Author Topic: specifically themed figure series.  (Read 6110 times)

Offline Justindo

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Re: specifically themed figure series.
« Reply #20 on: March 27, 2012, 17:56:51 »
I like your figure ideas, Rhalius :) but I absolutely HATE Playmobil's mystery idea! >:(  If I were to know what I was getting I'd probably order one of each figure and multiples of some, but as it is I haven't bought a single mystery figure!

I can't imagine most children are happy with the idea either.  Remembering back when I was a child, I knew which toys I wanted and which ones I didn't.  I don't think a little girl wanting the ballerina and getting the Laura Croft figure would be happy, nor would a little boy wanting the rockstar and getting the pizza guy.  I think children would get tired of the disappointment pretty fast and most parents aren't going to buy dozens of mystery packs just to get the one their child wants.
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Offline Rasputin

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Re: specifically themed figure series.
« Reply #21 on: March 27, 2012, 18:10:25 »
I like your figure ideas, Rhalius :) but I absolutely HATE Playmobil's mystery idea! >:(  If I were to know what I was getting I'd probably order one of each figure and multiples of some, but as it is I haven't bought a single mystery figure!

I can't imagine most children are happy with the idea either.  Remembering back when I was a child, I knew which toys I wanted and which ones I didn't.  I don't think a little girl wanting the ballerina and getting the Laura Croft figure would be happy, nor would a little boy wanting the rockstar and getting the pizza guy.  I think children would get tired of the disappointment pretty fast and most parents aren't going to buy dozens of mystery packs just to get the one their child wants.

Yes I see parents quite often picking up the packs and quickly putting them back down.  I have a feeling the Lego packs sell well due to the huge adult collectors base. My kids only like them due to me buying so many and they are not disappointed knowing that eventually they will get the ones they want. They do know exactly which ones they want also. I can use most all of them but we collect every theme and that is not common.
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Offline Pynedor

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Re: specifically themed figure series.
« Reply #22 on: March 27, 2012, 19:14:39 »
It is sad to get one that you really don't want, and it is annoying to feel them all the time to make certain their identities. :( I wouldn't mind so much if they were specifically themed, because you'd know (if you really like a certain theme) that you'd be happy with any of the possibilities. At least there would be less feeling anyway.
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Offline Justindo

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Re: specifically themed figure series.
« Reply #23 on: March 27, 2012, 20:00:32 »
Except in the case of army building where you often want your figures to be uniform (or maybe that's just me? ;) ), I agree that if the mystery figures were by theme it wouldn't be so bad.

I just don't understand why Playmobil didn't decide to release these mystery figures as budget Specials in bags instead.  They could charge the same and then everyone would be happy.  Playmobil might even be happier as their sales could very well be higher.

I've been to two different Toys 'R Us stores and saw that multiple mystery packs had been torn open with some of the parts spilled out into the large box containing the packs.  While I certainly don't approve of shoplifting (if some parts and/or figures were stolen from the bags) and the destruction of property, I can understand people's frustration at wanting to know what is inside of the bag.  Incidentally, one summer in college I had a retail sales job and I remember the store manager telling me that statistically speaking 9 out of 10 shoplifters do not enter a store with the intent to shoplift but only do so after receiving poor or no service.  I've never bothered to research this statistic and it was obviously said to me to encourage good customer service, but this very well may be true and something Playmobil might consider.
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Offline Pynedor

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Re: specifically themed figure series.
« Reply #24 on: March 27, 2012, 20:10:31 »
Except in the case of army building where you often want your figures to be uniform (or maybe that's just me? ;) ), I agree that if the mystery figures were by theme it wouldn't be so bad.
I'd like to be able to do that, but I reckon the crusaders are all discontinued now. :(

I just don't understand why Playmobil didn't decide to release these mystery figures as budget Specials in bags instead.  They could charge the same and then everyone would be happy.  Playmobil might even be happier as their sales could very well be higher.
That's a good idea too, if they put them in even smaller boxes or something. I really do like the grey inner pieces that allow for easy customisation though, and I hope that their quality lasts like the original inner pieces. So if they still included those and the figures in pieces that'd be great, and it might add to sales. But I still think some of the lesser desirable figures would be left in giant hordes.
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Offline Elric

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Re: specifically themed figure series.
« Reply #25 on: March 28, 2012, 03:21:27 »
I believe lego is doing this already. I went to TRU and saw they had the ninjago mystery packs. I could be wrong as I'm not a lego expert. I like this idea. I wouldn't hurt my feelings to go back to regular specials so you know what your getting. 

Offline Rasputin

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Re: specifically themed figure series.
« Reply #26 on: March 28, 2012, 04:49:28 »
I believe lego is doing this already. I went to TRU and saw they had the ninjago mystery packs. I could be wrong as I'm not a lego expert. I like this idea. I wouldn't hurt my feelings to go back to regular specials so you know what your getting. 

Now that you mention it I too saw the Ninjago theme packs. confirmation makes it fact  ;D

I think it is better for a company to know what is selling and then you can adjust your product lines
If you hear the sound of the bell which will tell you that Grigori has been killed, if it was your relations who have wrought my death, then no one in the family will remain alive. They will be killed by the Russian people. :prays:

Offline Rhalius

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Re: specifically themed figure series.
« Reply #27 on: March 28, 2012, 08:50:02 »
A litttle mystery is fine, but its a bit too much randomness now, I agree that kids will definatly be disappointed at times with the figure they are getting.

There will be few kids that would like all 12 figures of the set, theres always some they dislike. Thats true for us as well, and it might be stronger for kids even.

And if its a bit more specific you will at least know that each figure can be used with the playmobil you have. Sure, if its just western you could still end up with five undertakers, three farmers, four sherrifs and a southern soldier, but since its all the same theme it would be easier to mix them up a bit with each other. The five undertakers could just be used as a group of important bankers, the three farmers can be placed around a bit and maybe mixed up some so they wont look like, and three of the four sherrifs could be deputees.  And their accesoires would always be usefull.


Offline retronio22

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Re: specifically themed figure series.
« Reply #28 on: May 26, 2012, 02:06:18 »
I don't prefer random f?gures in this case,but I suggest a box with about 5 interchangable figures in themes,with accessories!For example Victorian family with mum,dad,boy,girl,baby,hats,umbrella,etc.Or other families like western,modern,medieval!Or people in a specific work (for example a box to include an employer with black suit and laptop,2 employees,2 secretaries and many accessories).Another good idea could be also multi klicky sets,like king and princess that released in 2010.I would like for example an interchangable woman,with many wigs,accessories,extra dresses,to be transformed from princess to household wife,victorian lady,pirate woman,cowboy woman,fairy,bride.I want her with white clothes of course,which is a neutral color,and by adding accessories to totally change!

Offline Rhalius

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Re: specifically themed figure series.
« Reply #29 on: May 26, 2012, 09:33:45 »
hm well thats not a bad idea.. but if you have swappeable clicky sets, it might be good to have about three clickies in there of the same gender who can mix and match amongst each other. There could be some extra wigs in there perhaps, and more accesoires than required such as belts, hats, cuffs, beards and such, along with accesoires to match the theme of the three clickies.