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Author Topic: USA versus German availability  (Read 1913 times)

Offline Rasputin

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USA versus German availability
« on: November 07, 2009, 17:48:12 »
Hello fellow collectors  :wave:

   Well this is something that is going to bug me if there is not some sort of logical reasoning . I was always under the impression that sets were first resealed in non-export market (Germany, etc..) then a year later in the export marked (USA, etc..). Now this was very helpful in the fact that if a set or theme was removed from the  German site I knew that I had a year to pick the item up before it would be removed from the USA site. There are some minor exclusions due to special market demands.

   Now here is the confusion . Core just brought it to our attention that on the USA site the main train sets are no longer there. I looked around and there are indeed sets that are on the German site and now have been removed from the USA site . This seems backwards from the mold sharing notion and the retirement norm that I have become accustomed to .

Does anybody have any input, knowledge or speculation into this annoying chain of events ?

    annoyed & confused
   Rasputin the mad monk
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Offline Martin Milner

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Re: USA versus German availability
« Reply #1 on: November 08, 2009, 07:21:15 »
Market forces have to be added to the equation, if a set or theme isn't selling well in a particular country, they're probably  not going to keep it on the website as long.

Simple rule - if you want a set and it's available, but it. Don't wait for prices to drop, or for it to disappear from a different country's website. You've probably got a safe year from release date, and probably two, but after that you're pushing your luck. Remember how the Vikings disappeared so quickly, despite their apparent popularity.
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Offline Rasputin

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Re: USA versus German availability
« Reply #2 on: November 08, 2009, 16:21:53 »
Hi Martin  :wave:

   Yes the "market force factor" could be one that need to be put into the equation. My situation is that I collect so many themes that I have to space the purchases out over a given period of time. If there is some rhyme and reason to the release and discontinuation of themes it is very helpful with the planning process. As much as I would love to be able to just get everything as soon as it became available I am not in a position to do so. I need to prioritize purchases as to desire and mostly when a themes is on its way out. Knowing I have a year left on a particular theme is crucial information to this strategy . I do push my luck in every aspect of my life but with knowing and or doing something often enough it can become predictable . From what I understood Playmobil had this "predictability".

   Thanks for the input Martin :wow:
    Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
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Offline Indianna

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Re: USA versus German availability
« Reply #3 on: November 08, 2009, 17:09:37 »
Hey Ras, I would also suggest calling the Playmobil USA order number and asking about a set even if it isn't shown in the catalog or online.  In my experience, they will sometimes still have some stock available especially if it is an item that was just recently removed from the catalog or the online listings.   :)
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Offline Bill Blackhurst

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Re: USA versus German availability
« Reply #4 on: November 08, 2009, 18:54:52 »
Good suggestion Indianna! I have found this to be true also, especially if it is a recent discontinuation. If it's an unpopular item or retired awhile ago you will more likely find it at discount stores like TJ MAXX.
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Offline Rasputin

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Re: USA versus German availability
« Reply #5 on: November 21, 2009, 13:46:19 »
Hello  :wave:

   I think the reason I was triggered into confusion has to do with the odd things I see on Playmobil USA  ??? Last week I looked at the "Dollhouse" section and there were no furniture sets at all ( 5318, 5319 & 5327 ) . Now I look and there is no House ( 5301 ) ? My other annoyance was with the fact that the catalog showed all the micro sets and they still have not showed up . And while I am at it why have the newest Soccer Players not showed up ? 

   Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
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If you hear the sound of the bell which will tell you that Grigori has been killed, if it was your relations who have wrought my death, then no one in the family will remain alive. They will be killed by the Russian people. :prays:
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