New DS-catalogue 2011/2012: 1st (small) picture

[Indianna]

First of all, Claire (Surfer Girl,) thank you for having the courage to post comments that you (correctly) suspected would not find much agreement.     Too few people are willing to do that but I believe that civil disagreement and civil discussion often lead to good things. 

Having said that, I will now disagree with you myself!   

. . . My concern is that it will only be collectors who will ever buy these pieces.....

. . . As collectors, we could have raised our profile with Geobra by highlighting that we can come up with commercial ideas which will benefit them and us. Instead I believe, that by asking them to re-issue pieces which may not have broad appeal, we have highlighted to them that that may not be the case.

Geobra has finally awakened to the fact that there is a sizeable adult collector community so it makes sense that the DS pieces suggested by the pilot group may not have a broad appeal to the market base of children to whom Playmobil usually tailors their products.  No one really knows how large the "collector" market is but Geobra will begin to learn that sort of thing about us as they target products to our wishes and needs.  They don't need our help to come up with ideas that have broad appeal - they can already do that by themselves.  It seems to me that the whole point is actually to come up with new or re-issued products that appeal primarily to collectors.  There will still be those kids (future adult collectors) who will look at something like the water tower and think it is really cool and buy it even if they don't have a steam engine in need of filling.

I am delighted with the re-issued items - they are items that I adore and want to have - and I will be buying them in multiples.  Having said that, though, I am not 100% comfortable with the way in which those items were chosen by the pilot group.  It does feel a bit like a few people got together and decided which items they, themselves, would most like to have without seeking input from the rest of the collector community.  I believe that a better approach will be possible after the collector's club actually gets under way - Playmobil will be able to ask collectors directly what they want and then re-issue (or make new items) based upon actual demand.

[Gis]

It does feel a bit like a few people got together and decided which items they, themselves, would most like to have without seeking input from the rest of the collector community. 

Just to clarify on this:

Everyone from the PIlot group got asked to submit items they would liked to have seen reproduced. This got compilated into a list of over 50 items on which got voted.

So I think with over 60 members in the Pilot Group we had a pretty ok representation of the overall collectors demographic (themewise).

Of course with another group of 60+ people we might have seen some changes. I for one am happy with these items and think that these represented the wishes of the worldwide collectors wishlist pretty closely.

When they needed the input there was no formalized process yet. They went to the Pilot Group because that was at least somehow organized. When the PCC is underway I am sure tese sort of things will be asked to the club as a whole.

I hope this helps explaining the path that led to the choice of these items.

[Luis]

I have all the re-issued pieces MIB, but am not worried for the value of my collection as I believe that MIB collectors will still pay good money for the boxes and klickies that will not be included in the re-issue versions.
My concern is that it will only be collectors who will ever buy these pieces.....for example someone with an old western diorama but who couldn't or wouldn't pay £75+ for a windmill. Given that the western theme, and especially the western train, were retired so long ago, many of the children currently looking for extras on DS just will not be interested in either item. The same is true for the bakery building as children are more likely to buy the modern system-x version also available on DS. As a collector, I may have bought them in a new colour, but not as a simple re-issue of what I already have.

An idea would have been to ask for another vehicle, possibly the 4223 estate car, to have been produced in a different colour.

I couldn't agree more!

I'm not interested in the bakery because then I'd  need the rest of the medieval buildings - which might be released eventually?

Then again I'm not that excited for the western and medieval sets because they're not my themes...however I'm happy for the folks who will be able to get these sets for an affordable price. Eventually the collector's club may release sets from the themes I like in the DS catalogue.

[Indianna]

. . . I hope this helps explaining the path that led to the choice of these items.

Hello Gis!
Please understand that I am not criticizing the individuals in the pilot group, only the process.  It was a difficult set of circumstances and I believe that the pilot group did the best they could.  It would still have been better, though, to get more input from the collector community on this very important point which turns out to be the first real sign that Playmobil is listening to our ideas and concerns.  If I remember correctly, the pilot group only told us about the Direct Service items after their suggestions had already been made to Playmobil (it was reported in the first pilot group newsletter.)  In hindsight (always 20/20, of course) it would have been better if someone in the pilot group had thought to say, "Wait a minute, let's do some surveys in the fan forums to see what people want."  It might have taken more time but it also would have given Geobra even more information about what collector's want.   

I want to stress, once again, that I, personally, am happy with the re-issued items.   

[Tiermann]

Unfortunately the Pilot Group was asked this question before it was really up and running and had a very short deadline to give an answer. I believe the entire process lasted about 10 days or so. With as little time as was available I think we did a pretty good job of seeing to it the broadest range of viewpoints were included. There were 10 items submitted to Playmobil and they chose half of them.

Of the ones chosen I agree the water tower seems like it will be the least popular, but again we don't know what sort of sales numbers will be considered a success.  It would be interesting to try to find that out in the future.

[Rasputin]

Hello Gis!
Please understand that I am not criticizing the individuals in the pilot group, only the process.  It was a difficult set of circumstances and I believe that the pilot group did the best they could.  It would still have been better, though, to get more input from the collector community on this very important point which turns out to be the first real sign that Playmobil is listening to our ideas and concerns.  If I remember correctly, the pilot group only told us about the Direct Service items after their suggestions had already been made to Playmobil (it was reported in the first pilot group newsletter.)  In hindsight (always 20/20, of course) it would have been better if someone in the pilot group had thought to say, "Wait a minute, let's do some surveys in the fan forums to see what people want."  It might have taken more time but it also would have given Geobra even more information about what collector's want.   

I want to stress, once again, that I, personally, am happy with the re-issued items.   

Geobra approached the PCC with the request even before the PCC was formally started. Geobra gave very little time to organize this perfectly. It was more of a scramble to get everyone together and vote as the PCC starting date had not even come to pass. WE did not have the lugsury of minutes on our side. The DS Geobra board meeting was seconds away and the PCC scrambled and delivered 

We were asked by Geobra to keep things in the PCC private and seeing as the PCC wanted to prove ourselves we honored this request.

So no it would not have been better to ask the whole community as this would have or could have eroded Geobra's trust in the PCC

Most all the concerns I read so far were address somewhat in the PCC. We did talk about how these would be seen by the broader market and that these items do not seem to fit with the current theme. It is not an easy task to keep everyone happy and it is quite impossible but personally I think the PCC reached a decision that is for the broad collectors market

[surfergirl]

Well it seems I was right when I suspected my opinion may be unpopular....

Firstly, I am not criticising any of the PCC pilot group personally as I can agree with parts of your opinions, just not all of them.
@Gis, you are correct, the windmill and water tower are iconic...it is the prime reason I have both in my collection.
@Wolf Knight, of course I have considered that some collectors did not get these sets first time round...for I am one of those collectors.
@BonnieBeth, I am not trying to second-guess what kids want, but rather come up with ideas that may suit both collectors and kids...in order to increase sales...and therefore the likelihood that we get asked for more suggestions.

As Elric points out....there will hopefully be other sets reissued over the coming years that will satisfy the majority of us....but only if the current offerings are bought in sufficient number to prove that the adult collector is worth catering for.

I just feel that by asking for the sets we have, it puts a lot of pressure on a relatively small group of people to buy the quantity of items that Geobra considers worthy. And if we fail to buy enough we may not get another chance to influence their decisions. My point is that by choosing things that would appeal to a broader audience in the first instance, our chances of success are greater.

I would just like to add that, while my opinion is so unpopular, I do look forward to being proved wrong as the basic idea of collectors (in their different guises MIB, Customisers etc) having the chance to influence major companies is an exciting one.

Claire

[playmofire]

Looking closely at the pics, the water tower interests me, although at about £20 it's a lot.  I have plans for trying my own design using Steck and a tank from the airport tanker.  I've got those parts so there's no cost to it.  If I'm not satisfied, then I'd look again at buying the DS one.

If I were into the mediaeval theme (which I'm not yet), I'd certainly stock up on the lowenritter knights (they are what's tempting me to go mediaeval) as they look superb, more what I expect of Playmobil knights.

Some of the prices look really cheap, for example the construction trailer with the warning lights on. It's about two-thirds the shop price and a box and a figure, a broom and a shovel can't account for that difference.  Interestingly, the flashing light unit from DS is about £22, £8 more than the set!  When I wanted one for a custom, I bought a full set, which also gave me a spare construction trailer.

[Rasputin]

Well it seems I was right when I suspected my opinion may be unpopular....

unpopular yes, but very important 

I am not trying to second-guess what kids want, but rather come up with ideas that may suit both collectors and kids...in order to increase sales...and therefore the likelihood that we get asked for more suggestions.

This is where I think the challenge is unsolvable. What would a collector want with current production car that we can paint already? What does a kid want with an old house ? These are two entirely different markets

As Elric points out....there will hopefully be other sets reissued over the coming years that will satisfy the majority of us....but only if the current offerings are bought in sufficient number to prove that the adult collector is worth catering for.

Geobra has been producing re-issues for a while now. All the timber houses are re-issued steck buildings. The classic editions is another example. I think we have already proven ourselves and that is why Geobra asked in the first place.

I just feel that by asking for the sets we have, it puts a lot of pressure on a relatively small group of people to buy the quantity of items that Geobra considers worthy. And if we fail to buy enough we may not get another chance to influence their decisions. My point is that by choosing things that would appeal to a broader audience in the first instance, our chances of success are greater.

Just out of curiosity what would you choose for a broader audience?

[surfergirl]

Hi Ras,

Since you've asked...here's a little list I prepared earlier ;-)

It appears that the most sought after items in the collector's opinion are also the most rare and sell for the most money on the second-hand market. But the ones that may appeal to a broader audience are ones that may match with current or imminent releases. I also don't think it always necessary (as in the case of the beer barrel) to release the whole set.

To match with the current zoo, I would suggest the Albino Elephant from 3809.
To match with the new pirate theme, perhaps the 3740 schooner.
To match with the new port theme, definitely the 3551 commercial fishing trawler.
To match the recent winter theme, the igloo could be incorporated by kids into play.
And to match with the new mansion, why not the victorian lamp-post.

Others that always seem to go for good money on eBay and could match into many current themes are the 3468 TVi Van for movie-making, 3448 Tavern which could be used as a house and the 3723 circus band could give concerts.

As for individual figures...the general concensus form this board  seems to be for more pirates or Nuremberg guards. These figures may not appeal to kids but are of much less financial value making it easier for collectors to buy them in vast quantities.

One thing I would do though would be to make them in different, but still realistic, colours (except the Albino elephant and igloo obviously ;-)). This is in order that they may still appeal to the collectors who already have them.

I acknowledge that this list is not exhaustive, nor is it my personal wishlist, but it is simply meant to give an idea of how retired items or sets that are desired by collectors may also be able to appeal to a broader audience, all at the same time.

It would have been my idea that we use broad spectrum sets to hook Geobra, and then once the working relationship is established, go in and ask for the more specialised items like the windmill and water tower which may not sell in such vast quantities.


Claire