Ideas for Herr Brandstätter to mull over

[AndrewL]

Hi all,

I would second pretty much all of Chacalote's points -- I think there's quite a lot to go on here.

It is, perhaps, unfortunate that these ideas didn't get passed to Geobra earlier, but then I suspect this was because there was a firm belief at the time that Geobra wouldn't listen even if the collector/enthusiast community shouted at the top of our collective lungs. At the time, I'm guessing this belief was probably correct (i.e., Geobra wouldn't have listened even if shouted at).

But I do get the impression now that at least some people in Zirndorf are trying to look over the walls of 'Fort Business' and engage more directly with the collector/enthusiast community. The Focus polling is clearly a stunt, but I get the impression it may be a means by which people within Geobra who do want to engage with us more try to demonstrate to those who don't (or simply don't care) that there are plenty of people out there with whom it would (ultimately) pay to start engaging with.

Anyway, I think we've now got quite a lot of really good ideas. At the same time, I think we should (collectively) maintain a sense of caution/realism about what might be achieved through dialogue with Geobra. It will probably take some time to get things moving in the direction we'd like (indeed, it obviously already has), but at least there does appear to be motion.

Cheers,

AndrewL

[Donmobil]

In the Medieval theme, it is my belief that Playmobil is selling a ghost town.  In times past sets were released with townspeople, milkmaids, bakers, etc.  I feel strong that sets should be made up to add furniture to the houses, we should be able to buy kitchen sets, bedroom sets for the upstairs, tables and benches.

Townspeople to sell their wares in the marketplace, weather it be dishes, pots, jars.  Bring back the market stands with fruit, meat, fish, etc.. Perhaps outdoor ovens, the well sets, big barrels.  Sets with mixed boxes, barrels, crops going to market and carts to carry them to the marketplace.  There could be a mixture of these in a cart set with driver and maid.  Multiple sets could be purchased ro place common items per cart.  Farmer in the fields working crops, bringing their crops into town to sell.  A market stand with bakery goods.  A market set with a combination of the above so that multiple sets could be purchased to have a fish stand, a meat stand, bakery goods etc..

Well you get the idea,
Donmobil

[Andy R]

2) Allow anybody to order any part that has ever been made, and publish this data monthly on the website.

My only concern (and it’s not necessarily a legitimate one) is here. A part that simply is no longer being manufactured may prove to be an excessive fiscal burden- Perhaps only parts currently being manufactured or in limited colors (for example, for houses white only, tools in grey or black only, etc).
Further, I do not think they should post numbers ordered- That’s potentially sensitive business information, and should not be made public.

As for ordering parts through a website, perhaps just one central site, with buttons to select the language desired, and an option to print out an order, but to be able to snail mail it in (like I used to have to). I know I’d like to order a couple sets from other countries (Netherlands and Germany, right now)

But Playmobil DEFINITELY needs better exposure. Perhaps they could consider offering Christmass and other religiously themed sets through chapels at a “special rate” (a special rate exclusive to them because they are religious institutions- I was thinking Noah’s Ark and Nativity sets would fit most of all).

[playmo1989]

IDEAS FOR CASTLES
 
we must tell them to make new moulds for steck the castles would have many building abilities and bring back improved steck with new nice castles 

[bonniebeth]

I agree with Andy R that playmobil needs better exposure. I don't understand why they don't market zoo- and animal-themed set in zoo gift shops, sell romans and egyptians in museum gift shops, etc. people who otherwise might never take note of playmobil in a huge toy store might notice it in a small gift shop, and all it takes is one set to get you hooked for life! Here in th US, almost NOBODY has ever even heard of playmobil. I suppose even just TV advertising might help.