Actually not. LEGO started producing tree toys in 1934 with the name LEGO. So the companies are around the same age.
LEGO has produced plastic toys since 1947.
I'm sorry that I didn't have in mind that Playmobil's mother company was around already in the 1930's 
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& Playmobil itself appeared in the '70s ...[
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You're quite right, Tim, and option 2 is always a possibility. I suspect that there are few people who think of thanking DS (in any country) for their work and help, and fewer still who think of thanking them and then do so. I always let UK DS know when an order arrives and thank them for their work in ordering it etc, and send them a card at Christmas. Yes, they do make mistakes, but certainly in the UK I've always found them quick to correct them. And ordering DS parts must be difficult for them as the parts are often described in German and there don't seem to pictures of the parts available to them.
They probably use Heather's, which would be bad for them
... (Heather's "Inn"'s the best, but she isn't hired by gB ; She should be (...) ; it's bad for them because they SHOULD have catalogues of EVERY part exclusively FOR THEM,
DS sellers. Not printed ones, but in the internet: everything's so easy to be done, nowadays!, you don't have to print a comma!
I use to give feedback (including to say that the work was done/well_done/excellent) in my transactions through the internet, or at least I did, until now, because I could make compliments, and I wished ... It's not only polite, but a recognition that, once the work is being satisfactory in its purpose, I will go on buying, which is good for me, good for them ...
(Once I hadn't made any ... warm acquaintances, I still haven't sent any Christmas cards yet. I have to admit that it isn't a habit of mine, though 
But I hope I will improve my manners, as the I grow ... wiser 
)
Overall, the spare parts supply must be a pretty massive operation in terms of stock held and labour intensive and, on both counts costly, so it must often be tempting in these days to look at it as a possible source of cost cutting, so I say:
THANK YOU PLAYMOBIL FOR DS!
I quote myself:
ARE THEY HEARING THIS?, or are we only supposing they are? Have them ever given any feedback like "hey, we came to know what you posted" ...
In this, Joe's letter gives some interesting advice: we should invite some "ambassadors" to talk with us collectors here, so that they can defend their way of work (most times), and be thankful whenever we say that they are important to us (few times,
shame on us ;
even though they must improve their way of serving : everyone does).
I'm not a user of DS up till now, because I'm beginning (again) in Playmobil, but I remember, in Portugal, having written a letter to Playmobil Alicante, because a hat had been missing in a set, and they sent the hat promptly.
Later, I sent another letter, saying that I liked the orange cat, and that I'd like to buy one, and asked whether it was possible, and they sent me the orange cat, promptly.
So, I think DS was working fine, back there in the '90s, as well as I believe they still do so, with kids that write saying "it was missing one", or "can I buy one?" ... But collectors are never satisfied.
I don't know if they're hearing me, Gordon, but I'll double your thanks ...
If you are hearing, Playmobil,
THANK YOU, PLAYMOBIL, FOR YOUR SERVICES
IN GENERAL
& I sign : Blackhair Gus
Gus
