PlaymoFriends
General => News => Topic started by: Alex4420 on January 18, 2024, 14:58:26
-
Are the medieval buildings not being sold in the US? I see them on sale on the UK site... does PM not believe they would sell in the US? If they aren't being sold here, does PM offer an international shipping option from Germany or the UK? Forgive the naive questions, but I never thought I'd see a large international company try so badly not to sell their products... it's intensely frustrating.
-
. . . . Forgive the naive questions, but I never thought I'd see a large international company try so badly not to sell their products... it's intensely frustrating.
As tahra has said so many times in so many ways: "they don't like money!" :lol:
-
I know people say there is always ebay, but from loooong experience buying ceramics from Germany, finding German sellers willing to ship to the US is not a simple task. I would also rather give my money to PM directly, but it seems they don't want to take it :-\
-
I think it's clear that PM are doing a slowroll abandonment of the US market.
-
Are the medieval buildings not being sold in the US? I see them on sale on the UK site... does PM not believe they would sell in the US? If they aren't being sold here, does PM offer an international shipping option from Germany or the UK? Forgive the naive questions, but I never thought I'd see a large international company try so badly not to sell their products... it's intensely frustrating.
Two things, firstly no, they don't sell outside their online shop country because.. ??? ???
Secondly, they like to put sets into boxes 2-3 times larger than they need to be so postage will be that much more expensive when you do find someone who'll ship.
The buildings are sort of in History which is a theme but mostly they're in Plus which used to be called add-ons and isn't regarded as a theme by most retailers from what I've seen so they don't carry such sets.
-
Thank you for letting me know. Better, more compact packaging and full international shipping would be smart and welcomed by PM fans everywhere.
-
Only women like small presents
Kids and parents expect a certain sized box relative to the cost
If a set costs $100 and it fit into your palm ? You’d find it a bad value
If it took half your shopping/trolley cart up , you’d think your getting your money’s worth
It’s been a never ending dilemma with certain sets not getting released on which side of the pond
-
I seem to recall all the new versions of the medieval buildings were in the most recent US catalog . That is a pretty good indicator that they’ll eventually make it here
-
Only women like small presents
Kids and parents expect a certain sized box relative to the cost
If a set costs $100 and it fit into your palm ? You’d find it a bad value
If it took half your shopping/trolley cart up , you’d think your getting your money’s worth
It’s been a never ending dilemma with certain sets not getting released on which side of the pond
Lego (for its normal, children focused sets) is packaged quite compactly and it never made a difference to my kids, b/c they knew whatever was in the box was going to be larger when it was assembled. I also never opened a Lego box and found damage like I have with PM due to loose parts knocking against each other, something which has been noted frequently on this forum.
-
I never thought I'd see a large international company try so badly not to sell their products... it's intensely frustrating.
We often think of Playmobil as a 'large international company' but is that really the case? Product availability, at least in the UK website, would indicate that they have logistical issues
-
Considering they host 38 different PM country sites, I would say they are international :P
-
Lego (for its normal, children focused sets) is packaged quite compactly and it never made a difference to my kids, b/c they knew whatever was in the box was going to be larger when it was assembled. I also never opened a Lego box and found damage like I have with PM due to loose parts knocking against each other, something which has been noted frequently on this forum.
Comparing LEGO to playmobil is problematic
LEGO enjoys a vast cult following and has no problem with brand recognition. Ask any stranger on the street what LEGO is . Then ask what playmobil is.
When I do shows in the US very few people are aware what playmobil even is. The people who are not even familiar with toy brands just automatically assume it’s LEGO. They obviously don’t even know what LEGO looks like but they sure are familiar with the brand name.
So as a marketers stand point playmobil needs to command more of a product shelf appearance
-
I think it's clear that PM are doing a slowroll abandonment of the US market.
If that’s the case, this “slow roll” has been going on ever since it was distributed in the US .
Geobra has been trying to “crack” the US buying potential since day 1
Perhaps it’s time to “crack” the Asian market potential
-
It is funny PM makes US centric sets like Scooby-Do and Magnum PI but won't invest a cent in marketing or brand recognition here
-
We often think of Playmobil as a 'large international company' but is that really the case? Product availability, at least in the UK website, would indicate that they have logistical issues
I've dealt with many hobby related companies over the years and while postage can take an age at times, they manage to post the stuff they sell. Those with access to the online Playmostores get free shipping on orders over a certain amount so they're obviously not struggling that much to afford such generosity, especially given the large amount of empty space they're shipping.
-
It is funny PM makes US centric sets like Scooby-Do and Magnum PI but won't invest a cent in marketing or brand recognition here
They should do a color version of American football players so people can color their favourite team.
-
They should do a color version of American football players so people can color their favourite team.
Yeah the sports sets were a great idea for the American market. Not a sports guy myself but I'm sure they'd be popular among the right crowd...and I'm just as sure PM didn't lift a finger to get them in front of those crowds. No attempt to sell at stadiums, advertise on sports sites, etc.
-
Only women like small presents
I had a Rolex all boxed up for you but now I won't send it
-
I've dealt with many hobby related companies over the years and while postage can take an age at times, they manage to post the stuff they sell.
But Playmobil isn't a hobby related company. I'm sure that, as an adult, we're happy to wait 4 months for the shipping container to come from Europe but if I'm buying a present for my child's birthday then I expect it to arrive quickly. I couldn't believe it when I went on the UK site in December and the last posting date for Christmas was the 8th of December! Literally the busiest time of year and they can't deliver at a decent pace.
-
With all the brick and mortar shops closing in the US were left with fewer buying options
If you order direct from Geobra then they are getting 100% of the profits, free shipping is the least they could do
-
I'm sure that, as an adult, we're happy to wait 4 months ...
:toot: