filling.
I am delighted with the re-issued items - they are items that I adore and want to have - and I will be buying them in multiples. Having said that, though, I am not 100% comfortable with the way in which those items were chosen by the pilot group. It does feel a bit like a few people got together and decided which items they, themselves, would most like to have without seeking input from the rest of the collector community. I believe that a better approach will be possible after the collector's club actually gets under way - Playmobil will be able to ask collectors directly what they want and then re-issue (or make new items) based upon actual demand.
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It does feel a bit like a few people got together and decided which items they, themselves, would most like to have without seeking input from the rest of the collector community.
Just to clarify on this:
Everyone from the PIlot group got asked to submit items they would liked to have seen reproduced. This got compilated into a list of over 50 items on which got voted.
So I think with over 60 members in the Pilot Group we had a pretty ok representation of the overall collectors demographic (themewise).
Of course with another group of 60+ people we might have seen some changes. I for one am happy with these items and think that these represented the wishes of the worldwide collectors wishlist pretty closely.
When they needed the input there was no formalized process yet. They went to the Pilot Group because that was at least somehow organized. When the PCC is underway I am sure tese sort of things will be asked to the club as a whole.
I hope this helps explaining the path that led to the choice of these items.
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I have all the re-issued pieces MIB, but am not worried for the value of my collection as I believe that MIB collectors will still pay good money for the boxes and klickies that will not be included in the re-issue versions.
My concern is that it will only be collectors who will ever buy these pieces.....for example someone with an old western diorama but who couldn't or wouldn't pay £75+ for a windmill. Given that the western theme, and especially the western train, were retired so long ago, many of the children currently looking for extras on DS just will not be interested in either item. The same is true for the bakery building as children are more likely to buy the modern system-x version also available on DS. As a collector, I may have bought them in a new colour, but not as a simple re-issue of what I already have.
An idea would have been to ask for another vehicle, possibly the 4223 estate car, to have been produced in a different colour.
I couldn't agree more! :)9
I'm not interested in the bakery because then I'd need the rest of the medieval buildings - which might be released eventually? :) :P
Then again I'm not that excited for the western and medieval sets because they're not my themes...however I'm happy for the folks who will be able to get these sets for an affordable price. Eventually the collector's club may release sets from the themes I like in the DS catalogue. :)
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. . . I hope this helps explaining the path that led to the choice of these items.
Hello Gis!
Please understand that I am not criticizing the individuals in the pilot group, only the process. It was a difficult set of circumstances and I believe that the pilot group did the best they could. It would still have been better, though, to get more input from the collector community on this very important point which turns out to be the first real sign that Playmobil is listening to our ideas and concerns. If I remember correctly, the pilot group only told us about the Direct Service items after their suggestions had already been made to Playmobil (it was reported in the first pilot group newsletter.) In hindsight (always 20/20, of course) it would have been better if someone in the pilot group had thought to say, "Wait a minute, let's do some surveys in the fan forums to see what people want." It might have taken more time but it also would have given Geobra even more information about what collector's want.
I want to stress, once again, that I, personally, am happy with the re-issued items. :)
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Unfortunately the Pilot Group was asked this question before it was really up and running and had a very short deadline to give an answer. I believe the entire process lasted about 10 days or so. With as little time as was available I think we did a pretty good job of seeing to it the broadest range of viewpoints were included. There were 10 items submitted to Playmobil and they chose half of them.
Of the ones chosen I agree the water tower seems like it will be the least popular, but again we don't know what sort of sales numbers will be considered a success. It would be interesting to try to find that out in the future.
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Hello Gis!
Please understand that I am not criticizing the individuals in the pilot group, only the process. It was a difficult set of circumstances and I believe that the pilot group did the best they could. It would still have been better, though, to get more input from the collector community on this very important point which turns out to be the first real sign that Playmobil is listening to our ideas and concerns. If I remember correctly, the pilot group only told us about the Direct Service items after their suggestions had already been made to Playmobil (it was reported in the first pilot group newsletter.) In hindsight (always 20/20, of course) it would have been better if someone in the pilot group had thought to say, "Wait a minute, let's do some surveys in the fan forums to see what people want." It might have taken more time but it also would have given Geobra even more information about what collector's want.
I want to stress, once again, that I, personally, am happy with the re-issued items. :)
Geobra approached the PCC with the request even before the PCC was formally started. Geobra gave very little time to organize this perfectly. It was more of a scramble to get everyone together and vote as the PCC starting date had not even come to pass. WE did not have the lugsury of minutes on our side. The DS Geobra board meeting was seconds away and the PCC scrambled and delivered
We were asked by Geobra to keep things in the PCC private and seeing as the PCC wanted to prove ourselves we honored this request.
So no it would not have been better to ask the whole community as this would have or could have eroded Geobra's trust in the PCC
Most all the concerns I read so far were address somewhat in the PCC. We did talk about how these would be seen by the broader market and that these items do not seem to fit with the current theme. It is not an easy task to keep everyone happy and it is quite impossible but personally I think the PCC reached a decision that is for the broad collectors market
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Well it seems I was right when I suspected my opinion may be unpopular....
Firstly, I am not criticising any of the PCC pilot group personally as I can agree with parts of your opinions, just not all of them.
@Gis, you are correct, the windmill and water tower are iconic...it is the prime reason I have both in my collection.
@Wolf Knight, of course I have considered that some collectors did not get these sets first time round...for I am one of those collectors.
@BonnieBeth, I am not trying to second-guess what kids want, but rather come up with ideas that may suit both collectors and kids...in order to increase sales...and therefore the likelihood that we get asked for more suggestions.
As Elric points out....there will hopefully be other sets reissued over the coming years that will satisfy the majority of us....but only if the current offerings are bought in sufficient number to prove that the adult collector is worth catering for.
I just feel that by asking for the sets we have, it puts a lot of pressure on a relatively small group of people to buy the quantity of items that Geobra considers worthy. And if we fail to buy enough we may not get another chance to influence their decisions. My point is that by choosing things that would appeal to a broader audience in the first instance, our chances of success are greater.
I would just like to add that, while my opinion is so unpopular, I do look forward to being proved wrong as the basic idea of collectors (in their different guises MIB, Customisers etc) having the chance to influence major companies is an exciting one.
Claire
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Looking closely at the pics, the water tower interests me, although at about £20 it's a lot. I have plans for trying my own design using Steck and a tank from the airport tanker. I've got those parts so there's no cost to it. If I'm not satisfied, then I'd look again at buying the DS one.
If I were into the mediaeval theme (which I'm not yet), I'd certainly stock up on the lowenritter knights (they are what's tempting me to go mediaeval) as they look superb, more what I expect of Playmobil knights.
