More sleeve switches.

[Rasputin]

Yes, please. I'd like to know weither it is accidental or intended and if it is going to become more widespread or not...

I do not know how on earth it could be an accident? I would understand that if someone placed the wrong klicky in the sets due to not knowing or a malfunction of a machine but this is hardly that. They, the building factory is deliberately putting in a cheaper alternative to the more elaborate arm mold. I am starting to wonder, due to Gemany Geobra's responce if they even know what is going on in their own out of town factories? The klickies are made in Malta and presumable bagged up to be included in sets that may be assembled in other areas.  If they do not open the bags how would they spot a cheap replacement on such a tiny detail?

I call deliberate foul play

[mike1003]

yes , i got a few too

http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=5282

[Redmao]

I got my answer.
Seems like with the high demand and the upcoming Holidays, they decided to use both kind of arm molds to produce certain sets to complete their production. So apparently, both styles are available out there.

I wasn't told the ratio though, so I don't know which kind of arm is rarer.

As a follow-up, I was also told that the sets produced in 2013 should have the proper sleeves.
I don't know if we can assume that the sets that will be released for the International market will sport the same arms as those seen in the catalog pictures.

We'll see.

[Birdie]

Thanks for the update!

[Rasputin]

I got my answer.
Seems like with the high demand and the upcoming Holidays, they decided to use both kind of arm molds to produce certain sets to complete their production. So apparently, both styles are available out there.

I wasn't told the ratio though, so I don't know which kind of arm is rarer.

As a follow-up, I was also told that the sets produced in 2013 should have the proper sleeves.
I don't know if we can assume that the sets that will be released for the International market will sport the same arms as those seen in the catalog pictures.

We'll see.

So to keep up with demand Geobra made the executive decision to allow cheaper/easier to produce arms to be included in certain sets. I do not think such a thing would reflect very well on customer satisfaction. If I was one to notice such details I would be annoyed at such a development. I can not complain yet as the ones we have came from large miscellaneous lots but if I bought an expensive full retail priced set and it had the ugly replacements I would complain to Geobra.

[playmofire]

But I think most Geobra consumers (i.e. children) would rather have plain sleeves and Playmobil for Christmas than no Playmobil for Christmas (in fact, most of them probably wouldn't notice the difference).  Nor does it follow that one type of arm is cheaper/easier to produce than the other.

[tahra]

Nor does it follow that one type of arm is cheaper/easier to produce than the other.

Well, it's what I understood. Takes some nerve to admit, I suppose. And they know it's (at least) not right, since they say they'll go back to the proper ones. I mean, it MIGHT be a big deal or not. But the days of "contents may vary" are long gone...

So, will they send people new klickys to replace those?

[playmofire]

Well, it's what I understood. Takes some nerve to admit, I suppose. And they know it's (at least) not right, since they say they'll go back to the proper ones. I mean, it MIGHT be a big deal or not. But the days of "contents may vary" are long gone...

I've seen no statement by Geobra that the less intricate arms are easier/cheaper to produce, only people assuming this is the case.

The fact that they are going back to the "correct" arm is because that is the correct arm and they have only used an alternative to help meet customers' demands, the majority of whom will not look at the box and compare the sleeves shown on the box with the sleeves on the klickies but will just be glad that they got the Playmobil set they had asked Santa Claus for.  Geobra are trying to meet the demand for their products as fully as they can.  (Compare this with Lego in the UK who are cancelling orders put in by small toy shops and concentrating on supplying the big sellers such as supermarkets.)

[Redmao]

We notice this kind of details because we are adults.
They still cared enough to use the other kind of short sleeve which probably costs the same to produce since both are made of a flesh color molded limb inserted in another color molded sleeve.

A non-caring company would have simply put the regular long sleeve playmo arms which take less parts to make.

It's not as if a figure was pictured with a molded jacket or vest and the figure was delivered with a painted on vest.

I applaud the fact that they took the time to answer me.

[playmofire]

We notice this kind of details because we are adults.
They still cared enough to use the other kind of short sleeve which probably costs the same to produce since both are made of a flesh color molded limb inserted in another color molded sleeve.

A non-caring company would have simply put the regular long sleeve playmo arms which take less parts to make.

It's not as if a figure was pictured with a molded jacket or vest and the figure was delivered with a painted on vest.

I applaud the fact that they took the time to answer me.

I agree with you, although on a technical point, both arms are moulded as a single piece, not two pieces joined together, the arm and the sleeve.  Geobra has the technical ability to injection mould in 3 or even 4 colours in one operation.