I just wanted to say I think Mattel corp is being pretty good about the recall. I know that some of us shoppers are upset that the lead paint and magnets got out of hand but I looked up on thier site and they are replacing and giving vouchers.
My little girl is seven and a big fan of doggy daycare. We have almost every piece of this set . They are giving money vouchers for these. My little girl will be happy about that since I broke the news to her last night that this stuff is not safe for children. I would let her keep it since she is seven but we have quite a few mommy's that have little ones that visit us and I wouldn't want them to get hurt from loose magnets.
Like I said. I think Mattel is acting on this in a good way.

Are you serious? Mattel is trying to cover their butts!! They sell out to China to produce this cheap crap and then charge you the consumer hundreds percent over what they actually paid to have the product made, make huge profits and you think they're being fair?? Who know how long this has actually been happening and other companies are guilty of it, too -- they just haven't been caught - yet.

I would think they would be giving more than vouchers for their product. They should be giving you back your hard-earned cold cash plus interest to spend somewhere else!!

OK. I'm off my soapbox now!!

I agree with you. I'm glad that Mattel is taking responsibility for this unfortunate situation.

cj/

Of course, none of this would have happened if they hadn't been trying to be cheap and cheated thousands of Americans out of their jobs by outsourcing to China.

__________________
"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

Consumers want cheap products. Unskilled or low-skill laborers, especially those unionized, want high wages. Wall Street wants profits and stock values. Companies have to look for cheap labor to cut costs. Some executives want incredibly high wages and bonuses. Which are the chickens and which are the eggs? I honestly don't know....

it is just about profit!!!!
mattel makes more money by outsourcing to china,so here you go: we get cheap crap!!!!!but They will be more carefull now!!!!what a joke!!!!!and those products have been on the market since 2003!!!!

I do not think I have any of those products!!!even though I have 3 kids (13,10,5)....!!!my 5year DD doesn;t play with barbie nor polly pockets.....I now refuse to buy anything (food product /toothpaste ....) from China!!!!!never know what the next recall will be for!!!!

__________________
By the time you make ends meet, they move the ends

Of course it's about profit...publicly traded companies are in business to make a profit and return value to their shareholders. If American consumers were willing to pay more for products, that would increase revenue and hold profit margins....but generally speaking, they are not. If American workers were willing to accept a lower wage, that would reduce expenses and hold profit margins....but generally speaking, they are not. And then you have to throw competition into the mix....

What do you think the solution is?

cj

how about big companies making less profit?
how about giving CEOs less bonus $$$.
in 2001 ,poor Mattel CEO only received $802,500 in bonus(plus only $1.25 milions in base salary) but heck this nothing compare to the $2.5 milions in bonuses he got the following year!!!!!

and you want American workers to earn less ,so the big fat Pigs are still earning the same.....and the mighty profit margins are the same...

__________________
By the time you make ends meet, they move the ends

Couldn't have said it better myself!!

I think we need to put our money where our mouth is. If it says "made in China" on it, don't buy it!! I try to buy things made in the USA when I can. Sadly, things made in China are DIRT CHEAP, so lots of profit room there.

__________________
Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

I got a stamp to put on my sister's adopted baby girl. We are going to stamp the bottom of her foot and it will be the first picture in the adoption announcement....it says Made in China....but the stamp was made in America!! Don't worry it's my SIL not my "real" sister!! It really is cute!!
Does that count????

__________________
Vicki


TLJ Women united in Spirit!

Right now it's dirt cheap but there will be other countries that will be willing to make it for just as cheap. You will be lucky to find things made in the USA from start to finish.

I saw on the national news tonight about these products and the news was saying the Barbie that sells here for $19.99, costs .39 to make and they pay the worker .10-.15 an HOUR to make them.

why make it as cheap? come on the dirt cheap crap is sold in dollar store!!! they break the next day ...anyway!!!!!

how much money does Mattel make on a barbie doll?if they would stop some of the advertising and drop those twistie ties that keep any toys form moving inside a sealed box that really drive me nuts on Christmas morning,cut the CEO 's pay in half and let go of his bonus....well ,we could make those barbie in the US!!!! and pay $25 for it (well $6 if you wait for target's clearance!!!)...... maybe people would finally buy less stuff ,and we will have less waste .......

how much bonus that CEO is going to make this year for good conduct and good behavior in this matter(let's he took 4 full page ad in different newspaper and said on TV that HE was upset!!!!) wow wow,may be $3millions.......

I am reevaluating what we are buying and from where.....gonna be hard to find stuff made in the US,but heck I will find them.
Crayola is made in US.....that a good start...

__________________
By the time you make ends meet, they move the ends

Amen sing it sister!!!

They are only doing the minimum required to make them not liable. Do you think your child's safety is worth a few toy vouchers? People could be getting sick from this. I hate that everything comes from other countries. I grew up in the 60s and 70s and nobody went broke buying things made in the USA. The main difference is that then the people at the top of the company made not too much more than the people at the bottom. Now things are inflated to reflect the profit margins scopped up by greedy CEOs and executives.
Pay Americans a fair price to make things and they can also afford to buy them.

__________________
The political system is broke and it's a joke.

Boy, do I agree with you! Did you know that CEOs make 400% of the average employees salary? They only made 200% under Reagan.

I agree that some CEO salaries can be astronomical. On the other hand, I think that the scope of their job is easily 4-10x that of the "average" employee. The ones that I have been familiar with keep a schedule and pace that is mind boggling, and their decision making and stress levels are Wow! I truly think that the average CEO works much harder and has more of an impact on others than an actor/ress or sports player - and they are paid millions for a season or a movie.

cj/

please. You are that familiar with more than one ceo? Disney just raised their prices. Just about every time they do this to the working family, it's not long and they come out with an increase for the ceo that doesn't compare by leaps and bounds. No one is worth millions regardless of what they do. Well, except maybe our dedicated service people, some of whom barely make it, qualify for aid, live in tents in a war zone and are risking their lives on a daily basis. Now we are talking about everything you said and much, much more that totally fits the military servicepeople.

And yet, our country thinks those you mentioned deserve every penny. We really need to see things differently.

Su....um, I mean deddlastt, yes, I have led a fortunate life and worked for companies where the CEOs met regularly with the engineering groups. (Digital Equipment Corporation: Ken Olsen, Bob Palmer, Compaq Computer: Michael Cappellas, HP: Carly Fiorina....and my current)

And while me of all people has the utmost respect for our military heroes, and put my money where my mouth is on that subject every single week, the reality is that most of them do not have the skills to be a corporate executive. This country is founded on and successful because of competition....

It's clear that this is one of those subjects that we won't reach agreement on. I gave it a shot, but I am clearly the odd man out on this subject.

cj/

Did you seriously just insult the military??? Please tell me I am wrong on this, as that would be a terrible thing. Exactly WHERE do you come by this information that "most of them do not have the skills to be a corporate executive."??? You clearly have NO CLUE about our military, if this is your belief.

I am absolutely flabergasted you would insult our military in that way. WOW!!!!

__________________
Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

In reply to the OP, yes, Mattel has lost a lot of money over this I'm sure. It is probably a drop in the bucket in the scheme of things.

I think that the main point that you are trying to make (hoping that I'm not putting words in your mouth!!!) is that they are trying to take some responsibility for this.

Hopefully, an outcome of this will be some corporate restructuring at Mattel. It seems like the logical thing.

No, not at all. What I said - or what I meant to say - is that of the 100s of 1000s of men and women in the military, most of them do not have the skills to be a corporate executive (today), so I don't think it's a fair comparison of the average military salary or the average company worker or the average US citizen to the CEO. A CEO didn't just land in his/her job fresh out of high school or college, he/she developed the skills over many years in their industry. If you look at the military - or any large organization - there is typically a pyramid of skills with a large population of more junior or less skilled employees....hence the "most of" comment.

cj/

I ask you AGAIN, where do you come by this information??? Do you know the ages of the young men and women leading groups of soldiers in war overseas??? Do you realize the skill and stress involved??? Of course you don't, or you would not have stated what you stated.

You state a CEO doesn't just "land" in their position fresh out of high school or college.....well, do you think high ranking military officials just land in their jobs??? Do you even realize there are MANY college educated men and women in our military??? There are even Doctors. I think you have to be very skilled for that job.

I think you would do better to not make comments on areas where you are NOT knowledgeable, and this is clearly one of them.

__________________
Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

Certainly, some of the people in the military would be capable of holding a CEO position in the private sector.....and I never said otherwise.

cj - OUT!/

While I have just been lurking over the last month and not posting I just had to add to this post......(all 6 kids have been passing strept throat back and forth.UGH!)


The military has a structure just like many corporations.......You have your worker bees, your management , your upper management, and your executives..... Officers have to be College Educated, or they would not be Officers, and you have many many many Enlisted who are also college educated and some of the most brilliant people I know. The responsibility, the stress, and the overall meaning of someone in the charge in the military (to me) is unmeasured in the civilian world. And if we paid all those in the military by position on top of rank, it would be a more measurable system to the outside world.

__________________
"You can never really pay back. You can only pay forward."

Wayne Woodrow “Woody” Hayes

O-H-I-O

While not exactly on topic, I found this series of videos on YouTube the other day and thought it was interesting, it's a Frontline show about Wal-Mart, how they "negotiate" with manufacturers for low prices, and CHINA.

YouTube - Is Walmart Good for America (1 of 5)

Are you saying that someone from the military might beable to hold a postion such as CEO, well how about president of the United States? Isn't that what we the people look for in a president? Isn't made every election a big deal if the candidate served or did in our armed forces?

and if Mattel had done nothing, the cheese would still have been served with the whines here. Seems Mattel can't do anything right whether they took action or not.

I think you've hit it square on and THAT is the problem! We can say we don't want jobs overseas or products from other countries...that we want american jobs and products but the simple truth is, most WON'T pay more for products made in America or made by Americans. To me, that's sad. I try, as often as I can to buy American. REALLY hard to do. I also try to NOT support companies who make deals with China (or other countries) to outsource their product manufacturing. Again, really hard. I can say I don't shop Walmart and neither of my kids had any mattel toys on the recall list (or any of their toys period). It's easy to say "I want American" and then say "but it's cheaper....". I try as often as I can to put my money where my mouth is. I feel fortunate that I can. I do understand money situations can force people to make decisions they would rather not.

While Mattel is being responsible right now, it shouldn't be a "pat on the back"...it should be EXPECTED! They put many children in danger and at risk. They SHOULD be sorry and they SHOULD be giving owners of their toys something. I don't commend them for "doing the right thing" because the "right thing" would hav been for this to have never happened

__________________
Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

Well said sexysmurf.

AMEN!!!!!

__________________
Brenda

GO #24 JEFF GORDON

Holy cow... what a can of worms have been opened.
If doggie Daycare if for children four and up, I don't think my child would put the dog in there mouth or inhale the magnets. Now... some other child comes over... you never know.
Parents need to watch thier children and just make sure they are safe with the toy. Any toy can be dangerous if in the wrong hands.

Young children, BY NATURE, are "mouthers". The will mouth anything (and this is up until about age of 2).
While what you say about any toy can be dangerous is true and parents need to watch their children, it is also the responsibility of the manufacture to NOT use poisonous substance to paint/color the toys with! Lead can be absorbed through the skin, not just ingested!

Besides, kids do stupid things--if you, for one minute, think a 4 yr old doesn't put toys in there mouth, then YOU (the generalized you, not anyone specific!!) are STUPID> It may be just "holding" the toy in their mouth so they can use both hands for something (even adults do that), and accidently swallowing a magnet that comes loose. (oh and Matel admitted that the magnet issue was a design flaw...).

__________________
Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

I think these boards are wonderful. It is great to be passionate about you feel on subjects. But don't name call or insinuate. That doesn't solve the problem or help the discussion at all.

Ahhhhh...yes, deflect the real issue.

You can't defend your statements in your first post, so you deflect the topic.

Seriously....if ANYONE thinks that children of all ages do not put things in their mouth then they are deluding themselves. It doesn't matter how well you watch a child, it doesn't how closely you monitor them--at some point they are going to do something incredibly hazardous!

A child can absorb lead through their skin(well anyone can for that matter).

Oh, and have we forgotten that a lot of people with children have dogs--what do dogs do (especially puppies)? They chew on things--a lot of times they chew on kids' toys. So, yes, this really is a big deal--and for anyone to imply that it should really be a matter of parents monitoring their kids more carefully is JUST ASSININE!

__________________
Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

You go girl!!

__________________
Vicki


TLJ Women united in Spirit!

Most CEO's don't get shot at everyday of their jobs....most CEO's don't know that everyday they do their job they might never see their families again......most CEO's get a bonus every year and are appreciated.....JMO!

__________________
Vicki


TLJ Women united in Spirit!

AND, most CEO's have great medical coverage, so they can afford quality care (which is not always the case in VA hospitals) - they also retire from their jobs well taken care of in the pension/financial areas - also not the case for our military.


There is something very wrong with this picture!

__________________
Bevogal

you know, I have been moved by the Owner of the mine in Utah. He has actually been in there digging to try and get these men out. He seems geniunely distraught over the whole issue. I would not be surprised if at some time in the near future he suffers a heart attack, simple because he seems to be so emotionally attached to the situation ( that and the last couple of times I have seen him on TV he has looked so physically exhausted and OLD)

__________________
Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

Perhaps he has a guilty conscience.


"WASHINGTON - Millionaire coal magnate Bob Murray knew the name to drop in September 2002, when Mine Safety Health Administration inspectors confronted him about safety problems at his mines: Sen. Mitch McConnell. ... "

Two for the money

Sing it sis! I agree!

Exactly. What they are doing is trying to save face and appease the consumer. This is not what I'd call 'fair'. Their company screwed up.

They say contact with lead based paint leads to developmental delays. Makes me wonder if some kids were harmed permanently because of these toys. I sure hope not.

__________________
@@@
l/ l/ l/
Dont go through life,
GROW through life

Real eyes...realize...real lies.

It's everywhere. You can not avoid it... chickens being fed a food that makes them grow fast. Cows that produce more milk. We have the bug man spray everymonth... he says it's ok to walk on the wet spray, it won't hurt you. Sitting in traffic behind a car with a bad exhaust system, snack foods and the first five ingredients are processed, we try to look young by injecting deadly bacteria into our skin, nip and tucks... no one will know. Fertilize the lawn for the lush green and let the kids go play on it, cheap toys... happy Christmas morning ... bought it on sale.... saved a bunch.. and hour later it is broke and my child is bummed. Doctor says it's ok to give three different immunizations to a baby, won't hurt them but 1 out of every 11 children are autistic...hmmmmmm.
Mattel is the next Martha Stewart....
ok... now everyone can flame me...

I agree as well. It's putting your money where you mouth is.

__________________
Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003