Comments on: Yellowing Plastic Strikes Back

By: WStar Dude

WStar Dude — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 15:11:42 +0000

Hasbro has done a good job most of the time but sometime there are some misses indeed. It is not a perfect science. Toy production is a lot of work and man power. Distribution, marketing, quality control, and satisfied public needs are all a big task. I think they are doing their best not to kit bash and repaint their previous line; however, there might other issue that we/fan are unaware of. Hasbro assign certain teams to sculpt different lines. From Marvel Universe line, G.I.Joe Pursuit of Cobra, Star Wars Clone Wars, to Vintage Collection lines… all staff don’t sculpt the same as the other line. I think they are short on staff in the Vintage line, but the team in this line are very talented. Unfortunately this small team can’t crank out new mold fast enough, so Hasbro decide to do some repack. Pursuit of Cobra (GIJoe) line is another great team sculptors. In my opinion, if not one of the best but there are some issues with paint application and more kit bashed. At least, in GIJoe Pursuit of Cobra doesn’t have any repack which is a great accomplishment so far in this line. The Marvel Universe line just plain sad to say the least. That team got it right about 20% of the team in my opinion. The rest of the 80% is not as good as GIjoe and SW Clone Wars line up. As for the Saga Legend line, this line is really nothing new. Most of this line figures are repack for people who don’t have a certain figures. On a positive note, this line is dropping in price (price ranges from $1 – $5 a figure) and it does help those who are missing a figure or two in the past. Back to the topic of this yellow helmet. I’m also a Japanese toy collector as well. Both Japanese and America toys are mainly made in one place, China. Original (Authentic) or fake (bootleg) are both made in China! The differences between an authentic and a bootleg are quality of materials used, paint applications, and how much corners they are taking to release the final product (in-order to profit more). If you are getting a more then a few bashes of yellow helmet figures… guess what happen? Corners has been taken to profit more. It is not about meeting deadlines because you see Clone troopers are on pegs everywhere anyways. If you take a look at the Pursuit of Cobra versus the Star War Clone Wars figures… compare the plastic quality they are using. You really do get a better product on the GIJoe side. Worst quality in my opinion are those Marvel Universe skinny 3.75″ figures. Simply bad paint job, weak plastic used, and the sculpt looks awful.

By: Lothar

Lothar — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 21:06:12 +0000

I understand the frustration. Whether you like it or not, the collecting sites and blogs with their coverage of events, products, and professional connections to Hasbro, have become the mouthpiece of the collector at large. So is your narrative going to be one of impotent rage, or one of professional consumer pressure? That is all. You guys have an awesome site, and I appreciate how you use your free time.

By: Justin

Justin — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 21:37:16 +0000

Thank you for the feedback.

Please keep in mind that we are more than happy to give Hasbro huge thumbs up when we feel they deserve it too. They do an awesome job most of the time and have made this hobby very enjoyable over the years… but, we also don’t turn our heads the other way either when it appears there is something they could be doing better. They really do need to address this though, it’s been a repeat problem now for a while. Lack of quality control hurts sales, which affects Hasbro’s retail partners, contributes to distribution backups, etc. That alone should motivate Hasbro to fix this problem – I do believe they will eventually get it figured out, but man it’s really a letdown to see this still happening. I was considering getting all 6 Blu Ray sets, but if the AOTC clone helmets are already yellowing, I’m not buying ANY sets. That’s a lot of cash I’m saving, and one of Hasbro’s retail partners missed out on a $150.00 sale because of it.

By: Funo2000

Funo2000 — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:54:53 +0000

Yakface #1 in my book for reporting the truth. Not a Hasbro advertising site like R*******cum and *****H**ter. Hasbro is acting like a company in trouble with all of the distribution and quality control problems….

By: Jayson

Jayson — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:51:45 +0000

In reply to Lothar.

What do you suggest, Lothar? We have been, and continue to be, one of Hasbro’s strongest supporters and with that support can also come criticism, harsh or otherwise. HasbroToyShop.com (not Hasbro proper) deserved the admonishments it received around the fan community in regards to the handling of the ordering of the SDCC exclusives. Fans (one of which I am) were right to voice their frustration on the situation.

We at Yakface.com are not paid by Hasbro to serve as a filtered mouthpiece with the sole purpose of announcing/endorsing any product they release. So for us to offer an honest, collector point-of-view opinion is not only endorsed and encouraged by the staff here, it has been at the core of our unique approach in reporting Star Wars collecting from this start: By the fans… For the fans.

We value your and any other visitor’s comments and opinions very much, which is why we approve them for public review. We would hope that our readers value our unbiased opinions as well.

By: Lothar

Lothar — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:17:28 +0000

“So, what’s it going to take for Hasbro to address this issue once and for all?”

I have been coming to this site at least a dozen times a day for the last dozen years, but… Wow. The tone on this website lately has become almost unbearable. Between remarks like this and the collector-rage with the SDCC Death Star exclusive, the idea of objective reporting has gone out the window, apparently. It’s one thing for the commenters to have their way with Hasbro in the comments section, but frankly I feel the need to level my complaint squarely at the whinery that is the Yakface news posting and reporting.

With all the flippant remarks, it’s starting to look like SirSteve’s Guide’s* Q&A submissions.

*Big reason why i stopped visiting SirSteve’s site.