Some of the prices look really cheap, for example the construction trailer with the warning lights on. It's about two-thirds the shop price and a box and a figure, a broom and a shovel can't account for that difference. Interestingly, the flashing light unit from DS is about £22, £8 more than the set! When I wanted one for a custom, I bought a full set, which also gave me a spare construction trailer.
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Well it seems I was right when I suspected my opinion may be unpopular....
unpopular yes, but very important ;)
I am not trying to second-guess what kids want, but rather come up with ideas that may suit both collectors and kids...in order to increase sales...and therefore the likelihood that we get asked for more suggestions.
This is where I think the challenge is unsolvable. What would a collector want with current production car that we can paint already? What does a kid want with an old house ? These are two entirely different markets
As Elric points out....there will hopefully be other sets reissued over the coming years that will satisfy the majority of us....but only if the current offerings are bought in sufficient number to prove that the adult collector is worth catering for.
Geobra has been producing re-issues for a while now. All the timber houses are re-issued steck buildings. The classic editions is another example. I think we have already proven ourselves and that is why Geobra asked in the first place.
I just feel that by asking for the sets we have, it puts a lot of pressure on a relatively small group of people to buy the quantity of items that Geobra considers worthy. And if we fail to buy enough we may not get another chance to influence their decisions. My point is that by choosing things that would appeal to a broader audience in the first instance, our chances of success are greater.
Just out of curiosity what would you choose for a broader audience?
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Hi Ras,
Since you've asked...here's a little list I prepared earlier ;-)
It appears that the most sought after items in the collector's opinion are also the most rare and sell for the most money on the second-hand market. But the ones that may appeal to a broader audience are ones that may match with current or imminent releases. I also don't think it always necessary (as in the case of the beer barrel) to release the whole set.
To match with the current zoo, I would suggest the Albino Elephant from 3809.
To match with the new pirate theme, perhaps the 3740 schooner.
To match with the new port theme, definitely the 3551 commercial fishing trawler.
To match the recent winter theme, the igloo could be incorporated by kids into play.
And to match with the new mansion, why not the victorian lamp-post.
Others that always seem to go for good money on eBay and could match into many current themes are the 3468 TVi Van for movie-making, 3448 Tavern which could be used as a house and the 3723 circus band could give concerts.
As for individual figures...the general concensus form this board seems to be for more pirates or Nuremberg guards. These figures may not appeal to kids but are of much less financial value making it easier for collectors to buy them in vast quantities.
One thing I would do though would be to make them in different, but still realistic, colours (except the Albino elephant and igloo obviously ;-)). This is in order that they may still appeal to the collectors who already have them.
I acknowledge that this list is not exhaustive, nor is it my personal wishlist, but it is simply meant to give an idea of how retired items or sets that are desired by collectors may also be able to appeal to a broader audience, all at the same time.
It would have been my idea that we use broad spectrum sets to hook Geobra, and then once the working relationship is established, go in and ask for the more specialised items like the windmill and water tower which may not sell in such vast quantities.
Claire
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All of these things you listed would also be nice, Claire! Especially the igloo. :yup: And the lamp post would be great!
Still, as has been stated before, they asked what collectors want, not what a broader audience wants. 99% of what they produce is for the broader audience, why not have a handful of items that though they don't appeal to as many people, do keep the collectors happy?
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That's an interesting and comprehensive list, Claire, which has elements which would appeal to collectors and a wider, general pattern of Playmobil buyers.
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As Tim says, the pilot group was caught rather off guard by the question,
and in the hysteria of, "Oh, we have a Collectors Club," and "Cool, we can decide what items could go on DS?!"
We were fairly unprepared to deal properly with it.
During the aftermath of choosing what items we wanted, we discussed a few ways of making sure we did a better gob next go round.
One of the biggest concerns was that there seemed to be mostly Medieval collectors... :toot:
Which is why there is somewhat of a lack of other themes, or of very different themes.
Part of our discussions was on this subject, and how we would correct it in future.
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Thank you Gordon,
And Bonniebeth....As I have stated before, I am a collector, so our ultimate agenda is the same. But I just don't see why we can only have sets that appeal only to collectors. Appealling to a broader audience aswell can surely only be a good thing.
Claire
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The thing is DS is not directed to kids or general public IMO, those buy at toy stores.
Only collectors or adult adience buys spare parts from DS, I think it was Damo who posted this earlier and I agree completly.
So when the pilot gruop was asked for itmes the collectors would want, why would they have to think about a more general public? Geabre was aiming to collectors/adults.
Im happy with the results, though I totally agree (and I said this before in another thread) that the victorian lampost would have been a great succes in the community and a MUST item for next year catalog.
:)
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The Victorian lampost was suggested, but was rejected due to current health and safety regarding the electronics it used
Damo :)
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They know what kids and parents want; they're a successful toy company, no problems there.
I have to disagree with you on this one. In the past few years how many themes have Playmobil introduced only to have sold very few to none and the theme gets dropped in a year or two.
If they really did know what kids want they wouldn't have had so many flops.
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The thing is DS is not directed to kids or general public IMO, those buy at toy stores.
Only collectors or adult adience buys spare parts from DS, I think it was Damo who posted this earlier and I agree completly.
There is a DS catalogue in every Playmobil catalogue, Gaston.
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And Bonniebeth....As I have stated before, I am a collector, so our ultimate agenda is the same. But I just don't see why we can only have sets that appeal only to collectors. Appealling to a broader audience aswell can surely only be a good thing.
Claire
I'm not saying we can only choose those items which appeal only to collectors, but there are a few items that are very much sought after for many years now by a lot of collectors, and just because they don't appeal to a broader audience shouldn't be a reason we can't ask for them, too. Evidently, Geobra is willing to give them to us, so why should we question it?
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I have to disagree with you on this one. In the past few years how many themes have Playmobil introduced only to have sold very few to none and the theme gets dropped in a year or two.
If they really did know what kids want they wouldn't have had so many flops.
I think this shows more a change in Playmobil's marketing policy, introducing short-lived themes alongside the long lasting "standards".
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Unfortunately the Pilot Group was asked this question before it was really up and running and had a very short deadline to give an answer. I believe the entire process lasted about 10 days or so. With as little time as was available I think we did a pretty good job of seeing to it the broadest range of viewpoints were included. There were 10 items submitted to Playmobil and they chose half of them.
Of the ones chosen I agree the water tower seems like it will be the least popular, but again we don't know what sort of sales numbers will be considered a success. It would be interesting to try to find that out in the future.
Maybe the pilot group should have taken the time to ask the rest of us ...
Maybe they should have also asked all the other Collectors' forums.
I'm not unhappy with the releases - on the contrary I'm quite happy, however, the ball wasn't just dropped on this, it was missed.
Just think how many steck round towers would have sold in comparison to the water tower? Or sets of steck wall expansion sets instead of the windmill?
What about a reissue of the Robin Hood sets?
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Well, as was said before, a list of ten was presented to geobra, and they picked five off that list. That's on them, which ones they picked. It might be interesting to know what the other five that weren't picked were.
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The Victorian lampost was suggested, but was rejected due to current health and safety regarding the electronics it used
Can you tell us more about this, Damo? The lamppost takes a AAA battery (if I remember correctly) so how is that a health or safety issue? I would think it would be a simple matter to replace that aspect of the set. :eh?:
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I wonder, what would you do Wesley, if you proposed the round steck tower, it did get into a vote with other 50 or so items but it did not win a place in the final items?
Yes we are collectors but what each of us likes to collect is totaly subjective to our personal likes and dislikes! Thus voting on a list of items, even at a broader audience, is also subjective. I doubt most of us is interested what the kid and parents needs are. Since there is so much change in playmobil themes the last few years, I say the company tries really hard to keep children's attention fixed on their toy lines, thus the constant change...
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I'm not saying we couldn't or shouldn't ask for a windmill or a water tower.
All I am trying to say is perhaps our stategy could've been different. Ask for things initially (examples as before) that the collectors are interested in, and will buy in volume, but that may also sell more commercially. Then, after a couple of years, when we have a more trusting relationship with Geobra, go in and ask for the more specialised items. I am only afraid that by asking for specialised items first, we may not achieve many sales, and Geobra may not ask for any more suggestions.
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Yes, I do understand what you mean. If they don't sell well, we lose face with Geobra and they may not listen next time. I was quite concerned about this at first, too. I think the victorian fence was a much more versatile item, that appeals to a broader audience.
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I think this shows more a change in Playmobil's marketing policy, introducing short-lived themes alongside the long lasting "standards".
It's not a change in marketing policy. They couldn't afford that. All the cost for research and development and mould making and packaging and advertising, etc, et al. Then to have flops. Year after year. Romans, Egyptians, Ghost Pirates. All themes I love. All one I would have loved to have had when I was a kid. All themes 'collectors' raved about. Yet, they flopped.
No company can afford short lived lines UNLESS they sell a LOT of them.
Playmobil has not sold a lot of any of these themes. As evidenced by shop supplies and the products that are being resold at discount prices on the Playmobil sites - they have a back log of warehouse stock they have to get rid of somehow.
Future flops will be the cavemen and the 'future' theme.
I don't know about the Secret Agent theme. Time will tell on that one.
If, after these, anyone thinks Playmobil will try historical themes again (ie Greeks, Japanese, Persians, etc) they are in for a sore disappointment. It's not that we, as adults didn't buy the sets - it's pretty obvious we did (and do) - it's that the real market, children and their parents, did not want these.
I think it's a sad reflection of today's society and societal interests as a whole.
In the past, before video games, there were markets for children of ALL ages - all the way up through and including teenage years. Now the toy market is aimed at very young children only. There are no toys for children past the age of 8. Go ask in any hobby shop how many teenagers have come in (if you can find a hobby shop that is still open).
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I think it's a great catalogue/program and all of the 5 articles will be sold very good.
Some statistics of only some Klickywelt-Users, which posted, what they like (to buy):
35 Persons:
• 14x Oldtimers
• 18x Beer Kegs (or many more)
• 13x Bakeries
• 15x Water tanks
• 13x Wind mills
It's not listed, how many of each they will buy (would be many more...).
And also some NON-Playmobil-Train Drivers (LGB, USA Trains, Aristocraft, Piko,...) with US-Trains in G will buy water tanks and wind mills or some beer kegs to load it on their wagons.
Playmobil only has to make more advertising for the DS-catalog!!!
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I wonder, what would you do Wesley, if you proposed ...
Now that you asked ... ;)
What I would have done is proposed only items that would have the most likelihood of selling well. Not only to collectors, but to the general populace as well.
After that I would have been able to come back to Playmobil and presented how successful these were.
That would have shown how the collectors are not out of touch with current trends, have marketing savy and how following their recommendations is really a benefit.
Then ... well, you can imagine the benefits and possibilities.
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It's true kids aren't buying toys like they used to. All the more reason for playmobil to keep the adult collectors happy, as we are making up a growing percentage of total sales. it's time to notice us. Children are buying less, and I really think we're buying more and more. We're all enabling each other on forums like this and going into buying frenzies, triggered and fed on by what we see others talking about; just look how many of us have suddenly decided to start buying western things in the last month or so; we are influencing each other to buy more. Big time. Collector purchases may still be a very small percentage of total products sold, but I bet that percentage is growing each year.
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And also some NON-Playmobil-Train Drivers (LGB, USA Trains, Aristocraft, Piko,...) with US-Trains in G will buy water tanks and wind mills or some beer kegs to load it on their wagons.
Playmobil only has to make more advertising for the DS-catalog!!!
That's just it. Here in Canada there is absolutely NO advertising done. Not even before Christmas.
Playmobil sells on its own because of how well it is made and designed and the play value parents see when their children do get to use it.
I give Playmobil as presents as often as I can because I know how good it is and I know the kids will love it.
I also know that most parents and children here (the VAST majority) have never even heard of Playmobil nor had any experience with it.
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Exact same thing here. Even the people who work in toy shops that carry playmobil have never heard of it. ???
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I personally think Geobra and the PCC did a really great job with this! I hope they all sell and that many more are yet to come. I also like the fact that the old car is in a new colour. I wish they did this more often (loved the different coloured houses). That said I prefer my water tower brown not pink ;)! Personally I feel that the barrel and the water tower will be the best sellers especially if the G-scale scene gets wind of these
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Wesley, I think you have some good insights here, but none of us has the data to say for sure what Playmobil's marketing plan is or what sets or themes they deem to be a success or failure. Each of us may have a sense of the things that sell in our own local areas but that may vary widely across the world. The company is unquestionably successful - just refer to their website for their 2011 Toy Fair press release. (http://store.playmobilusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-US-Site/en_US/Page-Show?cid=FACTS2011) They have made huge investments in technology over the past few years and can now turn around a product idea from design to production in a fraction of the time it used to take.
I doubt that Playmobil needs any help from us in deciding what products to make for mass distribution. I hope, instead, that they see that we are a new target market to be served in addition to their traditional target markets. I believe that we can show them how a vastly increased Direct Service operation which includes re-issues as well as new collector-requested items (like a 4-way steck castle connector or elements of a larger-diameter Steck castle tower :love: ) can give them a good return for a relatively low investment. Think about it: their usual method means making a set, putting it into a pretty box which gets sent to a storage area, then shipping it to the retail store for sale. By improving and expanding DS, they can eliminate most of the packaging as well as the interim shipping on items that are shipped directly to the customer. They already have the websites and online ordering in place. It seems like a no-brainer to me.
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Amen.
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Now that you asked ... ;)
Its a good proposition, but as you said, children are not playing much with toys any more...Thats why they've been changing the themes so quickly, almost every year. Geobra/playmobil does not need adult collectors to tell them which set will be more successfull... They know that if they keep changing their toys every year, or whatever chronological period suits them, they will still get a fair amount sold. You know, no shop in Greece is allowed by playmobil to sell their toys on discounts. they think something like that will make playmobil look really bad...''why are they lowering the prices? are they not doing good? are they going to shut down?'' nomater what, they know its the toy that sells most. They don't need us to tell them it is so, they have their plan. The toy shop owners know this as well. And you are right, there won't be an ancient greek theme because, as one of them toy shop owners told me, ancient themes are not popular with kids. It may do ok in greece but not in the rest of the world. And that from a playmobil company sales seminar to toy shop owners.
Again the issue is personal likes and dislikes, trial and error...
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Maybe the pilot group should have taken the time to ask the rest of us ...
we were asked by Geobra not to ask in open view
Maybe they should have also asked all the other Collectors' forums.
The other forums were in the pilot-PCC so their representation is represented in the selections
I think these will sell just fine and seeing as the investment is so low the #'s will be acceptable by Geobra. I do not want to borrow trouble and will do my part in buying as many of these sets as I can use. I will even buy
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Please come to this tread (http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=7836.0) and give your suggestions and see how this process works out. It takes everyone to contribute and we will see how an open vote compares to the pilot-PCC one
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Claire, I like all of your suggestions. I think it's important to keep in mind that we didn't twist any arms here. We were asked for a list of things we would like and Playmobil took it from there. I don't know the full range of considerations that go into the choices for the catalog, but I do know they have multiple meetings to decide on these things. I think we are just going to have to trust that the largest toy manufacturer in Germany knows what the are doing. :)
The Victorian Lamp post - I believe what they indicated was that European regulations for electronics had changed, so to produce it they would need to start over from scratch. Perhaps one day they will do something similar for a current theme.
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I think even if they do have to start over on this one for some reason, it would pay to do so. It is quite a versatile pice that could be used in a lot of themes, and is the kind of thing people (collectors and parents) will buy in multiples. I could use dozens of them in my zoo, for instance. If they sold them in DS packs of 5, then many people would probably buy 2 packs, so they would have an even number if lining both sides of a street or walkway with them. So they would sell a lot of them. I think they would definitely get their money's worth out of a new mold on that one.
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I am with Bonnie on this one!
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...none of us has the data to say for sure what Playmobil's marketing plan is or what sets or themes they deem to be a success or failure.
When a theme gets cancelled after a year or two of being on the market it's obviously a failure.
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Guys let's face it! are you thinking WE should teach Geobra how and what to sell?? Really? They have been in the market for over 30 years and I don't think they loose a dime out of the choices they make wether themes are on sale for 2 years or 10.
Come on! regarding the catalog itmes I think they chose the items THEY thought would sell better and those they could put into production out of the ones the pcc suggested!
Why so much drama about it? ;)
Let's enjoy it!
The PCC did a good job and Geobra was really fast to deliver. Im surprised they already have them ready to put into the catalogs!
Can't wait to get them all!
Let's be proactive and talk about the future.... what's done is done! let's talk about next year catalog ;D
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Well said :)9
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100% agree @ bonniebeth
i calculated that i need a minimum of 50 to 80 of them and for 5.00 euros/per piece (for example) i wouldn't hesitate one second to place an order immediatelly
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Guys let's face it! are you thinking WE should teach Geobra how and what to sell?? Really? They have been in the market for over 30 years and I don't think they loose a dime out of the choices they make wether themes are on sale for 2 years or 10.
Come on! regarding the catalog itmes I think they chose the items THEY thought would sell better and those they could put into production out of the ones the pcc suggested!
Why so much drama about it? ;)
Let's enjoy it!
The PCC did a good job and Geobra was really fast to deliver. Im surprised they already have them ready to put into the catalogs!
Can't wait to get them all!
Let's be proactive and talk about the future.... what's done is done! let's talk about next year catalog ;D
These discussions are very helpful to the future way the PCC can address the chance Geobra asks us again. The first time the PCC was caught off guard but if we all discuss it now we could be better prepared as we will have more understanding into how everyone thinks ;)
WE can teach Geobra on how we the collectors think and what we want. We are customers after all so they should as a business listen to us
I do not hear to many people complaining about the DS list but how the process happened, how it could be better and that is a good thing for the community as a whole
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100% agree @ bonniebeth
i calculated that i need a minimum of 50 to 80 of them and for 5.00 euros/per piece (for example) i wouldn't hesitate one second to place an order immediatelly
too bad you can only place an order of 9 on their web sites . You get this message "Please reduce the number of pieces ordered to a maximum of 9 as we can sell items only for personal or family use."
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WE can teach Geobra on how we the collectors think and what we want. We are customers after all so they should as a business listen to us
I agree with this totally. Though I don't think we are their main audience.....yet.
the process is done and we can't change it now, so no point complaining about it. it was the best that could be done by the time it was done with the time they had to do it. (btw I was not in the pcc)
let's share ideas for next time! ;D
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I agree with this totally. Though I don't think we are their main audience.....yet.
If the current kid toy buying trend continues we may be their only audience ;D
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I think that a different marketing strategy would really boost sales in the U.S. There is a small, affluent suburb outside of Chicago that has a bunch of smaller toy stores, just filled with educational toys that are not normally sold in the major mass-marketed stores, like WalMart and Target, and Playmobil sells really well at these small toy stores. I think if Playmobil marketed the well-made and educational aspect of their product, sales would really improve. I don't like Collin having cheaply-produced toys because I know certain standards, like lead, can sneak by. I don't want my son playing with lead toys and I don't think other parents would either :no:
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If you want more than 9 of an item, that's where being a PCC member should over ride the limits. If you have a member number you should be allowed to buy as many as you require because you are a collector using them in displays, etc.
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I agree with this totally. Though I don't think we are their main audience.....yet.
the process is done and we can't change it now, so no point complaining about it. it was the best that could be done by the time it was done with the time they had to do it. (btw I was not in the pcc)
let's share ideas for next time! ;D
If we become their main audience they will stop producing toys.
They've already expanded out into making plastic plant pots. There's nothing stopping them from putting even less direction and effort into toys and more into other endeavours. (well, there is, money)
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I think that a different marketing strategy would really boost sales in the U.S. There is a small, affluent suburb outside of Chicago that has a bunch of smaller toy stores, just filled with educational toys that are not normally sold in the major mass-marketed stores, like WalMart and Target, and Playmobil sells really well at these small toy stores. I think if Playmobil marketed the well-made and educational aspect of their product, sales would really improve. I don't like Collin having cheaply-produced toys because I know certain standards, like lead, can sneak by. I don't want my son playing with lead toys and I don't think other parents would either :no:
Absolutely.
Look at how much marketing effort Mattel puts into their toy lines (hot wheels, barbies, etc).
There's a reason they do that. Same with Lego. If Playmobil did the same I can't even dream of all the new sets and expansions to existing themes (and bringing back of old ones). ;D
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Guys let's face it! are you thinking WE should teach Geobra how and what to sell?? Really? They have been in the market for over 30 years and I don't think they loose a dime out of the choices they make wether themes are on sale for 2 years or 10.
They are not supermen. They put their pants on in the morning one leg at a time just like the rest of us.
If they really knew what they were doing we would never have seen themes flop the way they have.
And you'd better believe they've lost a few dimes on those themes. And they will be very reluctant to repeat those mistakes.
The themes that are the olde stand-bys are the ones that keep them afloat are farm, horse ranch, pirates, knights, construction (to a certain degree but last year's sets show even that isn't cut and dried as a stand-by - kind of like the western sets), city life, dollhouse, princess, fire and police.
The other keep coming and going which means that 1) Geobra is willing to risk some things to try to expand and hit new areas and 2) they really do not know what they are doing or every single theme they produce would be a 'stand-by'.
As for time being a factor for knowing what to do, I think we just need to read any newspaper from North America from the last two years (and ask all the people who lost their jobs) that just because a company has (had!) been around for many decades (or centuries) does not mean they have a clue what they are doing today and have gone out of business and bankrupt.
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An aggressive advertising campaign on children's TV channels would definitely be a great idea! There are so many people unfamiliar with the Playmobil brand, & don't realize the quality that is put in every toy, the introduction on TV would cause a definite increase in sales. I know my 3 year old grandson wants everything he sees on those commercials!
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...i just found out about the new items. wow....i just do not understand why i can´t see the new items in the online store. please help.
:wave:
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...i just found out about the new items. wow....i just do not understand why i can´t see the new items in the online store. please help.
:wave:
The will probably be available from september onwards.
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Wolf : thx for the info. i am speachless about the items to be found there...
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The will probably be available from september onwards.
In greece , in sep ???? :love: :love: :love:
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In greece , in sep ???? :love: :love: :love:
sold out in sep :) sorry :lol
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350 of these new english soldiers, 20 of their captains, 5 wine barrels, 5 water tanks, 5 wind mills, 5 steck houses, 5 old timer cars, 5 sheperds, quite a few animals , if these are available anywhere and anyone can get them for me i will pay a premium / bonus whatever you want to call it to whoever helps me out. I need these items and these quantities !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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i just phoned up playmobil and they said all new parts ( bakery etc ) will be available from 1st of june @ DS germany. they couldn´t tell me about which parts will be sold seperatly from the bakery.
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i just phoned up playmobil and they said all new parts ( bakery etc ) will be available from 1st of june @ DS germany. they couldn´t tell me about which parts will be sold seperatly from the bakery.
:yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee:
..ebay will soon be flooded with those goodies !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! anyone from germany who can get me these quantities ( i will pay of course in advance etc ) please PM if willing to help me ;) ;) ;)
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George: check your PM ;)
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:yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee:
..ebay will soon be flooded with those goodies !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! anyone from germany who can get me these quantities ( i will pay of course in advance etc ) please PM if willing to help me ;) ;) ;)
Hope the ebay buyers are informed this time and wont get the reissued items at substantial premium, like they did for the Victorian fence...
I actually would want PF from Germany to help me, but I really dont know how the shipping rate works.... :hmm:
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350 of these new english soldiers, 20 of their captains
Wow!
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George: check your PM ;)
Thanks you Sir, i have also sent a PM ;) ;) ;) ;)
Hadock : 350 will make a formittable sight , i have pictures of the charge of the british soldiers in the movie barry lyndon !!! :love: :love: :love: :love: :love:
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finally i can finish my farm diorama
i will order about 280 scarecrow , 500 ponywagon and another 300 guinea pigs
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finally i can finish my farm diorama
i will order about 280 scarecrow , 500 ponywagon and another 300 guinea pigs
:hmm:
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finally i can finish my farm diorama
i will order about 280 scarecrow , 500 ponywagon and another 300 guinea pigs
Thats gonna be one huge farm 8}
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OK now. René. I gotta ask: what are the Guinea pigs for?
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i just phoned up playmobil and they said all new parts ( bakery etc ) will be available from 1st of june @ DS germany. they couldn´t tell me about which parts will be sold seperatly from the bakery.
I hope they will have separate parts for the water tower ...
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Yeah... What are the pony wagons for, too?
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This is too easy. Skywalker is obviously going to build a dio where 280 (mutant)-scarecrows are doing a "Ben Hur"-Memorial-Race with ponywaggons pulled by guinea-pigs round the farm and man, i'd love to see that ;D
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:lol: :lol: :lol: Thay would be great!!!
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That works for me! :)9 I'd almost be willing to pay to see that! :lol:
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If he's going to do guinea pig chariot races he would be better to get 30 28 0860 - Chariot, small (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30-28-0860) from the circus dog act.
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Maybe we have it all wrong, and the scarecrows will be pulling wagons full of guinea pigs! :D
Or maybe he's planning to do 300 custom prairie dogs/gophers? :P
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This is too easy. Skywalker is obviously going to build a dio where 280 (mutant)-scarecrows are doing a "Ben Hur"-Memorial-Race with ponywaggons pulled by guinea-pigs round the farm and man, i'd love to see that ;D
this should be a surprise........mmmmmmpffffff
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
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.. i watched barry lyndon last night the playmo new english soldiers are such a good resemblance of hte real ones, its super , super ,super !!!!!! for some reason i cant see the pictures in this thread anymore , could i ask someone to post them as attachments, if not too much to ask ???
I am gonna get these english soldiers instead of the classic red coats, i think they look much better and wil fit nicely with the ships/ pirates . i cant wait ., i am gonna get 350 of them !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :love: :love: :love: :love:
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I don't want my son playing with lead toys and I don't think other parents would either :no:
Didn't do me any harm!!! I do agree, however, that Playmobil currently has its place in the world of niche toyshops. It is, for some reason, regarded as "middle class" here although it is sold in a variety of different shops. It's possibly because it is perceived to have a bit of an educational leaning that parents who want the broadest education for their child (both at home and ad school) are the types of parents who buy it.
An aggressive advertising campaign on children's TV channels would definitely be a great idea! There are so many people unfamiliar with the Playmobil brand, & don't realize the quality that is put in every toy, the introduction on TV would cause a definite increase in sales. I know my 3 year old grandson wants everything he sees on those commercials!
I don't know about aggressive, but Playmobil do advertise on television here. We only watch one commercial channel with children's programmes on it so I don't know if they advertise on any others. We watch for an hour before school in the morning and there's usually two adverts during that time. At the moment it's just the Top Agents sets and the new Holiday sets (Vacation to you) eg the camper, the swimming pool and the house).
