Playmo Train/track acquiring advice

[mobildad]

Hi all  ,

Its yonks since I last posted.

My wee laddo is still very into his playmobil and would like to bring his existing love of Brio trains into the ploaymobil world.  Hornby is just too fiddly and advanced for him unfortunately (James may has a lot to answer for).  Brio is still cool as far as he is concerned but it is beginning to have its limitations.  His expanding playmobil collection would certainly be enhanced by a Playmobil train set for Christmas this year.  The possibilities for linking his growing number of existing sets would be very exciting for him as well as ticking the "Daddy I would like a propper train set" box.

We have looked at trains and track new and on Ebay and have realised that they are quite expensive.

I know this may result in little, if any success but does anybody know of ways in which to get excellent deals on the playmobil train product range?  I will await any responses in eager anticipation.

We have asked playmobil to put us on their damaged box list for notification but for the past few years we have received no notifications!

Any advice on how to reduce the financial impact of acquiring any other playmobil would also be very gratefully received.  We already use Ebay, with limmited success and charity shops are regularly visited when possible.

[schluss]

Hi,

what kind of playmobil train are you looking for?? The old ones with brass tracks or the new ones with the plastic tracks??

schluss

[mobildad]

Now then Schluss,

Beggars can not be choosers.  Perhaps you better advise me as to which type we want because I am fairly clueless!

I do see the sense in getting the best quality for the price however availability and adaptability issues as well as other issues unknown to me will no doubt come into play?

Given the fact that any items train, track or accessories will be bought for the sole purpose of play (by a 6yr old).  I am open ears and am ready to learn from the experts like yourself here on the forum.

Please let have the benefit of your experience on this one.

[playmofire]

The Playmobil trains have been discontinued, so eBay is pretty much the only source.

However, track can still be bought from UK DS - a straight when I checked earlier this year was £2.20.  If you use the part number from playmDB for 4010 you should be OK:

http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=4010&pics=on

Sets on eBay, and track, vary greatly in price.  I have seen a box of 12 straights go for less than £15 and train sets can go very cheap - you just have to be there at the right time.  I paid £75 for a 4018 in box and in very good condition about a year ago; looking at recent auctions for this prices have been between £41.15 (no box nor people) to £58 with a level crossing included.  The 4018 steam loco set has gone recently for £51.

As regards track on eBay, curves go for less than straights usually.  Recently, a box of 12 curves went for £6 and a whole set of track from the RC steam loco set went for £23 - 43 pieces of track, a mix of curves and straights, a set of points and a crossover and a buffer stop!

Keep off the old mains powered sets - pricey and fiddly to set up.

[mobildad]

Okay,

So if we want to achieve our objective then we really need to stay glued to Ebay more than we already are between now and Christmas.

Thank you very much for the price guides and the very helpful info and advice.

This info will serve us well

Many thanks guys.

[mobildad]

Oh and by the way Playmofire,

The lights are working brilliantly on the bin lorry

Thanks again

[playmofire]

Oh and by the way Playmofire,

The lights are working brilliantly on the bin lorry

Thanks again

Glad to have been of help, my friend.  Any time.   

[schluss]

Hi,

the prices on ebay are far lower after after christmas and new year.......
If you not in a hurry, be patient and wait....

Also have a look at local newspaper, especially those weekly advertisment papers.....

Okay,

So if we want to achieve our objective then we really need to stay glued to Ebay more than we already are between now and Christmas.

Thank you very much for the price guides and the very helpful info and advice.

This info will serve us well

Many thanks guys.

[schluss]

Hi,

a set #4010 new and sealed is 140,-€ plus shipment at the moment in Germany.

Shipment to the UK and Scotland would be 21,-€....

Regards
schluss

[playmofire]

Hi,

the prices on ebay are far lower after after christmas and new year.......
If you not in a hurry, be patient and wait....

Also have a look at local newspaper, especially those weekly advertisment papers.....

Good point.  It's maybe worth, too, putting in an initial bid late on in the auction time of an item a with a high starting price as other people may be put off by the high starting bid.  I got a 4304 train station for £5 that way.