====================== ABOUT THE SMURFY NEWS ====================== This is the largest e-zine about Smurfs and Smurf collecting with 883 subscribers worldwide and growing. Welcome to our first-time readers! If you know Smurf fans who might enjoy the Smurfy News, please help us grow and forward this e-mail to them! To subscribe to the Smurfy News, send an email to SmurfyNews-subscribe@listbot.com Joining or leaving the list is voluntary, we cannot add or delete you! To unsubscribe or view the Smurfy news archive, please visit http://www.smurfs-smurfynews.html ========= FOREWORD ========= That most exciting time of year for any Smurfy collector is here again - The new 2001 Smurfs are coming! That's the big news this issue, but we have other Smurfy news for you too, and lots of new Smurfy items in our inventory. And of course, the Smurfy Give-a-Way :) On with the News! ========= CONTENTS ========= 1) ORDER NEW 2001 SMURFS NOW! 2) NEW LOWER INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING! 3) ALL-NEW LISTINGS! 4) CHANGES AT SCHLEICH 5) BACK IN STOCK! 6) SMURFS MUSIC BOX 7) REPRODUCTION ALERT! 8) FROM THE MAILBAG 9) SMURFY GIVE-A-WAY! 10) CLOSING ------------------------------------ =========================== ORDER NEW 2001 SMURFS NOW! =========================== PLEASE NOTE: THEY ARE NOT IN STOCK YET, but... The new figurines can be seen and ordered right now at eSmurfs.com! http://www.esmurfs.com/smurfs-new2001.html AOL Click Here! I have spoken with the head honcho over at Schleich North America and was told that the new figurines are expected to reach our shores from the end of February to mid March. Considering how things have gone in prior years, I am taking this with a grain of salt - the figurines have never made it to North America that quickly. Refer to the New 2001 Smurfs page for the latest info, as I learn it. If you do not want your credit card to be charged until the figurines are sent, please do not pay online with your credit card, as the charge will be processed immediately. If you choose to pay by Credit Card via regular mail, we will not charge your card until the Smurfs are ready to ship. If you place an order for new 2001 Smurfs and other items, we will ship what we can now, and the new 2001 Smurfs will ship at our expense when they arrive. I am told the Super Smurfs will not be available until June, and we are not taking orders for the new Supers yet. The 5 new Supers can also be seen on the New 2001 Smurfs page. ================================== NEW LOWER INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING! ================================== We have great news for our customers in Singapore, Japan, Australia, Europe and everywhere else around the world - We have restructured our International shipping rates so you save big money!!! You will no longer be charged high International shipping rates for ordering just a few Smurfs. If you have abandoned your orders in the past because the higher shipping charges were not worth paying for a few Smurfs, come check us out now, you will not be disappointed!! We ship world-wide and currently offer rates to the US, Canada, Mexico, all of Europe, Israel, Australia, Japan, Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Singapore and Venezuela. If you live elsewhere, and you would like to order, please e-mail me at Pete@esmurfs.com and I will tell you which rates to choose for your Country. To see our new rates, try shopping a bit, and see how low the new shipping cost is to your Country: http://www.esmurfs.com/smurfs-shop.html AOL Click Here! INTERNATINAL BUYERS - do you know about PayPal? PayPal is the quick, easy and free way to send money online, and you won't have to give us your credit card number. PayPal now works for International orders! Sign up now, and get $5! https://secure.paypal.com/affil/pal=landofmarbles%40esmurfs.com AOL Click Here! ================== ALL-NEW LISTINGS! ================== We are always adding items to our Catalog of Smurfy collectibles, but this past week we added a few all-new items, never before available in our Shop! This includes some very nice, seldom seen pieces such as mini-catalogs, pamphlets, books and comics as well as magnets, stickers, pins and keychains. We will be greatly expanding our Smurf-related collectibles in coming months. Watch for mugs, jewelry, ephemera, many more books and comics, puzzles and much, much more! The newly added stuff can be seen by clicking this link: http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?cartid=a-6296&category=Smurfs&maxhits=20&keywords=newstock AOL Click Here! ==================== CHANGES AT SCHLEICH ==================== For some time now Schleich has produced 100 styles of figurines each year...the so-called "Golden 100." Each year, some are "retired" to make room for an equal number of new issues and reissues. Well, this year we got quite a surprise! 60, yes 60 Smurfs were retired from the Golden 100, no old molds were reissued and 10 new styles were introduced leaving us with just 50 figurines in current production!! You can view the retired Smurfs at this link: http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?cartid=a-6296&category=Smurfs&maxhits=20&keywords=retired2000 AOL Click Here! Our current pricing won't last forever so don't pass up this opportunity to grab these out of production pieces at in-production prices! =============== BACK IN STOCK! =============== Following is a list of promos and hard to find color variations that have been out of stock, but are available as we go to print. These will not last! 20003 Astro (Bully mold) 20005 gold 20014 sunbather (black/yellow) 20013 Lute (orange) 20025 Swimmer (small mold, yellow tube) 20030 Torchbearer (UK Emblem) 20031 Postman (holly) 20035 Soccer (all blue) 20035 Soccer (red/white stripes) 20035 Soccer (Bundesliga - Munchen) (If you can help us better identify our Soccer Smurfs, we would appreciate it!) 20052 Cleaner (BP Promo) 20053 Ice Lolly (blue/white) 20054 First Aid (yellow, no cross) 20054 First Aid (brown with cross) 20054 First Aid (ASB Promo) 20057 Thirsty (no straw) 20059 Teacher (brown book) 20063 Tailor (with red thread) 20125 Heart (French) 20125 Heart (English) 20128 Amour (Orange bow) 20131 French Fries (orange fries) 20133 Field Hockey (Hong Kong) 20144 Indian (Colored feathers, light pants) 20162 Waiter (red glass) 20163 Soccer Smurfette (No Base) 20163 Soccer Smurfette (On Base) 20163 Soccer Smurfette (Silan Promo) 20188 Majorette (lavender boots) 20190 Smurfette with Ice Cream (W. German marking) 20211 Basketball (red shoes) 20212 Little Angel (Powder Blue) 20213 Little Devil (Orange) 20219 Pink Surprise Bag 20220 Orange Surprise Bag 20409 Patriot (light blue flag) 20490 Smurf With Easter Egg (orange bow) 20503 Christopher Columbus 20505 George Washington 20101 "Drop Me A Line" Smurf-a-Gram ALL SUPERS AND PLAYSETS ARE MIB! 40212 Smurf in Cage 40216 Fireman (red/yellow) 40227 Smurfette Shopping Cart 40241 Smurfette in Car (pink steering wheel) 40213 Chaingang 40504 Fencer 40050 Gate playset Hardee's skateboard promos McDonalds Baker, 25th Anniversary, Big Mac, Happymeal and Shake Promos 40208 Spain (Euskadi) Promo Smurf-a-gram assorted kinders Smurf with Helmet air freshener MIP candy toppers Astro Smurf comic And here are some other (more common) pieces that had been out of stock, that are back in stock: 20046 Emperor (Yellow PVC) 20078 Beer 20405 Puppy (grey) 20413 Groom 20416 New Football 20421 Smurfette with Flower 20465 Fireman 20466 Diver 20468 Climber I expect to add many exciting new pieces to the catalog between now and the next issue of the Smurfy News. If you do not frequent the site to check up on new offerings, I promise you will miss some exciting pieces. I used to say that my best deals are offered to this list first. That is no longer the case. This newsletter goes out monthly, but new developments occur much more frequently. To stay on top, try to check in with our Bulletin Board every few days or so. ================= SMURFS MUSIC BOX ================= Here is a nice little piece, a hand-made Smurfs music box constructed from fimo clay! http://www.worldtelitaly.com/ilmosaico/foto/12.jpg AOL Click Here! Visit Mary at her site, she can make one for you! http://www.worldtelitaly.com/ilmosaico/indexuk.html AOL Click Here! =================== REPRODUCTION ALERT =================== It has come to my attention that an alarming number of fake Smurfs are popping up for sale, notably on Internet auction sites like eBay. The most common fakes involve taking small parts from various toys and combining them with an existing Smurf to create a "new" or "undiscovered" promotional. If you see a Smurf with an unusual accessory, be very wary before bidding or buying! The most common fakes seen are molds that are usually holding something, like 20057 Thirsty or 20152 Miller (identical Smurfs), 20125 Heart (also 20067 Congratulations) or 201260 Apple but holding new items that have never actually been produced, such as a Lego: http://cgi.ebay.de/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1114697819 AOL Click Here! Other Smurfs you should be very careful about buying are the Smurf Collectors Club Intl. Special Club pieces. These are genuine licensed Smurf figurines produced by the Schleich factory in Germany especially for the SCCI's members. They are very hard to come by, they were limited from 100 to 250 pieces each. Each and every one of these pieces was sold to SCCI club members with numbered certificates bearing the raised seal of the SCCI and hand signed by Suzanne, Club Founder. All members were instructed to register the passing of the piece to another collector with the club. The certificate was to stay with the piece. Undoubtedly some pieces were sold without the accompanying certificate, and this is a shame, because without it there is no way to authenticate the piece. The add-on pieces used in the promos were regular production pieces by Schleich. Fakes are very easy to create. If you find these for sale, and there is no accompanying certificate, do not buy it! At least, do not pay market value for a club piece accompanied by it's certificate. The full set of SCCI club pieces and certificates can be seen at this link: http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?cartid=a-6296&category=Smurfs&maxhits=20&keywords=scci AOL Click Here! If you spot a strange figure being offered as a "new" or "undiscovered" Smurf, please let me know! I will authenticate the Smurf for you. I am also collecting images of such "manufactured" smurfs to create a reference page of known fakes on eSmurfs.com. If you come across any please let me know so we can all learn together. I will create a page featuring those images sent to me. ================= FROM THE MAILBAG ================= From our friend Karen: "What ever happened to Smurf Cereal and is there anything on the market that tastes like it? I loved it as a kid." Pete- That was General Food's "Smurf Magic Berries Cereal," remember that? Karen wrote us again after experimenting a little: "FYI- "Captain Crunch, Oops All Berries" tastes almost exactly like the former smurf cereal." Pete- You sure have good taste memory Karen! Well readers, give it a try, if you want...I never cared much for Smurf Magic Berries cereal, but I do love Captain Crunch OopsAll Berries! Go figure... ----------- Diane writes: "Thanks for writing such a great newsletter. I have also enjoyed making several purchases from you. I just wanted to let you know that I received 2 Smurf calendars as gifts for Christmas. I know one was bought at DAPPY in Braintree, MA & the other is from Spencer Gifts in Hyannis, MA (they're in a few malls in MA). I also thought I'd let you know that I very much enjoy buying things other than the figurines, like the posters & bumper stickers and look forward to seeing miscellaneous items on your website. Keep up the great work!" Pete- Thanks Diane! I am always interested in hearing about Smurfy items our readers come across. I'm sure you are glad to see we have added some new odds and ends to our Shop, and you can look forward to lots more where that came from. We will be expanding our offerings in that area. ----------- Here's a bit from our friend Stacey, she is planning a Smurfy wedding! "I am planning on decorating the cake and the wedding party table all with smurfs. I am on the hunt for some that are kinda dressed in suits and dress that are the same to also use on the cake. The name plate ones are for the wedding party to use as name cards. I am also going to put in the mail an order for the Grandpa Smurf to show that we are going to grow old together... I would also love to find some material to make the vests or even cummerbunds for the men... I am having a smurf and smurfette cake made also to have with the traditional wedding cake... I am also going to have labels made with smurfs that I will put on the bottles of wedding bubbles for the guests.... I have been searching the web sites for more ideas!! Do you have any?" Pete- Wow! Stacey has promised us some pictures, if any of you readers have an idea for Stacey, or some Smurfy material to help her out, please e-mail me and I will put you in touch with her, or post a message to the Smurfy Bulletin Board so she can see it there! Our bulletin board has become *the* place to meet and greet with other Smurf collectors and fans, please stop by for a visit and introduce yourself, all are welcome: http://www.landofmarbles.com/cgi-bin/forum/dcboard.cgi?az=list&forum=SmurfVillage&conf=Smurfs AOL Click Here! The Smurf Bulletin Board is the place to frequent to really keep your finger on the pulse of Smurf collecting! It's also where you will find the... =================== SMURFY GIVE-A-WAY! =================== On our Bulletin Board is a message titled "February Smurfy News Give-a-way." The first two Smurfers to successfully meet the challenge in that message win this month's Smurfy Give-a-way. Details are in the message, so get going! ======== CLOSING ======== For those of you keeping track, I have set up a new e-mail account at "Pete@eSmurfs.com" and will be shutting down the "landofmarbles@mindspring.com" account I have sometimes used in the past. If you have me in your address books, please update the info. I also want to offer a Free Smurf to Smurfy News subscribers who help me with debugging my site. I will send a free Smurf from the Golden 50 (your choice, as long as it is in stock!) to the first reader who spots and reports major site errors to me. These are the errors I am most concerned with right now: - Dead or incorrect links (a link that goes no where, or to the wrong page) - Pictures that do not load - Errors in factual information on the site (I also appreciate new info thast does not appear on site, although I can't award a free Smurf for that, shat will have to come from the Smurfness of your heart!) Sometimes a link or picture breaks because the server is down. I am looking for reports of regularly occuring errors. If you find one that fixes itself when you reload the page, or if the site seems to be down, it is probably a server error, those are not "free Smurf" errors... I want to be sure eSmurfs.com continues to serve you, the collector and fan, with accurate info and a easily navigable site. It's getting to be a tough job for one guy! An few extra pairs of eyes is a big help, and I appreciate the assistance! Please report errors to Pete@esmurfs.com As always, I also appreciate the e-mails and news from around the globe! I can only report what you see and hear if you let me know! Other Smurf fans are interested, so let us know when you learn something new! Come to the Bulletin Board and share it with us, or e-mail me personally and I will spread the word! Until next time, -Pete eSmurfs.com ---------------------------- The "Smurfy News" is a free monthly e-mail newsletter published by eSmurfs.com (http://www.esmurfs.com) Joining or leaving the list is voluntary, we cannot add or delete you! To subscribe to the Smurfy News send an e-mail to SmurfyNews-subscribe@listbot.com. To unsubscribe or view the Smurfy News archive, please visit http://www.esmurfs.com/smurfs-smurfynews.html Want to submit an article or information for publication in a future issue of the Smurfy News? Send it to esmurfs@esmurfs.com or hit reply now. All letters will be considered for publication unless the author requests otherwise. They may be edited for clarity and space, and we may print your first name and State or Country unless you request that we do not. All right reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole, or in part, without the express written consent of the author. The contents of this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the opinions of eSmurfs.com. eSmurfs.com makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, about the truth or accuracy of the contents or information provided by the sponsors or by the writers. Use info contained herein at your own risk. Nothing in life is guaranteed. Let the buyer beware. A stitch in time gathers no moss. Oh, and SMURF ON!!