There are a alot of adverts for ghastly Lelly Kelly shoes and those furry ZhaZHa pet things. Makes you wonder if girls are more easily persuaded to pester their parents than boys!
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It has been a long time since I watched a kids program...
Actually it hasn't, which is unsettling at best, but when I watched it with my sister I saw no adds for Playmobil.
Nor do I think I have ever seen adds for Playmobil here in the US. ???
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I've never seen one yet.
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I wouldn't know if there were any in the US as our TV is only for movies we buy or rent. I do think that an aggressive advertising campaign would help increase peoples awareness of what playmobil even is, maybe people will stop referring to it as L∑&0
My wife as a kid used to ask her parent for all kinds of things for Christmas then one year her dad unplugged it and her and her sister did not ask for anything that year, so the story goes anyways ;)
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Well, playmobil in greece sell by themselves! Any parent, uncle, aunt, grandparent, godparent know that playmobil = highest quality and its easier for them to get rid of the headache of what should I buy ???
I have not seen any commercials on TV but I know they exist... about a year or so I found a viking longboat forgotten at the top of a shelve, to a small town, and it costed 50 euros... the toys shop owner thanked me for helping them get rid of it but she could not make a better price because playmobil are paying so much for commenrcials and their products are so expensive because they have to take it off the final retail price...
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There are playmo ads in greek tv , very short and with a lot of pictures shown , the ' fast forward type' if you ask me. Playmobil has a very strong presence in greece with almost all toyshops having its products from what i know though the past 2 years have been very tough as the same goes for all greece :( :( :( :(
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I have been collecting for 2 yrs and only seen one or two pm commercials. Btw, I have two small kids and our tv stays on the kids network stations. Zhu zhu pets are plastered all over these networks. I believe the commercials I saw were advertising dragonland.
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can someone post these pictures of the new DS catalogue as attachments in this thread please ??? i cant see them .... :-\ :-\ :-\ :-\ :-\
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I don't like Collin having cheaply-produced toys because I know certain standards, like lead, can sneak by. I don't want my son playing with lead toys and I don't think other parents would either :no:
For all the uproar over lead they certainly gloss over the fact that all old cars are painted with lead paint, so are old houses, fences, toys, glasses, decanters, etc. You name it. Not to mention all the plumbing was made from lead. And guess what? They've never pulled out the lead plumbing. There's never been any type of effort to get rid of it. And for the cost of doing it, there never will be.
So with all the talk about it people are still drinking water from lead pipes - in their homes, schools, work, museums, public facilities - you name it.
When pipes were changed to copper (early mid 20th Century), the solder used to fasten them together had lead in it too. So you never got away from it.
So, really, what would it matter if they still used it ... because they still use it.
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For all the uproar over lead they certainly gloss over the fact that all old cars are painted with lead paint, so are old houses, fences, toys, glasses, decanters, etc. You name it. Not to mention all the plumbing was made from lead. And guess what? They've never pulled out the lead plumbing. There's never been any type of effort to get rid of it. And for the cost of doing it, there never will be.
So with all the talk about it people are still drinking water from lead pipes - in their homes, schools, work, museums, public facilities - you name it.
When pipes were changed to copper (early mid 20th Century), the solder used to fasten them together had lead in it too. So you never got away from it.
So, really, what would it matter if they still used it ... because they still use it.
Lead is unquestionably a poison and the more lead that is consumed the greater the harm done. This is a fact. Lead may, indeed, be everywhere but that is why it is so important to avoid it as much as possible.
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There are playmo ads in greek tv , very short and with a lot of pictures shown , the ' fast forward type' if you ask me
yes i've seen two of them one with the top agent's theme and one for the summer house... are they more?
Playmobil has a very strong presence in greece with almost all toyshops having its products
i'am in n.york now and i haven't seen a single desent toy store ? ??? ??? I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY PLAYMOBIL UNTIL NOW... WHAT'S GOING ON THEY DON'T SELL PLAYMOBIL IN THIS COUNTRY?
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You're in NY already, Alex? I didn't realize that! Playmobil is almost unheard of here, it isn't widespread, not carried in most small toy stores. But Learning Express and Toys R Us both carry it.
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You're in NY already, Alex? I didn't realize that! Playmobil is almost unheard of here, it isn't widespread, not carried in most small toy stores. But Learning Express and Toys R Us both carry it.
really ? oh noooooo :hissyfit: :hissyfit: :hissyfit: this is weird because i see many auctions with playmobil from the us on ebay , playmobil is unheard in NY only or in whole the us? :hmm: :hmm:
Express and Toys R Us .... i'll have to see where are these stores ,definetly not in astoria though
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Well, I've never shopped for them in new york, but in the US in general, they are just not all that popular. Most people have not heard of them. But there are a lucky few of us who realize how great they are!
You can also try Tuesday Morning, Burke's Outlet, Target, and K Mart. Sometimes they have it. If one Target doesn't have it, check another. Some carry none at all and others carry quite a few things.
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Well, I've never shopped for them in new york, but in the US in general, they are just not all that popular. Most people have not heard of them. But there are a lucky few of us who realize how great they are!
You can also try Tuesday Morning, Burke's Outlet, Target, and K Mart. Sometimes they have it. If one Target doesn't have it, check another. Some carry none at all and others carry quite a few things.
thanks for the information bonnie :) i'am surprized for not being popular here :o :o :o :o
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I really think if they would advertize more it would help. Here the toy everyone has heard of and no toy shop would even think of not carrying is Lego, Playmobil just is not a big name. It's better now than when I was a kid though. Back then, Toys R Us didn't even carry it! We just happened to run across it at a family run toy store that carried it back then.
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I really think if they would advertize more it would help. Here the toy everyone has heard of and no toy shop would even think of not carrying is Lego, Playmobil just is not a big name. It's better now than when I was a kid though. Back then, Toys R Us didn't even carry it! We just happened to run across it at a family run toy store that carried it back then.
why they don't advertize it? :hmm: :hmm: there is much population here i think it would worth the money ...
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Your guess is as good as mine. Drives me crazy.
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That's a question we all would like to have answered here in the USA. Another consideration maybe there are not enough dealers to satisfy a big demand if it was advertised unlike L*&@ that is carried everywhere. :-\
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Lead is unquestionably a poison and the more lead that is consumed the greater the harm done. This is a fact. Lead may, indeed, be everywhere but that is why it is so important to avoid it as much as possible.
I agree, but I think the point is, that in a lot of cases it is unavoidable and we are ingesting it o a daily basis. What with the lead in my water pipes, the mercury fillings in my teeth, the arsenic in my water supply and the higher than average levels of naturally occurring radiation where I live, can I hope to live into my late eighties (dad still going strong at 87) or my 90s (my grandparents' generation who lived through 2 World Wars and no health warnings on anything. Two of them (my grandad and great aunt were smokers as well!).
I'm convinced it's the worry about all these things that gets you in the end ;D
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My next door neighbor just died at nearly 90, she was very overweight most of her life, and ate a farm-girl diet, lots of lard and all. You just never know.
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thanks for the information bonnie :) i'am surprized for not being popular here :o :o :o :o
Hey Alex !!!! have you landed to the Big Apple then ? Best of luck with everything !!!! Remember to change your location in your profile Sir !!! Enjoy NY !!! I love NY its such a hip place to be !!!!!
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what about the famous toy store Schwartz???? :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:
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what about the famous toy store Schwartz???? :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:
Not as fabulous anymore... and carries only a little Playmobil.
I didn't see anything to get too worked up about, except some cargo ships.
And of course, everything was considerably more then what you would normally pay. ::)
NY! :love:
One of the greatest places in the world I am sure! ;D
I absolutely love it. :)
I seem to have missed something though,
Alex, are you moving to NY? Or on vacation or what? ???
How long will you be there. :wave:
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. . . Express and Toys R Us .... i'll have to see where are these stores ,definetly not in astoria though
Hi Alex! Welcome to the US! Shopping in NYC can be quite challenging - when you say "Astoria" I assume that you mean the Astoria section of the borough of Queens - is that correct? If so, one way to locate stores that sell Playmobil is to use the "Store Locator" box on the home page of Playmobil USA (http://store.playmobilusa.com/). Use the "zip code" (postal code) for your area (Astoria seems to have six zip codes: 11101, 11102, 11103, 11104, 11105, and 11106) and you will get a list of stores in the area that sell Playmobil. Hope this helps! :)
I would definitely suggest that you telephone the stores before visiting to see if they still carry Playmobil (or even if they are still in existence!) because I have noticed that, in my area (Boston) there are some out-of-date entries in the store lists - but at least it is a place to start!
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Hi Alex! Welcome to the US! Shopping in NYC can be quite challenging - when you say "Astoria" I assume that you mean the Astoria section of the borough of Queens - is that correct? If so, one way to locate stores that sell Playmobil is to use the "Store Locator" box on the home page of Playmobil USA (http://store.playmobilusa.com/). Use the "zip code" (postal code) for your area (Astoria seems to have six zip codes: 11101, 11102, 11103, 11104, 11105, and 11106) and you will get a list of stores in the area that sell Playmobil. Hope this helps! :)
I have found in the past the this info is a bit dated so once you get the names/numbers of the stores off the list I would call to confirm the stores are still stocking playmobil and are even still physically there ;)
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I have found in the past the this info is a bit dated so once you get the names/numbers of the stores off the list I would call to confirm the stores are still stocking playmobil and are even still physically there ;)
That's so funny, Rasputin! I was amending my comment to say the same thing while you were posting your comment! Great minds . . . ;D
It is amazing to me that they don't do a better job with keeping this information up-to-date. How difficult can it be? A store places a wholesale order, you put them in the list - done.
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what about the famous toy store Schwartz???? :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:
FAO Schwarz is now owned by ToysRUs (sad but true) and there is only one physical store remaining anywhere - it is located in New York City on 5th Avenue at 58th Street in the first floor of the GM Building. Many ToysRUS stores have a special section for FAO Schwarz items and there is an online FAO Schwarz store (they also have an ebay store - 8}) In the past, when FAO Schwarz was a real toy store and not just a "name" they had many stores around the country (mostly in big cities) and they did carry a pretty full line of Playmobil. I will never forget the Playmobil "Boston Tea Party" scene that was on display in the Boston store many years ago - it was fabulous! Unfortunately that was before the time of cell phone cameras so, no pix. :'(
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Yes, that store locator thing is almost useless, I find. :hmm: Extremely outdated!
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Yes, that store locator thing is almost useless, I find. :hmm: Extremely outdated!
Maybe it would be good to find things that are old (and still on the shelves).
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The times I have tried to use it the stores did not even exist anymore. One was out in the middle of nowhere, appeared to be the wrong address altogether, another one, it appeared the shopping center the store had been in had bee demolished and a new development long since built in its place (because the numbering was totally different and the whole area looked new) and no toy store in sight. Another led to a residential street in a nice neighborhood, apparently to the home of someone who had an ebay store that sold playmobil. ???
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It is a good place to check but confirm the info. I use that, the wed search, and phone-books. When I find a phone # I just ring them up and ask if they have any. Even when they no longer stock I have seen store displays that are quite rare. I have found many treasures and I know there are more.
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Will someone in germany be able to take a massive english soldiers order for me ??? I want 350 of them and 15 of their captains ...... The new style this is with the triangular hats and the captains with the long red coats :love: :love: :love: :love: :love:
I am going to build a 450 strong british army with 30 cannons artillery and oou tof which about 60-70 will be cavalry.... :love: :love: :love: :love:
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Will someone in germany be able to take a massive english soldiers order for me ???
Sorry..., I would, but I can't order something in the DS! :'(
Geobra know, that I am a playmobil dealer (I am not selling DS articles at all) and a collector.
I hope, that the membership in the playmobil collectors club will change this, so that I am allowed again to order in the DS.
(I am not the black sheep with the expensive Ebay sales!)
Daniel
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Will someone in germany be able to take a massive english soldiers order for me ??? I want 350 of them and 15 of their captains ...... The new style this is with the triangular hats and the captains with the long red coats :love: :love: :love: :love: :love:
I am going to build a 450 strong british army with 30 cannons artillery and oou tof which about 60-70 will be cavalry.... :love: :love: :love: :love:
i thought you managed to order DS parts in greece now ???
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i thought you managed to order DS parts in greece now ???
Yes but not items that are not yet in the greek catalogue... or items that have never been in the greek catalogue...
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Wolf: i see...great new avatar btw :wave:
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Yes but not items that are not yet in the greek catalogue... or items that have never been in the greek catalogue...
Well i was told today we cant order anymore more than 40-50 of a part at a time, i am really frustrated with this !!!!! :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:
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George: why don´t you open a playmobil shop ? obviously money is no problem and the risk is minimal because you can keep all the stuff you don´t sell - honestly you should think about it... :wave:
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Well i was told today we cant order anymore more than 40-50 of a part at a time, i am really frustrated with this !!!!! :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:
40 - 50 of a part is more than enough for me. at least we can order limitles parts. It could have been worst if they told us ''you can get only 25 parts'' then We'd need to prioratise our items even more..
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40 - 50 of a part is more than enough for me. at least we can order limitles parts. It could have been worst if they told us ''you can get only 25 parts'' then We'd need to prioratise our items even more..
it should be 200 of a barrier , so i want to buy 200 rifles with bayonnaites i have to wait 10 weeks for all the orders to arrive, this is just stupid . :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:
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You have a point, its frustrating waiting for your order to arrive bit by bit...
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it should be 200 of a barrier , so i want to buy 200 rifles with bayonnaites i have to wait 10 weeks for all the orders to arrive, this is just stupid . :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:
Can you imagine the tears on the little faces of all the little children who would be disappointed that they could not replace the favourite Klicky that they had left on the bus because Giorginetto had bought every last one all in one go.
Can you imagine your small self at the age of 6 or 7 weeping tears of genuine grief for that lost Klicky that could have been replaced except for the fact that the grown ups have them all ;)
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Can you imagine the tears on the little faces of all the little children who would be disappointed that they could not replace the favourite Klicky that they had left on the bus because Giorginetto had bought every last one all in one go.
Can you imagine your small self at the age of 6 or 7 weeping tears of genuine grief for that lost Klicky that could have been replaced except for the fact that the grown ups have them all ;)
I have a feeling this is not why Geobra is complaining. I think it is more about profit margins . If you buy a set from the store they have predetermined the costs and through assembly line production keep it as low as possible. If you buy from DS, which is supposed to be a customer service for replacement parts, then there is a different profit margin. The warehouse staff have to individually go fetch the one or a hundred parts and personally bag them up for an individuals special need client. DS was for truly lost parts not a store for collectors. I think Geobra could update the system and keep both happy after all Germans can make everything better, right ;)
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This is a true but sad reality now. Hopefully being a PCC member will change the restrictions on quantities someday! :crossed:
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Can you imagine the tears on the little faces of all the little children who would be disappointed that they could not replace the favourite Klicky that they had left on the bus because Giorginetto had bought every last one all in one go.
Can you imagine your small self at the age of 6 or 7 weeping tears of genuine grief for that lost Klicky that could have been replaced except for the fact that the grown ups have them all ;)
I am sure geobra can produce thousands if the orders are there though , they run SAP so they know exact ordered quantities at any time etc etc , i think its other reasons why they are doing that . i will havea word with playmobil greece, they better give me the quantities i want or else i am taking my orders elsewhere!!!! :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:
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Ooh, you've got a heart of stone, you have!! :lol:
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Seriously George, you are probably one of about 3 or 4 people in the world who regularly wants to buy items in those kind of quantities for personal use. It's logical for them to assume anyone who wants 400x a dozen items is probably selling them.
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Can you imagine the tears on the little faces of all the little children who would be disappointed that they could not replace the favourite Klicky that they had left on the bus because Giorginetto had bought every last one all in one go.
Can you imagine your small self at the age of 6 or 7 weeping tears of genuine grief for that lost Klicky that could have been replaced except for the fact that the grown ups have them all ;)
agreed totally and we are guilty as charged :P
...another thing is that they probably use those stock-keeping-auto-reordering (levels) programs to keep stocks minimal and at the same time making sure pare parts are available to customers but an infrequent order of say '200' upsets even the most sophiscated software/formula...I ordered 8 of those white pom-poms when they were available but during picking, I was told they have run out...its such a new item and there cant be so many kids who have lost and reorderd so many so soon, so I can only guess its us collectors or someone selling on ebay, so i cant complain to them.. :-[
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Seriously George, you are probably one of about 3 or 4 people in the world who regularly wants to buy items in those kind of quantities for personal use. It's logical for them to assume anyone who wants 400x a dozen items is probably selling them.
I am sure there are many more BB. And there are people in this forum who buy no less than me, but it seems i talk too much about it :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:.... I will speak to Playmobil Greece who know me a bit by now and tell them to tell them that these are all for personall use.
Bad Mum : Heart of Stone . eeerrrr when it come to playmobil , yes !!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
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And that's where it would be nice with the PCC if we could be registered as collectors and have higher limits, as they know it really is for our personal use.
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Totally there with you bb!!! I hope being a member in the PCC will allow us unlimited access to the various unlimited parts ;D
poor children.... :evilplan:
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George, before you get annoyed at the quantities,
remember just a little while ago you didn't even have the option of getting 50. 0)
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George, before you get annoyed at the quantities,
remember just a little while ago you didn't even have the option of getting 50. 0)
Good point ;)
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George, before you get annoyed at the quantities,
remember just a little while ago you didn't even have the option of getting 50. 0)
Ooh, George got told! :P
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George, before you get annoyed at the quantities,
remember just a little while ago you didn't even have the option of getting 50. 0)
:hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:
In a free market economy , i expect customer service of high standards to be told we can still order 500 parts but break them in 10 orders is (1) annoying ( 2) waste of time for customer and customer serivce ( 3) costly as the work is repated 10 times for the same financial benefit ( 3) delays for the customer / collector
WoT i disagree with you not from a matter of principle as truly before i couldnt get one part but from a point of logic. it dont make sense to me and will only put off collector's enthusiasts from creating grnad designs
for the reasons i explained before i really cant see the rational of such a policy . :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:
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Ooh, George got told! :P
yeap, big time too !!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Hi Alex! Welcome to the US! Shopping in NYC can be quite challenging - when you say "Astoria" I assume that you mean the Astoria section of the borough of Queens - is that correct? If so, one way to locate stores that sell Playmobil is to use the "Store Locator" box on the home page of Playmobil USA (http://store.playmobilusa.com/). Use the "zip code" (postal code) for your area (Astoria seems to have six zip codes: 11101, 11102, 11103, 11104, 11105, and 11106) and you will get a list of stores in the area that sell Playmobil. Hope this helps! :)
I would definitely suggest that you telephone the stores before visiting to see if they still carry Playmobil (or even if they are still in existence!) because I have noticed that, in my area (Boston) there are some out-of-date entries in the store lists - but at least it is a place to start!
thanks for your help anne :) i place my zip code at that box but no store appears close to my area all very far away... i guess it did not find anything for this area and searched for everywhere probably :-\
I seem to have missed something though,
Alex, are you moving to NY? Or on vacation or what? ???
How long will you be there. :wave:
yes i'am not for vacation i'am afraid :lol: :lol: :lol: things in greece are very bad so if a young person can leave it's the best for him :)
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Hey Alex !!!! have you landed to the Big Apple then ? Best of luck with everything !!!! Remember to change your location in your profile Sir !!! Enjoy NY !!! I love NY its such a hip place to be !!!!!
thanx george ;)
But Learning Express and Toys R Us both carry it.
i discovered a toys R store close to my house yesterday , but no PM at all ,i took a quiqk look at the other toys nothing significant mostly made in china cheap stuff ,no lego's either...
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.. back on the subject , with the recent posts abou the letters that Playmobil is sending to ebay sellers, i hope we dont get a limit to quantities we can order from DS catalogues also !!!!! That woudl be disastrus !!!! :no: :no: :no: :no: :no: :no: