Is it just me or is schleich getting more expensive???

Over a month ago I payed $50 for four schleich animals!   I have to admit I was a little shocked at the checkout. So is it just me, or are these "so called" children's figurines becomming much more expensive?

I've been doing some research for some friends here and have come across different branded models which I was surprised to see were so cheap!!!
A tube of ten safari ltd models were $17! The price of one large schleich animal alone! 

It is becomming more difficult for me to afford these figurines 
If the price rises anymore, I won't be able to afford very many   Are they worth it???
Also, schleich caters for children, not collectors. So children would have allot more trouble then me, to get a much wanted figurine!

You're right, these last few years the prices have gone up. To me it's not worth it anymore, so I rarely buy Schleich anymore.

Up in price, down in quality unfortunately.

So, by quality, do you mean by material, colour, texture or realism?

I'm not sure what to think? Have the figures improved or not? Judging by the older models I'd say that they've improved in realism. But then again, I'm definitely not an expert

cattlecollector wrote:

Up in price, down in quality unfortunately.

EXACTLY

Emma wrote:

So, by quality, do you mean by material, colour, texture or realism?

I'm not sure what to think? Have the figures improved or not? Judging by the older models I'd say that they've improved in realism. But then again, I'm definitely not an expert

I think most of them have declined in charm, - especially the horses

Emma wrote:

So, by quality, do you mean by material, colour, texture or realism?

I'm not sure what to think? Have the figures improved or not? Judging by the older models I'd say that they've improved in realism. But then again, I'm definitely not an expert

To me, the quality is down by paintwork, material, and just overall appeal. Perhaps some of the wildlife has improved (but to me again very very few pieces, I like the older pieces better), but the horses definitely not.

I have to confes that sometimes I feel a bit   alien here.
The one and only who is still fond of the brand. I can't help it, if I didn't like them, I wouldn't buy them!

I was just thinking of this today as I bought four (2 Gray, 1 Yellow, 1 red) Schleich animals for almost $30. The thing I don't understand is that the rattlesnake (which was out of stock) and ostrich were the same price. . Shouldn't the snakes be green? The baby panda was green. The Koalas were yellow when I saw them at the store, which is even stranger as they were as much as the zebras. The new tiger also went from yellow to gray. I understand prices do go up, but it is a little strange in my opinion.

Emma wrote:

I have to confes that sometimes I feel a bit   alien here.
The one and only who is still fond of the brand. I can't help it, if I didn't like them, I wouldn't buy them!

You're far from the only one I'm still fond of the old models, just not the ones being produced now.

Emma wrote:

I have to confes that sometimes I feel a bit   alien here.

I'm still buying their horses


..oh...wait I'm also alien..

No one is a real alien at STS

LeeAnn wrote:

Emma wrote:

I have to confes that sometimes I feel a bit   alien here.
The one and only who is still fond of the brand. I can't help it, if I didn't like them, I wouldn't buy them!

You're far from the only one I'm still fond of the old models, just not the ones being produced now.

Indeed, you are not the only one that still likes Schleich
I recently bought the new Tinker stallion, made in Tunisia.
And I bought the new tiger, two cats and the cobra and I'm waiting for the rattlesnake, arctic wolf and tiger cub :3 My main collection still contains more Schleich than other brands :)

All brands become more expensive, that is inflation.

Yes they are getting more expensive and I also noticed that they only produce very few figures in Germany left. And I'm absolutely with Geospiza fortis I don't check their price politics anymore, a macaw is more expensive than a ostrich which is three times bigger.

Very dissapointing about the price

I'm glad that I'm not the only one who still likes schleich though

Schleich created that grey colour category a few years ago and shifted all the larger models into that. I then noticed in the last few years that animals in previous colour bands and new models of the same size have all shifted up a category colour.

Many newer models have also become smaller. If the price of oil has recently gone down why is this not reflected in model prices? Smaller models are now banded in the higher fee category which is quite naughty of them

I wondered why they would do this and I think it is to make the brand more exclusive - the more expensive the more exclusive and the more better deals they can give to stores that stock their products pushing others out of the market. Parents are happy to money for an exclusive brand and it is all about marketing.

I will always buy schleich but I have just had to spend nearly 100 euros ordering all the new wildlife models from Amazon - what has the world come to? I can't buy anything for a while now......oh well. That is life.

Still I dont smoke or drink alcohol so I am sure I am making a saving somewhere.......? ha!

  Well as least it was 100 euros because in New Zealand it would be more like $200nz Everything doubles

Tupolew Tu-154 wrote:

All brands become more expensive, that is inflation.

Very true.

I still buy Schleich. It's a big beginning of the year expense. I love many of Schleich's models this year. I've been extremely impressed by the figures, especially when I've seen them in person. The Alligator, Crocodile, Rattlesnake, Hyena, Kentrosaurus, Eurasian Owl, for example, have all been great.

I'm pleased with them too  
Perhaps its just the horses that need more work

Tupolew Tu-154 wrote:

All brands become more expensive, that is inflation.

That is my thought too. I think it's the general changes in economy. Almost everything gets more and more expensive(in my country that is) - food, everyday goods etc.

-----

Anyway, I also still like many of Schleich's models, and I think they have improved in some areas of texturing detail and paintwork - but that be regarding Germany/Portugal produced models, while the Chinese are not always that neat. But that is just my personal opinion

Carola wrote:

but that be regarding Germany/Portugal produced models, while the Chinese are not always that neat. But that is just my personal opinion

I would like to see a comparrison between Germany, Portugal and Chinese figures please. Does anyone have one particular figure from those three countries 

arafan wrote:

Yes they are getting more expensive and I also noticed that they only produce very few figures in Germany left. And I'm absolutely with Geospiza fortis I don't check their price politics anymore, a macaw is more expensive than a ostrich which is three times bigger.

Yes, but Papo is the same. The baby t-rex are much more expensive than a bear or a horse, and they also bigger.

I will still buy Schleich and Papo.

Emma wrote:

I would like to see a comparrison between Germany, Portugal and Chinese figures please. Does anyone have one particular figure from those three countries   

Have you looked here : [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Thanks, thats very interesting! I had no idea they were so different! My local store seems to stock only chineese  and german ones!