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General => News => Topic started by: Hadoque on July 07, 2012, 19:54:48

Title: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Hadoque on July 07, 2012, 19:54:48
As the title says;
Does someone have news about US Exclusive sets (Target ones etc)  for 2012?
Usually the first images appear around this time of year...

Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Elric on July 07, 2012, 20:52:47
Just found this on the toys r us wbesite.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12945090
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: bonniebeth on July 07, 2012, 21:14:06
 :o :o :o :o :o :o I want!!!!!!! Look at that price, though! Looks like they have seen how much this stuff goes for on ebay in the US. Also explains why the new car came off the market so fast. :hmm:
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Tiermann on July 08, 2012, 00:38:56
There's some great stuff in that set. The price all seem to be pretty high these days.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: playmofire on July 08, 2012, 00:59:26
Also explains why the new car came off the market so fast. :hmm:

You can still buy the old timer car from UK DS at £13. 
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: bonniebeth on July 08, 2012, 01:27:47
It was only available in the US for what seemed like a few weeks. I don't think it was even 6 months. :-\ I didn't get a chance to get one.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: toyologist on July 08, 2012, 04:58:25
I can't wait to receive this! Studying the picture, it doesn't look like there are curtains in the windows, or the laced blind in the attic window. There does appear to be something inside. Surely, there will be some furnishings! I hope that there's a nice wallpaper. Looking forward to more pics! Hopefully, before mid-August.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: BlackPearl2006 on July 08, 2012, 08:03:06
I don't get it...is it just PART of a victorian house?  Even from that limited angle there doesn't appear to be a continuation of the edifice beyond one "window length" deep (onlyh has 3 roof sections and then it stops there.   The smallest foundation piece for a mansion is only one window length wide, though I'm not aware of any walls that are smaller than 2 windows wide.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: tahra on July 08, 2012, 08:41:17
It was only available in the US for what seemed like a few weeks. I don't think it was even 6 months. :-\ I didn't get a chance to get one.

I think that the green car is also availble in Iberia.. If you need one, let me know - I don't know about shipping to the US, but it shouldn't be a fortune.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: bonniebeth on July 08, 2012, 10:50:32
It does seem to be a VERY small portion of a victorian house, like an entryway. I would think for that price there may be some furnishings.

Tahra, thanks, I'll think about it. My playmo budget is almost non-existant right now though, so I have to think carefully how I spend it.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: mike1003 on July 08, 2012, 13:12:32
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12945090

toys r us special!
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: basilsdad on July 08, 2012, 13:22:10
The house colors in the TRU photo seem to be from the original 5300/5305.  I think that they would probably use the same format that they used for the pavilions.  I can't see Playmobil making a special base for a 3 by 2 unit house.  So I went with that and built what I think it will look like all the way around.  This is just a projection of my thoughts though.  :-[
 Joe   

(http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/1121/fao1.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/819/fao1.jpg/)

(http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/482/fao4.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/546/fao4.jpg/)

(http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/6607/fao3a.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/207/fao3a.jpg/)

(http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/8919/fao2.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/805/fao2.jpg/)

Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Rasputin on July 08, 2012, 13:30:18
that is one small room for a house? I like the fact that the 5300 parts are back and now I can get a few green cars but I am not happy about the price. I do not think it will sell like hot cakes so I will wait till a sale. I just hope like bb said that this stays on the market for longer than 2 weeks.

thanks for the info
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Baron Marshall on July 08, 2012, 13:33:02
I could see them making a new base... they had a hard time selling the original mansion because of its size... a scaled down victorian theme would be more cost effective for the company... The price is not out of line considering the pavilion cost what $50-60, the car cost $16, the Carriage cost $30, the fence cost $20, and then there are klickies too
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Rasputin on July 08, 2012, 13:44:09
the pavilion was always way over priced so I would say $40 for the house, $15 for the car, $15 for the carrage, $15 for the small fence & there are 7 adults @ $3 each so $20 = a grand total of $105. US marketing SRP of $99.99 is what I would expect 
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: bonniebeth on July 08, 2012, 15:00:59
I'm thrilled to see that it has the carriage and three ladies in dresses. :love:
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: toyologist on July 08, 2012, 15:55:08
The house colors in the TRU photo seem to be from the original 5300/5305.  I think that they would probably use the same format that they used for the pavilions.  I can't see Playmobil making a special base for a 3 by 2 unit house.  So I went with that and built what I think it will look like all the way around.  This is just a projection of my thoughts though.  :-[
 Joe   


Nice projections Joe! They look spot-on. We'll need to remember to compare later, when we've had a better look at the new set.  :wave:
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: tahra on July 09, 2012, 11:30:39
Tahra, thanks, I'll think about it. My playmo budget is almost non-existant right now though, so I have to think carefully how I spend it.

Ok (send some of that restraint over?)
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Rhalius on July 09, 2012, 23:28:01
Considering the high demand for the victorian house, it might be better to just rerelease the small version of the mansion in stores, and the extra floors on DS.

This set seems nice, but it might be better if you'd get more of a house for it and less of the other stuff.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Lindama on July 10, 2012, 00:24:43
A great move but they could do better, surely. A small façade of a house is a bit disappointing.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: tahra on July 10, 2012, 07:15:45
This set seems nice, but it might be better if you'd get more of a house for it and less of the other stuff.

Right. A lot more useful to have them in separate sets...
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Giorginetto on July 10, 2012, 11:27:08
This house will look awesome but i wish it was abit bigger, maybe the =y release some DS rooms

Glad to see Playmobil is releasing more and more steck , everything else pales in comparison  :lol: :lol:

I suppose since its a FAO Schwartz toy it will only be available in the US ..... ???..... :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:

 :hissyfit:

10 klickies in total in it... a car, a cart with horses and probably furnishings in the house i can see something in the left window . I think its actually not such a bad price but i cant argue with Rasputin's financial analysis- do these FAO toys carry  a brand premium i wonder ??

Either way i want 4-6 of these houses for my upcoming victorian diorama that will be dedicated to our baby daughter. I am on a mission to get them now  :lol: :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Baron Marshall on July 10, 2012, 12:33:58
It should... should... be available at any Toys R Us since they own FAO... and yes, unfortunately any exclusive, anniversary, or FAO toy usually costs more than otherwise... in this case we have all three rolled into one  :lol:
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Giorginetto on July 10, 2012, 12:45:54
It should... should... be available at any Toys R Us since they own FAO... and yes, unfortunately any exclusive, anniversary, or FAO toy usually costs more than otherwise... in this case we have all three rolled into one  :lol:

No Toys R Us in Greece   :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:

I reckon this set will make it easier to built victorian cities and with its parts available again i guess (  ???) from DS it will be easy to built big , big victorian houses withouth aving to buy the epxensive 5300s, 53005s etc  :love: :love: :love:
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Hadoque on July 10, 2012, 18:37:49
Just found this on the toys r us wbesite.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12945090

  :(o): :(o): :(o):
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Lindama on July 11, 2012, 01:30:50
Although I complain that it is not as good as it could be, I still need one. Actually, I need a whole flipping room to store my Playmobil. If they keep bringing out more steck I will definitely need to move.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Rasputin on July 11, 2012, 02:17:42
I do not know if this will or will not be released world wide, could be a great feature of a club- the feature of information, and I think this will be a a bigger box but if anybody wants any of these I would be willing to ship them out. It looks like they are not avalable yet and I do not know if it will be in stores.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Rasputin on July 12, 2012, 00:53:46
I kind of compare this set to the recent 3030 - Adventure - Knights* (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=3030) in the knights theme. I bought a few of them and can not remember the price? I thought it was $40 or was it $50. Certainly not close to $100. It has half or more of the contents of this new Victorian set and by my calculations that puts this neww set at about $80-ish

 When bb mentioned the quick loss of the green Victorian car and now this over priced set being the only way to get it in the US it makes me wonder how much we are going to be fleeced now by Geobra  ;)
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Rasputin on July 12, 2012, 03:59:39
from TRU

"Product Description
In celebration of FAO's 150th Anniversary, Playmobil has brought back this collectible Victorian City Life edition from its archive. This 342 piece set includes a victorian house complete with furnishings and a horse and buggy."

I wonder what furniture it has ?

it also said it was ready to ship on 8/15/2012

I was hoping to get on the "buy one get 2nd 50% off" sale and free shipping they have right now
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Jay on July 12, 2012, 04:13:50
Well, TRU does do an awful lot of buy one get 50% off. They have even have had a few Buy 2 Get 1 Free sales. That's an even better deal.  My guess is that these will be on sale alot. I wouldn't worry too much about the cost.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Giorginetto on July 12, 2012, 06:16:44
I will most definitely look at getting at least 4 of them . If anyone is willing to buy them and ship them to me i will be soooo obliged . Look forward to see the details of this set. Sooo glad steck is coming back from all angles , medieval , western and now victorian .  ;D
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Ace on July 14, 2012, 17:19:44
I noticed that there's another FAO Schwartz Playmo exclusive:Toy Soldier (http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12945089)  :lens:.
Ace :brownhair:
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: bonniebeth on July 14, 2012, 19:39:31
I don't see a picture, I wonder what it looks like?
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: BlackPearl2006 on July 14, 2012, 19:57:12
from TRU

"Product Description
In celebration of FAO's 150th Anniversary, Playmobil has brought back this collectible Victorian City Life edition from its archive. This 342 piece set includes a victorian house complete with furnishings and a horse and buggy."

I wonder what furniture it has ?

it also said it was ready to ship on 8/15/2012

I was hoping to get on the "buy one get 2nd 50% off" sale and free shipping they have right now

I bet the 342 pieces counts each individual flower, each hand cuff, each hat, each plant stem....  For $129 I'd be expecting something bigger than what they have pictured, unless the photographer somehow was only taking a pic of the house from a side view instead of a frontal or back view?  I know if you add up the coach, the people, and all the stuff seperately it could easily amount to $129.  But just from the pic, no matter what, it just seems so meager.  I hope there is more to it than that, but I doubt it.   Honestly, I can score more online if I'm diligent, than my $129 would buy in this set.  But of course scanning auctions and garage sales takes a lot of time.

Hopefully the release of this set does mean expansion sets and spares available at least.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: tahra on July 14, 2012, 20:54:36
I noticed that there's another FAO Schwartz Playmo exclusive:Toy Soldier (http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12945089)  :lens:.
Ace :brownhair:

That sounds... INTERESTING. Anyone find a pic?
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Baron Marshall on July 15, 2012, 00:32:10
I am guessing it is just going to be the FAO style soldier done in playmobil... will post pics when they arrive as I just ordered some because it says they are in stock ;D
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: hauden_lukas on July 15, 2012, 04:20:47
Link is not active anymore - is that a sign?
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: hauden_lukas on July 15, 2012, 04:30:31
Link is not active anymore - is that a sign?

... but still on the TRU webpage...
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Baron Marshall on July 15, 2012, 12:10:45
The soldier is in stock on the FAO.com website not the TRU one
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: naflibomyalp on July 15, 2012, 13:24:13
Is it just me or has the victorian set disappeared from both the toys r us website and FAO schwarz?
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: bonniebeth on July 15, 2012, 13:29:32
Yeah, it has. Maybe the window for pre-ordering closed and it will re-appear once they are in stock.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Baron Marshall on July 16, 2012, 16:26:24
Victorian Mansion set is now "Back-ordered" according to the e-mail I just got... it says they will ship it as soon as they get it in, and I really hope that is true... FAO status update does say I should expect my soldier between 18th and 23rd... I'm hoping for the 18th... I'm not much on waiting  ;D
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: tahra on July 16, 2012, 17:39:15
:picsplz:
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Hadoque on July 16, 2012, 17:58:29
 :munch:
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Baron Marshall on July 17, 2012, 22:53:48
Just got shipment tracking number for the Soldier, says it will arrive Friday, but that may be when it gets to the Post Office from UPS and not actually when it gets here.... here's hoping though
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Giorginetto on July 18, 2012, 10:38:25
What is that Soldier like ? i cant see any pic ? is it victorian ?????????????????????????
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: tahra on July 18, 2012, 10:39:53
Probably the store's soldier, no?

I'm quite curious too.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Baron Marshall on July 18, 2012, 11:05:50
My best guess it that it is a "toy" soldier like the ones that "guard" the doors at the store...

http://www.shoppingblog.com/blog/916107

there is a little picture one of the real life toy soldiers here... as soon as they arrive I will get pics up though  :lol:
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: basilsdad on July 20, 2012, 21:59:08
There is a new pic of the Victorian house at ToysRUs.  They seem to be in stock once again.  ;D  It looks as if PM did make a new 3 by 2 unit foundation piece.  :-[ 
Joe

 
(http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/4936/ptru112851731enhz6.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/571/ptru112851731enhz6.jpg/)
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Jay on July 21, 2012, 01:35:08
I haven't looked yet, but if it is on the TRU site then it would be available for the sale prices they have. My guess is someone will get this below $80.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Pynedor on July 21, 2012, 01:36:28
That set seems to be quite the thing for fans of the theme with all of the pieces that it includes.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: toyologist on July 21, 2012, 02:06:27
Peeking in the windows, I see a grandfather clock, and maybe a tea service cart.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Rasputin on July 21, 2012, 04:26:44
well Baron did you get it on Friday ?  :munch:
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: basilsdad on July 21, 2012, 10:58:55
Peeking in the windows, I see a grandfather clock, and maybe a tea service cart.

Good eyes!!   :lol:
Joe
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Baron Marshall on July 21, 2012, 11:40:39
well Baron did you get it on Friday ?  :munch:

Thursday actually on the Soldiers, I started a new thread but forgot to link it here...

http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=11428.0


As for the Victorian House... that is supposed to arrive Monday...  :)
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: basilsdad on July 21, 2012, 12:00:45
As for the Victorian House... that is supposed to arrive Monday...  :)

Can't wait!  ;D
Joe
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Rasputin on July 21, 2012, 15:17:26
Thursday actually on the Soldiers, I started a new thread but forgot to link it here...

http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=11428.0


As for the Victorian House... that is supposed to arrive Monday...  :)

great, looking forward to your review
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: toyologist on July 22, 2012, 19:07:02
TRU is having a "save 20% when you spend $75" sale, but it doesn't include the new Victorian collection. Also, the TRU website doesn't appear to be offering free shipping under $150 this week, so if a person wanted to purchase only the Victorian set, they'd have to pay shipping. (In my case, that would be over $6.) However, TRU also has the Victorian collection available on ebay where they are offering free shipping.

I'm so close to buying one, but I want to wait to see the interior. Will there be curtains and wallpaper? I don't know why I'm botherering to wait, I'm sure I won't be able to resist, even without those finishing fine touches.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Robbie on July 28, 2012, 05:29:32
I know I'm being too picky but I really feel disappointed that the sticker for the coach driver's hat wasn't included. It looks very unfinished to me. It's a shame they didn't issue the Oldtimer car in it's original color. The green one is already available in most other countries. I suspect the original tea cart wasn't reissued because it was so brittle.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: basilsdad on July 28, 2012, 10:36:32
I suspect the original tea cart wasn't reissued because it was so brittle.  :hmm:
I noticed this also.  The new plastic used for the wheels on the cart is much more mailable.  It is the same type that they used for the new finials on the dormers, perhaps because the old ones snapped off so easily. 
I think the set although disappointing in a few areas, is wonderful and was a good buy.  :yup:
Joe 
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Rhalius on July 28, 2012, 12:15:31
US seems to get some pretty neat exclusives once in a while, all we get here as Dutch exclusives are Sinterklaas sets and something with Soccer.

Weirdest thing might be that the US seems to be getting exclusive medieval sets while they never even experienced the period. I can't help but be a bit jalous at some of the exclusive historic sets the US gets.  ;)  I'd love for such sets to be released here too, or to at least have exclusive historic sets of our own around here.  :)




Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: basilsdad on July 28, 2012, 13:31:55
Weirdest thing might be that the US seems to be getting exclusive medieval sets while they never even experienced the period.
Which medieval sets are you referring to?
Joe
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Rasputin on July 28, 2012, 15:34:46
we recently got the 3030 super set
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Giorginetto on July 28, 2012, 21:35:43
US gets some really awesome exclusives such as hte recent FAO Schwartz victorian set up as many others. NO surprises as they all originatte from the country that invented marketing . Europe has sooo much to learn to learn still when it comes to msarketing, product development, exclusives etc etc , soooo much ...
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Ismene on July 28, 2012, 22:20:42
US seems to get some pretty neat exclusives once in a while, all we get here as Dutch exclusives are Sinterklaas sets and something with Soccer.

Weirdest thing might be that the US seems to be getting exclusive medieval sets while they never even experienced the period. I can't help but be a bit jalous at some of the exclusive historic sets the US gets.  ;)  I'd love for such sets to be released here too, or to at least have exclusive historic sets of our own around here.  :)

We didn't experience it, so we have to settle for mini plastic castles, as opposed to real stone ones  ;)
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: bonniebeth on July 29, 2012, 01:16:10
US seems to get some pretty neat exclusives once in a while, all we get here as Dutch exclusives are Sinterklaas sets and something with Soccer.

Weirdest thing might be that the US seems to be getting exclusive medieval sets while they never even experienced the period. I can't help but be a bit jalous at some of the exclusive historic sets the US gets.  ;)  I'd love for such sets to be released here too, or to at least have exclusive historic sets of our own around here.  :)

Um.... I don't think anyone alive has truly experienced that period. ;) That doesn't mean we know nothing about it or are not interested in it. Many Americans have traveled to Europe and toured the great castles from that period, and there are societies that regularly have medieval-style battles, or learn about everyday life of the period. Some people wear clothes from that period, and learn skills and trades as they would have been taught in medeival times. For instance the SCA. http://www.sca.org/ This type of thing is a very common interest over here.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Pynedor on July 29, 2012, 06:44:07
US seems to get some pretty neat exclusives once in a while, all we get here as Dutch exclusives are Sinterklaas sets and something with Soccer.

Weirdest thing might be that the US seems to be getting exclusive medieval sets while they never even experienced the period. I can't help but be a bit jalous at some of the exclusive historic sets the US gets.  ;)  I'd love for such sets to be released here too, or to at least have exclusive historic sets of our own around here.  :)

I'd have to agree with this somewhat, haha. It does seem quite unfair really. I mean, most people in the United States are descended from people who were part of the European-West Asian-North African society during the Middle Ages after all, so they truly have the same claim to that, but it really doesn't matter since all ought to have access to these great sets. :)

We didn't experience it, so we have to settle for mini plastic castles, as opposed to real stone ones  ;)

I think the real ones are much better. ;)

US gets some really awesome exclusives such as hte recent FAO Schwartz victorian set up as many others. NO surprises as they all originatte from the country that invented marketing . Europe has sooo much to learn to learn still when it comes to msarketing, product development, exclusives etc etc , soooo much ...

I reckon there are some things that should be looked upon as what not to emulate though. :lol: But still, the sets should be available to all, but with the example of the FAO Schwartz sets - I think that the company is based in the United States. I've never even heard of it until these sets were mentioned.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Ismene on July 29, 2012, 08:40:04
Maybe since the USA is bigger, they figure that they can get more buyers to make exclusives more worth the time and money needed for design and production. They could do continental exclusives though, if they wanted.

The real castles are definitely better, but since we don't have any in the US, I think they are more of a novelty to Americans because we don't have any to visit and museums don't even have much medieval stuff. The European equivalent would be the Western sets. I notice a lot of Germans who come to the US wear cowboy boots  ;)

I'm sure I've heard the name FAO Schwartz somewhere, but it wasn't one I remember well because I haven't seen one in our area. It is a well-established company in the bigger cities. I know Toys 'R Us though.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Rhalius on July 29, 2012, 12:48:00
heh, I am not saying that here in Europe we lived to see it, its a bit more around us with the castles, cathedrals and many old buildings still being around from that time, and it being part of the national history.  :viking: :knight:

I'd bet americans would generally feel more of a connection with the american civil war than with the Napoleonic wars, just like how here in Europe it would be the other way around for the countries which where involved in it. 
While playmobil cowboys and american civil war soldiers are popular around the world, I'd bet they would be sold far more in America than any other place since to Americans its history. Did they ever release western exclusive sets in the US though? It seems like a perfect match.

It's probably a marketing thing though, and here in the Netherlands most people seem to know next to nothing about our own history. Most dont seem to care about anything that happened before WW2.  So I'd gues that might be the reason that exclusives are never of an historic nature here.
Still, countries like Greece, Italy and England seem to pretty much have the reputation to be quite fond of their own history so I really could picture such countries pushing for exclusives in that direction.

Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Ismene on July 30, 2012, 07:49:32
Attitudes towards the Civil War are partly regional. Some places have re-enactments and such, but that's mostly older folk (middle age and above). There hasn't been a big Western movie for awhile, and I just don't see western Playmobil being all that popular with American kids these days. Of the current non-modern sets, I would think the Pirates would be most popular in the US, followed by the Medieval and Fantasy sets, based on popular movies and shows.

Personally, I feel more connection with the Napoleonic Wars than the Civil War :lol: , though I'm more interested in pre-French Revolution history. I'm sick of cowboys and southwestern stuff and cacti. I want castles! And cathedrals! We have old buildings, but they are Spanish colonial and the really old ones are pueblos.

Most Americans are pretty ignorant about history in general (I hate to say it, but really...), but they like "pretty" or "cool" things, despite not knowing much about the history behind it.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Rhalius on July 30, 2012, 18:39:12
heh true.. might be my imagination but I do feel that european game developers seem to get the medieval part of medieval fantasy better than american developers.. Unrealistic castle designs, unfunctional armor appearances.. I really wish they would do some more research about how that stuff actually functions before making a game about it.
 Some hollywood movies make some terrible mistakes as well.. like braveheart.. face paint is used that wasnt used anymore for hundreds of years, kilts werent worn yet in the medieval period, and the battle of stirling happened on a bridge.

Perhaps world history is not discussed as much in the US in school as in other countries, but I am guessing that national history is discussed in more detail at the US.
Doesnt stop interested individuals from looking up the info themselves though.  :)
And of course there are always some history teachers who like their job and can really share that passion with younger generations.  ;)



Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Rasputin on July 30, 2012, 20:41:49
What came first the chicken or the egg  :P

It seems easy enough to get county specific exclusives, all you have to do is ask. I have seen people from all over the world trade through forums over the years. The only place I have not been able to get stuff and am unwilling to pay the seemingly high auction prices is from Argentina. They still have some wonderful classic sets I want. 
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Pynedor on July 30, 2012, 21:35:28
heh true.. might be my imagination but I do feel that european game developers seem to get the medieval part of medieval fantasy better than american developers.. Unrealistic castle designs, unfunctional armor appearances.. I really wish they would do some more research about how that stuff actually functions before making a game about it.

Definitely! :lol: That goes for toys like Playmobil (and even Lego) too I would say. The sets don't have as many ridiculous or unrealistic features and such. What annoys me the most are crazy spikes and bizarre, enormous weapons and armour pieces. There is a similar problem with a lot of Japanese games and anime, but there are many good ones and even some where the un-realism fits nicely with the rest of the respective universe.

From what I've seen though, there are more European companies than those of other places that take more time to develop toys, games, and films that are either more realistic or more refined in their explanations of any fantasy elements inherent to them - both of which I feel makes the experience more fun.   

To the point though - it doesn't really seem to me as if the exclusive sets are any more exaggerated or unrealistic than the main-line sets; they are just released in certain areas and not others. I'm unsure why, since most of the sets don't have any region-specific or culture-specific themes.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Hadoque on July 30, 2012, 23:02:03
Counting the posts in this thread, may I assume there is a lot of news about many new US exclusives?  ;)
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: bonniebeth on July 31, 2012, 01:44:52
Counting the posts in this thread, may I assume there is a lot of news about many new US exclusives?  ;)

Apparently. ;) Let's get back to the topic, guys.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Amd on July 31, 2012, 17:15:21
i dont know if somebody mention it before, about the back of the FAO victorian special, its ironic how living in San Diego never got to see the second edition of the surprise packages, but i do get the FAO Victorian house... i took a picture from the back, but the picture is too big i'm tired of dealing trying of make it smaller, perhaps someone else have one too,
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: bonniebeth on July 31, 2012, 18:30:56
i dont know if somebody mention it before, about the back of the FAO victorian special, its ironic how living in San Diego never got to see the second edition of the surprise packages, but i do get the FAO Victorian house... i took a picture from the back, but the picture is too big i'm tired of dealing trying of make it smaller, perhaps someone else have one too,

There's a picture of it here in this review: http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=11452.0
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Ismene on August 06, 2012, 11:49:50
Does Target still sell Playmobil? My local one looks like they stopped carrying it altogether  :(
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Rasputin on August 06, 2012, 15:04:44
its been a few years that our physical target had playmobil. Their web store only has the pirate video also so I think the relationship between Geobra and Target is over for now.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: bonniebeth on August 06, 2012, 15:13:13
Seems to me some Targets have it and some don't. The ones that do seem to carry only US exclusives now. ::)
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Ismene on August 06, 2012, 23:15:20
That's too bad. I was hoping to find Figures there, but there was nothing - only Lego.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Justindo on August 08, 2012, 17:48:21
My local Target stores haven't carried any Playmobil for at least a couple years now.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Jay on August 09, 2012, 03:29:52
My local Target stores haven't carried any Playmobil for at least a couple years now.

Which is weird, because my guess there are 10 times as many Targets in the US as there are TRU. As it is, Walmart, at least 2 or 3 years ago, sold more toys nationwide than anyone else. If that's so, my guess would be Target being second.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Rasputin on August 09, 2012, 04:01:34
Which is weird, because my guess there are 10 times as many Targets in the US as there are TRU. As it is, Walmart, at least 2 or 3 years ago, sold more toys nationwide than anyone else. If that's so, my guess would be Target being second.

I have a guesses as I am sure there are more answers.
 shelf space in a store like xyz corp. need to be moving a set dollar amount of merchandise. If the product is not as popular as it needs to be to reach these goals then it need to be replaced with one that does meet these requirements.

To offset some of these limitations Target can negotiate with said company to lower the purchase price. Similar to how Costco is able to negotiate such low prices on its purchases. Now a producer needs to have a required profit margin. If it can not lower the price enough then the deal does not account. The deal with Target and Walmart is not working out at all with playmobil. Those stores are full of cheep items or ones with mass marketing appeal and playmobil is neither
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Justindo on August 09, 2012, 09:39:16
I have a guesses as I am sure there are more answers.
 shelf space in a store like xyz corp. need to be moving a set dollar amount of merchandise. If the product is not as popular as it needs to be to reach these goals then it need to be replaced with one that does meet these requirements.

To offset some of these limitations Target can negotiate with said company to lower the purchase price. Similar to how Costco is able to negotiate such low prices on its purchases. Now a producer needs to have a required profit margin. If it can not lower the price enough then the deal does not account. The deal with Target and Walmart is not working out at all with playmobil. Those stores are full of cheep items or ones with mass marketing appeal and playmobil is neither

I think Rasputin has the answer here.
Title: Re: Any news about possible US exclusives 2012 (Target etc) ?
Post by: Ismene on August 09, 2012, 11:52:56
Probably, but I'm still annoyed  :lol: . Barnes & Noble has some Playmobil, but again no F?gures. I really want a guard!