Playmobil's requirement that shops stock the full range...
I never knew this! So you're saying that a shop must carry every single current Playmobil set, or none at all?
I haven't seen a single UK shop where this is true. Most toyshops wouldn't have room for the full range on their shelves even if they wanted it.
If Playmobil really have an aggressive selling policy like this (even if it isn't adhered to, as would seem the case from my experience), this might explain why Playmobil has disappeared off the shelves of shops like Woolworths recently.
It would seem to me to be an extremely short-sighted measure.
On the topic of disappearing Romans - well I've pretty much got what I want now anyway. I might add a few more packets of legionnaries from the accessories range, but I don't have the money or inclination to build an 800 man cohort, let alone a legion in full.
I'm eager to get my hands on the Egyptians. If the Romans have to go to make room for them, so be it.
I wonder if the shorter lifespan of more recent sets is related to the lifetime of the moulds used to produce them? If the moulds are worn out and need replacing, why not mould something new?
I think Playmobil upset a lot of adult collectors, especially in the US, with their sneaky arm-switch. I hope they take note and avoid this with the Egyptians (and the Feudal Japanese?)
