PlaymoFriends
General => News => Topic started by: Hadoque on November 09, 2012, 22:40:21
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Thanks to member IKEAMA from Klickywelt for the information;
Sets to be discontinued for 2013 in Germany & homemarket-countries, 2014 rest of the world...
Playmobil
4128, 4146, 4149, 4279, 4282, 4283, 4284, 4285, 4286, 4287, 4288, 4324, 4325, 4326, 4327,
4228, 4329, 4343, 4344, 4346, 4347, 4348, 4365, 4366, 4408, 4712, 4718, 4722, 4727, 4728,
4729, 4730, 4731, 4732, 4738, 4734, 4735, 4777, 4823, 4824, 4835, 4836, 4838, 4840, 4841,
4850, 4851, 4853, 4854, 4858, 4862, 4864, 4877, 4882, 4912, 5100, 5101, 5102, 5103, 5104,
5105, 5124, 5127, 5129, 5131, 5133, 5136, 5149, 5150, 5151, 5152, 5153, 5154, 5155, 5156,
5160, 5161, 5162, 5188, 5189, 5190, 5191, 5192, 5193, 5194, 5195, 5196, 5197, 5198, 5199,
5200, 5201, 5202, 5216, 5886, 4936, 4937, 4938, 4939, 4856, 4693, 4697, 4698, 4747, 4748,
4749, 4750, 4751, 4754, 4756, 4757, 5157, 5158, 5243, 5244, 4164, 4165, 4166, 4129, 4909
4910, 5106, 4006, 4009
Playmboil 1-2-3
6720, 6739, 5743, 6760, 6771
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Pictures (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/your_set_list.pl?setlist=4128,4146,4149,4279,4282,4283,4284,4285,4286,4287,4288,4324,4325,4326,4327,4228,4329,4343,4344,4346,4347,4348,4365,4366,4408,4712,4718,4722,4727,4728,4729,4730,4731,4732,4738,4734,4735,4777,4823,4824,4835,4836,4838,4840,4841,4850,4851,4853,4854,4858,4862,4864,4877,4882,4912,5100,5101,5102,5103,5104,5105,5124,5127,5129,5131,5133,5136,5149,5150,5151,5152,5153,5154,5155,5156,5160,5161,5162,5188,5189,5190,5191,5192,5193,5194,5195,5196,5197,5198,5199,5200,5201,5202,5216,5886,4936,4937,4938,4939,4856,4693,4697,4698,4747,4748,4749,4750,4751,4754,4756,4757,5157,5158,5243,5244,4164,4165,4166,4129,4909,4910,5106,4006,4009,6720,6739,6760,6771;title=Your%20Set%20List) from playmodb.
Thanks for the info. Some great sets being discontinued. :(
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Hmm, I still want to get some of those! :lol: Thanks for the information.
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The Future Planet sets are already getting canned? That was fast.
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several surprises there!
cavemen? future planet? olimpics!? those just came out! 8} 8} 8} 8} 8}
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Some surprises in this list...maybe the future-planet was ahead of it's time. I'm really sad this theme seems to be a failure because you can see how many time and ideas the developers had put in every set. Same about the stoneage-theme.
The dragon-knights are not a big loss, hopefully they'll be replaced by a normal knight-theme.
The school-theme is a surprise because it seems to me that it sold well in germany. I'm curious if there'll be a new school one day.
Discontinuing the zoo is sad on the one hand but also a chance for an updated theme with new animals ;) I'll miss the koalas...think i'll get some more till the set is cancelled ;)
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The Dragon Knights have been around for a while so I'm not surprised, but the ?Figures, Stone Age and the furniture sets for the modern house, the later might be discontinued to make some space for new sets.
I'
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Yeah, I better hurry and get the cavemen sets I want, I've been putting that off.
I also need some more of the 4285 bathroom sets for firehouse bathrooms, but other than that, it's about time for that house series to be over with. I'm sure there will be another soon, and hopefully a bit better. I've never liked that one.
I've got what I want out of the school and animal clinic stuff, and never liked future planet. SHOCKED that the harbor is being discontinued so fast, and the olympics, and some of the vacation sets!
As for the zoo, I agree, I hope there will be another zoo series, hopefully with compatible fencing, but different animals. I've got all of the sets, and there's still lots of koalas and meerkats at TRU, which I have bought several of and may get more.
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The Zoo is a constantly improving series so it's being discontinuation does not suprise me. I'm sure that it will be a year or two before it will be back improved again.
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thank you Hadoque for bringing the info from IKEAMA at KW
and thank you bb for the picture list, I have yet to learn most of the set #'s and really do not plan on it.
I really am not too surprised at these lists as it just has to do with what is or is not selling. It does help in prioritising my purchases and brings certain sets higher on the list.
I do not understand though why members keep asking for a new Medieval theme, I thought the Lion & Falcon knights were relatively new & quite nice to look at in my opinion?
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hmmm good to know, thanks!!!
Now to rush off, before these beauties disappear!!!
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I didn't find much on the list that surprising, but I do think that there are some big hints at more theme turnover in the future, smaller production runs, and a shift to a 2 year shelf life instead of the 3-5 we have been used to. Its a rough business model for collectors as they have to buy everything more quickly but if kids are your primary target there is (for some reason) a "need" to change sets all the time.
-I think the cavemen were designed as a learning tool/classroom diorama type line so once everyone bought them for that they ditched the line as additional sales were unlikely (much like the Egyptian line IMO)
-Soccer stuff will be out again next time they think it will sell... so it is just shelved... I dare say same with the Olympic stuff
-Dragon Knights are being replaced by Fairies... so that makes sense
-That house has been around for a while
-Legitimately sad to see the Ferry go... but how many people are really going to buy a bunch of those? I did not see the Harbor itself on there though so perhaps looking good for the return of the Suzanne?
-A few sets here and there from various themes are probably just being replaced by newer versions/sets... Top Agents is getting a few new sets so it makes sense to take a few out.
-Future Planet just costs too much I think... all the "extras" that they put into it make it a hard sell... perhaps they will be retooling and taking out some of the Tech to make it a more affordable TOY instead... and not having good guys and bad guys but cooperative space exploration (that we can make our own good guys and bad guys with) or focusing more on near future space instead of far future... and they probably also think they need to release pink aliens :lol:
I AM SHOCKED! That the 123 Castle is being discontinued... it is a lovely set... though perhaps they are just retooling it so it is expandable?
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Seeing how that several themes are going to disappear, it gives hope for good new themes or a new batch for those themes.
Zoo is definatly going to be back, same for the house. Will just be new stuff. Might not hurt to skip Zoo for a year perhaps so it can be brought back in a grand fasion, and they have time to work out some new ideas.
Kind of hoping they will release a historic theme again now that dragon knights and stoneage are discontinued. It would make sense.
Future planet is indeed a bit overpriced and Playmobil never was overly succesfull with the space theme as far as I know. That's why decent pricing is more important here, to convince customers. I expect that they will not release space stuff anymore for now, then again the agents theme is pretty much a space theme as well with the new batch.
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Mmm. I'd really love them to start developing their themes more, over time. Second waves etc, that way there would be more continuity, like there was in the past. A new zoo every couple of years is a pain, I think, for people who collect that theme. Same goes for other themes. The fact that some themes are being discontinued already shouldn't come as a surprise either. Some of them - initial hype notwithstanding - were pants.
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I tend to forget that these sets will still be available for another year outside of Germany. ;D
The sports theme was timed with the Football cup and the olympics so it's only natural that they're going.
2 years of production is still a long time these days.
In the action figure world, products fly off the shelves and if you missed it, it's gone!
At least with Playmobil you can take your time and don't have to rush to get everything.
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A new zoo every couple of years is a pain, I think, for people who collect that theme.
Yes, it is a pain. Every time they redesign it, there's a new type of fencing that isn't compatible with the old, which in some ways is ok, because every zoo has multiple types of fencing. But in a miniature dio, where you see it all at once, different fencing can tend to make things messy. I like the fencing from this last zoo much better than the yellow stuff, so I hope they keep it for the next theme.
It's also a pain though, because every time they do a new theme, there has to be a new entry design, and they have the same expected animals... giraffes, elephants, lions, and tigers. I'd much rather skip having a new entry and fencing and repeats of the same animals, and just have a continuation with new animal sets including fencing and props. Much like the Asian zoo set. It would be great to have other themed areas like that with different animals.
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Perhaps then, the way forward is the Lego way. More than one member has pointed out that nowadays two years is a long time for sets to be on the shelf. What PM could do is shorten that time (Lego releases sets for a particular theme twice a year, discontinuing the old ones as they are replaced by newer sets), but keeping the same themes. Meaning: the zoo/knights/dollshouse theme would be there all the time, but the sets would change more often. Though changing is the wrong word. If say in 2012 theyre realising a jousting set, a hunting set, a peasants set for the knights theme, it would be followed in 2013 by a royal set, a thieves set etc ... WHILE at the same time making it continuous in terms of motifs, heraldry etc. Then a complete overhaul every five or six years.
Now, if themes aren't selling, then they have to see what the problem is. It could be the idea behind the theme was a poor one, or poorly implemented. It could be that the marketing wasn't very good ... it could be so many different reasons. (Though if you ask me, marketing's the main problem.)
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Themes indeed get discontinued sooner and sooner... The Roman theme was already shortlived, the Egyptian one even more... Now the Cavemen and Future Planet themes are already phased out... they were introduced in Germany/Benelux around september 2011, so they have only been around for 1 year!! :o
On the pirates' theme front, the smaller set 5136 with 3 pirates, some accessories and cannon is being axed...
I find that a bit odd, as I assumed people would easily buy this one (at a reaonable price of about 10 - 11 euro) to have a few additional pirates to go with the pirates ship or the island.
I had rather expected to see the rowboat with 2 pirates and shark go (which is more expensive at 15 to 17 euro), or the small British cannonboat as there will the new remote-controlled Pirates schooner next year...
So I hope they come up with a new pirates-crew set, the theme has sofar never existed without an additional crew-set.
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We just got some of this stuff in stores! Harbour, Future Planet, Olympics, Cavemen... 8}
Too bad, those are some nice sets. :(
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Best if they dont follow the lego way. Lego has rather boring sets to be honest when compared to playmobil, overall playmobil keeps offering good quality sets with much more playvalue than lego sets.
The current rotation speed is good. Plenty of new stuff every year and enough time to buy the good stuff. Its no good either when kids save money to buy something, and when they have the money its gone.
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I hope they stop releasing houses every 2-3 years!We want one new victorian house for many years!
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Well, they'll still be in stores in the secondary market for quite some time.
The cavemen theme... I think the problem is, there's only so much you can do with that. It wasn't creative enough to really capture the imagination. More women and children might have helped. Or instead of stickers for the cave drawings, there could have been a small stencil and a couple of markers so that kids could draw their own cave paintings on. The sets were cool but just not imaginative enough, a little bit cranked out.
Bolingsbroke, I agree that continuations of themes would be a better approach, though maybe not with releases twice a year. It's not as feasible since with playmobil, almost everything involves new molds, unlike lego. Plus as rhalius said, quality would suffer. Less thought would go into the production of each set. But if they just did that approach and released updates once a year, or even every two years, I'd be thrilled. They used to update themes, rather than just discontinuing them. The only one they have done that with in a long time is the Agents theme.
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If they're so boring, why is it that it sells a gazillion times more than PM? Sometimes it's good to take a look at what the competition's doing, Rhalius ;) There's a certain pig-headedness on PM's part that sometimes is difficult to understand, especially since it lags so badly behind, in some aspects, compared to other toy companies. Can't they take what's good, and leave the rest?
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Bolingsbroke, I agree that continuations of themes would be a better approach, though maybe not with releases twice a year. It's not as feasible since with playmobil, almost everything involves new molds, unlike lego. Plus as rhalius said, quality would suffer. Less thought would go into the production of each set. But if they just did that approach and released updates once a year, or even every two years, I'd be thrilled. They used to update themes, rather than just discontinuing them. The only one they have done that with in a long time is the Agents theme.
Yes. Once a year would be ideal. Especially since - what do you know - a theme might not have struck you in the first wave, but then, with the release of second wave sets, it mightve done the trick. One can only speculate what a second wave of Romans could have done, for example.
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I too think it would be good to expand on themes (like the top agents 2) because then if a kid gets Playmo eg. at Christmas and they get say the fire station and an engine, in a few years time they or their parents might want to get them more sets that would go with what they already have.
If themes are only around for a few years then when they go to buy more it might not be available or it might have a new design (like a new uniform) that would not fit with their existing sets. In my opinion it makes more business sense to attract the customer for longer by building on what they already own.
naflibomlp
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The olympics don't surprise me... And the dollhouse stuff and zoo will probably just be renewed..
The Stone Age makes me sad. They shold do a new batch of sets for it :(
The Future Planet is.. SHOCKING. So's that pirate set...
Oh well. Let's see what comes next.
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Well in one way naflibomlp they do that very well. While they add and drop sets every year all of them can go together. It's one of the things that makes Playmobil so great and puts it in the same general area as building toys like LEGO. I think they really should be emphasizing this aspect more, especially in the markets where there is growth potential like the US. It's a play WORLD - something easy to see when you look at the dioramas seen at European shows. At the train shows I've been to in the US where there's been a Playmobil layout, there are always comments from people who didn't realize how much of a Playmobil world exists out there. One of the things that makes the old box back photos so great is that it really emphasizes this aspect of the toy. Something that has gone away since they have just been showing dios in the catalog that are that one narrow theme only. They really could add a page or two of mixed diorama photos to each catalog. Even if they kept it to sets in that catalog alone it could be great. A picture with a modern house construction site next to the harbor and police and firefighters responding to an incident there for instance. Isolating each theme on it's own page all the time makes the toys look more limited than they really are.
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It must be a difficult position to be in for Geobra. It takes a very long time to get a theme to production, sometimes years. Then when the fad that stimulated the theme has already worn off the sets hit the market. Today people tend to be very impatient and moody in regards to fads. Lego is in a better position as the elements to make a theme are already being produced, they just need to reorganize existing bricks to make a new theme/set. A set or theme can hit the market in months rather than years. Movies/TV influence the masses shopping habits more than most people recognize. If a new movie hits the theaters or a fad becomes prevalent lego is going to be able to capitalize on it much quicker than Geobra. Then when it finally is realized in playmobil it looks like a lame copy and the fad has already changed, late to the party theory. I also think this is why so many sets seem to be increasingly FisherPrice-asized. In my opinon they are taking basic themes, pirates, houses, construction etc... and having to design them to be for a younger more innocent audience. Those parents seem to not want to build it with their kids but rather have it come out of the box all ready to go, instant gratification. If they wanted a construction toy they would have bought lego instead.
Also from what I read/heard Geobra has been able to drastically reduce the cost of molds. If this is so then it makes sense that they do not need to keep a theme/set on the market as long to recoup the losses if it is not selling well. Just cut it and move on to one that may have a better profit margin. Their warehouse is after all only so large and can only accommodate so many things. Just like major computer organized stores now tend to do. A shelf space needs to make a minimum x dollar amount to stay, and the info is instantly accessible.
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If they'd actually be willing to SELL the stuff.. They work in VERY mysterious ways. Really.
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If they'd actually be willing to SELL the stuff.. They work in VERY mysterious ways. Really.
Are you referring to your particular county's situation, the lack of offical distribution?
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I'm referring to all the obstacles they make in selling to everyone. In this day and age, it's ridiculous.
Complaining about parts seller is also silly. Let THEM do it. Make themselves a profit.
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It's a play WORLD - something easy to see when you look at the dioramas seen at European shows. At the train shows I've been to in the US where there's been a Playmobil layout, there are always comments from people who didn't realize how much of a Playmobil world exists out there. One of the things that makes the old box back photos so great is that it really emphasizes this aspect of the toy. Something that has gone away since they have just been showing dios in the catalog that are that one narrow theme only. They really could add a page or two of mixed diorama photos to each catalog. Even if they kept it to sets in that catalog alone it could be great.
I completely agree with this. It's good business sense: kids will want to create a similar 'world' like that.
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Thanks for the heads-up.
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I'm referring to all the obstacles they make in selling to everyone. In this day and age, it's ridiculous.
YES! My local toy store is so frustrated by the rules Playmobil sets for ordering that they didn't even order anything this year! I know this has been discussed before on other threads, so I add this only to say that I haven't even gotten to see the actual boxes most of these sets that are being discontinued, except what is at Toys r us (which hasn't been much lately at the store closest to me) :(
I'm sad about the prehistoric theme being discontinued. I thought it was really cute, but I think bonniebeth is correct that the play value of it is somewhat limited. I'd better buy that big cave set in 2013!
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If they're so boring, why is it that it sells a gazillion times more than PM? Sometimes it's good to take a look at what the competition's doing, Rhalius ;) There's a certain pig-headedness on PM's part that sometimes is difficult to understand, especially since it lags so badly behind, in some aspects, compared to other toy companies. Can't they take what's good, and leave the rest?
To be frank, lego sells more because they abuse the popularity of movies and other franchises and through this they do not stimulate the creativity of play at all.
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To be frank, lego sells more because they abuse the popularity of movies and other franchises and through this they do not stimulate the creativity of play at all.
AND they like money, and know how to get it...
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To be frank, lego sells more because they abuse the popularity of movies and other franchises and through this they do not stimulate the creativity of play at all.
This is all they currently have seeing as they lost all the legal battles for the continued patent on the brick.
AND they like money, and know how to get it...
diffrent priorities
Lego to me is like a cheap red light district woman who's only objective is to get more moo-la
Geobra to me is like a woman who chooses the domestic life to raise a quality honorable family
(comparing toy brands to women.....I have my trusty shield ready to go :lol: I am prepared :whip: maybe :-[)
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:lmao:
I'm going to let it slide, since it's L*** you're talking about.
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Mmm. So you wouldn't say that - for eg - Lego's current knights theme is more interesting than PM's? Cause it has all the things you've been hankering for ... scenes from civilian life, peasants and so on. Why can't you for just one moment put puerile and petty rivalries aside, and say it how it is?
Lego sells more because it has much better marketing, and because it has very popular franchises, true. But it also sells more because it is more readily available than PM, in the US and pretty much everywhere else. All the big stores have it, and many big cities have their own Lego stores. Now, compare that with PM and its sorry distribution methods ...
Lego doesn't like money any more than PM does, but it's got it's act together, and in any case it's a business and not a charity. And what's more - and you all know this even though it would kill you to admit it - it values its fans and its customers more, much more: especially the adult collector. Obviously, also because it makes financial sense to do so, but still the collector gains.
Just saying, though. Like I said, I hate these childish petty rivalries. I collect both, and I like both. I prefer PM and have much more PM sets than I do Lego ones, but one can't help making comparisons ... however odious they might be :)
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Lego to me is like a cheap red light district woman who's only objective is to get more moo-la
Geobra to me is like a woman who chooses the domestic life to raise a quality honorable family
(comparing toy brands to women.....I have my trusty shield ready to go :lol: I am prepared :whip: maybe :-[)
I totally agree. Very good way to put it. I loved legos as a kid, but it's like they sold out somehow.
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I'd have to agree with Bolingbroke here. The current Lego knight sets do seem to offer a lot more of the things people have been asking of Geobra to include (though on an unrelated note I think both Lego and Playmobil have been suffering currently with some cheaper designs). I don't particularly like the franchised sets much, but that's probably just because I'm not interested in some of the franchises that they make toys based on. But they do bring in a lot of cool parts (and money), and Lego still produces its own non-franchised sets, like the knight sets mentioned. It's not like they only produce franchised sets, which is what seems to strangely anger lots of people here.
It's not really that they "sold out" either, since they still retain their own sets and could stop making franchised sets whenever they'd like (no contracts are indefinite).
As a last note - if people can't be creative and imaginative even with more specific, franchised sets, then that's certainly not the fault of the toy-maker. I like both also, and the similarities between the two are fine with me, since I like knights, pirates, and similar themes. Both have made interesting sets that clearly have no influential ties to the sets of the other, and so, again, I don't think there is any problem. If Geobra wants to release Playmobil sets at a similar rate to that of Lego in an effort to increase sales, then I think that could be a wise move. Ultimately, it doesn't even seem like that's the case here, so I wouldn't worry. :lol:
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As a child I played with playmobil and lego pretty much equally, in playmobil I still recognize the toy it was back then, my early ninetees playmobil fits perfectly with whats currently available. My Lego from the same period does not seem to match at all with current lego sets.
Of course it is partially nostalgia talking, but seeing how for playmobil I'd only say that the knight's theme is not what it used to be and everything else being improved or of similar quality whereas I feel that lego is overall a lot weaker across all themes, I can safely say that its not a snap judgement on my part.
Lego had a briliant Pirate theme going on. A trade post, beautifull ships, all kinds of pirate islands, Natives, etc. And they traded it in for Pirates of the Carribean.. It simply seems like a huge step backwards to me. Then again, they did release a new batch of pirates a few years ago and it wasnt that special either aside from the brittish battleship.
As for its knights theme, its true that they have some civilian sets. Their current knight theme is better than the utter garbage they released some years ago when they had power ranger knights that looked more like robots. I fear it is going to make room for lord of the rings lego though.
Just like the entire lego space theme made room for star wars. Kind of a shame, like with the pirate theme Lego did an awfull lot here that Geobra could learn from.
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It is being said that Lego has much better marketing and bigger distribution ability than Geobra, and that Lego is therefore following better & smarter business practices, but let's also remember that those things grew with Lego as their products grew in popularity. Geobra really can't spend huge amounts of money on marketing and increasing their distribution and market presence (especially needed in the USA) until they increase sales. The profits from sales could then of course be used to increase distribution and marketing. And, this would make sense because demand for their product would be present.
Now, let me just say that I prefer Playmobil over Lego, partly b/c I like to fight for the underdog, and partly because I do feel that PM has done a better job of sticking to its original plan and values better than Lego. Lego has sold out in a way, by going with franchises like Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Pirates of the Caribbean, and also by stretching outside the limits of a square brick made out of hard plastic (e.g. rubber dragon claws and cloth capes). Which, by the way, makes today's Lego pieces much more like Playmobil pieces). But, attaching itself to licensed/franchised themes was also a very smart move. When the Star Wars theme came out in the 90's, Lego's sales, brand-recognition, and popularity went up dramatically. I really, truly doubt that Lego would have the popularity it has in the US these days, if it hadn't started making sets with known characters in them. The economic structure of the world is built on supply and demand, so it just makes sense to attach yourself to something which you know to be well-established and popular from before. I think Playmobil would be smart to allow themselves to do this as well, if only to stay competitive enough to keep making their classic, wonderful, non-licensed sets.
Just one more small note... I actually just returned home an hour or so ago from a day at Legoland... I was surprised to find that they are selling a few books recently published "unofficially" by Lego fans (these included "Cult of Lego" by John Baichtal and Lego: A Love Story by Jonathan Bender), "unofficial" meaning they were not initiated, produced or even sanctioned by the Lego corporation when they were written. But, now they are being sold in the Lego-exclusive stores at Legoland. I'm just wondering if this is just smart business practice (why let others make the profits?), a way to show support and openess to Lego fans & authors, or some other attempt at maintaining their monopoly now that their brick patent has run out... I'm open to any ideas anyone has ;)
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I wanted to chime in on the Lego debate. I grew up with Lego and without Playmobil (it was very hard to come by in small town in the 80s). It wasn't until I bought Playmobil for my son for Christmas that I became hooked. With that being said I find I don't prefer one over the other as I tend to switch back and forth between each. (my long absence on this site was due to getting a Lego collecting bug again). I do agree though that Lego does seem to have "lost its way" over the years. Especially when compared to Playmobil.
Part of me thinks it's simply rose coloured glasses of playing with Lego as a child and comparing it to now. (I don't have this issue with Playmobil as I never played with it as a child). I agree with Rhalius that Lego sets of the past cannot really be combined with the sets of today whereas I find Playmobil doesn't have that problem. To me this is now Lego's biggest flaw. I find it has to do with to the evolution of faces on klickies vs. minifigs. Both started off with two eyes and a smile (you could say Lego actually copies that from Playmobil). But whereas klickies have retained that same smile and dotted eyes (for the most part I know there are variations of the odd angry face etc) all Minifig faces now have expressions, eyes with pupils, etc. This may not seem like a problem but placing an 80s classic spacefig with a smile face beside a grinning spacemarine it looks like two different products. The expressions on a face also peg that figure as well which limits imaginative play IMO.
To get back on topic. I'm actually amazed the Future sets are being discontinued. It only feels like they just got here and now they're going away. I hope it brings a discount along with it as I would love to own the E-rangers turbojet (5150).
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Then again, 'lost its way' is what we say about PM when we discuss for eg the 1990s golden era ;)
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Well the modern themes didnt really kick off untill the later ninetees to be honest, and seems to have only improved ever since with many wonderfull little details.
Both western and Medieval where kind of ahead of their time in the seventies compared to all other themes, with all the wonderfull buildings. In the ninetees they did make somewhat of a comeback, combining such buildings with detailed clickies. But now its mostly just forts and castles for those themes with little else.
But as far as historic themes go, the pirate theme certainly hasnt weakened. Well aside from the odd projectiles perhaps but thats a safety regulation that they cant do much about. But furthermore there may be a decision here and there thats not agreed with, but overall every single batch of pirates seems to have a lot to offer.
The last pirate ship is the very best one, at least to me it is and I played with a classic pirate ship my entire childhood. The shape is just a lot more pleasing than that of the classic pirate ship.
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Except that the latest one is based on a much better older one :)
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Also, another thing that was mentioned wast he fact that you can't put an old Lego figure next to the newer generation ones, because they look so different. But isn't it the same with PM as well? It's already bad enough comparing newer klickies with 90s ones, let alone the latest ones with those from the early 80s.
The thing which annoys me is this, really: when PM does copy Lego, it is always the crummy things it does copy. Like the surprise figures or the silly faces.
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So.. Is this still about the discontinued sets? ;D
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Yes, let's.
So I take it the Pirate Island, which was mentioned some weeks ago as a possible discontinued set, is going to be available for another year? I never got round to buying that one. It was too big and expensive, and there wasn't much going for it. In fact - if I may say so myself - the last Pirates theme might be the first time in PM history when the red coat sets were better than the pirates ones. The three-pirate set that's being discontinued, for eg, I'm not really surprised: it was one of the poorest in recent years. The asian klicky who looks like he's just come out of a 1970s disco, for eg: what's that about? And the cannon-firing boat: much has been said about that. It would be nice - really nice - if for a new pirates theme they give us a big redcoats ship (which would be the main ship for the theme), with the pirates having to make do with a smaller ship. Isn't real life like that, anyway?
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I do see quite a few sets I need to hurry up and buy during this next year. It's nice to have a feel for what's on its way out.
Did anyone notice the 5124 - Calf Shelter (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=5124) is being discontinued? It's the only farm set being discontinued, so I was wondering why. Could it be there was a problem over animal rights? I have to say it made me cringe a bit. And made me hungry for veal. :P
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Oh come one. If that bothers animal rights groups, I can't imagine what they'd say about the circus and zoo themes ;)
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Oh, don't get me started! :lol:
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I'd say that it is probably because it uses a lot of plastic for a small set that they can't charge that much for.. and most people who haven't raised cows ever wouldn't miss it ;)
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I think it's a cute little set, very unique. I need to get some before they're gone.
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Oh I had that little dairy cow shelter on my list X 10. I want a whole dairy for a farm diorama so the kids can play dairy farmer and I can keep them awake for long hours to show them what is is like to live and work at a dairy. A lot of the dairy kids in our area can barely keep their eyes open due to being so tired.
bb, I like your veal farm idea for a dio, thanks I may do a foie gras farm also ;)
I also also would love to see the pirates the underdog for a change and stop with the red angry pirates with skulls all over them.
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Oh I had that little dairy cow shelter on my list X 10. I want a whole dairy for a farm diorama so the kids can play dairy farmer and I can keep them awake for long hours to show them what is is like to live and work at a dairy. A lot of the dairy kids in our area can barely keep their eyes open due to being so tired.
Sounds like a great way to make your kids HATE playmobil. :lol:
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The three-pirate set that's being discontinued, for eg, I'm not really surprised: it was one of the poorest in recent years. The asian klicky who looks like he's just come out of a 1970s disco, for eg: what's that about? And the cannon-firing boat: much has been said about that.
Hey! I LOVE that pirate! Granted, not as a pirate... and the legs are kinds useless.. but the rest.. :love:
The cannon row boat is.. well.. ridiculous to start..
Did anyone notice the 5124 - Calf Shelter (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=5124) is being discontinued? It's the only farm set being discontinued, so I was wondering why.
Could be because it's totally lame with a hay sticker...
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I didn't bother to get the calf set. I did get all the other small ones though. Wouldn't you rather have another pig set than a calf one? If you only have x dollars the calfs going to be down the list a ways.
I would have bought the island set if it wasn't so expensive. It's just too big for the few things there I really want. Of course I haven't had any luck getting just those parts from DS.
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Could be because it's totally lame with a hay sticker...
It's just a sticker? :o I had not noticed that! That's crazy!
Tim, I already have the pigs, too. ;D They're awesome!
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Did anyone notice the 5124 - Calf Shelter (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=5124) is being discontinued? It's the only farm set being discontinued, so I was wondering why. Could it be there was a problem over animal rights? I have to say it made me cringe a bit. And made me hungry for veal.
I don't think they would have discontinued it because of that. There's nothing about the set that implies they will be using the calf for veal. If I had that set, I certainly wouldn't use the calf for veal - and I don't think others would either. :lol:
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It's just a sticker? :o I had not noticed that! That's crazy!
Tim, I already have the pigs, too. ;D They're awesome!
Yep, just a stupid sticker, made to resemble a known part. I was on the fence with this one, that made up my mind. Would be better value WITHOUT the sticker.
The pigs set is great :)
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I didn't bother to get the calf set. I did get all the other small ones though. Wouldn't you rather have another pig set than a calf one? If you only have x dollars the calfs going to be down the list a ways.
I would have bought the island set if it wasn't so expensive. It's just too big for the few things there I really want. Of course I haven't had any luck getting just those parts from DS.
Me neither, I tried ordering the island klickies from DS, in vain.
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I really want several blue-footed boobys from that pirate set, and have none so far. I may buy the fortress to get one of them, but I need to order some from DS. :-\ I hope they do become available.
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Why aren't they available from DS? Is it so that we have to buy the whole set to get them?
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Come to think of it, I think it's just that items aren't available from DS until the set has been in that country for six months. The pirates came early to TRU, but they were just recently officially released in the international market. So I guess they will be available eventually.
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I too think it is a timing issue.
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Not in Malta's case, and my case in particular. Pirates hit the shelves around August/September 2011, and I made my order around a year later.
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i was disappointed to see the stone age going out as well but i understand.
one of my sons was given 5101 from a friend for his birthday. its visually very attractive and has a nice look and feel - the hide over the skeleton has a lovely feel. but as others have mentioned, the play value on these sets is limited -even for a 6 year old who mostly enjoys setting up his kingdoms and only making very minor tweaks each day (i.e. changing a knight's position).
within about a week, he handed the set to me in the box and asked that i hold it for him. he cared enough to see that it had enough value to keep from his younger brothers, it just didn't have play value.
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I hate opening new topics just to ask a question, but does anyone know when the new August/September 13 sets will be divulged? There IS going to be something new around that time, isn't there? There was talk of maybe a musketeers theme, maybe? Or is it usually in February that the end-of-summer themes are announced? I forgot ...
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Officially its at toy fair in February. I am guessing PCC members will get some news just before then. Usually though it leaks out some time in January I think.
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Cheers! Looking forward to it. Hopefully it won't be something totally military-oriented like in these previous ten years.
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I hate opening new topics just to ask a question, but does anyone know when the new August/September 13 sets will be divulged? There IS going to be something new around that time, isn't there? There was talk of maybe a musketeers theme, maybe? Or is it usually in February that the end-of-summer themes are announced? I forgot ...
Like Tim says, usually some early pics leak out near the end of the year or during January, keep an eye on the German forums for that.
Where did you hear about a possible Musketeers-theme? Was it from a credible source? If true, a Musketeers-theme would probably be very cool 8-) (if it is with nice colours and not pink ;D )
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what could/would a musketeer theme include ? yes not pink or purple
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Musketeers obviously, rest would be guess-work: evil Caridinal Richelieu, French King Louis XIII or Louis XIV, the Queen and the Dauphin, nobles, buildings (thouh not Versailles I guess ;D ), ... and as allways I hope for a trimaster-ship as well ;)
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I can't remember - it was something from the german forum though - a prediction from somebody who is supposed (i think) to be in the loop. There was talk about an inn or something, if I remember correctly. Either way, the main August/September theme is always historical (be it pirates, knights etc), so one can only keep his fingers crossed. I don't think knights or pirates are up for revisions yet. As I said, I just hope it's something with lots of civilians and not too much my little pony colour.
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I am just hoping that any building, if there is any, is expandable. I am getting tired of not being able to make the houses bigger on these new themes. All my kids complain how there is never enough room to do the things they want to. Its hard to fit a lab, bed, table and chairs, and bathroom in anything lately. The worst one is the harbor police station, there is no room at all.
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I am just hoping that any building, if there is any, is expandable. I am getting tired of not being able to make the houses bigger on these new themes. All my kids complain how there is never enough room to do the things they want to. Its hard to fit a lab, bed, table and chairs, and bathroom in anything lately. The worst one is the harbor police station, there is no room at all.
Have to agree. Half the fun for me is enlarging and changing the buildings and seeing how others do it.
Joe <*)
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The western fort is technically expandable; easily so. However it is still a pain to put away. The rock section is almost as big as the one from the 3665 tower.
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UPDATE
NOT set 5136 (Pirates'crew) is being discontinued, BUT set 5138 (Pirate Castaway).
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UPDATE
NOT set 5136 (Pirates'crew) is being discontinued, BUT set 5138 (Pirate Castaway).
Thanks for the update.. I kinda like the klicky...
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They haven't updated much, DS-wise, on the PM Belgium website. I was hoping theyd include the victorian soldiers and the western saloon this month.
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A few surprises there. So, are sets discontinued simply because they are not selling any more?
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They haven't updated much, DS-wise, on the PM Belgium website. I was hoping theyd include the victorian soldiers and the western saloon this month.
They've been added now, I think everything we expected has shown up.
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They've been added now, I think everything we expected has shown up.
Not everything, I wanted and expected lower prices ;)
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Not everything, I wanted and expected lower prices ;)
I feared prices would jump starting january 1st.... and they did >:(
I was thinking about getting that new Heatracer-car - I usually don't buy modern-theme stuff except fastmovers like motorcycles, jetaircraft, ... - but it is listed at 20 euro on the belgian site. Just seeing that price gave me 2nd thoughts about buying it.... 20 euro for a small car with 1 klicky! 8}
But meanwhile I've seen it in a german online store for 13,5 euro, I'll probably buy it there togehter with other stuff. On Average, wages and taxes in Belgium are a little higher then in Germany, but that can impossibly justify such large pricedifference (32,5% more expensive!) . Publicly criticizing Playmobil is not something I often do, but I think some of their prices are really scandalous.
Oh, the new blisters are listed at 4 euro, the older ones were about 3,60 and have been raised to 4 euro as well. That is also up about 10%. Several large increases with other sets as well...
I bet the new special-plus's will go from 3,50 euro past year to 4 euro too... >:(
I'd better shut up now, if Playmobil reads this they might increase German prices (further) too, so we would not buy overthere ::)
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Geobra and many other companies have been able to increase efficiency in such leaps and bounds that those major cost savings are not only not passed on they choose to increase prices 8} Then they want to find ways to increase the profit so they further look for ways to increase efficiency, usually through replacing humans with automated machines. Then less overall gets sold so again they look for more efficiency 8} Taking a much smaller cut and increasing volume will get your product in more US price consous households. Geobra has always had a hard time cracking the US and increasing prices will never help. Trying to make them in China did not go well either.
I know for the amount of playmobil I buy I need to make every dollar stretch very far and increasing overall prices will further drive me to search out clearances which deprives Geobra of internet income that they get 100% of the sale. Now they will be getting the same dollar amount of sales but only 50% of it.
So here is to Geobra who is getting more of less :xmascheer: