the playmobil production

[playmo1989]

the year that is written on the boxes is the only period  that playmobil is making copies of that item,and if there is a second version of the item, only for the first year a product will be prodused?

[playmofire]

I'm not sure I understood your question, but this may answer it.

At one time, Playmobil made 10,000 of a product and then made no more of that product until they had sold all the stock.  Sometimes, this would be very soon but at other times a product might take years to sell.

Nowadays, they produce for the market, basing their production on orders from retailers.  This way they can keep stocks to a minimum and thus save on costs.

[playmo1989]

no i'am talking about old sets ,what i mean is the 5300 dollhouse came to market in 1989 only at that year they made copies of it to last until 1994 when the second version of the toy came up or they were making copies of it in 1989, 1991, 1992,1993 and 1994??

[playmofire]

My answer explains this,  If in 1989 when the 5300 was launched it was Playmobil's policy to produce 10,000 of a product and then no more until these were all sold, then they would not have produced more of the 5300 in 1990, 1991 etc. until the first 10,000 had been sold.  Then, they would produce more.

When Playmobil's productuon policy changed to production based on orders, I don't know.

[playmo1989]

a i understand so what's the point of the same toy having more than one versions ?? to change the look to be more atractive perhaps?

[playmofire]

a i understand so what's the point of the same toy having more than one versions ?? to change the look to be more atractive perhaps?

If you are looking in Playmobil Collector, often (always?) the version is a change in packaging design rather than a change in the toy.  For example, there were two versions of the 3880 fire engine but only one packaging design and so the 3880 only appears once in Playmobil Collector.

[playmo1989]

yes i know that ussually there is no difference to the toy but to the box , but why they change the look of the box??