PlaymoFriends
General => Report & Review => Topic started by: Martin Milner on July 06, 2008, 17:13:05
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(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/4292%20Pirates/IMGP9369b.jpg)
This is my favourite set from the new Pirates series - plenty of figures and accessories to create stories with. It's the successor to 3749 and 3939, all pirate groups having a celebration of sorts.
Several new pieces appear for the first time here, at least in my recollection. The blue pirate has a new hat and white sash that holds 2 long-barrelled pistols, and the table on barrels is new. Oddly there's a hole along one edge, so the table may appear elsewhere with something in that hole. All four figures are new to me. One has a bald head, and another has both a new beard style and new hair with a small tie at the back. The female pirate is a welcome addition to the short roster of female pirates so far released.
In this case, the crew seem to have been more successful. They're hauling a basket filled with gold nuggets, a fair stash of doubloons, some gold candlesticks and a lamp, and even a chest of uncut gemstones.
What I love about these pirate groups is that there are so many unanswered questions - what's going on here? What's in the smaller barrels? Gunpowder, rum, or maybe gold dust? Do they have a boat hidden out of site, or are they stranded with their haul? Who did they steal all this from, and have they really made good their escape?
Three of the figures have tanned skins, but the female (I hesitate to say lady) has blond hair, so this may be a deep tan from the harsh Caribbean sun, not a natural skin tone. The bald figure has facial tattoos. The fourth figure is paler, and more smartly dressed. Is he their captain, or a new arrival to the area?
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/4292%20Pirates/IMGP9372b.jpg)
The rum flows, then runs short, and tempers flare. Blades are drawn. Gun fire echoes across the bay. There are a LOT of guns in this set - 2 long blunderbusses, 3 long-barrel flintlocks, and 5 pistol blunderbusses.
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/4292%20Pirates/IMGP9373b.jpg)
The 1st Mate is shot down, the top of his head blown clean off, revealing that his headscarf is actually moulded in one piece with his bald bonce.
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/4292%20Pirates/IMGP9374b.jpg)
The 2nd Mate shoots the captain - now he can share the treasure with his lady. How can she resist his smart new hat, white sash, and blue coat? Except...why is she pointing a gun at him and smiling?
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/4292%20Pirates/IMGP9375b.jpg)
The true mastermind behind the quarrel is revealed. It's taken 18 years of plotting behind the scenes, but now he's got the treasure and the girl. Which to sample first?
I love this set, but would have liked more variety in the choice of leg mouldings. Three of the figures have the same leg & boots moulding, and given the variety now available to the designers, it would have been nice to have something different. The bald figure with a ragged-sleeved shirt would have gone well with ragged trousers and bare feet. At least the boots are sensible colours, not bright blue or orange as we have seen elsewhere.
However this is a small gripe, and I bought two sets to my Pirates collection immediately, and may add a couple more for spares.
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... but now he's got the treasure and the girl. Which to sample first?
I vote for the "treasure" first, Martin!
Over the years, I've found that if y'got the treasure ... y'got the girls ... :arrr:
I also "vote" that you do all the reviews, Martin ... :wow:
A wonderful review, AND a great story! :woohoo:
I wondered whether or not that "pistol-totin" sash went completely around the pirate. Now I know!
Thanks the super photos and the fabulous entertainment, Martin.
All the best,
Richard
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lol :lol:
A very original idea for a set review!
I enjoyed this a lot. Thanks, Martin! :)9
I see what you mean about the female pirate. Very unladylike behaviour! ;D
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I love this set, but would have liked more variety in the choice of leg mouldings. Three of the figures have the same leg & boots moulding, and given the variety now available to the designers, it would have been nice to have something different. The bald figure with a ragged-sleeved shirt would have gone well with ragged trousers and bare feet. At least the boots are sensible colours, not bright blue or orange as we have seen elsewhere.
However this is a small gripe, and I bought two sets to my Pirates collection immediately, and may add a couple more for spares.
To those who are beginning (& will buy only one ... in the following, say ... 2 years), it's great to have these "neutral" kinds of legs, that can be used either with pirates & medieval ...
This is a wonderful set: just the kind I like myself too :)
She needs a name. If you don't provide, you will have her in my pirate stories with one ... If you give her a name, I may use yours, as long as it's a lovely one. I'll probably disassemble all the guys, but not her. Unlike Tim, I have a fall for princesses. Even the brute ones ...
Either your reviews are getting more creative, Martin, or the set is really inspiring to play ... Maybe both. Thanks. It was entertaining (as a story) & informative (as a review is supposed to be). & The entertainment came for free!
Blackhair Gus
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Great story review Martin . I am looking forward to the set hitting the US shores in the near future .
that sets looks like it comes with a lot of accessories , was it expensive ?
what is that black thing on the table supposed to be ? a bottle or something, why black ?
all i would recommend is a back drop of a sea scene or something to hide the boxes and such .
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what is that black thing on the table supposed to be ? a bottle or something, why black ?
Oh, on the table. At first I thought that you were talking about the "black thing" on the radiator. I think that the thing on the radiator is Martin's dead cat ... ;D
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after it went through the vacume cleaner . :P
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Great story review Martin . I am looking forward to the set hitting the US shores in the near future .
that sets looks like it comes with a lot of accessories , was it expensive ?
It's VERY EXPENSIVE in Brasil!!! It worths (wonderful set!) if you have the money -- not my case --, but it's very expensive. (I'll probably buy through the internet in the States, which makes me cheaper!)
what is that black thing on the table supposed to be ? a bottle or something, why black ?
A bottle of rum! :yup: There's one, too, with the Spanish couple on a long boat, I think (take a look at the German site), and one with the new "pirate captain", which I just bought in a Carioca toystore, two days ago :) It isn't black but very dark green.
all i would recommend is a back drop of a sea scene or something to hide the boxes and such .
Or a tavern! ;)
Gus
:blackhair:
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Excellent review, Martin, of a very attractive set. Many thanks.
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She needs a name. If you don't provide, you will have her in my pirate stories with one ... If you give her a name, I may use yours, as long as it's a lovely one. I'll probably disassemble all the guys, but not her. Unlike Tim, I have a fall for princesses. Even the brute ones ...
I could give my figure a name, but it needn't be the same name for your one Gus! We're encouraged to use our imaginations, after all!
that sets looks like it comes with a lot of accessories , was it expensive ?
what is that black thing on the table supposed to be ? a bottle or something, why black ?
all i would recommend is a back drop of a sea scene or something to hide the boxes and such .
Pricewise, this was £13 in the UK.
Specials are £2, the next smallest sets, usually a single figure with some accessories (e.g. the pirate captain 4293) are £4-5, a figure on horseback or with a motorbike is currently £6, sets with 2 figures & more accessories (e.g. the Spanish rowboat 4295) are £8-9, and the next step is the £12-15 range.
The bottle is a rum bottle, that style was very popular at the time.
This was a quick review, so no time to produce an elaborate backdrop. I encourage you to use your imagination to fill in the scenery.
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Even at a quickie it is a great style ( Review mixed with story )
Thanks for the info , sounds like it will be some where in the $15-$20 range in the US :wow:
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15,oo 20,oo ($) should go about 30,oo (Reais*); it's 150,oo Reais, believe it! >:(
I'll let the Brasilian playmobilist community to know this, aw, I will! ...
(Sorry Playmofriends ... Maybe I shouldn't be saying this outloud HERE ...)
Blackhair Gus
uh ... not here : it's monday morning (...)!
*Brasilian money
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These Brazilian prices do seem extraordinarily inflated, Gus.
In terms of US to UK prices, it's partly the mad exchange rate that makes the US stuff seem so cheap to those of us in the UK, though I still don't plan to be buying much Playmobil on my next US trip.
This doesn't seem the case with Brazil, so what is it? Is there high import customs duty in Brazil? Is it that toys generally are considered a luxury? Or that Playmobil is so well thought of, that it can genuinely command thse high prices?
Is Lego simialrly available, and similarly expensive?
My brother used to edit a board & wargames magazine many moons ago, and in reviewing any new game, included a "Heft Test", that is, put the item on the scales and see what weight you're getting for your money. A lot of big boxes have a lot of air inside, and aren't good value. Lego costs more than Playmobil for a similar size box, but you get a lot more plastic inside, naturally.
When I was at TRU at the weekend I saw one Playmobil set with several SWAT vehicles and figures all in the same box at great value - except I already had them all. The helicopter, 4x4 tank, boat and jetski, with all assocated figures, all in one set. TRU (in the UK) seem to get odd US sets occasionally, that don't even appear on the Playmobil US website.
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Here in Denmark the set, which you have just reviewed, Martin, costs about £ 20. I think that the high Danish prices have something to do with the very high Danish VAT at 25% >:(
Are you sure, Gus, that this pirate set will cost 150 in Brazil? That sounds crazy :hmm:
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Here in Denmark the set, which you have just reviewed, Martin, costs about £ 20. I think that the high Danish prices have something to do with the very high Danish VAT at 25% >:(
That'd be part of it, but we're paying 17.5% VAT in the UK, so 25% would only make the price £13.83.
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That'd be part of it, but we're paying 17.5% VAT in the UK, so 25% would only make the price £13.83.
Yes, you're right!
What can I say - everything in the Nordic countries is expensive...
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Are you sure, Gus, that this pirate set will cost 150 in Brazil? That sounds crazy :hmm:
Doesn't it?
143,pennies, to be a bit more specific. (I'd have bought it, if it were for less.)
After the moment of intense fury, reading Martin's reasoning ("but why?, how can? ..."), I stopped to think about [what] I can do as a citizen so as not to get out destroying ... (Because this is the deepest feeling of the horses-of-the-will.)
If at $15, plus $39, I'll get for ... uhm = about $55? = about 80 Reais, through the internet. [Maybe 90 ... Expensive, but expected, and "reasonable" (I can reason about).]
quick_Gus
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150 Reais is what like $100 ??? is that right ?
Edit : ok is it $92.43 to be more specific
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150 Reais is what like $100 ??? is that right ?
Edit : ok is it $92.43 to be more specific
The Real is (about) $ 1,6.
It's all a bit absurd, and a bit off-topic ... I am sorry, it was only something that went out, but it has nothing to do with you all, guys : it's among Brasilians.
Besides, I'll go on buying through the internet, anyway, so ... Whatever, in a way. & I'll see what to do as a Carioca citizen (and Brasilian). I mean, this is up to me. Has to be.
But thanks for the concern, Rasputin ...
Gus
:blackhair:
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These Brazilian prices (1) do seem extraordinarily inflated, Gus.
...
This doesn't seem the case with Brazil, so what is it? Is there high import customs duty in Brazil? (2) Is it that toys generally are considered a luxury? Or that Playmobil is so well thought of, that it can genuinely command thse high prices?
(3) Is Lego simialrly available, and similarly expensive?
1
They are inflated, Martin.
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Playmobil is well thought, but it isn't a popular toy, never were. Only, back in the '80s, when I was a child and my parents bought them, they had a better economical situation than I nowadays, as well as there was no internet, so, very few people would know that in the States, it costed less than the third part. But they are a bit exagerately inflated, all right, and it may affect geobra Brandstätter's market in Brasil, so, maybe because of Brasilian commercial sector's (foolish) ambition, they will loose again, in little time, the chance of allowing Playmobil to become a common toy in Brasil. To collectors it isn't so bad. To children, and culture, it is. This makes me sad. Playmobil is a bit like teaching a child to read ... It makes the future citizen a better person. (As well as Lego ... as long as there are both Lego and Playmobil -- a theory of mine ...)
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Lego is very popular in Brasil. It is in the market for a long time, I consider (since 1986 or 87, that I can remember). Maybe it isn't that more cheap, but it IS cheaper, and, in a way, it is much easier to reach children than Playmobil, for the reasons you wrote (air versus plastic in a box of the same size). I'll make research on Lego prices, although it's been difficult to remember so: when I go into a toystore, I get a bit hypnotized by blue boxes ... Odd feeling! I kinda like it ... Too bad maybe it doesn't last long, but, well, last week, bought two little boxes, and for buying little boxes, although very (very) expensive, it's possible. (143,oo Reais is impossible to me, for moral reasons, but a little box is possible.) So, I hope I'll remember researching Legos' prices, so as to think about reasons for this absurd phenomenon.
Thanks for asking. Your questions did make me think good things, and now I think I'll go to Playmoboard to try to calm things down, over there, after my ... Expressed fury there, as well. (There's at least two other Brasilian guys there, from Rio. This is something odd to me, about Playmoboard, that big town (...).)
I honestly like this yellow forum better ... Everything is so dark, in Playmoboard. And there's no emotiklickys over there.
I'm a bit off-topic in this again.
Gus
:blackhair:
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Thanks for the fun review, Martin; I really like your creativity!
I also like that sash for a brace of pistols and the barrel table a lot.
I'll be picking this set up along with all the new pirate sets...except for the ghastly ship, of course. I wonder how long it will take to assemble a "company" (20 men in my case) of the new conquistadors from the parts department. I'm guessing at least a year!
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Are the mini-barrels just a playmobil-ism?
Barrels that size don't make any sense. If you need to ship, use a big barrel. If you want only one, fill glass.
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Are the mini-barrels just a playmobil-ism?
Barrels that size don't make any sense. If you need to ship, use a big barrel. If you want only one, fill glass.
They can bring tobacco, you know ...
G.
:blackhair:
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I can also imagine salt, butter, or ship's biscuits being kept fresh and dry in these mini-barrels.
The sizes for liquid-containing barrels started at the 9 gallon Firkin and went up to the 216 gallon Tun, but certainly a cooper could make such a barrel if required.
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Hi to all of you,
I thought you might like to know that the Playmo Funstore in Palm Beach Gardens has been selling the entire line of new pirates since last April. My daughter and I were there in April and we both bought the entire line. It was still there in May when we did a return trip.
The set 4291-Giant Octopus was $19.99, 4292-pirates with barrels was $16.99, 4293-Pirate capt. was $4.99, 4294-Lighthouse was $49.99, 4295-treasure transport was $12.99, and of course the new ship-4290 was $94.99 and the gunboat 4444 was 32.55. I'm pretty sure that if you call and order they will ship it out to you.
We are planning another trip to Palm Beach Gardens this week.
Janice
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We are planning another trip to Palm Beach Gardens this week.
Janice, please post photos of the displays ... Thank you!
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a perfect review on what all playmobil pirate sets should be (the opposite happens with the 5810 pirate corsair). :wow:
i totally agree with your comments martin and i thank you very much for such an inventive way to display them.
i have had this set for some time and also love it. :love:
i really must finish the construction of my new shelf system (moved to a new house) and take it out from the cardboard box where he is still "sleeping". :yup:
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Janice, please post photos of the displays ... Thank you!
Richard ... Janice once said she's a bit shy about it. So, you'd better make a little less pressure :shhhh:
She'll give us pictures, in time.
The set 4291-Giant Octopus was $19.99, 4292-pirates with barrels was $16.99, 4293-Pirate capt. was $4.99, 4294-Lighthouse was $49.99, 4295-treasure transport was $12.99, and of course the new ship-4290 was $94.99 and the gunboat 4444 was 32.55. I'm pretty sure that if you call and order they will ship it out to you.
We are planning another trip to Palm Beach Gardens this week.
Janice
I got the pirate captain. Very nice "single klicky" :)
I'm crazy for the arrival of 4444 boat. According to my calculations, it'll be about 200 Reais (maybe 250,oo, maybe more (300,oo :( , maybe 400,oo :'( ), but I'll get one per month for three months! :yup:
Do your daughters like pirates like this or what? :P
Gus
:blackhair:
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a perfect review on what all playmobil pirate sets should be (the opposite happens with the 5810 pirate corsair). :wow:
Maybe, Cachalote, they were made one for another! ;D
[Maybe even they were meant to ... commandeer the corsair :yup: So, it's up to story tellers, now :P ]
G.
:blackhair:
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Going to resurrect this old post since I just got this set online.
Quite happy to have this set for 16,75 euros including shipping, I received a ghost special with a hood and axe along with it for free.
The set is not fully complete but alternatives have been given for the missing parts, and it was clear on the pictures.
There is only one little black chest, but I received a large red pirate chest instead which seems like an improvement.
Pirate sword is replaced with a knight sword, not happy about that since I don't have that many pirate swords as it is. The shorter sword was replaced with a dagger and the cuffs on the redcoated pirate are not included. four instead of six little kegs too, but four is more than enough since they have limited uses.
Still I am very happy to have this set since it includes lots of treasure, a large table with four kegs that can be used elsewhere, four nice looking pirates including my first ever female pirate and lots of weaponry too.
My only complaint is that they didnt make the woman's torso green with the white on the front being painted instead of the green. That would have made more sense. She has a lovely haircut though.
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This was released back when they still had 4+ figures in a set of this price. Nowadays not even the bigger sets (like the pirate ship) have 4 figures, which is a shame.
They waste the plastic to produce supersets instead of giving us more figures for our money.
The last two supersets I bought are good examples of this. The Indian superset ... the base is totally redundant and with the plastic used there, they could have given me two more figures. The wigwam would have been enough, really. Same for the knights set ... 3 figures for 20 euro, and a plastic-heavy base I will never need.
Why do they do this?
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Not sure.. in some cases like a rock formation or such it can be usefull. The current pirate superset for example seems like a decent way to use the plastic.
I got to say though that this might be the best pirate crew set released so far, aside from maybe the one from the early ninetees with the campfire.
All of them nice crewmembers which is good since I already have two captains and rather not have any more.
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I love the female pirate from this set :love: