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Author Topic: Playmobil packaging.  (Read 12688 times)

Offline Martin Milner

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Re: Playmobil packaging.
« Reply #20 on: February 24, 2011, 01:43:00 »
There are more factors driving towards a big box than a small box.

For a small box, economy. Yet cardboard is a cheap and easily recycled material, so a small box doesn't really save much.

For a bigger box, first you need to contain the largest piece of the set. In the case of a Special this may be a long spear, which can't sit diagonally across the box as it would occupy the same space as other parts. Then you want to be able to show exciting illustrations in as large a picture as possible. You want to be able to show this off on the shelf, and catch the eye. It would also be more economical to use several standard box sizes, to reduce retooling and adjustments to the assembly line.
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Offline cachalote

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Re: Playmobil packaging.
« Reply #21 on: February 24, 2011, 02:05:38 »
this is a recurring matter.  :hmm:
in the past we have already talked about this and for most of us then the excessive size is a no-no.  :'(
too much extra cardboard means more trees are cut down to make it (yes, that's the way cardboard is made), means that more oils is spent moving them around (or actually the excess of "airy" volume they have) etc.
and for all of us b.n.i.b "international" collectors it means a lot of money in shipping costs.

i wish geobra wouldn't be so "competitive" with this "size" issue.
they have great toys and maybe if they would market them more as "jewelry" they could be more successful.
you don't see diamond rings or pearl necklaces boxed in oversized boxes - they usually come in pretty boxes but it's what's inside that counts.
and air doesn't count for much.
and small children are not that stupid and they perfecly understand that air is something they don't need and that they don't like when they open a box of a new toy.  ;)
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Offline Bill Blackhurst

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Re: Playmobil packaging.
« Reply #22 on: February 24, 2011, 02:34:10 »
Well said cachalote! I couldn't agree more! :high5:
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Offline Rasputin

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Re: Playmobil packaging.
« Reply #23 on: February 24, 2011, 04:51:03 »
Quote from: cachalote on February 24, 2011, 02:05:38
this is a recurring matter.  :hmm:
in the past we have already talked about this and for most of us then the excessive size is a no-no.  :'(
too much extra cardboard means more trees are cut down to make it (yes, that's the way cardboard is made), means that more oils is spent moving them around (or actually the excess of "airy" volume they have) etc.
and for all of us b.n.i.b "international" collectors it means a lot of money in shipping costs.

i wish geobra wouldn't be so "competitive" with this "size" issue.
they have great toys and maybe if they would market them more as "jewelry" they could be more successful.
you don't see diamond rings or pearl necklaces boxed in oversized boxes - they usually come in pretty boxes but it's what's inside that counts.
and air doesn't count for much.
and small children are not that stupid and they perfecly understand that air is something they don't need and that they don't like when they open a box of a new toy.  ;)

When I go to the jewelers the standard hinged ring box will fit about 10 rings (with a normal sized rock) Yes the boxes are small and dainty about 1/2 the size of a special but a ring is a  small object  . What is nice about the size of the box is it fits perfectly in your hand, like a base ball

most of the pulp wood used for this come from tree farms, and its all recyclable I want bigger boxes so i can use them to decorate the inside of the barn. 

I think there is more psychological marketing reasons behind the box sizes  - a potential customer expects to get a certain box size when spending $xxx.xx on one box size 30-xx-xxxx

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Offline playmofire

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Re: Playmobil packaging.
« Reply #24 on: February 24, 2011, 05:30:03 »
If Playmobil didn't use standard box sizes, then there production costs for packaging would be increased and probably transport costs too as they would be shipping containers with empty space in them.  And Martin is right - the box must be big enough to take the largest part and maybe in an ideal world each set would have a box tailored to its exact size but that would be very expensive to do.  But when it comes to boxes, volume and cost do not increase in step.  For example, a box 4 inches by 4 inches by 4 inches has a surface area of 96 square inches and a volume of 64 cubic inches.   A box 5x5x5 has a surface area of 150 square inches but a volume of 125 cubic inches  by increasing the surface area by 54 square inches (1.6 times) you've increased the volume (what the box will hold) by more than double without doubling your costs.  And cardboard, as Rasputin has pointed out is very ecofriendly.

I quite accept the point that Gaston and Luis make about international shipping costs rising with the size of the parcel, but Playmobil is usually shipped by the container where such factors don't apply.
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Offline Bill Blackhurst

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Re: Playmobil packaging.
« Reply #25 on: February 24, 2011, 15:36:56 »
These are all great ideas, but I'm concerned that this is an overall unnecessary waste of resources. PM just needs to reevaluate whether this change being discussed could benefit the planet long term. If you are a nonbox collector, like where I live, we are required to travel 10 miles to a recycling center, wasting gas & time, & most of the time the containers are overflowing causing even more problems on a busy weekend. Most neighbors on my street have stopped hauling their recyclable items due to the inconvience. If you are a MIB collector that saves boxes, the large oversized boxes are not recycled & are a drain to the environment. Does anyone know if the Playmobil packaging is post consumer material, & if it is what percentage?
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Offline LHAAP

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Re: Playmobil packaging.
« Reply #26 on: February 24, 2011, 16:51:06 »
Quote from: Bill Blackhurst on February 24, 2011, 15:36:56
Does anyone know if the Playmobil packaging is post consumer material, & if it is what percentage?
Playmobil packaging has been marked with the "Grüner Punkt" (Green Dot) since the late 80's.
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Offline Rasputin

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Re: Playmobil packaging.
« Reply #27 on: February 24, 2011, 16:58:33 »
Quote from: Bill Blackhurst on February 24, 2011, 15:36:56
but I'm concerned that this is an overall unnecessary waste of resources.

But if this helps sell toys (due to shelf display) and keeps Playmobil a healthy viable company than I say it is not a waste of precious resources
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Offline bonniebeth

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Re: Playmobil packaging.
« Reply #28 on: February 24, 2011, 17:01:15 »
Yes, but still, recycled materials are a good thing, and using them doesn't hurt sales at all, maybe even helps in some cases.
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Offline Rasputin

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Re: Playmobil packaging.
« Reply #29 on: February 24, 2011, 17:11:45 »
Quote from: bonniebeth on February 24, 2011, 17:01:15
Yes, but still, recycled materials are a good thing, and using them doesn't hurt sales at all, maybe even helps in some cases.

Yes if putting a recycled (post consumer packaging) sticker on a box helps, go for it. Recycling is not going to save much resources, it is a very intensive process. Reusing is the way to go.

Build a house out of old Playmobil boxes like building blocks, stucco the outside and put a metal roof on it .
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