| Just when you think that the Playmobil brand will be discontinued in the Philippines there was a surprising development during midday of Friday. There are very few selected sets that have pop-up out of one Toys R’ Us store in Metro Manila, and it must be one of those branches that unlikely gets enough foot traffic due to its “hole in the wall” location that is occasionally looked up.
Later that day TRU relocated the Playmobil shelves beside the LEGO area, which is both distributed by Ban Kee Trading in the Philippines. With that they have widened the shrunken up shelves to take the whole side, which use to occupy by generic dinosaurs and brick imitations. |
For some who got used to patronizing the Playmobil brand this was a welcoming development as not very few knows the product. It is refreshing that Ban Kee had brought back the product. But not so fast for those who just knew to collect it. They are merely testing that market again if there are really interest despite having very few who are really into the brand itself.
There were new sets, but doesn’t cover the entirely 2020/2021 product catalogue, so don’t get your hopes up. It’s a pastiche of what Ban Kee thinks that would move the shelves, namely that has something to do with science fiction, fantasy, and license properties that might catch not only a close-knit community of collectors.
But also the general public namely parents with kids who might get hooked into the world of Playmobil. You have to remember these toys were originally produced for children not just people who grew up with the brand.
New Sets for 2020 & 2021
There are very few focused sets that has suddenly appeared in a TRU store that never gotten much foot traffic. Below is a listing of the themes along with the sets and price point that have been sighted in this store. Surely, you might understand the retail price point varies as they are also converted to Australian and US dollar equivalents.
Just like it was mentioned there are very few themes compared to what has arrived in the past to gauge interest with the general consumer. Please do take note to not have expectations for Ban Kee to bring the entire product catalogue. If you support the recently release and showed interest then there are possibilities.
The latest themes that were spotted are from Back to the Future (Licensed Theme), Galaxy Police (Space Theme), Novelmore (Knights Theme), and Top Agents (Action & Adventure Theme). There are some of the underwater adventures themes but a mega set was the only one seen in this store.
- Back to the Future
- Galaxy Police
- Novelmore
- Top Agents
Below is the breakdown of the themes that is currently available and including Philippine retail price point accompanied with equivalent to Australian and US Dollar exchange from Google’s Currency Converter.
Back to the Future
- 70459 Marty McFly & Doc Brown | ₱ 799.75 Pesos | $ 21.39 AUD | $ 16.55 USD
- 70317 DeLorean Time Machine | ₱ 4,799.75 Pesos | $ 128.37 AUD | $ 99.31 USD
Galaxy Police
- 70020 Police Bike | ₱ 2,399.75 Pesos | $ 64.18 AUD | $4 9.65 USD
- 70022 Safe & Secret Code | ₱ 2,899.75 Pesos | $ 77.56 AUD | $ 60.00 USD
- 70024 Pirate Robot | ₱ 1,699.75 Pesos | $ 45.46 AUD | $ 35.17 USD
Novelmore
- 70223 Temple of Time | ₱ 2,999.75 | $ 80.23 AUD | $ 62.07 USD
- 70225 Wolf Cannon Team | ₱ 1,999.75 | $ 53.49 AUD | $ 41.38 USD
- 70226 Burnham Raiders | ₱ 1,499.75 Pesos | $ 40.11 AUD | $ 31.03 USD
- 70227 Burnham Fire Spirit | ₱ 999.75 Pesos | $ 26.74 AUD | $ 20.69 USD
- 70228 Burnham Fire Master | ₱ 799.75 Pesos | $ 21.39 AUD | $ 16.55 USD
- 70229 Crossbowman with Wolf | ₱ 599.75 Pesos | $ 16.04 AUD | $ 12.41 USD
Top Agents
- 70003 Spy Team Submarine | ₱ 1,999.75 | $53.49 AUD | $41.38 USD
- 70004 Spy Team Underwater Wing | ₱ 1,299.75 | $ 34.76 AUD | $ 26.89 USD
- 70006 S.H.A.R.K. Harpoon Craft | ₱ 2,599.75 | $ 69.53AUD | $ 53.79 USD
- 70007 S.H.A.R.K. Rocket Jet Ski | ₱ 1,399.75 | $ 37.44 AUD | $28.96 USD
Other Themes
- 70011 Super Set | Tactical Dive Unit | ₱ 2,099.75 Pesos | $56.26 AUD | $43.35 USD
- 40415 Pirates | Pirate with Cannon | ₱ 999.75 Pesos | $26.74 AUD | $20.69 USD
Some of the other sets sighted are from the old themes that have been restocked like the Knights carrying case and other assortments. There have been feedback that some says price point is twice the retail in other countries. You have to factor in the Philippine Customs and the fees to have them put this in a retail space.
You also have to understand with the current global pandemic and with that in mind things have gradually had increased its cost. If you wish this brand to continue with Ban Kee distributing them support it and acquire the products. The ones currently on a clearance are the Playmobil the Movie theme sets that have been widely on sale since late in 2019.
There is no news if the Playmobil Figures, the blind bagged figures will get sold on retail. You’ll never know, for now, just continue to support the brand. Playmobil is not just about collecting and displaying. It is all about building interest in the community beyond the limited collector mindset.
Playmobil is distributed in the Philippines by Ban Kee Traiding Inc. For more upcoming events and other inquiries follow Playmo PH on Facebook!
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