PlaymoFriends
General => Report & Review => Topic started by: lavandiere on May 13, 2011, 16:10:12
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I went back to TRU and purchased the bus after all. I can't believe it's made in China! :-\ As far as I'm concerned the quality is not as good as the usual Playmobil, made in Europe. The plastic just doesn't feel the same, the paint job is not perfect...maybe I'm just picky. The wheels are made of rubber. The lights shut off after 40 sec. It comes with 3 kids and the bus driver. The back door doesn't open which makes it look even "cheaper".The back lights (above bumper) are just stickers.
Yeah, not impressed at all. :(
I'll take pictures later because the camera's batteries are still charging.
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I had a bad feeling about this one and the garbage truck. It is too similar to the horrible fire truck :'( Someone even mentioned how the box looked similar
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:'(
I had such hopes for this one ...
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I had a bad feeling about this one and the garbage truck. It is too similar to the horrible fire truck :'( Someone even mentioned how the box looked similar
Yes! Same looking box. The ambulance I saw is also made in China and $19.99. Probably same cheap toy.
taking pics right now.
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At least it has rubber wheels. :-\ hey geobra, we americans are buying playmobil because we DON'T WANT cheap chinese junk!! So stop making US exclusives in china!!!! :hmm:
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I am sorry to hear that... Bill and Ras had their suspicions all along...
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The box that looks so much like the fire engine one, both from China of course.
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1db32b3127ccefd4eff13059800000030O08AbtWzlk3YuAe3nw8/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/)
Button on top to switch on the lights. It just looks so cheap. They really kept everything to a strict minimum.
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1db32b3127ccefd4e090984c900000030O08AbtWzlk3YuAe3nw8/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/)
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1db32b3127ccefd4e2220c46d00000030O08AbtWzlk3YuAe3nw8/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/)
I hate the back so much!! Completely dislike those stickers and the door that will never open.
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1db32b3127ccefd4f42ad65ac00000030O08AbtWzlk3YuAe3nw8/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/)
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1db32b3127ccefd4e2fe4843700000030O08AbtWzlk3YuAe3nw8/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/)
Not sure which language to pick; I speak french to the girls.
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1db32b3127ccefd4f7080659800000030O08AbtWzlk3YuAe3nw8/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/)
The black kids' neck is not even well painted.
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1db32b3127ccefd4fd9b3a45700000030O08AbtWzlk3YuAe3nw8/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/)
Not a great paint job here either...
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1db32b3127ccefd4f65eda45700000030O08AbtWzlk3YuAe3nw8/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/)
Between the windows and the tire, on the yellow part, you can guess a smudge type of thing. Not too visible on the pic but when you hold the toy in your hand it is very noticeable. I don't know how to explain it...if you rub an eraser on plastic , you get that type of smudge, know what I mean?
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1db32b3127ccefd4ff9b8257c00000030O08AbtWzlk3YuAe3nw8/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/)
If you need me to take more pics, let me know.
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compared to Antex stuff that looks awesome! :lol:
I still think it is a nice set, thought I would have to "feel" it to know better. :-[
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Thank you for these pics! It does not look too bad... apart from the sloppy details... then again, maybe I'd have a different opinion of I was holding it in my hands...
The smudge happens because the items are loose in the box... :(
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All right, here is what I wish it had:
side mirrors
more blicking lights above "school bus" , along the bus and behind
a second black line running around the bus
a door that opens in the back
plastic instead of stickers for back brake lights
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Thanks so much for the wonderful pics and review!
Too bad about the whole "made in China" thing. Disappointing! And no emergency exit! Isn't that unlawful?
Still, I'm going to buy one, but I won't be too happy about it!
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Thanks for this review :wave:
I won't be buying it now :)
Good for the old wallet :)9
Damo :)
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Thanks for the pictures.
These models are really not doing China anything to improve their image. It was argued in the past that it was the parent company that did not demand higher standards. Geobra has always been a highest standard type toy and with each set that gets made in China it is becoming obvious that they just can not make anything of quality. The Chinese chicken dragon had a very sloppy paint job as well.
Did any other vehicle have a license plate like that. The "playmobil" and the set number on it? it looks silly
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Having fun....
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1db32b3127ccefd4eaba8843900000030O08AbtWzlk3YuAe3nw8/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/)
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1db32b3127ccefd4ee37e84cb00000030O08AbtWzlk3YuAe3nw8/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/)
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1db32b3127ccefd4f7e3f652000000030O08AbtWzlk3YuAe3nw8/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/)
She is saying "hi!"....Come on everybody! Say "hi"! lol ;D
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1db32b3127ccefd4fcbbb256600000030O08AbtWzlk3YuAe3nw8/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/)
Now I need to get the school sets...I'll wait until they get discountinued and hopefully find them for a bargain at TRU. :P
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Yes! Same looking box. The ambulance I saw is also made in China and $19.99. Probably same cheap toy.
taking pics right now.
what is this ambulance you speak of ? Is it new? I remember the bus, garbage truck and the hospital but not an ambulance
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My guess is that they made a cheaper ambulance to go along with the new take-along hospital. It will probably be much like the school bus, garbage truck, and infamous fire truck. :-\
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Thank you for this review, lavandiere. As I was afraid of, this is a situation that will make the usual Playmobil quality we are used to, look bad. I was hoping Playmobil would have taken notice from the fire truck, that their toys manufactured in China are not good for their reputation.
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what is this ambulance you speak of ? Is it new? I remember the bus, garbage truck and the hospital but not an ambulance
It's an ambulance also made in China, $19.99. Same looking box as the bus. It looks a lot like this one:
(http://demandware.edgesuite.net/aabe_prd/on/demandware.static/Sites-US-Site/Sites-Catalog/en_US/v1305280780267/imagesOnline/products/4221.jpg)
I might go back to TRU tomorrow after dropping off my oldest to Ballet. This time I'll bring my camera along because I am not buying the ambulance.
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So here is the cheap version of the ambulance posted above...
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1db35b3127ccefd4937c9afcf00000030O08AbtWzlk3YuAe3nw8/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/)
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1db35b3127ccefd48d5308f0b00000030O08AbtWzlk3YuAe3nw8/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/)
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It looks..... well, cheap. But the regular ambulance is so expensive. :-\ I guess it's good to have a cheap alternative.
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I like the female klicky paramedic :love:
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thank you so much for the review
hmm i think i still prefer the old school bus, which noy only was made in Europe but still looks like playmobil
the easter bunny sets were also manufactured in China but i never noticed any quality issue
such a long wait for a disappointment, bah ::)
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Do you still want one when I can get them, Luis?
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Do you still want one when I can get them, Luis?
check your inbox ;)
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It looks..... well, cheap. But the regular ambulance is so expensive. :-\ I guess it's good to have a cheap alternative.
The "real" ambulance is only 27.99 while 20% off at TRU, as it is for the rest of today. That's only $8 more, and very much worth it!!
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Yikes, I thought that dastardly Fire Engine was just a one-time mistake by Playmobil but now at least three other vehicles with the same cheap look.
Dear Playmobil, please re-release the lovely old #3170 as a Classic Edition...now is definitely the time to cash in on this one before the School theme goes away!
(http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/9/9/6/6/1/2/webimg/467501631_tp.jpg)
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Comparing the two ambulances, one can imagine the differences that would exist between a "real" school bus and the cheap one. It's really sad. Apples and oranges.
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Oh that ambulance also looks bad :(
I really do not like this sound feature. playmobil always had such a simple pleasure with only the working lights on the vehicles
Is the sound box located in the light assembly? I could use a red light on something and it seem to be the similar size as the other vehicles
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Oh that ambulance also looks bad :(
I really do not like this sound feature. playmobil always had such a simple pleasure with only the working lights on the vehicles
Is the sound box located in the light assembly? I could use a red light on something and it seem to be the similar size as the other vehicles
I am guessing it is... will check when I go back, again, to TRU for the xxxth time this week! You are killing me! 8} :P
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Yeah, I liked having only lights too, toys with sound are so annoying.
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Yeah, I liked having only lights too, toys with sound are so annoying.
That's one of the many reasons why I like Playmobil! ;)
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I am guessing it is... will check when I go back, again, to TRU for the xxxth time this week! You are killing me! 8} :P
Oh do not go back, unless of course you were planning on going to get your self something. Our TRU has not yet received its shipments of this new stuff and I sure hope it does, the sale ends 5/4/11
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You mean 5/14/11? That's today. Our TRU said their next shipment is coming in Thursday, so I'm going to go Friday or Saturday and see if they got them in.
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I hope this is not the look of things to come from Playmobil. I don't understand the double standards in their planning.
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I take it they think Americans like cheap chinese junk? :hmm:
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:hmm: Well I guess they think that we do since we import so much of it :-X
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Well if that's their strategy, it may end up causing first time buyers to not buy any more of their products. Why don't they just shoot themselves in the foot for starters!
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Seems like solid reasoning to me. Maybe they should make you CEO.
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BB has my vote! I think he'd do a lot better at it. Seriously.
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Free Playmobil for all Playmofriends! ;D
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:woohoo: Now you definitely get my vote!
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:confetti: :confetti: :confetti:
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Aw, shucks! :-[
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I'm going to call Playmobil CS on Monday, just for the heck of it. If I get the same lady I had last time , it's not going to be pretty!
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I'm going to call Playmobil CS on Monday, just for the heck of it. If I get the same lady I had last time , it's not going to be pretty!
Don't mention Playmofriends ;)
Free Playmobil for all Playmofriends! ;D
If I heard the CEO was giving away toys :captain:
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Don't mention Playmofriends ;)
ROFL! No I won't , promise...Even if I wanted to that sweet lady would probably hang up on me before I got to it...
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on the firetruck the sound is built into the lights and they look the same as the one on the ambulance
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on the firetruck the sound is built into the lights and they look the same as the one on the ambulance
I returned the fire truck after I took the pictures, I think it is the only playmobil I ever returned :no:
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For what it's worth, the school bus and new ambulance are now available on the TRU website.
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For what it's worth, the school bus and new ambulance are now available on the TRU website.
I wonder what happened to the garbage truck ?
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i wonder. Very strange that it's not there. ???
Speaking of TRU, I keep looking at this set and I'm confused by it. http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2314930 Isn't this a differeent set from the ones on Playmobil.com?
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I guess it's just photographed differently.
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I think it's just a different picture but the same royal washroom. ???
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yeap, same set, different pic!
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Why does it have to be SO pink? 8}
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Why does it have to be SO pink? 8}
Good question! :-\
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Apparently they are competing with Barbies... ::)
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Don't young girls like small, furry, warm, soft, cute, fresh & pink.
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If the colors were more neutral, it would be more enticing for a broader range of buyers.
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Precisely! And even as a young girl since everyone seems to think that you like pink, you get so tired of it! I think the wild colors ruins a lot of sets (initially I purchased all the Princess Castle sets to be integrated into the steck castle).
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I think most young girls go through a phase where they like pink, mostly because they feel they should because all their peers do. By the time they are 8 or 9, they, and all their peers rebel against pink and start to hate it, at which point they all love purple or blue for several years. Then eventually they begin to mature slightly and think for themselves a bit. :lol:
Anyway, my point is, by having everything pink, they limit their buying pool to girls 6 or 7 and younger.
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That pretty well explains it. :yup:
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i asked on a different thread about playmobils being made in china. i didn't realize that they had until i read all of the posts on this thread. yikes!!!!!! is there a phone number or department within playmobil we can all call to give our feedback. i think we should all do something before this becomes the norm!!
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I do wonder if we passed a petition, if we could make a difference on this issue.
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Probably not. I wonder if the molds are too thin, the plastic is substandard, or what else is the reason for substandard products.
The old fire truck had no accessible compartments, plastic tires, cheap feeling plastic, inferior design, fake molded cable winch, small water reservoir, hardly any accessories, & the list goes on & on.
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You returned it, right? Must have been really bad. At least the school bus has rubber tires.
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i asked on a different thread about playmobils being made in china. i didn't realize that they had until i read all of the posts on this thread. yikes!!!!!! is there a phone number or department within playmobil we can all call to give our feedback. i think we should all do something before this becomes the norm!!
When I called CS , they told me I could send my feedback on the german playmobil website; even if it's written in english. Germans are usually very good with foreign language so surely someone at Playmobil corp can understand our concern.
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You returned it, right? Must have been really bad. At least the school bus has rubber tires.
It was the only Playmobil item that I ever returned due to quality issues. :-\
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see, i think they need to hear all of this feedback. i will try to leave my opinions on the german site and see if i get a response. if not, i'll try to have my german friend translate my comments into german.
i think a petition is a wonderful idea!!
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I second that. Quality is synonymous with Playmobil
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I would hate to see people in the US finally start taking notice of playmobil, only to see it as another inferior made in china toy. I'm quite concerned over this, as it now seems to be a trend, rather than just a fluke!
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Sadly it could be. :'(
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i agree bonniebeth. i don't think there are any ( or many) other toy companies than playmobil that make their toys exclusively in germany, malta (and NOT in china...well until recently). truly, i think it is a huge selling point for playmobil. one can tell the amazing quality of playmobil toys versus most of the other toys. even "natural wooden toys" are often made in china!!
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After the lead paint scare, & quality issue regarding Made in China toys, it confuses me why Playmobil would even consider this as an option knowing their reputation could be put at risk.
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$$$ :hmm:
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:-\ Afraid so.
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Well, you hit the nail on the head Jenna. The excuse was that it cost too much to produce toys in Europe, & they were trying to compete with Made in China produced toys. 8}
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ok, so i just went onto the playmobil germany website to try to leave feedback....where do i leave it? i don't know what to click on because of course everything is in german. can someone help translate? where should i click to leave my feedback? thanks in advance.
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You may want to send a message to the customer support department. I'm sorry I can't help with the German website. :-[
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Did any other vehicle have a license plate like that. The "playmobil" and the set number on it? it looks silly
I think I've seen that before on some earlier sets.
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ok, so i just went onto the playmobil germany website to try to leave feedback....where do i leave it? i don't know what to click on because of course everything is in german. can someone help translate? where should i click to leave my feedback? thanks in advance.
The easiest way may be to write to them by the normal mail.
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Thanks for an excellent review and pics, Lavandiere!
It is disappointing that they've gone the cheap route, but I can understand why. Playmobil is vanishing from the shelves faster than you can say "Wha...?" and they need to compete somehow. I suspect the vast majority of parents shop down to a price, and will buy a $20 item where they might not have bought this bus if it was produced to a $40-$50 quality.
I can forgive ther back door not opening, that's the emergency exit and rarely opened anyway. I can forgive the single black stripe, a Google search shows School buses with anything from no stripe to three stripes. I can forgive the side door that doesn't open the way bus doors actually open, that would have been much more expensive to reproduce.
It's a shame about the poor plastic quality and shoddy paintwork, that's what you get when you farm out the work and don't check the quality. That'll hurt Playmobil's reputation without doubt. Every sub-par set lodges in our collective memory.
I'm disappointed in the lack of wing mirrors. This toy could have been used to show kids how the bus does its rounds, and that requires showing all the safety features to be present and working. If the driver is required to pull out without checking his mirrors, I predict a lot of accidents.
Will I buy one? Almost certainly. I'd like to have a new school bus (I have the old one), and this is the option that Playmobil have given me. Would I have bought it at $50 with more features and better quality? Yes, but I'd have to think about it more, and probably wait for a sale.
The shame is that this might just be the one and only set a US child ends up with, and think that the quality of this set represents ALL Playmobil quality. That would hurt Playmobil's future sales.
I understand why Playmobil try to produce these cheaper sets for the US market, and wish they didn't have to.
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Thank you, Martin for your replay. You totally speak out loud, what I was thinking! I will definitely buy two new school buses in order to have one English and one French version. It will look wonderful to have a French school class visiting the circus. ;D
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doesnt' look bad to me for $20 bucks. I want it! and perfect for customizing
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Well, I found out when PM had the 5952 ambulances on sale for 50% off, I could buy 2 of the 5952 for what 1 of the 4221 ambulances cost, & with a little customising, make them look close to the 4221 version, although I wish I could have gotten the 4221's instead for that price. :-\
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My biggest complaint is that the roof is not easy to snap on/off. Otherwise, I don't mind it, and a bargain at $20. Surprised, though, no school bus in the regular product line.
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Well, I got this for my girls for Easter.
It really is different from the 'regular' stuff.
The plastic itself is different. It is also a LOT thinner. I was afraid I was going to break the door trying to open it AND was afraid I was going to break the top when I tried to take that off!
I really like the theme - it adds a lot of play value, in my opinion, to the school sets. However, it is very cheaply made in comparison to their other stuff. I am actually shocked at how cheaply made it is (and this after being prepared for literally years about the difference between the out-sourced items like this and infamous fire truck from reading online).
The girls do like it, so that's good. However, I cannot see it lasting for decades of play. It will have a very limited lifespan before breaking. The first to go will be the front door. The plastic will not be forgiving and merely pop out and then back in - it is a polystyrene so it will break (regular Playmobil uses a softer more flexible type of plastic for a lot of the parts that get tension applied to them so they bend and not break).
However, being a polystyrene, it will sand very nicely, cut very cleanly and wash up for priming and custom painting as easily as any plastic model kit. It will also take model glue as well - not just ABS glue like the regular items.
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great observations :lens: Even though all these are true I still find myself wanting a few more. The old school bus's we have had a weird roof design and the back hatches are mostly broken. This was a doable substitute
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Great review! I'm going to get a few when they are on sale at TRU. For use in photo stories, & not using them for constant play of a child they'll work out fine, but for a child to play with as a favorite toy, I'm afraid they will not last a moons shiny night. :-\
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I really don't know what you guys are talking about. ??? The quality doesn't seem that bad at all to me! Maybe I need to go take another look at it.
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I really don't know what you guys are talking about. ??? The quality doesn't seem that bad at all to me! Maybe I need to go take another look at it.
You will also notice it is boys who are saying these observations. Girls play nice :love:
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:lol: True. I'm not planning to drop it off the kitchen table pretending it's driving off a cliff or anything like that. :lol:
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:lol: True. I'm not planning to drop it off the kitchen table pretending it's driving off a cliff or anything like that. :lol:
What about Chris? :evilplan:
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I'll keep an eye on him. ;) It actually sounds more like the kind of thing my brother would do! Some time I should take pictures of my playmobil shelves after he's been over. He always does some creative rearranging. :lol:
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I'll keep an eye on him. ;) It actually sounds more like the kind of thing my brother would do! Some time I should take pictures of my playmobil shelves after he's been over. He always does some creative rearranging. :lol:
What's his email address, I'll tell him to use a heat gun next time! :lol:
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>:( >:( >:(
:lol:
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>:( >:( >:(
:lol:
Just think, you'd have a bunch of Klicky's in all types of positions,......permanently! :giggle:
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Maybe if one of them is a witch..... I'm meeeeelting! :giggle:
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Why school bus,ambulance,take along hospital and take along school are US Exclusive?And why they have such a low price?I don't have experience about these sets!If only they were released in Greece!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Why school bus,ambulance,take along hospital and take along school are US Exclusive?And why they have such a low price?I don't have experience about these sets!If only they were released in Greece!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's a question that has been talked about ever since the 5843 fire engine arrived in the USA with it's severely inferior quality. That set had no actual compartment doors & it had plastic tires :no:. The opinion regarding this type of market addition from Playmobil is due to their prices for the regular Playmobil line being so high, they feel the need to compete with toys here in the USA that are out sourced by competing manufactures from China. These sets are still not near the normal Playmobil quality, but they are alternatives due to being much cheaper, and as the old saying goes, You get what you pay for!