PlaymoFriends

General => News => Topic started by: gloobey on December 30, 2011, 06:08:31

Title: USA 2012 Pirate Sets at TRU
Post by: gloobey on December 30, 2011, 06:08:31
The new (to the US) pirate sets due out in August are at TRU right now. It's nice to see the sets early, but very upsetting to NOT see them at any other shops. Does anyone else see this as a bad thing? Or is it good to see Playmobil become more available in big box land, but nowhere else?
Title: Re: USA 2012 Pirate Sets at TRU
Post by: bonniebeth on December 30, 2011, 14:52:02
I'm happy we can get them, but at the same time, it is difficult for owners of small toy shops. :-\ I was speaking with a local shop owner who was saying that a lot of those small shops are part of a sort of alliance, and all the small shops in the south, where playmobil isn't quite as popular yet, are not ordering playmobil this year, for this among other reasons. Also, the fact that playmobil brings out US exclusives to be sold at TRU and/or Target, but the small stores can't get them. For example, she couldn't sell all the school set she ordered, because people would go into TRU and see what they thought was the exact same set for MUCH cheaper. It really makes it hard on the small stores, and playmobil has lost a lot of retailers due to this.
Title: Re: USA 2012 Pirate Sets at TRU
Post by: Rasputin on December 30, 2011, 15:01:07
I think Geobra wants to see all their retailers go under, even TRU. Geobra can then sell them on their own web site for 100% retail and not 50% wholesale.  ::) Business is cruel  :-[
Title: Re: USA 2012 Pirate Sets at TRU
Post by: Elric on December 30, 2011, 16:50:56
Its good for us consumers but bad for small business. By the time my local shop gets some of these sets, I have already bought them and don't need anymore.
Title: Re: USA 2012 Pirate Sets at TRU
Post by: Luis on December 30, 2011, 17:18:35
yeah, bussiness is cruel :(
Title: Re: USA 2012 Pirate Sets at TRU
Post by: Robbie on December 30, 2011, 18:37:46
Yes, well Playmobil has never really cared about the small independent stores in the USA. Nobody would know about Playmobil..(well most people STILL don't know about PM) if it weren't for the the small stores that carried them in the 80's and 90's well before the days of TRU and Target. Sadly most of the stores are ancient history.  :wall:
Title: Re: USA 2012 Pirate Sets at TRU
Post by: bonniebeth on December 30, 2011, 18:45:10
Or they haven't carried playmobil for the last fifteen years. :-\ I have so many pleasant memories going to a little small toy store and playing with Fort Bravo which was set up there. :love: But then a Toys R US was built right next door to it, and everything changed. That store now mostly sells baby furniture, collectors dolls, like Madame Alexanders, and bicycles. They somehow hung on all these years, though, and now TRU has moved across town, and this small store is still there. Robbie, you may know the store, Cullen's Toyland/Babyland in Baton Rouge? I believe there is one in Lafayette, too. That was our only playmobil source when I was a kid.
Title: Re: USA 2012 Pirate Sets at TRU
Post by: Robbie on December 30, 2011, 18:51:48
Bonnie, I've stopped by those stores before, but the Playmobil was long gone by that point in time (5 years ago or so). Victoria's Toy Station in BR only had one lonely Supermarket 3200 by that time also. Do you go shopping for Playmobil in New Orleans? Some of the stores there once had HUGE selections of PM but they've scaled back big time.
Title: Re: USA 2012 Pirate Sets at TRU
Post by: bonniebeth on December 30, 2011, 18:59:16
You know, I only recently discovered Victoria's, and when I went, I had a very nice conversation with the ladies running the place, who love playmobil themselves, and buy it for their own children. They had up on the top shelf the wedding carriage, at half off, which I snatched up. They are actually considering stocking playmo again, as they miss it. The only small store around here that still has it that I know of is Santa's Toy Emporium, and they just have leftover stock. THey are the ones who told me what I said above about small toy stores.

I never have gone to New Orleans to shop playmo, but I really should. Celeste and reimagination probably know where they have supplies. I ought to do that one of these days.
Title: Re: USA 2012 Pirate Sets at TRU
Post by: Robbie on December 30, 2011, 22:24:41
Le Jouet in New Orleans once had an isle of all Playmobil but it was very slim the last time I visited. I scored some Expansion Floors 7411 (the kind that came in pink boxes) a few years ago and check back periodically to see if they've found anything in the back room. Playville, Inc. in Covington and Mandeville has an okay selection but nothing spectacular. I once found a Monk 3631 that was found in the stockroom but aside from that I haven't scrored much here.
Title: Re: USA 2012 Pirate Sets at TRU
Post by: bonniebeth on December 30, 2011, 23:56:52
Next time I'm down that way, I'll have to do a little shopping.
Title: Re: USA 2012 Pirate Sets at TRU
Post by: kaethe on December 31, 2011, 00:08:07
Not fair at all.  Hope your shop had a good holiday season.
kaeth
Title: Re: USA 2012 Pirate Sets at TRU
Post by: Jay on December 31, 2011, 05:15:56
Went to TRU to see what they had on clearance. Other than some Egyptian sets, which were discounted some more today, there was nothing on sale.  BTW, I was stunned to see the surprise packages are up to $3.99 now. I can't see paying that much for something I may not be interested in. Think I'll give that a big 'skip it.'
I did see some new pirate sets, which seemed reasonably priced. But I can understand about no one carrying PMB anymore. I can only think of one toy store here that carries the line, though there are a few teacher stores and hobby stores (What's that big chain? Can't think of the name) but, as someone mentioned, their prices are very high compared to TRU.  There are very very few Targets who carry the line now. Of the 30 or 40 stores in the area, I think at the most 2 carry them.
If you recall, a few years back TRU didn't carry much, and other stores, like K-Mart and WalMart did.  I can see where they want to get the line out, but generally i think as far as the US they are really on the edge, compared to the "L" company.  Honestly, after going into a Lego store the other day, I can see what the excitement is all about.
Maybe I'm just thinking more of the old castles and sets, but I don't see the interesting things anymore. But, I'm just one buyer, and not as big at getting things as I was ten years ago.
Title: Re: USA 2012 Pirate Sets at TRU
Post by: cardensb on December 31, 2011, 14:46:36
August 2012 is so far away though.  Hope that means we are getting the Stone Age sets in the US first! (Still looking for the mystery cave woman)
Title: Re: USA 2012 Pirate Sets at TRU
Post by: Rasputin on December 31, 2011, 20:58:47

  There are very very few Targets who carry the line now. Of the 30 or 40 stores in the area, I think at the most 2 carry them.
If you recall, a few years back TRU didn't carry much, and other stores, like K-Mart and WalMart did.  I can see where they want to get the line out, but generally i think as far as the US they are really on the edge, compared to the "L" company.

Target's corp. had only a small shelf spot dedicated to playmobil. With the purchasing power that they had they were able to really get the US exclusives off and running. It was around the same time that the blisters were introduced and it has been speculated that they were created for the US type of consumer. A year or so latter TRU started in on the brand and it seemed to not only hold its own but was able to dominate a 1/2 isle in most stores today. They seem to be able to move enough product that Geobara even created manufacturing facilities in China to again appease the US consumers odd demands. Geobra has long been challenged getting this brand off in the market. There seems to be sort of love affair with Hollywood/TV and since Lego lost its patents on the brick a way to survive was to sell out and license everything, and it works beautifully. Lego has been able to secure a spot in history with its cult followers. Playmobil toys are simple, innocent and wholesome fun. Lego.... well...it sells sin.   


  Honestly, after going into a Lego store the other day, I can see what the excitement is all about.
Maybe I'm just thinking more of the old castles and sets, but I don't see the interesting things anymore. But, I'm just one buyer, and not as big at getting things as I was ten years ago.

If you watch hours of TV and go regularly to Hollywood movies the Lego toys are just going to be familiar. How many kids are familiar with real farmers, race car drivers, doctors, teachers, truck drivers, knights with chivalry, the themes playmobil sells? That material is not being inputed into the kids reality. Even the western theme is being transformed by hollywood into walking, talking, gunslinging lizards ? ? how do you sell a saloon and bank with a human looking toy with the kid only thinking about that or a tall blue freak or animated red race cars?
Title: Re: USA 2012 Pirate Sets at TRU
Post by: PlaymoMan on January 01, 2012, 00:32:40
Business is cruel, and that's why every now and then I feel glad when I  see an independently owned toy store. On a trip to NYC once, we found a toy store near where we were staying, and that's where I found a boxed 3151. I came back to the hotel with a bag full of discontinued sets. :love:
Anyways, back on topic, I'm quite excited to see the new pirates. Unfortunately, we have to travel out of town to get to the nearest TRU - we don't have a big TRU, only one of the TRU express stores or whatever they're called. That store carries quite a limited stock of Playmo - only 3-4 sets. :(
Title: Re: USA 2012 Pirate Sets at TRU
Post by: gloobey on January 16, 2012, 00:23:09
I've been in business for 14 months now and have carried a large selection of Playmobil from the beginning. I think it's one of the best toys available and will carry iy as long as I can. My shop is 45 miles from the nearest big  box center and is in a destination town so I'm in a good location  to sell PM. My customers appreciate the fact that they can see and buy new PM without driving or waiting for freight.

The new January sets include the Stone Age theme as well as collectable horses and motorcycles. Lots of 123 stuff too. I'll know more about release dates after Toy Fair in New York (Feb. 12-15). I placed my Jan. order last week so I'll hopefully have the new sets in before I leave for New York.

It's a struggle to run a small toy shop, but it's not impossible. Customer service and high quality, unique toys are what is most important. I'll be getting the pirates in as soon as I can. TRU is a big monster that just sells, sells, sells with little concern for product line integrity or quality. Customers see that if they look hard enough.
Title: Re: USA 2012 Pirate Sets at TRU
Post by: Coyote on January 16, 2012, 09:56:15
Here in Maine, Playmobil has been carried by a local discount chain Reny's- while a bit too quirky to be considered a Big Box, they are able to purchase in bigger orders than an independent.  However, their prices are significantly lower than even the website...   :)
Title: Re: USA 2012 Pirate Sets at TRU
Post by: Luis on January 20, 2012, 01:55:49
not just out of curiosity - i urgently need a new pirate ship for a photo shoot :-[

could somebody tell me it is at TRU? (5135)

it's at $139 on ebay, but need to get one at a more reasonable price - PM USA has it listed for $79.99, but won't be available until August...
Title: Re: USA 2012 Pirate Sets at TRU
Post by: Baron Marshall on January 20, 2012, 02:35:36
my TRU has had it since October... and it is on the TRU wedsite as in stock for $79.99
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12113411
Title: Re: USA 2012 Pirate Sets at TRU
Post by: Luis on January 20, 2012, 19:07:34
oh it was online :-[

thanks BB ;D