Smyths Toy Stores = No Doctor Who toys!

LordSutch · 13-10-2013 10:12am #1

So with Halloween in mind I thought I would get a Doctor Who 'Cyberman mask' for the nephew, so I went in search at my nearest Smyths Toy store. No sign of any Doctor Who merchandise on display so I asked an assistant who told me that they don't stock any of their merchandise as its an English programme, and their merchandise is only stocked in their English stores!!! needless to say I took that with a big pinch of salt while scratching my head, so I then asked the manager himself, who informed me that there is absolutely no demand for Doctor Who merchandies in the ROI, and that if I wanted anything I would have to either need to go up North, or try Hamleys in Dublin, who he said were a bit expensive . . .

Considering just how big Doctor Who is among young (& older) people, I thought this Incredible.

So why Don't Smyths Toy Stores sell Doctor Who merchandise in the ROI?

Just curious.

ted1 · 13-10-2013 10:15am

LordSutch wrote: »

So with Halloween in mind I thought I would get a Doctor Who 'Cyberman mask' for the nephew, so I went in search at my nearest Smyths Toy store. No sign of any Doctor Who merchandise on display so I asked an assistant who told me that they don't stock any of their merchandise as its an English programme, and their merchandise is only stocked in their English stores!!! needless to say I took that with a big pinch of salt while scratching my head, so I then asked the manager himself, who informed me that there is absolutely no demand for Doctor Who merchandies in the ROI, and that if I wanted anything I would have to either need to go up North, or try Hamleys in Dublin, who he said were a bit expensive . . .

Incredible I thought.

So why Don't Smyths Toy Stores sell Doctor Who merchandise in the ROI?

Just curious.

They told you that there is absolutely no demand. So why take up valuable shelf space?

LordSutch · 13-10-2013 10:23am

ted1 wrote: »

They told you that there is absolutely no demand. So why take up valuable shelf space?

I agree with what you say, but can there really be no demand for Doctor Who merchandise (specially as Christmas)? Obviously not.

I can and will of course go to Hamleys, but Smyths is so close to me hence the enquiry.

Bepolite · 13-10-2013 10:25am

Why not order it online and get it cheaper and delivered directly to your door.

LordSutch · 13-10-2013 10:28am

Sometimes its nice to hold and see the product first, before you commit to buying. The thought of a massive Toy store like Smyths without this merchandise is still baffling to me though.

McLoughlin · 13-10-2013 10:40am

There is no demand Doctor Who isn't that popular in Ireland it never has been I worked in a toy store years ago and we had some Doctor Who stuff but it didn't sell.

Cabaal · 13-10-2013 10:50am

Its just not a popular show with kids in Ireland for whatever reason, shame really
Given its not a overly popular show I cant say I blame Smyths for not filling shelfs with doctor who stock,

matrim · 13-10-2013 10:53am

I'm pretty sure I've seen some Doctor Who stuff in there before. Maybe they used to have it and stopped stocking it because it didn't sell.

You could try Forbidden Planet, they definately have some Doctor Who stuff

Judgement Day · 13-10-2013 10:58am

Is it not a fact though that Irish toy stores are rubbish - including Hamleys? When I buy presents for my children I invariably go online - choice and value are available if you're prepared to do some research. I don't like having to spend so much of my money abroad but our lazy retailers force me to, year after year...:(

TheIrishGrover · 13-10-2013 10:59am

Shocking!!! This is a consumer issue of the highest order!!!! Exclamation Mark. Why, I went in there looking for a Yo Kan atchoo-Yodashai-Ku mask the other day. It's a very popular kids show in Freedonia and they didn't have it. Madness!! Burn the place down!!!

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 13-10-2013 11:50am

The answer is in your own post. There is no demand for Dr Who toys here. I watch the Dr but I know very few kids ( Or adults) who do. Hardly the end of the world that Smyth's don't stock a mask for you.

ted1 · 13-10-2013 11:53am

Judgement Day wrote: »

Is it not a fact though that Irish toy stores are rubbish - including Hamleys? When I buy presents for my children I invariably go online - choice and value are available if you're prepared to do some research. I don't like having to spend so much of my money abroad but our lazy retailers force me to, year after year...:(

Utter nonsense Smyths is a great toy shop and nine out of ten times will be the cheapest especially againest other shops like Toys R Us

Judgement Day · 13-10-2013 12:06pm

ted1 wrote: »

Utter nonsense Smyths is a great toy shop and nine out of ten times will be the cheapest especially againest other shops like Toys R Us

Perhaps we just haven't different expectations of what a toy shop should be?

Bepolite · 13-10-2013 4:28pm

Judgement Day wrote: »

Perhaps we just haven't different expectations of what a toy shop should be?

I find 99% of Irish retail to be utter crap. If they do happen to sell what I'm looking for (about 10% of the time) it's not in stock. If it goes wrong they haven't a clue about consumer rights. Sorry this rant is rather OT but +1 on forbidden planet.

L1011 · 13-10-2013 4:30pm

:pac:

Judgement Day wrote: »

Perhaps we just haven't different expectations of what a toy shop should be?

You seem to have amazingly unrealistic ones, anyway. This isn't 1930s New York with idealistic childhood ideas of toy shops.

What, exactly, are you being forced online to buy?

Guy:Incognito · 13-10-2013 4:49pm

Bepolite wrote: »

I find 99% of Irish retail to be utter crap. If they do happen to sell what I'm looking for (about 10% of the time) it's not in stock. .

Are you looking for low volume or niche stuff like the OP? Shops are there to make money , they stock the stuff people want. Lego, current kids tv show stuff, popular films etc. Ending up with boxes of crap no one will buy at the end of every year is of no benefit to them.

Bannasidhe · 13-10-2013 4:55pm

MYOB wrote: »

:pac:

You seem to have amazingly unrealistic ones, anyway. This isn't 1930s New York with idealistic childhood ideas of toy shops.

What, exactly, are you being forced online to buy?

In my case a dress up knights outfit for my grandson.

I wanted a generic one with helm, breastplate, sword and shield unrelated to any TV show whatsoever.

Couldn't find one in Cork...found one online ( total cost a tenner incl p&p) and he plays with it constantly.

Dr Who stuff I get in Argos.

Judgement Day · 13-10-2013 5:03pm

MYOB wrote: »

:pac:

You seem to have amazingly unrealistic ones, anyway. This isn't 1930s New York with idealistic childhood ideas of toy shops.

What, exactly, are you being forced online to buy?

Books, DVDs, computer games, models, electrical toys need I go on? Basically for anything that's not bog standard I find it a waste of time even looking in Ireland - the Republic anyway.

ted1 · 13-10-2013 5:53pm

Judgement Day wrote: »

Books, DVDs, computer games, models, electrical toys need I go on? Basically for anything that's not bog standard I find it a waste of time even looking in Ireland - the Republic anyway.

If they stocked he things you want , then they would become bog standard.the
Irony is great

Guy:Incognito · 13-10-2013 6:00pm

Judgement Day wrote: »

Books, DVDs, computer games, models, electrical toys need I go on? Basically for anything that's not bog standard I find it a waste of time even looking in Ireland - the Republic anyway.

Book shops do books , no? DVD's in HMV, Xtra vision etc. (the fact that there aren't many shops doing these things point to people not buying enough of them to warrant the shops staying open) . Toy shops would have the electrical toys theres demand for. Again, stocking stuff all over the country that a handful of people will want only results in them losing money.

Judgement Day · 13-10-2013 6:07pm

Do people still buy new books and DVDs in Irish shops? I thought that they didn't and that's the reason so many of them have shut down or are on their last legs.

L1011 · 13-10-2013 6:08pm

Judgement Day wrote: »

Books, DVDs, computer games, models, electrical toys need I go on? Basically for anything that's not bog standard I find it a waste of time even looking in Ireland - the Republic anyway.

Specific things rather than general lists of things that are, in general, widely available here.

People have a pathetic defeatist attitude to finding products on the high street these days.

Judgement Day · 13-10-2013 6:16pm

MYOB wrote: »

Specific things rather than general lists of things that are, in general, widely available here.

People have a pathetic defeatist attitude to finding products on the high street these days.

Thank you, but I value my time (and cash) and have no intention of tramping all over town in a fruitless attempt to spend my money In Ireland. You want an example: I recently tried to buy the "Strumpet City" DVD in Xtravision - they had never heard heard of it - but on this occasion I was at least able to find it on the RTE sales website.

L1011 · 13-10-2013 6:20pm

Judgement Day wrote: »

Thank you, but I value my time (and cash) and have no intention of tramping all over town in a fruitless attempt to spend my money In Ireland. You want an example: I recently tried to buy the "Strumpet City" DVD in Xtravision - they had never heard heard of it - but on this occasion I was at least able to find it on the RTE sales website.

One example then... right, damning indictment of Irish retailers isn't it.

Xtravision sell chart movies. Did you try a branch of Golden Discs, HMV or an independent retailer; or indeed even Tesco?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 13-10-2013 6:31pm

MYOB wrote: »

One example then... right, damning indictment of Irish retailers isn't it.

Xtravision sell chart movies. Did you try a branch of Golden Discs, HMV or an independent retailer; or indeed even Tesco?

Don't mean to butt into this argument but we don't all have Golden Discs or HMV to shop in. As for an independent, the last of them closed here 5 years or more back. Sometimes you just a have to go on line to buy even basic items like DVDs, books or toys. I'd love to buy locally or even within Ireland but the retailers just aren't here any more. And I'm not going to spend a day 60 miles away searching for items in unfamiliar stores that still may not have what I want.
Back to Smyth's, we have a store locally and it has all the regular stuff but very poor staff attitude and bad service. I use it when I can - but they still don't have any Doctor Who items.

Judgement Day · 13-10-2013 6:33pm

MYOB wrote: »

One example then... right, damning indictment of Irish retailers isn't it.

Xtravision sell chart movies. Did you try a branch of Golden Discs, HMV or an independent retailer; or indeed even Tesco?

No I didn't - I value my time (can you read?) - once located on the RTE website it was a couple of clicks and presto, two days later in the mailbox. There's no satisfying you, I gave an example and if you think that I've nothing better to do than type up lists of things that I have had to buy online - forget it. You win the argument as it seems to mean so much for you to always be right.

L1011 · 13-10-2013 6:34pm

Judgement Day wrote: »

No I didn't - I value my time (can you read?) - once located on the RTE website it was a couple of clicks and presto, two days later in the mailbox. There's no satisfying you, I gave an example and if you think that I've nothing better to do than type up lists of things that I have had to buy online - forget it. You win the argument as it seems to mean so much for you to always be right.

You gave an example where you tried the wrong type of shop. Which, based on your original argument, is proof that you need to go online for everything.

Impeccable logic there, pity its completely deranged.

Can you go through how this makes retailers "lazy" while you're at it?

ebbsy · 13-10-2013 6:39pm

As somebody else said, Forbidden planet etc stock that kind of stuff, it will not be cheap though. Doctor Who products tend to be on the more expensive side.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 13-10-2013 6:44pm

ebbsy wrote: »

As somebody else said, Forbidden planet etc stock that kind of stuff, it will not be cheap though. Doctor Who products tend to be on the more expensive side.

Sorry but who are Forbidden planet ? Are they a high street store?

L1011 · 13-10-2013 6:46pm

Ryann Wonderful Knitter wrote: »

Sorry but who are Forbidden planet ? Are they a high street store?

Retail chain with a small number of branches here (possibly only 1, even).

LordSutch · 13-10-2013 6:52pm

ted1 wrote: »

They told you that there is absolutely no demand. So why take up valuable shelf space?

McLoughlin wrote: »

There is no demand Doctor Who isn't that popular in Ireland it never has been I worked in a toy store years ago and we had some Doctor Who stuff but it didn't sell.

Cabaal wrote: »

Its just not a popular show with kids in Ireland for whatever reason, shame really
Given its not a overly popular show I cant say I blame Smyths for not filling shelfs with doctor who stock,

TheIrishGrover wrote: »

Shocking!!! This is a consumer issue of the highest order!!!! Exclamation Mark. Why, I went in there looking for a Yo Kan atchoo-Yodashai-Ku mask the other day. It's a very popular kids show in Freedonia and they didn't have it. Madness!! Burn the place down!!!

Ryann Wonderful Knitter wrote: »

The answer is in your own post. There is no demand for Dr Who toys here. I watch the Dr but I know very few kids ( Or adults) who do. Hardly the end of the world that Smyth's don't stock a mask for you.

Thank you all for your input, I now accept that there is no demand for Doctor Who merchandise, hence its absence on Smyths shelves.

sandin · 13-10-2013 6:54pm

Judgement Day wrote: »

Is it not a fact though that Irish toy stores are rubbish - including Hamleys? When I buy presents for my children I invariably go online - choice and value are available if you're prepared to do some research. I don't like having to spend so much of my money abroad but our lazy retailers force me to, year after year...:(

Smyths - Voted by toy industry as best toy store in UK (they have over 40 stores in UK.) 2011, 2012 & 2013

Smyths, consistently voted by parent groups as best toy store in UK.

Smyths, Voted as on of the best retail stores to work in (UK too)

Maybe because they are Irish, you want to begrudge them their undoubted success. Sure we're world champions at begrudgery!

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 13-10-2013 7:04pm

MYOB wrote: »

Retail chain with a small number of branches here (possibly only 1, even).

Awh, well not much use to me so.

GerardKeating · 13-10-2013 7:07pm

Ryann Wonderful Knitter wrote: »

Sorry but who are Forbidden planet ? Are they a high street store?

they are an UK retailer of Scifi type merchandise, with a Dublin Store.

Ryann Wonderful Knitter wrote: »

Awh, well not much use to me so.

They do online orders, if you are not near Dublin.

Judgement Day · 13-10-2013 7:53pm

sandin wrote: »

Smyths - Voted by toy industry as best toy store in UK (they have over 40 stores in UK.) 2011, 2012 & 2013

Smyths, consistently voted by parent groups as best toy store in UK.

Smyths, Voted as on of the best retail stores to work in (UK too)

Maybe because they are Irish, you want to begrudge them their undoubted success. Sure we're world champions at begrudgery!

I'm not Irish so the begrudgery thing doesn't enter into it. Anyway, Smyths being voted as the best toy store doesn't really hack it with me as the competition is? Online for choice and, in most cases, price. Perhaps I am a little different in what I look for as I'm generally not in the market for the latest rubbish imported from China.

ted1 · 14-10-2013 7:02pm

Judgement Day wrote: »

I'm not Irish so the begrudgery thing doesn't enter into it. Anyway, Smyths being voted as the best toy store doesn't really hack it with me as the competition is? Online for choice and, in most cases, price. Perhaps I am a little different in what I look for as I'm generally not in the market for the latest rubbish imported from China.

FYI not everthing in there comes from China, some things are made right here:

http://www.hasbro.ie/about_us.html

Judgement Day · 14-10-2013 8:06pm

ted1 wrote: »

FYI not everthing in there comes from China, some things are made right here:

http://www.hasbro.ie/about_us.html

As an aside, and completely off topic, that is one antiquated website!

Soundman · 15-10-2013 12:04am

http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/doctor-who-2011-cyberman-mask?

http://www.woodiespartyzone.ie/ShowProducts.aspx?pageid=1449

https://littlestarparties.ie/show_product.php?productId=20431#.UlyFJxD7u7w (more for adults but showing that this stuff can be bought in Ireland)

http://www.partystop.ie/products/dress_up_costumes/kids_costumes/dr_who_cyberman_s/

http://www.partystop.ie/products/dress_up_costumes/kids_costumes/dr_who_cyberman_m/

jill_valentine · 15-10-2013 12:09am

They used to stock it, but it never really sold tbh. For whatever reason, it just never seemed to move in the Irish branches.

If you're in Dublin, Forbidden Planet on the quays would be your best bet.

TheChizler · 15-10-2013 12:13am

Used to work in Smyths a few years ago, on the run up to christmas the stores are given lists of what the buyers in Galway think will be popular that season and order accordingly. If I remember correctly in 08/09 they gambled that Dr Who would be popular and stocked a load of stuff. Didn't budge. Might explain why they're not willing to repeat the experience.

dudara · 15-10-2013 1:09am

Closing this post, as it really isn't a Consumer Issue, and plenty of alternative suggestions have been offered to the OP.

OP good luck with the hunt.

dudara

Smyths Toy Stores = No Doctor Who toys!

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