WORST SET EVER?

[Sylvia]

Clue number 2: The largest single piece in the photo is from what I believe may be the Worst Set ever made by Playmobil.

Oh! I completely misunderstood.
I thought the pieces in your photos all came from one set and this was what you were going to review.
It's very unlikely now that I think about it, but we've had some slightly strange assortments before.

[Richard]

Because, (again in my opinion) this set has one piece that is very nice in its design and versatility.

This piece has been utilized in the attached photos. And, for those of you who like a bit of a challenge, what's the piece and which set did it come from?

Clue: So, far there have been three similar but different sets issued containing this piece. (A European version, an American version and a Direct Service "Add-Ons" version.)

Clue number 2: The largest single piece in the photo is from what I believe may be the Worst Set ever made by Playmobil.

I think you could be talking about 3217 tree house?

The add on set is 7937 smaller tree house and the American set number is 5746.

I can see you have used the base with the rock that flips and the other rock for hiding things under.

You are a very, very good detective Garry ... 

You certainly have no trouble "seeing the forest for the trees." ... 


SO ...


What makes this the worst set that Playmobil may have ever made?

In my humble opinion:

1. For starters, the three Klickys are wearing some really ugly garments!
I would hate to see what the person who designed them wears to work every day.
The Klickys' clothing is almost too painful to describe. The three little Klickys must be very embarrassed! ... 

2. The Tree House itself is an abomination. It's a ridiculous hybrid of the worst kind.
Playmobil had an opportunity to finally give us a transition between Steck and X.
And, instead they created an entirely new building system.  What were they thinking?

3. This new building system sort of connects to X, but definitely NOT to Steck.
This new system is not as rugged nor as esthetically pleasing as Steck.
However, Playmobil has already produced two additional NEW sets with this new building system.
It uses a lot less plastic material than Steck or X, so it's probably more economical to produce.

4. The saving grace for this set is the really nice landscape piece that Garry has identified.

Review will follow ...

[Richard]

Before we get started on the review ...

A BIG thank you to everyone who participated in this "introduction" ... 


Sylvia

Gus

Anne

Lars

KT

Timmy

Lars

Garry

Thanks again and all the best,
Richard

[Sir Gareth]

I probably had a slight advantage over the others, I was sorting through my spare landscapes today and I have 2 of these bases in the box so it was easy to spot.

I actually thought the part you liked the most Richard was going to be the zip wire in the set.

[Richard]

Unfortunately, Garry, there's no "zip wire" in the American version.  ... 



Some Photos ...







You'll notice that European set is somewhat different.
(And, the Add-On set is typical of Direct Service sets.)

See attachments

[mike1003]

well, not lookin so bad.. seen worst things then this :p i could use lots of those trees and bushes hehehe

[Richard]

This is the "new" construction system that was used in the Tree House.

See attachment


There's at least one new set for 2008 that's also using this construction system.

Is there more than just one?

[Richard]

Here's a size comparison between a Steck corner and the new construction system corner.

see attachment

[Richard]

The little house is OK. It's just too bad that Playmobil has introduced yet another construction system.

If you look to where I'm pointing, you can see the yellow System X connectors that hold the roof.

see attachment

[Richard]

With the roof on and two walls up ,,, that's it!

No door and no back wall (or side wall) ...

And, annoying little slits in the corners ...

see attachment