My last DS order was on 4/11/08 and they were still taking it by phone (which I prefer because they can tell you what the actual stock is, especially useful if you are after an assembly that has multiple parts), emailing would be fine if they responded with a list of items out of stock or limited quantities so you could edit your list.
For my last order in February, the clerk wanted my order emailed. I sent an Excel spreadsheet and he responded with availabilities. Since your clerk took a 200-item phone order more recently, I guess that blows my theory that they'd changed policy.
I'm not sure starting an alert system whereby we inform people when stuff is in stock would be effective.
I have a strange feeling that you and I could place orders on the same day and get different results (as in I order before you and it's sold out and you order after me and it's available).
Or maybe I'm too much of a fatalist...
I can't figure out whether PM likes our part orders or wants to discourage it. For example, nowhere on PM USA website do they pitch: "Want to equip your Roman Legion, but need more spears? Call our parts department!"
On the other hand, if they didn't want us to order, they could easily nip it in the bud--"sorry, you can't order 17 spears because we deal in replacement parts only, and no set comes with 17 spears!"
Somebody needs to start dating one of the clerks so we can get the inside scoop on how the system works. Or maybe not date, but make friends. I don't care about the details. Just get the inside scoop, somebody. KlickyWelt appears to have infiltrated Playmobil Germany. It's our disgrace that 10 years running we still have no insiders at PM USA.
-Tim
