Now I'm sad that I never bought a clock. (One because we have TONS from the black forest and Two because we a VERY poor. 
)
)The Steins & Cuckoo Clocks Are Gone
- Thread starter Zachary
- Start date
I didn't stop in there this Saturday as I ran out of time. Sad to see that some of the authentic things are leaving the park. I was just telling my father-in-law about the awesome billiard table lights they used to have in the France shop years ago.
Sad to see that some of the authentic things are leaving the park. I was just telling my father-in-law about the awesome billiard table lights they used to have in the France shop years ago.The only things i have ever bought at the park have either been authentic European things or anheuser Busch stuff. Usually Steins of one kind or another. As a life long pass holder how often are you going to buy BGW branded stuff? Some exceptions of course!
I agree with Zach that "there was a time when the store was stuffed full of things you could only see at Busch Gardens Williamsburg or in the country the hamlet is themed after. These unique experiences are what have always made Busch Gardens Williamsburg what it is." Those old grandfather clocks that looked like a tree trunk are at the top of my memories from BGW as a child. It's what I told my family it was like there before our first visit. We grabbed a clock last year when the gal told us these were the last ones. Sorry, I was a lurker then and didn't speak up :ashamed: . However, this (and Emerald Isle) are the only stores we stop in now. When they only sell the cheap china garbage, we won't go in anymore. Example: we already skip the shirt side in Germany and only go in the clock side. "Puma" will not be on my list to tell grandkids what German Gifts use to be like.
I understand what you guys are saying about the merchandise being a part of the experience...but there's no way they'd be removing this stuff from the shelves if it were selling better than the cheap crap. No business would do that.
I'm willing to bet that what's happening is that the people who really want theme park souvenirs are kids, and kids have little interest in elaborate, hand-crafted anythings. Mostly, kids like this chintzy stuff.
The only way I can see this being a black mark against current management is if the current merchandise is selling well, but some bean counter has determined that they might see a bigger return on investment if they stock lower cost, lower priced wares and move them in larger volumes. It seems unlikely to me, though, as very few companies are going to remove a product that is proven to make sufficient profit and replace it with one that makes a hypothetical profit.
I'm willing to bet that what's happening is that the people who really want theme park souvenirs are kids, and kids have little interest in elaborate, hand-crafted anythings. Mostly, kids like this chintzy stuff.
The only way I can see this being a black mark against current management is if the current merchandise is selling well, but some bean counter has determined that they might see a bigger return on investment if they stock lower cost, lower priced wares and move them in larger volumes. It seems unlikely to me, though, as very few companies are going to remove a product that is proven to make sufficient profit and replace it with one that makes a hypothetical profit.
Even though I understand the business side of what and why they are doing this and have some respect for that I'm inclined to agree that getting rid of the steins and the clocks is going to detract from the experience of the hamlet. I wonder on the business side how the sales have been for the last few years with a down economy and if that contributed to the decision? But regardless of that, like Nora said, it's just a small piece of real estate that in the grand scheme of things would have been fine to leave it as it is, which is why I don't like this move. Now lets hope that some good new, authentic, German merchandise replaces what they just dropped.
Something that would be cool to replace the lost merchandise would be authentic German cookbooks with German recipes. What's better han buying a book of how to make food frm other countries. Plus, it would be affordable, so it wouldn't be a waste of money. I would most certainly buy it. It would be cool if it was in German and they had an English translation in the back of the book. Oh well, back to topic.
I think the real story here is that the park is losing their ability to see Busch Gardens Williamsburg as a complete package that they have to sell to customers as an experience. The park's recent actions show that they're instead focusing on how much of a profit very specific areas and pieces of the park turn on their own. In my honest opinion, theme parks simply can't operate like that. There will always be elements of a theme park that operate at a loss but are kept to enrich and enhance the desirability of the entire package- that's why you pay $70 to get into Busch Gardens vs. $42 (or often much less because deals are everywhere) to get into Kings Dominion. The additional price is there to subsidize the cost of the elements within the park that don't pay for themselves and don't sell tickets. No one has ever bought a ticket to see the Aquitaine Village Band, but people love the park because of things like the Aquitaine Village Band. Management needs to realize that there's only one way to successfully run a Busch Gardens park- as a true theme park. The further they stray, the further they'll fall.
My son and I were in there on Saturday. We looked at all the clocks, went through the Christmas room, but I didn't even see the steins. Kind of sorry I didn't check them out. I was in Tweedside gifts for a while on Saturday, and noticed the swords were gone. Forgive me if this has been brought before, but it was my first visit this year. I asked the lady that was working, about them. She said they had been moved to Germany. I asked if they sold any of them and she said they sold quite a few. I wonder if they are being phased out as well. While I have no real attachment to the swords, steins, or cuckoo clocks, I am sad that they are moved or being removed. I think that there is a way to sell park merchandise and authentic unique gifts together and make money, but like has already been stated, that may be to difficult for the current regime. I hope that they do something with the store, along the lines of the Aquitaine reset. Maybe Rhinfeld gets the next reset. I will say, my son and I still had a great time this weekend.
gazisghost said:
#savethefountain
gazisghost said:
Let me make one thing perfectly clear to anyone with power who reads this: If you even think about "fixing" a hamlet like Rhinefield or Banbury Cross while Festa is still standing, just hand in your resignation letter now.
The swords were another cool and unique thing to look at. Another thing i miss is the pipe and tobacco store. I really want some pipe tobacco from Busch! It's sad that it's becoming just another generic place. One of my favorite things about the Busch parks is authentic stores. Every time i go to bgt i buy some new African carvings. Why? Because they are unique and you can't find them just anywhere. I will be very sad to see these go, especially as someone who does purchase them.
I can't believe they took away the Steins, and Cuckoo clocks! I was there Sunday walking through the shop looking at the Cuckoo clocks trying to decide which one i wanted to buy. Then I went to look at the steins and I saw the Busch Gardens one, and promised myself to bring the money to buy it next time I came, now I'll most likely never get one.
I also went to see TIO and had the same problem with the lines, and almost missed the whole first part of the show because they were taking so long. However, when I went to see the 7:30 show it was so packed that I was forced to sit in the back of the Festhaus.
I also went to see TIO and had the same problem with the lines, and almost missed the whole first part of the show because they were taking so long. However, when I went to see the 7:30 show it was so packed that I was forced to sit in the back of the Festhaus.
Zachary said:
This doesn't happen often -- as I'm usually way ahead of the logic curve and have more or less solved 99% of the mysteries of the universe such that nothing ever surprises me -- but Zachary...you've turned me around on this one.
You're right and I'm wrong.
The experience of a theme park is a whole experience, greater than the sum of its parts, and the presence of themed merchandise is critical to the experience. The whole thing is a show, and nothing that doesn't fit the show fits, period. If they're not selling enough clocks and steins, they need to figure out something else German to sell, or otherwise install attractions in the Germany stores. But they should not replace themed shops with yo-yo stores or places that sell 1D merch or whatever.
You've done the impossible: you've won an argument on the internet.
This is just a thought from left field that might not hold much weight but I will say it anyway. What if such specific items like that are not being restocked because the park is being sold. I wouldn't want to be stuck with such expensive merchandise if I were them. But nothing they do makes logical sense so it could be they just got a really good deal on stuffed snails.
The park being sold would likely include all of the unsold merchandise. In the economic scheme of things, the total value of all park merchandise (that is to say, its actual value, not its retail value) is likely negligible in the bigger picture of selling a hundreds-of-acre piece of land with multi-million dollar equipment and a brand worth hundreds of millions or more.
Nothing is impossible, I suppose, but I think it's unlikely.
Nothing is impossible, I suppose, but I think it's unlikely.
My family has a Cu Cu Clock that we bought while living in the actual country, Germany. Made from real Black Forest wood. Doesn't get much authentic than that I will say though that we did enjoy viewing the clocks on the walls, but perhaps if the store was themed better? Perhaps have a small limited quantity on hand for decor and if someone wishes to purchase it, then sell it and replace it.
I will say though that we did enjoy viewing the clocks on the walls, but perhaps if the store was themed better? Perhaps have a small limited quantity on hand for decor and if someone wishes to purchase it, then sell it and replace it.
Suswa said:
The good news is that there are still some left. I took a photo of what is left on display (I was told that there were no more in the back stockroom by the lady who works there). There are three very old Anheuser Busch Steins that I was told were were discovered in storage and are now being sold (Prices for these were around $200 $220).
Be prepared to be a little shocked at how few there are. I have the three Busch steins pictured in case they are still there and you are interested in one. The other two show the walls that show the exact number of steins left (be aware that last year the steins took the entire side of the wall and were several rows deep); and the last photo is of the Clocks (Already with one empty spot from being sold last week)
I hate to post these things, but it is my hope the park reads the posts from people who really do care about this merchandise and want it to continue to be sold.
Before I forget- the first photo has one section of glass steins; not the authentic German ones.
See attached photos:
