Playmobil toys have been lying around in Brabant children’s rooms for about fifty years. The plastic knights, princesses, dragons and police officers turn fifty this year. It is not clear whether there will also be an Abraham or Sara doll in the front garden of the toys? By the way, it’s not just a party. Playmobil has stiff competition and sells fewer toys, although these retailers and collectors hardly notice this.
Patric van Boven Kaarsmaker from Breda, for example, runs an extensive Playmobil store and exhibition space in Breda station. “We are the largest store with Playmobil in Europe. I have not noticed any decline in our sales.”
Joyce Meijers from Lage Mierde has a webshop for second-hand Playmobil toys. She also sells these items at fairs and annual fairs. “I can’t get the second-hand police cars, ambulances and firefighters.”
“There is no question of a decline in sales of Playmobil toys.”
21 constructed themes from Playmobil are displayed in the exhibition space in the Breda station. “Collectors from Belgium or Sweden, among others, build up their theme and leave it here for six months or more,” says Van Boven Kaarsmakers. As a collector, he has also built up four themes.
The themes range from the castles of the Maja culture, Spanish holiday resorts or dragons. “The most impressive display is a 5.5 meter high futuristic castle with two thousand figures.”
Van Boven Kaarsmaker runs the exhibition space and shop with volunteers and interns. There is no question of a decline in sales. “We sell new, but also old boxes at attractive prices. You can also buy individual figures and animals from us. Normally you can only buy them in boxes.”
Van Boven Kaarsmaker is satisfied with Playmobil’s supplier. “This year I am holding promotions with the number fifty in it. For example, schools can pick up boxes with 50 popular Playmobile figures from the store. I think it is important that children start playing with one hands again.”
“My Playmobil webshop is a hobby that got out of hand.”
Joyce Meijers from Lage Mierde runs a webshop for second-hand Playmobil toys from home. She also appears at fairs and annual fairs. “A hobby that got out of hand. It started with sets for my children that I found on an online sales site. They were only for sale in large quantities. I bought sets for my children and sold the rest.”
She got a taste for it and registered with the Chamber of Commerce. “I took the plunge and started an online shop for second-hand Playmobil toys.” A hit. “But I continue to see it as a hobby and earn some salary on the side. And have fun with it. That’s the most important thing.”
The living room, the garden house and a small temporary home in the garden are chock full of boxes and crates of Playmobil items. “I’m an enthusiast, but not a collector. I wouldn’t know where to put it.”
Joyce buys entire lots with Playmobil. “Then I complete the various sets. Or as complete as possible. They are then placed on the sales site with a photo.”
She is not surprised that the Playmobil brand is not doing well. “I heard that things were going less well in terms of management. Playmobil can hardly be found in every store anymore. I don’t have any problems with it on the second-hand market. For many people, throwing away plastic is a thing. The toys get a discount through the webshop. second Life.”
