PlaymoFriends
General => Brainstorming For Playmobil => Topic started by: Martin Milner on March 10, 2010, 17:31:24
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Prompted by Richard's thread about voting for Brandstatter as a #1 CEO and entrepreneur, I thought it might be interesting to have a thread of ideas for Brandstatter to consider. Many of these ideas have been discussed here and elsewhere before, so I consider anything I suggest to have common authorship by the whole PF community.
1) Improve the non-German parts-ordering service by copying the Greman model, i..e it goes through the Playmobil website.
2) Allow anybody to order any part that has ever been made, and publish this data monthly on the website - total orders of a part number, and total orders received that month, and orders fulfilled. This can all be automated, so once the system is in place there is no extra work. I think this will promote extra orders as people see the service working and order things they might otherwise not have considered.
3) Get the product into the public eye better at Museums. All Museums have toyshops, and Playmobil should be in those shops. Every collection starts with one set, so every set sold through any channel is a potential sales multiplier.
4) Take advantage of predictable events of worldwide significance (e.g. The 2010 Winter Olympics) to promote the product.
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Very reasonable suggestions, Martin!
Let's get Playmobil voted number one and then let's talk to Zirndorf.
BTW, I just got another email from "Klicky Towers" and they are very excited about the possibility of our getting them voted as number one!
Hopefully, we can make it happen!
Richard
Click HERE (http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=4230.0) for the post that Martin is discussing!
BTW, Martin ... Curious why you started your topic in the PFZ? IMHO, this is definitely Playmobil business!
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BTW, Martin ... Curious why you started your topic in the PFZ? IMHO, this is definitely Playmobil business!
True, I didn't think it fitted anywhere except the general News area, and I didn't want it to get buried there. Mods, feel free to move this anywhere more appropriate.
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True, I didn't think it fitted anywhere except the general News area, and I didn't want it to get buried there. Mods, feel free to move this anywhere more appropriate.
Martin, I thought that your ideas were so good that I "quoted" you in the "HELP PLAYMOBIL" topic!
I really think that if we can get Playmobil voted number one, that some of the things that you've mentioned here can happen!
Just checked the Spanish forum and they seem to be voting like crazy over there!
I would really like to lean on Geobra, so whatever you can do to help will be much appreciated!
All the best and thanks,
Richard
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Those ideas all sound great Martin!
I don't have any ideas to help boost Playmo profit...
But I would like them to bring back a few things.
Like steck,
but if we could get any parts from any time as you have suggested,
the need for steck castles wouldn't be as great.
There are also the ancient themes.
Right now there are only Egyptians,
(We in america have almost a year to collect the Romans)
But if you only have one ancient group then noone will buy them.
Even though many of us collectors will still buy the Egyptians
because we have lots of Romans and other people for them to fight.
But for newer collectors, or kids who didn't get any Romans, why would they buy any?
There are no people for them to fight against!
Besides the Roman add ons, but I never knew there were "add ons" untill recently!
Why would kids or parents know about them?
And yes, Kids could play with Knights fighting Egyptians...
but Playmobil is supposed to be an educational toy!
If they have 15th century Knights fighting 1st century (or earlier) Egyptians
then they are not teaching anything.
I think that for any of the warring themes Playmobil should have two mini sets in 1.
Like for the Romans and Egyptians, or Crusaders and Muslims, or Napoleon vs England, Austria, or Russia.
They could have the Roman ship (#4276), the Roman troops (#4271), and the Roman Tent (#4273).
Along with the Egyptian Ship (#4241), the Egyptian soldiers (#4245), and the Egyptian Cariot (#4244).
They could offer the big things like the Pyramid and Collosium too.
Then they could have lots of add ons for us collectors.
Like houses, civilians, extra weapons and soldiers, and animals (like the camels or elephants).
Something simple like that would provide 2 people to fight each other in historical context.
I think they did not do well with the Romans
(if they didnt do well with the Romans)
because they only had a few add ons to fight them!
And they will not do well with the Egyptians for the same reason!
They just keep switching out ancient sets for different ones and they never match up.
They did the same thing I just suggested with the Knights,
they are already able to do what I am suggesting with different themes.
And adding little add ons like Greeks or Persians...
Or better yet, make another theme with Greeks and Persians,
the way I just suggested doing it!
Playmobil would be so much better if they only changed just a few things... :(
Well, thats my two cents worth... :2c:
I just hope Richards idea of voting for Branstatter works,
then all the things we say here may become true! :confetti:
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I really wish Playmobil would expand the U.S. market into more brick and mortar stores. I get the fever to go on a hunt for PM and Target is the only store around. I have a Toys R Us over an hour away and a great hobby store an hour and a half away, but sometimes I just want to run out and nab something. I would settle for Target carrying WAY more of the line. What sets they have varies so greatly throughout the year, kinda frustrating. I see SO MANY crappy toy lines taking up alot of space in the Target Toy aisles. Playmobil is given barely any room, but I'm sure this varies from store to store as well. Target, GET MORE PLAYMOBIL!!!! >:(
Just my rant. Oh, and re-release the Western Train, and the station...and the water tower........and the windmill..............and the Saloon, yeah! :P
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I really wish Playmobil would expand the U.S. market into more brick and mortar stores. I get the fever to go on a hunt for PM and Target is the only store around. I have a Toys R Us over an hour away and a great hobby store an hour and a half away, but sometimes I just want to run out and nab something. I would settle for Target carrying WAY more of the line. What sets they have varies so greatly throughout the year, kinda frustrating. I see SO MANY crappy toy lines taking up alot of space in the Target Toy aisles. Playmobil is given barely any room, but I'm sure this varies from store to store as well. Target, GET MORE PLAYMOBIL!!!! >:(
Just my rant. Oh, and re-release the Western Train, and the station...and the water tower........and the windmill..............and the Saloon, yeah! :P
Sadly it seems that Target, and Fred Meyer along the West Coast, and Wal*Mart if they ever stock PM again, will only ever offer a handful of sets at a time, and never dedicate much shelf space to Playmobil. It may be that Geobra don't like trading with these big chains who have so much buying leverage to drive prices down, or maybe Playmobil is seen as an elite & expensive toy and not wanted by Target's customers?
TRU, for all their floorspace, only offer a very limited range in my local store. Happily for me both TRU and Target seem to get sets that aren't officially released anywhere else, and I can reach either store in a quarter of an hour's drive.
Since discovering Learning Palace here in Eugene I probably won't be visiting the other B&M shops that do stock a wider Playmobil range, because they also charge a higher price than buying direct from Playmobil's website. Learning Palace not only stock a good (though not the entire) range, they also seem to offer 15% off Playmobil's prices year round (with a coupon you get after every purchase), and do 2 or 3 sales a year with even more off.
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I really wish Playmobil would expand the U.S. market into more brick and mortar stores. I get the fever to go on a hunt for PM and Target is the only store around.
:wave: el jefe!
When I had my brick and mortar store, I stocked the complete line of Playmobil. Back then, Playmobil was just entering the mass market [Target, Toys R Us] and it hurt my sales! It was very costly to maintain the level I did and even with my "preferred" status as a retailer, product was getting diverted to the big box stores. The big boxers would then offer the more popular pieces as "loss leaders" -below my cost- and tank whatever hopes I had of clearing the shelves. It was frustrating... I am not the least bit surprised that more and more "Mom & Pops" are dropping the line - it's just too hard to compete! There are many specialty toy stores in my area that carry Playmobil but they pick and choose which pieces to carry and often charge more than suggested retail [to help offset shipping]. Realistically speaking, if I can get a set for $10 less at Target - that's where I will go!
That being said, I could sell the bejesus out of Playmobil because I believed in the product. Problem was I would get folks hooked then they would find it cheaper elsewhere and the residuals from all my hard work went to the big boys! Back then there also was a separation of "mass market" and specialty. Each Christmas I could count on selling at least 10 Victorian Mansions. That isn't the case anymore. To bring the brick and mortars back Playmobil needs to offer the specialty market "special" stock. Go back to the way it was when they first entered the mass market. Then you may see it popping up in smaller stores again.
Playmobil used to be a "specialty" toy. Recent comments in other threads about the decline of the appearance and quality of the product is evidence that Germany is now catering to the masses. What I would like to see from them is a return to the "specialty" market with exclusive, high-quality, unique product.
And that's my 2 cents ;)
Rey
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Hello reylocann, thanks for your unique perspective. I hope PM's quality doesn't go to #$% because they want to reach a bigger market. I would much rather drive awhile to the mom and pop hobby shop than go across town to Target for subpar Playmobil.
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I have 2 local stores that sell Playmobil!
And that is not including the big stores, so I am happy! :yup:
The store a little farther away (but with WAAAY more playmobil) just restocked the other day...
and the owner is really nice.
He is a fan of Playmobil too, or seems like it.
To bad I blew the lot of my money on Romans trying to get enought befor they leave... :P
Otherwise I would have spent a lot on all the new stuff he had.
Needless to say I bout a few things anyway. :hehe:
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5) The Easter Eggs and Pumpkins are great items, but many people don't want to pay for multiple eggs and pumpkins they don't need when they just want the contents. If the contents could be made available as add-ons they could sell very well.
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:wave: el jefe!
Playmobil used to be a "specialty" toy. Recent comments in other threads about the decline of the appearance and quality of the product is evidence that Germany is now catering to the masses. What I would like to see from them is a return to the "specialty" market with exclusive, high-quality, unique product.
And that's my 2 cents ;)
I hadn't actually realized that the "decline" of the quality of PM has to do with reaching the masses, catering to larger chain stores, but it makes sense. I too feel that the appearance/design has been going downhill for many years now (commented in another thread), and would love to see PM take it's adult collector/fan base seriously. If Richard is right about our votes counting in the HELP PLAYMOBIL thread, dont forget to vote people!!!
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5) The Easter Eggs and Pumpkins are great items, but many people don't want to pay for multiple eggs and pumpkins they don't need when they just want the contents. If the contents could be made available as add-ons they could sell very well.
Here, here!
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Great ideas! And, very reasonable because they don't require "new" product!
We're improving Playmobil's average score almost hourly, but were still in third place.
Please ask your friends and family to vote for Playmobil!
We're so close. Let's try for number one by Monday!
(That gives us all day tomorrow to get everyone we know to vote!)
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I am not sure how many times I have actually voted :-[ but several, anyway (the first time I visited the voting site I just kept hitting the vote button until I realized I had gone through the four selections a few extra times - since then I have been back every day.)
I thought I might add a few items to Martin's list of excellent suggestions:
1) In addition to being able to order all parts ever made, give the option of different colors (if there is sufficient demand) and keep and display a running tally of such requests along with the minimum number needed to produce a particular color.
2) Create a "Collectors Club" for serious collectors and allow them to order direct from Germany to receive new items as they are released in Germany.
3) Rethink the idea of special relationships with the big retailers such as Target and TRU, in the US anyway, when these relationships allow the big stores to have limited product lines and "exclusives." This arrangement undercuts the small toy retailers who are the backbone of the Playmobil selling operation.
4) And, of course, STECK STECK STECK!!!!
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Great ideas Indy! The adult collectors club I particularly like.
I encourage everyone to add their own, this isn't meant to be a thread just for me but for all of us to voice our thoughts.
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I like those ideas, Indianna! :)
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Me too!
Those ideas are great Indiana!!! :yup:
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:love: I Love the idea of a collectors club - oh to be able to get my hands on the new stuff.
:hissyfit: :hissyfit: I WANT A NEW MANSION :prays: :prays:
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:clover:
I think the Collector's Club idea is great, and if adopted by PM, they could create exclusives just for the club (available worldwide). I think it would be good if PM made steck pieces available for purchase, via DS or this Collector Club, so we could order as many castles walls, framework buildings, mansions, etc. as we wanted. Doing it this way, they could keep making current sets/themes and NOT alienate the adult fans who also contribute to PM's sales. They must have the molds for the older sets, and if they understood the demand, perhaps its just a matter of time.
And speaking of mansions, what is the deal with the new dollhouse 5302? I don't see much difference between that and the other modern family house 4279, other than the size. The whole appeal of the 1900 theme was that it was historical as opposed to just being a house with furniture it in. It would be nice to see PM bring back this theme to distinguish it from the other house(s), and introduce more sets/figures to go with it.
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:clover:
. . . I think it would be good if PM made steck pieces available for purchase, via DS or this Collector Club, so we could order as many castles walls, framework buildings, mansions, etc. as we wanted. . .
Playmomac, you have discovered my hidden agenda! ;D
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1) Improve the non-German parts-ordering service by copying the Greman model, i..e it goes through the Playmobil website.
2) Allow anybody to order any part that has ever been made, and publish this data monthly on the website - total orders of a part number, and total orders received that month, and orders fulfilled. This can all be automated, so once the system is in place there is no extra work. I think this will promote extra orders as people see the service working and order things they might otherwise not have considered.
3) Get the product into the public eye better at Museums. All Museums have toyshops, and Playmobil should be in those shops. Every collection starts with one set, so every set sold through any channel is a potential sales multiplier.
4) Take advantage of predictable events of worldwide significance (e.g. The 2010 Winter Olympics) to promote the product.
Dear PlaymoFriends ...
I received a phone call, and an email, this morning ...
Our recent efforts (with the Focus survey) have been very much appreciated!
Martin's suggestions (above) are being seriously considered.
The next step is for me to suggest a "Collector's Club" to Playmobil.
I will continue to keep everyone informed.
We certainly got their attention (thanks to all of you, and your friends and families) ... :klickygrin:
All the best,
Richard
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Wow, this is exciting :yup: :crossed:
Please do keep us posted Richard :irish:
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This is so cool! :love:
My two cents for improvement, even though I have to reveal that I also love the SysX-System...
We need to have an area for custom buildings, including instructions.
There are some buildings around that are so good they should be available...
(thinking of Barts Collectofun-Section for example:
http://www.collectobil.com/collectofun/systemx/2003february.html)
Playmo could support with a software (I recall to have heard about them developing something like this anyway?!) with the following features:
- 3D builder for your constructions with all existing SysX- and Steck-Parts (e.g. roman houses)
- Redenring of building instructions (levelwise or something)
- Database to store amount and kind of pieces you have (maybe by logging in the sets you own)
- Automatically generating a list of missing parts
or (if the thing with the database is not feasible)
- Automatically generating a list of all parts used in the construction.
They could offer a section on their webpage devoted to these constructions, maybe as being part of the collectors club. :)
I would also like to second Martins suggestion about spare parts. They do not neccessarily have to make everything public. I would be already happy if there would be a possibility to inquire the availability (and price) of a piece by checking the part number online. Again, maybe a nice feature for the collectors club. :)
best,
socrates
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6) Ancient Greek Theme. Of the ideas mentioned in the Christian Science Monitor Article from 1997 as having been rejected, all have now come to pass except Ancient Greeks. Playmobil have already produced many fantasy creatures, and the klickies themselves just need a few new moulds for helmets and shields. They would fit in well with the Romans and Egyptians.
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I agree with most of the suggestions made so far.
I especially love the idea of a collector's club and the suggestion of being able to purchase parts from, and discontinued sets. (I still want that fence! :prays:)
I would also like to see instructions available online (if only for members of a collector's club) I think Playmo DB is excellent for finding out part numbers etc. but sometimes I need to know how many of a certain piece I need to complete a set and to have that information available would be useful.
Elaine
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I am soooo excited that Playmobil is seriously considering Martins ideas!!!
Ordering parts from discontinued sets would mean I could get French Napoleonic soldiers, and steck, and Victorians, and and and...
:woohoo:
I hope they agree to that if nothing else!
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Heather's PlamoDB (http://www.playmodb.org/) lists "21333 parts in the database, appearing in 2185 sets" ... :(o):
Can you imagine the logistics of maintaining a continually changing inventory of more twenty-one thousand of anything? ... 8}
However, a typical Home Depot (http://corporate.homedepot.com/wps/portal/Our_Stores) store maintains an inventory of about forty thousand different items and they say that they can order from a list of an additional two hundred fifty thousand more.
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6) Ancient Greek Theme. Of the ideas mentioned in the Christian Science Monitor Article from 1997 as having been rejected, all have now come to pass except Ancient Greeks. Playmobil have already produced many fantasy creatures, and the klickies themselves just need a few new moulds for helmets and shields. They would fit in well with the Romans and Egyptians.
Completely agree Martin. Look at some of the creatures from the ghost pirates theme...not a far leap to creatures in Greek mythology and way cooler IMO. I would love to see a minotaur or centaur. :yup: :prays:
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Heather's PlamoDB (http://www.playmodb.org/) lists "21333 parts in the database, appearing in 2185 sets" ... :(o):
Can you imagine the logistics of maintaining a continually changing inventory of more twenty-one thousand of anything? ... 8}
However, a typical Home Depot (http://corporate.homedepot.com/wps/portal/Our_Stores) store maintains an inventory of about forty thousand different items and they say that they can order from a list of an additional two hundred fifty thousand more.
As with your Home Depot example, it can be done. :)
However for Playmobil it would not be continually changing, just continually added to as new parts and sets are developed. Most retailers have to cycle their inventory as they only have so much shelf space, and Playmobil would be no different. There would have to be a minimum number ordered before they contemplated a re-run of a seldom ordered part. In practise some parts would never be ordered enough to be remade, but I suspect other parts (such as 30 07 6120) would be ordered in large numbers.
One hiccup is the sets that do not contain a parts list, especially the blister packs and suchlike exclusives. Presumably Playmobil give the parts in these sets numbers, but do not currently feel the need to release this data to the public.
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... but I suspect other parts (such as 30 07 6120) would be ordered in large numbers.
It sure would be great to know how well the 7200 Add-On set sold ... :klickygrin:
(Wonder if it's possible to find out?)
see attachment
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I love the idea of a Collector's Club and am glad Playmobil is considering it. Lego regularly releases large, expensive sets geared toward adults, so why not Playmobil? As many here have been saying for years, adult collectors make up a larger percentage of buyers than Playmobil may think.
An Ancient Greek Theme would be a nice addition to their historical themes when the Egyptians end. As Martin writes, it would only require new helmet, shield, and sword moulds. Then maybe we could get some decent Roman buildings.
I also love the idea of being able to 3D computer design a custom building and have Playmobil ship you the parts for your custom designed creation. This could happen, although I won't hold my breath. At least let us order parts like the German site allows.
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Great ideas from everyone, but we must keep voting to keep Playmobil number one.
While we've been thinking about what we want from Playmobil, someone has been voting against us. We've already lost 2 points. The latest score shows that we've been moved from 2.37 to 2.39!
Look at the latest scores of the top three ... HERE (http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=4230.msg53660#msg53660)!
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Playmo could support with a software (I recall to have heard about them developing something like this anyway?!) with the following features:
- 3D builder for your constructions with all existing SysX- and Steck-Parts (e.g. roman houses)
- Redenring of building instructions (levelwise or something)
- Database to store amount and kind of pieces you have (maybe by logging in the sets you own)
- Automatically generating a list of missing parts
or (if the thing with the database is not feasible)
- Automatically generating a list of all parts used in the construction.
best,
socrates
I love the idea of a software program for enthusiasts. It certainly would make the job easier for the DS Customer Service reps - half of the time even they don't know the part numbers and it usually takes them forever to look them up! The DB is the most comprehensive tool for parts research that we have but, unfortunately, it is incomplete. Playmobil's database is incomplete, too. Even the Collector's Book is incomplete [p. 446 lists a number of sets with ??? as the number]. It's hard to believe they have NO info on those sets but..... :eh?:
What I would find particularly useful is a "checklist" for sets - [again, the DB is helpful but incomplete]. I am certain that Playmobil has assigned a product number for every little bit that comes off the factory floor, but often those numbers are elusive; especially where colour variations come in to play. Some of them may be lost forever, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to re-assign those unknown parts numbers!
An easy form for cataloging pieces would be a Godsend!!!! Cuffs: 3 pr. red, 4 pr. black, 1 pr. green, 2 pr. white, furry, 1 pr. brown scalloped edge etc. 8} Then we have neckware - :lol: - can't even begin there! How many different safety cones are there? I think everyone gets the picture. I actually think that would ultimately be the MOST valuable tool they could offer - hell, I might even pay for something like that - :irish: - with my pot o' gold!!!!
I also think that it is a bit greedy and not very good or wise business practice for Playmobil to charge for building plans.... I am sure they are in a huge database, so they can easily pull the needed plans and email them. The amount we spend on this stuff is, in some cases, obscene and I would like to think the management understands that life happens and when the cat pukes all over the grocery store building instructions it isn't really my fault!!!! Usually I have already bought the set [typically at a cost of $100+] and think they really should provide those free of charge. Even if it was an eBay acquisition, they can only benefit from my quick assessment of parts and potential DS order!
In the end, I think most of us would be willing to pay a nominal fee [$15 - $25] each year for DIRECT access to their databases! And, as an added bonus to their devoted fan/collector base who pay the fee, throw in a unique, exclusive set or two! :-* :crossed:
Great suggestion Socrates!
Rey
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Hello, PlaymoFriends!
I just received another email from Zirndorf this morning!
I was pleasantly surprised by what it said. In fact I was so delighted, that I've copied the content for everyone to read:
"What are the pros and cons of an official PLAYMOBIL Collectors Club? There are
certainly a lot of pros for PLAYMOBIL. The questions to discuss are:
What is the unique benefit of such a club compared to all the other well established collectors' sites world wide?
Who can join the club and who cannot?
What kind of input would be required from our part? And what, in turn, would this mean from various standpoints e.g. disclosure of information, manpower involved, costs involved?
Richard, this would certainly be an exciting venture."
My dear, PlaymoFriends we have done so well. We must keep Playmobil number one! Please keep voting (http://www.focus.de/finanzen/news/manager-ranking/user-ranking-wie-gut-sind-deutschlands-manager_aid_376668.html?surveyItem=669)!
All the best to everyone,
Richard
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Richard,
I was jumping up and down when I read that letter!
It would indeed be an exciting venture as they put it.
Was there any reply on the other ideas that were posted?
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Was there any reply on the other ideas that were posted?
Yes!
We've been asked to realistically expand Martin's recommendations to include other practical suggestions.
Perhaps, we should ask Martin if he would oversee this?
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"Realisticly Expand"?
What does that mean? ???
Do they not think it is doable?
Or do they want more information?
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"Realistically Expand"?
What does that mean? ???
Do they not think it is doable?
Or do they want more information?
They would like to know what we want and what is most important to us as a community, WoT!
Thank you for asking, as I probably wasn't very clear in my first response.
Edit: Left out the word "as" ... :-[
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Well I think we all like the idea of being able to buy parts that have been discontinued.
And of course the Collectors Club...
In responce to your email Richard I think that the collectors club should be open to everyone...
the idea being that people could trade at the club and discuss ideas...
All of which Playmobil would see because it would be on their website.
And even though there are these forums here, one owned by Playmobil would mean you wouldnt need to be a member to trade and stuff.
Also they could have all the part numbers in the collectors club where people can see,
And you can buy the old discontinued parts there.
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Playmobil maybe listening more than we think ;)! I placed a USA DS order for 4 items yesterday, & when the order taker answered the call which still took a long while, I was immediately asked if the order was more than 10 part numbers, to which I replied no. The order taker said in the future if the order was a larger one, I would be required to place it via email service@playmobilusa.com or fax methods only to which I would receive a future response with availability & pricing! They are changing the process, but as with the past problem of lack of stock there still needs to be a major improvement!
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Yes!
We've been asked to realistically expand Martin's recommendations to include other practical suggestions.
Perhaps, we should ask Martin if he would oversee this?
Hi Richard,
very exciting news that our voting has boosted Herr Brandstatter to #1, and that this is helping to get Playmobil to at least listen to our ideas!
I'd love to expand on the ideas, though they seem pretty well summarised already. If Playmobil would like to contact me directly for more detail on the ideas I'll see what I can do, or we can all continue on the pinned thread.
Let's start with the spare parts service.
a) The Ersatzteile (Spare Parts) section that is currently only on the Playmobil.de site should be carried across to all the national sites, translated into the appropriate languages. That should allow anybody to immediately identify the part number of any number in any current set, and place an order by clicking on the appropriate part. It would be nice to add the figures which are currently NOT included in the ordering service, but we know can be identified and ordered by a single part number. Many people want to order figures in large numbers for armies etc. but still not buy a whole set.
This eliminates the feeling that everywhere outside Germany is being treated like a poor cousin, and streamlines the ordering process.
b) Having got this up and working for all countries, expand the service to include older sets for which parts are frequently being requested. I realise this is a massive task, so it has to be done in stages.
Currently the "Ersatzteile Ritter" section has 11 sets from which parts can be ordered, while Playmodb has 202 Ritter sets listed. Extrapolating, we might suppose that only about 5% of the total data is currently in the German spare parts database. Clearly the older sets have to be added in a sensible order, and we wouldn't necessarily expect everything to be added. e.g. the oldest sets with bright silver armor may not be added as the parts are no longer able to be made.
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Playmobil maybe listening more than we think ;)! I placed a USA DS order for 4 items yesterday, & when the order taker answered the call which still took a long while, I was immediately asked if the order was more than 10 part numbers, to which I replied no. The order taker said in the future if the order was a larger one, I would be required to place it via email service@playmobilusa.com or fax methods only to which I would receive a future response with availability & pricing! They are changing the process, but as with the past problem of lack of stock there still needs to be a major improvement!
Thanks for that information Bill! I've been meaning to ask for that email, as I'm sure to be ordering spare parts in a couple of months when I've settled into my new Playmoden, and I didn't fancy spending hours on the phone! I know someone posted the email address a while ago but I couldn't recall who when and where.
I always emailed my spares orders in the UK, and it saves time and eliminates a lot of possible human error. I hope they manage to make the parts available as well!
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I think Martin's point about expanding the spare parts order system currently available in Germany would be terrific -- both geographically and in terms of the sets for which parts could be ordered. This would seem a relatively easy thing to do. Obviously they already have the technical infrastructure, it's simply a question of making the system more widely available and expand the coverage.
The biggest commitment of resource Playmobil would have to put in would be the staff to deal with all the requests. Servicing lots more orders for parts would be a very labour-intensive (=expensive) process. But I also think it's pretty clear that there are plenty of collectors/enthusiasts who would buy more parts (i.e., even more than they already do!) if the process were easier.
Some transparent way of getting ideas/input from the collector/enthusiast community about new themes, new sets, new parts would also be good, though quite how this could work I don't know. What about getting representative(s) from Playmobil to come on fora such as Playmofriends? Obviously we (and various other boards) have got the structures and 'population' in place already, so Playmobil wouldn't need to invest in building a forum of their own.
For a collector's club, and particularly exclusive sets: re-issuing the 'civilian' sets from older medieval themes would be very welcome :lol:
And the idea that seems an absolute no-brainer to just about everybody here (and probably on most forums): bring back Steck. Duh.
Anyway, on the basis of what's been happening with the Focus voting and Playmobil's sudden(-ish) interest in engaging with the collector/enthusiast community: has the Cluetrain made a stop at Zirndorf (see http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=3147.msg37044#msg37044)? Sounds like it might have, and I really hope Geobra's management see fit to get on board!
AndrewL
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There is one down fall in the USA distribution system. From what I have been able to understand the ownership of the US franchise in NJ controls all of the saturation of Playmobil throughout the USA! When there is a cash flow problem, it chokes the entire PM distribution supply line, & DS replenish parts orders. Hence the discussion several months ago regarding the lack of replenishment DS parts stock possibly becoming an annual event from Germany! If we expect better parts fulfillment in this country, there will need to be a process copying the UK DS that depends on living out of Playmobil's home offices back pocket by not stocking any parts in house, but placing frequent DS orders instead.
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Playmobil maybe listening more than we think ;)! I placed a USA DS order for 4 items yesterday, & when the order taker answered the call which still took a long while, I was immediately asked if the order was more than 10 part numbers, to which I replied no. The order taker said in the future if the order was a larger one, I would be required to place it via email service@playmobilusa.com or fax methods only to which I would receive a future response with availability & pricing! They are changing the process, but as with the past problem of lack of stock there still needs to be a major improvement!
Obviously, they adopted the german system. At german DS everything over 10 pieces has to be written down and ordered. They most prefer excel-sheets, by the way... ;)
In Germany, they argue that otherwise the hotline will be blocked for too long for other customers. So, this might be a good sign, they obviously _have_ growing traffic at the US-DS. :D
best,
socrates
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b) Having got this up and working for all countries, expand the service to include older sets for which parts are frequently being requested. I realise this is a massive task, so it has to be done in stages.
Currently the "Ersatzteile Ritter" section has 11 sets from which parts can be ordered, while Playmodb has 202 Ritter sets listed. Extrapolating, we might suppose that only about 5% of the total data is currently in the German spare parts database. Clearly the older sets have to be added in a sensible order, and we wouldn't necessarily expect everything to be added. e.g. the oldest sets with bright silver armor may not be added as the parts are no longer able to be made.
To be honest, I do strongly believe there will never be a DS service with all parts online.
I simply don't think this is realistic. :no:
It is very expensive for Playmobil to setup the machines, bring the production into run etc. such that it makes only sense to do so for producing at least like 10.000 pieces at once. As this typically is not the size of an DS order or much more of what ever would be ordered by the community, they would be insane if they would do this.
But, thinking this through, I come to the following ways for including the collectors club: :!:
1. They could build up a most wanted list. For sets as well as for spare parts.
That way, even if pieces cant be ordered, DS got a vivid feedback of what the collectors really would like to have.
And they can react easily, releasing a DS set or even setting up a summer special, or in the best case a new theme.
2. The club could hold creative contests where either the community or playmobil itself would officially announce a winner part / figure / set / theme or whatever category makes sense
Something like this would be a win/win situation. They could have a boost in popularity as people can really interact with the company. I think of all the brilliant customs I have seen already and I thought soo many times: Well, they really should make a set out of this!
To illustrate this, here just some examples:
Example 1: Lets just assume, they make some crazy comic like dragon knights with blinking laser sword cannon thingies and dragon head entrance doors and what so ever (thats what their survey resulted in for best marketing strategy). Then in the collectors community, the collectors customize cool and brilliant knights out of these crazy sets, like e.g. http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=4217.0
These nice sets go up very high into the collectors custom charts (or whatever popularity measure) and officials are really impressed what nice stuff can be done using all these parts they already have in stock. So, with the next DS catalogue a new figure group is released: "3 Knights from the Dragonland" and a leader figure.
In this process, the figures are condensed to the really cool parts from the normal sets and become even more attractive to order.
Example 2: In the "all time favourites" section, the schooner (http://www.collectobil.com/catalogue/items/3055.htm (http://www.collectobil.com/catalogue/items/3055.htm)) and the Merry Men's Feast (http://www.collectobil.com/catalogue/items/3627.htm (http://www.collectobil.com/catalogue/items/3627.htm)) are by far the most popular sets. Well, they note that and decide to rerelease a civil ship on bases of the 3055. Not necessarily exactly the same but with a civil crew and sails and connectors that can be used for replacement in vintage 3055 ships. As for the merry men's feast, they decide to bring out a DS set: "medieval civilians" including a big barrel, two black monks and three civilians (winner of a civilian medieval contest)
Example 3: There is this cool software I described above and everyone can contribute buildings. There are no limits but different categories. The most important difference is that there are free-style creations, like three stores high naval stronghold consisting of 8 sets 3112 and uncountable other parts and there are box creations, like taking a hospital and a supermarket and design a discotheque out of it, and there are imaginary creations, like roman houses that use some special sysX-pieces that do not exist yet.
First, Playmobil could adopt these creations and produce sets like lego does already: 1 set, 3 buildings. They could also bundle extra parts and sell them together in the DS as an extension of set XXXX to free-style creation Y. Finally, they could take the fan created parts in the imaginary section (if they like them) and produce them. Again, they could sell them in DS (e.g. "roman rooftops and pillars")
(As for building parts this holds for klicky accessiores or klickies... see exp.1)
Richard, this is exciting and I am looking forward to what is happening next. :)
best,
socrates
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(Is it still possible to vote? I accessed the site, but it's all in German =S ..)
(never mind, done it)
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3) Get the product into the public eye better at Museums. All Museums have toyshops, and Playmobil should be in those shops. Every collection starts with one set, so every set sold through any channel is a potential sales multiplier.
Expanding on this idea as requested via Richard, there have been To add to several blister packs that ought to have sold well if marketed to Museum gift shops. The blister packs have been a great addition to the Playmobil range, giving the buyer an immediate view of what they're getting, and keeping the cost down. As a child I could happily play with two figures for hours, so I think these would sell well individually, and with the correct figures, would sell well to collectors and people building armies.
5799 features a Union and a Confederate Soldier from the American Civil War. There are hundreds of Museums in the USA covering this subject, and they all have gift shops. Playmobil should be visiting these sites and promoting this one blister. Instead, as far as our community here at Playmofriends can discover, it has only ever been released in Brazil. Many of us would buy this blister in quantity if we could but find it.
5800 (also only ever seen in Brazil by a forum member) has a Roman Centurion and a Legionary. The problem with this choice is that it makes the pack useless for collectors, as we don't want a ratio of one officer to one private. A better choice for the second figure would be a Gaul, Viking (as a Goth) or some other opponent. Howevere the pack as is should have been marketed to the hundreds of Museums around the UK and Europe with Roman displays. I visited The British Museum in London while they were holding a major exhibition about a Roman Emperor, and they have a constant display about Ancient Rome, but not one Playmobil figure was in the shop. Other companies were selling their Roman Figures in the shop, so an opportunity has been overlooked. The add on packs 7877 amnd 7878 could easily be supplied to Museum shops in numbers, and then children could build their own Roman Army.
Any of the Pirate blisters could be promoted in the many Pirate-related Museums in the USA and the UK, but I have never seen one.
My point is that Playmobil should be putting its product in the public eye whenever and wherever it can, and I see no evidence of this happening. I know from my own childhood how boring a Museum visit can be, and how we looked forward to the gift shop at the end of the trip. Other toy manufacturers like Papo and Schleich are able to get their (inferior) product to sell through these channels, so why is Geobra so poor at this?
Every toy collector, child or adult, starts from one experience, and as the introductions on this forum frequently show, one particular set can be the seed for a massive collection. Why should that collection be of (boring non-moving) Papo or Schleich figures when they could and should be Playmobil?
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we tend to forget that, in the past, a lot of ideas were already "given" - http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=2137.0.
it is entirely my fault never to have sent our list to geobra.
we now seem to have another opportunity so, here it goes again with my appologies to all.
(packaging)
. better internal packaging, with supports preventing scratches on pieces;
. boxes and other packaging as small as possible to save on resources and to keep parts from shifting around inside;
. buckets with several figures, that could be re-used to store them all the time;
(contents)
. sets with several (more than 10) single figures from the same family-theme;
. a total absence of repeated figures through the sets of each theme;
(special sets)
. larger "collector-special-edition-sets" filled with components and details;
. re-released "collector-special-edition-sets" copying the most famous (and wanted) sets throughout playmobil's history;
(data-base)
. a number system depicting all individual parts of every set, included in an instructions booklet on every set;
(figures/construction)
. rotating torsos in figures;
. more figures with varied skin colors and face structure, without "caricatural" designs;
. extra-designs for hair-pieces, beards and moustaches (larger, curlier, pointier, etc.);
. adaptor pieces to connect all the various building systems with each other, such as steck to system X
(sets)
. sets with construction-oriented design, allowing several ways to assemble the same building.
. sets that are construction-compatible with one-another, permitting justapositions.
(shopping)
. an european (or worlwide) site with on-line shopping, including direct service sets;
. automated online direct service ordering for individual parts, not just the "add-ons" (worldwide);
. ability to order individual arms, legs, torsos, heads, hair, etc.
. playmobil-exclusive blue shops scattered all over the world, also with educational centers attached.
(extra)
. new theme-parks all over the world, with educational centers attached;
. playmobil-exclusive blue shops scattered all over the world, also with educational centers attached;
. decisions on new factories or suppliers determined by countries behaviour towards human-rights and child-labour.
i have left out all ideas concerning new sets or new families.
maybe all those ideas could be sent to geobra through a new on-line platform created inside playmobil's web site.
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Hi all,
I would second pretty much all of Chacalote's points -- I think there's quite a lot to go on here.
It is, perhaps, unfortunate that these ideas didn't get passed to Geobra earlier, but then I suspect this was because there was a firm belief at the time that Geobra wouldn't listen even if the collector/enthusiast community shouted at the top of our collective lungs. At the time, I'm guessing this belief was probably correct (i.e., Geobra wouldn't have listened even if shouted at).
But I do get the impression now that at least some people in Zirndorf are trying to look over the walls of 'Fort Business' and engage more directly with the collector/enthusiast community. The Focus polling is clearly a stunt, but I get the impression it may be a means by which people within Geobra who do want to engage with us more try to demonstrate to those who don't (or simply don't care) that there are plenty of people out there with whom it would (ultimately) pay to start engaging with.
Anyway, I think we've now got quite a lot of really good ideas. At the same time, I think we should (collectively) maintain a sense of caution/realism about what might be achieved through dialogue with Geobra. It will probably take some time to get things moving in the direction we'd like (indeed, it obviously already has), but at least there does appear to be motion.
Cheers,
AndrewL
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In the Medieval theme, it is my belief that Playmobil is selling a ghost town. In times past sets were released with townspeople, milkmaids, bakers, etc. I feel strong that sets should be made up to add furniture to the houses, we should be able to buy kitchen sets, bedroom sets for the upstairs, tables and benches.
Townspeople to sell their wares in the marketplace, weather it be dishes, pots, jars. Bring back the market stands with fruit, meat, fish, etc.. Perhaps outdoor ovens, the well sets, big barrels. Sets with mixed boxes, barrels, crops going to market and carts to carry them to the marketplace. There could be a mixture of these in a cart set with driver and maid. Multiple sets could be purchased ro place common items per cart. Farmer in the fields working crops, bringing their crops into town to sell. A market stand with bakery goods. A market set with a combination of the above so that multiple sets could be purchased to have a fish stand, a meat stand, bakery goods etc..
Well you get the idea,
Donmobil
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2) Allow anybody to order any part that has ever been made, and publish this data monthly on the website.
My only concern (and it’s not necessarily a legitimate one) is here. A part that simply is no longer being manufactured may prove to be an excessive fiscal burden- Perhaps only parts currently being manufactured or in limited colors (for example, for houses white only, tools in grey or black only, etc).
Further, I do not think they should post numbers ordered- That’s potentially sensitive business information, and should not be made public.
As for ordering parts through a website, perhaps just one central site, with buttons to select the language desired, and an option to print out an order, but to be able to snail mail it in (like I used to have to). I know I’d like to order a couple sets from other countries (Netherlands and Germany, right now)
But Playmobil DEFINITELY needs better exposure. Perhaps they could consider offering Christmass and other religiously themed sets through chapels at a “special rate” (a special rate exclusive to them because they are religious institutions- I was thinking Noah’s Ark and Nativity sets would fit most of all).
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IDEAS FOR CASTLES
we must tell them to make new moulds for steck the castles would have many building abilities and bring back improved steck with new nice castles ;D ;D
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I agree with Andy R that playmobil needs better exposure. I don't understand why they don't market zoo- and animal-themed set in zoo gift shops, sell romans and egyptians in museum gift shops, etc. people who otherwise might never take note of playmobil in a huge toy store might notice it in a small gift shop, and all it takes is one set to get you hooked for life! Here in th US, almost NOBODY has ever even heard of playmobil. I suppose even just TV advertising might help.