i can be wrong...

[Martin Milner]

I second what Bogro said.

This is my third season following Playmo news.  Things always quiet down after September.  In the USA, at least, all the new introductions and big sales end in September with the Playmobil USA website sleeping through Christmas and not lighting up again until February.

I wonder why Playmobil chose to release their Christmas items in September, and then we have nothing new until February? I guess they have it all worked out but it seems crazy at first look.

I've spotted Playmobil adverts on UK television (ITV4 in the mornings, during children's TV), for the pirate ship, and dinosaurs.

I'm buying Playmobil for three of my eight (sson to be nine) nephews & nieces this Christmas, Romans, Knights and Pirates as themes. The rest are too young yet for the proper stuff, and 1-2-3 just doesn't appeal. If they like what they get, that's my presents sorted for the next few years.

[cachalote]

0)i have a theory.
the air conditioned at playmobil headquarters is not being serviced as it should.
a bacteria that confuses people is growing on the filters and it has become airborne.
everyone is going mad there.
the comercial department cannot come with the right release dates.
the design department suggests that every crazy idea should be produced.
the management department gives a positive response to every suggestion the 2 previous departments present...

[cachalote]

november, 2: 32352 playmo items on sale.
november, 9: 31650 playmo items on sale...
november, 16: 32959 playmo items on sale (i rest assured)

[Martin Milner]

Nov 17 32183 Playmobil items on sale worldwide


Interestingly, over 25,000 of those are Buy It Now, which is mostly used by shops who use eBay as an outlet.

It might be worth splitting the total items into auctions and buy it now, so we can compare.

[Timotheos]

I wonder why Playmobil chose to release their Christmas items in September, and then we have nothing new until February? I guess they have it all worked out but it seems crazy at first look.

German toy maker Schleich does similar.  It's new line of smurfs are announced to retailers in November, but not released until February.

There is a big toy fair in Feb that seems to be of more importance than the people actually buying the stuff.

 

[Richard]

If for some reason, some of you did NOT read what Bill Blackhurst wrote, you might want to read it. (If you already read it, perhaps you should read it again!)

You would think that even if we can't afford to buy more Playmobil, it wouldn't change the way we talk about it, display it, do photo stories with it, discuss future releases, etc.  ! Getting our minds away from current events, & discussing another interest is better for our mental status  . I think we need to be strong for each other through these depressing times, & try to do things with the items we already own, like photo stories, & other projects to keep the morale high. It may not be the newest item Playmobil has come out with, but there will always be interesting theme's, & sets to be discussed, old, & new! Plus, there are a lot of customizer's out there  ! You have to admit that when you work on a project, or you look @ other peoples efforts, it gives you a good feeling  , & that's what we all need right now, & that's why Playmofriends was created  !

When Playmobil discontinued their wonderful electric train in favor of their new battery operated RC trains, many Playmobil train collectors could have been devestated. Fortunately, Playmobil and LGB electric trains were compatible! And, when LGB suffered bankruptcy, Märklin stepped in. We can be optimistic and make the best of any situation or we can make it worse. It's always our choice.

WHAT IF PLAYMOBIL CLOSED THEIR DOORS TOMORROW?

Most of us have enough Playmobil to do as Bill suggested, "... try to do things with the items we already own, like photo stories, & other projects ... "

And, Bill gives us all some very good advice, "... there will always be interesting theme's, & sets to be discussed ..."  It may be an "old" set, but if you don't actually have it, it's "new" to you!

Finally, Bill leaves us with, "Plus, there are a lot of customizer's out there  ! You have to admit that when you work on a project, or you look @ other peoples efforts, it gives you a good feeling" 

All the best to all of us here at PF,
Richard

[Martin Milner]

WHAT IF PLAYMOBIL CLOSED THEIR DOORS TOMORROW?

Ironically I'd probably value the stuff I already have more. I'm looking forward to a lot of next year's releases, but if suddenly I couldn't have them, I'd be digging out all my old stuff more often.

I'd probably also spend a lot on eBay to pick up things while they were still around. eBay would continue to be a source for a long time, as children's collections were broken up and sold off.

I was looking at the Egyptians on eBay today, I could easily spend £50-100 on Egyptian figures from Play-123 in Malta, as she sells at very good prices (to the UK), certainly no more than it would cost me to get direct from Playmobil, but I vowed not to spend money on toys until our trip to Houston (5 weeks away).

[Rasputin]

well i see the financial markets change as a time for opportunity . I have noticed a drop in the end price on items such as the 3666 castle . I can now pick up a used one for under $100 . When people need a little extra funds and are willing to sell of Jr's toy collection i would be glad to help them out and buy them for a reasonable sum .

 One thing that is a little different form what Bill said is when i get a new or used item it actually inspires me to play and then that triggers me to bring out other sets that compliment it in play . It is not to say we would stop playing if no new item we acquired but it seem to be an easy trigger . When Playmobil made the new Dragon it made me want to do a photo story . Now that the story is going i am waiting for a shipment of used items to continue it . As far as Customizing is concerned i really am only willing to change klickies i have duplicates of . If i have only one Friar i am not about to take him apart . If i were to win a few more on ebay i might consider it, but for now people want $14-$24 each . If the market keeps tanking the price may go down do to less demand . I have only been collecting a short time ( compared to many of you vets in here ) so i am still in the honey moon stage and there are too many sets & parts i am looking for .

Another consideration is if Playmobil starts to have financial strain it may cause them to dig out old molds and rerelease older sets . This would keep them in the market and save money on new mold expenses .

If the hypothetical closure of Playmobil were to happen i think the items would all raise in price ( like Martin, myself & many others would admitted to , more ebay spending ) . Supply and demand . I am hoping for more supply and less demand to drive down the price, but if the main supply were to be cut off that might trigger a greater demand driving the value up . What if Playmobil Closed ? were all rich  just kidding 

[Timotheos]

WHAT IF PLAYMOBIL CLOSED THEIR DOORS TOMORROW?

This is an eccentric topic considering Playmobil shows no evidence of closing in the near future.   

[cachalote]

well... i know the general tone that i used to start this thread was rather pessimistic, but you guys took it really far - the possibility of playmobil closing doors.

maybe an intermediate option can be considered - 10 years after hans beck retires, geobra totally looses its mind and goes bankrupt.
this mind loss started at the commercial department and quickly spread to all departments.
when playmobil's design department started to produce sets depicting exclusively landscapes around zirndorf it was the end.
geobra still managed to keep its lechuza vase production but the playmobil brand had to be sold to a group of fans that met eachother in an international forum.
after buying the company for 1 euro they (or should i say we) restart the production with enormous success...