MATTEL TOY RECALL—AGAIN
Today, Mattel is experiencing another recall—again. That’s right, Mattel, one of, if not the biggest toy company in America. You know Mattel, they make Barbies and Hot Wheel Cars. But you probably didn’t know that Mattel was recalling millions of toys…again… because the name Mattel is not being used in the media. Instead, they are using the name Fisher-Price. Yes, many of the toys are under the Fisher Price BRAND, but Fisher –Price is owned by MATTEL. So it is a Mattel recall.
Oh Mattel, whats going on?!?!?!?!?
In a time where people are struggling for jobs, perhaps Mattel should bring their manufacturing to the US shores and hire people to purposely tamper with their toys, treat them the way a child would, to see what the possible health risks are—do the wheels pop off easily, are there sharp edges, can a person easily become trapped underneath the toy, etc. Its simply a matter of having an extensive toy lab to test out the products.
Lets not forget all of the toy recalls Mattel went through in 2007? Shall I remind you or do you remember? Ok, in 2007, they had like 3 recalls due to lead paint on their popular toys, like Dora the Explorer, Sesame Street goods, and other items. The lead paint on their toys was like 180 times higher than the legal limit.We all know that kids suck and chew on toys, so this was a VERY BAD situation. Maybe kids are getting ADD not because of DNA but because they are sucking lead paint on their toys for like 2-3 years before they can even talk—has anyone thought of this analogy? Think about it.
That combined with BPA chemical laden baby bottles—no wonder kids are sick these days!! Back to Mattel—so in August of 2007 they had like 2 recalls and by the time the year was over, they had at least 3 recalls and people were kind of hesitant regarding Mattel products.
3 years later, no one remembers that recall and people buy Mattel toys like they drink water Now today, we have this massive Fisher-Price recall, but yet, its not really being associated with Mattel. Why is that? The holiday season is fast approaching and this is NOT a good time to be having a toy recall. Parents are already saving towards their holiday purchases so having a recall now will not encourage parents to buy Fisher Price toys.
I know Mattel is a big company, but Hasbro is too. Why haven’t they had as many recalls as Mattel? Hasbro makes many small pieces for their games—especially their board games. Do those board game pieces have lead in them—has anyone ever checked. All the dices that come in board games, the game buzzers, etc-has any of that stuff been checked? Those things are easy to choke on—why haven’t any of their items been recalled? Mr Potato Head has many pieces that can cause choking, but Ive never heard of many Hasbro recalls. Have you? I wonder why that is? Maybe Mattel has a few things they could learn from Hasbro. Or they could just hire me and I could tell them—I can not detect lead but if a toy is dangerous and I’ve played with it/seen it, I’m usually right on the money when it comes to determining whether or not the toy is dangerous.
Back to Mattel—I don’t remember all these toy recalls when Jill Barad was the CEO of Mattel. Where is Jill? Come back Jill!!
Since I’m speaking of Mattel- I remember as a kid I would write to Mattel, every summer, telling them how wonderful they were and giving them ideas. And they would always send back heart crushing letters, stating that they didn’t really care for my ideas, etc. Whereas Hasbro was never that intense- they were neutral. Maybe if Mattel allowed consumers to write and tell them their thoughts, they could avoid some of their recalls.
Well, lets see if this will be Mattel’s last recall for 2010.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
M.I.T TOY LAB 2010
2007 was a good year for this blog. I was three years younger and life was simple.Life is still somewhat simple, but its way way way busier.Maybe too busy.But no matter how busy life gets, Im never too busy to inform all of you about TOYS!!!!!!!!!!! Because I love love love TOYS.
So let me backtrack a little and go froward from there.
In MAY 2010, I went to Massachusetts and attended the M.I.T TOY LAB at MIT, in Massachusets. I was invited by Barry Kudrowitz, master of the TOY LAB. He gave me the full schedule, but I could only go to the final presentation.
In one word, the MIT TOY LAB presentation was: FABULOUS!!!!!!
The presentation was so so so much fun and I loved it.It was the last one done by Barry Kudrowitz because he has finished his PhD program, so this was his last one at M.I.T--Massachusetts institute of technology. He is now Dr. Kudrowitz, thank you very much:)
I love MIT. I love the environment.I love the gift shop.I just love MIT..period. But I reaLLY LOVE BARRY KUDROWITZ CUZ HE IS SUPER SWEET AND KNOWS alot about toys!!! Its great having a friend you can just call/email and talk about TOYS!!! the guy is 100% solid gold.I love love love BARRY and I love love loved the MIT Final Playsentation.
These students made toys from scratch.Some were great and some just didnt make sense at all.But thats what toys do-- they inspire you in strange ways, no??
My favorite toy was the Bubble Frisbee--THE FRUBBLE- you throw this frisbee and bubbles come out of it. I liked that alot. I also like the interchangeable robots and the audible bubble blower. The elephant tricycle was cool too. I also loved the sword game-the one with the sensor in the chest.The theme was "outdoor toys".
If you missed the MIT TOY LAB, you missed alot, and probably a once in a lifetime opportunity. BUt you know what, thank God for pictures.So enjoy!!!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Technology and Toys
Have you walked into a toy store lately? They are big ,elaborate, and colorful. But look closely – do the toys need batteries or can you play with them freely-without any batteries.
I am a proud kid of the 1980’s, and as I sit back and reflect on life, a smile slowly forms on my face as I think of those hot sticky summer days when my sister and I would plant avocado seeds in the ground and anxiously awaited for it to grow. We would plant the big old seed, after we had consumed the avocado-but nothing ever happened. So we would hop on our bikes, ride around the neighborhood, come back, look at where we planted the seed, and still-nothing. Then we would get sidewalk chalk and play hop scotch, using any rock to mark the spot. Then we would go knock on a neighbor’s door, get a kid to come outside and play double dutch. I was never good at double dutch, but I just had to get in between those two ropes, somehow, someway. After that got old, we would play Simon Says. I LOVE SIMON SAYS!! Even today I still love it. Does anyone know who came up with that game? I don’t know, but if you know, let me know.
Simon says, “ Keep Reading this blog”.
Simon says, “ Forward this blog to all your friends, especially if you work in the toy industry.”
Simon says, “Stands up”
(are you standing?’)
Sit down!!
Uh uh uh, I didn’t say “Simon Says!!!” You lose.
Gosh I love that game.
By the time I had planted a seed, gone bike riding, played hop-scotch, double dutch, and Simon Says, it would be dark outside and time to go inside the home. But I would be so energized yet tired yet fulfilled.
This is how I played as a kid.
Now, kids don’t play like that anymore. All kids are attached to technology. I don’t get it?!?!? Do batteries have a secret magnet in it that no one knows about? Do kids of the 2000s have magnets in their bodies that are attracted to batteries? I know it sounds far fetched, but can you blame me for thinking such a thing?
I went to Wal-Mart the other day, to their toy department. They had great toys, just like other stores with toys, like TARGET, TRU,etc. Lots of aisles of toys, toys, toys. But the toy aisle was dominated by parents who were with their kids who were below the age of 3. There were a few boys in the “manly” area where they keep swords, matchbox cars, and Transformers/Spider-Man type of stuff, but that was it. The bike aisle had a few girls who wanted Barbie-pink bicycles with Barbie pink helmets. Cute.
When is the last time you analyzed the presence of the people in toy aisles? Try it.
But guess where I saw the most kids? In the ELECTRONICS section. Guess what they were doing? Buying Nintendo DS or Nintendo DS games. They were also buying CDS. I must admit, I LOVE “Party in the USA” song By Miley Cyrus….”and the Jay Z song was onnnnnn…” Ok, enough about Miley.
Technology is taking over toys and good wholesome fun.
Nintendo DSi, Zhu Zhu Pets, Game Boy,etc etc. Do parents really want their kids to go blind and get carpel tunnel? Now I must confess, I was a Nintendo BEAST back in the 1980s. I even have a phat Nintendo backpack , and yes, my fingers did hurt. But the TV screen was not up in my face like these little games are. And if I wanted a live animal, my parents would have bought me one, not a Zhu Zhu. So now everyone has a Zhu Zhu that acts the same way—am I missing something? Seriously though, I respect the Zhu Zhu manufacturers for coming out with such a phenomenal thing that sent parents running and sleeping out in front of stores. I LOVED IT!!! But I don’t have a Zhu Zhu pet—I never wanted one.
The thing with toys is that even though technology is here and its not going anywhere, the GOOD toys simply evolve.
Zhu Zhu—everyone for years has had hampsters. Hampsters are not new. They simply made them automatic.
Crayola—Chalk and Crayons—they must have new management because Crayola is REALLY upping their game !!! Everytime I go to a toy store, I stop, and my mouth opens, in awe of the new Crayola items. The 3D chalk is so hot, Crayola town is hot, the glittery paper is hot, everything Crayola is HOT!! I can not keep track of all the items Crayola is making because they keep going and going.. like the energizer bunny. I know for sure, Crayola is not experiencing a dip in sales. Its impossible. When you create toys that are unisex, you’ll never go wrong. Ever. Crayola—keep up the goodwork, you are creating marvelous products!! The relationship between Wal-Mart and Crayola must be mighty strong because Crayola products take up almost a whole aisle.
Easy Bake Oven- this has gone through several transformations but the use is the same. Did anyone watch the episode of CAKE BOSS where the guy used the Easy Bake Oven to bake a cake? If you work for HASBRO, I HIGHLY encourage you to look for this episode because it was quite entertaining. If I worked for HASBRO, I would have been so proud
Those are just my thoughts for the moment!! I’ll be back.
I am a proud kid of the 1980’s, and as I sit back and reflect on life, a smile slowly forms on my face as I think of those hot sticky summer days when my sister and I would plant avocado seeds in the ground and anxiously awaited for it to grow. We would plant the big old seed, after we had consumed the avocado-but nothing ever happened. So we would hop on our bikes, ride around the neighborhood, come back, look at where we planted the seed, and still-nothing. Then we would get sidewalk chalk and play hop scotch, using any rock to mark the spot. Then we would go knock on a neighbor’s door, get a kid to come outside and play double dutch. I was never good at double dutch, but I just had to get in between those two ropes, somehow, someway. After that got old, we would play Simon Says. I LOVE SIMON SAYS!! Even today I still love it. Does anyone know who came up with that game? I don’t know, but if you know, let me know.
Simon says, “ Keep Reading this blog”.
Simon says, “ Forward this blog to all your friends, especially if you work in the toy industry.”
Simon says, “Stands up”
(are you standing?’)
Sit down!!
Uh uh uh, I didn’t say “Simon Says!!!” You lose.
Gosh I love that game.
By the time I had planted a seed, gone bike riding, played hop-scotch, double dutch, and Simon Says, it would be dark outside and time to go inside the home. But I would be so energized yet tired yet fulfilled.
This is how I played as a kid.
Now, kids don’t play like that anymore. All kids are attached to technology. I don’t get it?!?!? Do batteries have a secret magnet in it that no one knows about? Do kids of the 2000s have magnets in their bodies that are attracted to batteries? I know it sounds far fetched, but can you blame me for thinking such a thing?
I went to Wal-Mart the other day, to their toy department. They had great toys, just like other stores with toys, like TARGET, TRU,etc. Lots of aisles of toys, toys, toys. But the toy aisle was dominated by parents who were with their kids who were below the age of 3. There were a few boys in the “manly” area where they keep swords, matchbox cars, and Transformers/Spider-Man type of stuff, but that was it. The bike aisle had a few girls who wanted Barbie-pink bicycles with Barbie pink helmets. Cute.
When is the last time you analyzed the presence of the people in toy aisles? Try it.
But guess where I saw the most kids? In the ELECTRONICS section. Guess what they were doing? Buying Nintendo DS or Nintendo DS games. They were also buying CDS. I must admit, I LOVE “Party in the USA” song By Miley Cyrus….”and the Jay Z song was onnnnnn…” Ok, enough about Miley.
Technology is taking over toys and good wholesome fun.
Nintendo DSi, Zhu Zhu Pets, Game Boy,etc etc. Do parents really want their kids to go blind and get carpel tunnel? Now I must confess, I was a Nintendo BEAST back in the 1980s. I even have a phat Nintendo backpack , and yes, my fingers did hurt. But the TV screen was not up in my face like these little games are. And if I wanted a live animal, my parents would have bought me one, not a Zhu Zhu. So now everyone has a Zhu Zhu that acts the same way—am I missing something? Seriously though, I respect the Zhu Zhu manufacturers for coming out with such a phenomenal thing that sent parents running and sleeping out in front of stores. I LOVED IT!!! But I don’t have a Zhu Zhu pet—I never wanted one.
The thing with toys is that even though technology is here and its not going anywhere, the GOOD toys simply evolve.
Zhu Zhu—everyone for years has had hampsters. Hampsters are not new. They simply made them automatic.
Crayola—Chalk and Crayons—they must have new management because Crayola is REALLY upping their game !!! Everytime I go to a toy store, I stop, and my mouth opens, in awe of the new Crayola items. The 3D chalk is so hot, Crayola town is hot, the glittery paper is hot, everything Crayola is HOT!! I can not keep track of all the items Crayola is making because they keep going and going.. like the energizer bunny. I know for sure, Crayola is not experiencing a dip in sales. Its impossible. When you create toys that are unisex, you’ll never go wrong. Ever. Crayola—keep up the goodwork, you are creating marvelous products!! The relationship between Wal-Mart and Crayola must be mighty strong because Crayola products take up almost a whole aisle.
Easy Bake Oven- this has gone through several transformations but the use is the same. Did anyone watch the episode of CAKE BOSS where the guy used the Easy Bake Oven to bake a cake? If you work for HASBRO, I HIGHLY encourage you to look for this episode because it was quite entertaining. If I worked for HASBRO, I would have been so proud
Those are just my thoughts for the moment!! I’ll be back.
Monday, August 9, 2010
POP TARTS WORLD
I can NOT BELIEVE that KELLOGGS is opening a POP TARTS store in New York!! This is the BEST NEWS I HAVE EVER HEARD!! As a DIE HARD FROSTED STRAWBERRY POP TART EATER, since like the age of 10, this is a dream come true. I can not believe it!!!! yes I live hours away from New York, but I must must must go and see this thing, I am in shock!! What in the world is a POP TART shop going to look like?And I can make customized POP TARTS!! Is this a dream?!?!? I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS!!! THIS IS AMAZING!!!! THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST THING KELLOGGS HAS DONE!! You know, when Kelloggs changed the PopTart box to blue, i was very very disappointed.yes that was years ago, but the blue box still bothers me.But now, this makes up for everything.All those years I wrote letters to kelloggs, telling them my Pop Tarts news, and now they are opening a store.Am I the only person who ever wrote to Kelloggs about Pop Tarts? i doubt it.Kelloggs should post our letters in the Pop Tarts store-- how cool would that be? There is NOTHING like a POP TART!! NOTHING!! If I could sing a song to share my joy concerning this news, I would but I cant think of one,,,give me time, Ill think of something.Im just so overwhelmed by this, I think I may cry, tears of joy of course. Let me hear from the rest of the dedicated Pop tart lovers.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
2010 MID JUNE
Ok, i have not written on this blog in a LONG TIME. There seems to be an interest in this blog though..L Morris is getting alot of hits. There must be something going on up north in Rhode Island at Hasbro, I dont know.
Anyways, i went to the M.I.T Toy LAb a few months ago in Cambridge and it was FABULOUS!!!! Barry is super fabulous and did a heck of a job with that class. That was the most fun ive had in a long time and Im so happy I got to be there and witness it because it was his last one at M.I.T.All toy companies should witness the MIT Toy Lab because there is nothing like it.
I went to Toys Rus last weekend. Saw some cool things but right now its like 11:30 pm and im sleepy so Ill be back later. But real quick, all that FRED stuff is neat.And o o o o o the 3D Sidewalk Crayola Chalk that comes with the glasses. that is SO HOT!!!!!!Play Doh has some cool stuff too, but they always do. When will someone make edible PlayDoh---whats taking so long?!?!?!? At least PlayDoh chewing gum, at LEAST!!!!
Anyways, i went to the M.I.T Toy LAb a few months ago in Cambridge and it was FABULOUS!!!! Barry is super fabulous and did a heck of a job with that class. That was the most fun ive had in a long time and Im so happy I got to be there and witness it because it was his last one at M.I.T.All toy companies should witness the MIT Toy Lab because there is nothing like it.
I went to Toys Rus last weekend. Saw some cool things but right now its like 11:30 pm and im sleepy so Ill be back later. But real quick, all that FRED stuff is neat.And o o o o o the 3D Sidewalk Crayola Chalk that comes with the glasses. that is SO HOT!!!!!!Play Doh has some cool stuff too, but they always do. When will someone make edible PlayDoh---whats taking so long?!?!?!? At least PlayDoh chewing gum, at LEAST!!!!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
toy blog is...........
ok i know its been a while since i have said anything about toys. the toy industry is changing. i went to TOYS R US on Sunday and was NOT amused at all--everything was just so dry and boring...so this is why there have not been any updates.. but I will have big news this Friday so stay tuned.. speaking of toys.. i need to discuss DORA and how Fisher Price plans on turning her into a teenager--why, I don't know but the whole thing is not a good idea but its getting late and I'm tired so I will discuss that in greater detail later...
But my next topic will be: the connection between the recession and the toy industry".
But my next topic will be: the connection between the recession and the toy industry".
Friday, February 22, 2008
What I got for Xmas 2007: PEZ and ....
Oh, I forgot to tell everyone what I got for Xmas... shame on me.
My dear loving sister got me something Ive always wanted....a GIANT PEZ DISPENSER!!!
WOO HOO!!!
She got me the Elmo one. Its like 12 inches tall and when you lean his head back, he sings the Sesame Street song.
Love it. BUt wouldnt you think that PEZ would make extra large pez candies for the xtra big PEZ dispensers? They dont and I think thats really odd.
So somehow, someway, Im supposed to put this half inch PEZ into the neck of Elmo even though Elmo is like 20 Times the size of a regular PEZ dispenser.
Isnt that odd? Maybe I should write to PEZ and ask them if they plan on doing something about it. Does any one have a mold for an XTRA BIG PeZ candy, because I need one. There's some money to be made for the person who can make the XTRA big PEZ candy that will fit into the XTRA big dispensers. I know Im not the only person in America with this problem. Why should I buy the regular size PEz for my xtra big dispenser? Thats like buying an xtra big car and putting the tires from your smaller car on them. It doesnt make any sense.
Ok, next.
Guess what else I got..just guess....guess.
I got..........a ......... POPPLE!!!
Yes, I nearly cried. The POPPPLES were OFF THE HOOK in the eighties. You could kick them, through them, whatever. Me and my sister would fight over Popples when I was a kid.WE were poor, but we hadPopples. Who needs money, and gifts, when you have a Popple. She even had a Popple sleeping bag. I never had one. Anyways, the Popples are back...HOORAY!! There was even a POPPLE TV Show. The POPPLES need to come back. they just have too. So I got a Popple and I sleep with it every night cuz I love it. HInt hint, they have them at Target. Who manufactures Poppples.. I think its Mattel right? Im pretty sure it is/was.
Anyways, so I got a Popple anda Xtra Large Pez Dispenser and im soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy. that with my Lego ice cubes, what more do i need? NOTHING!!!! My world is complete !!!
Update: I sent a letter to Mr. verrecchia and he hasnt responded yet. Its okay. I still love him and his company anyway. HASBRO has never sent me a mean, disappointing, discouraging letter. Now Mattel on the other hand.... well, thats a whole different blog.
Im still waiting to hear news regarding my census data regarding the US population and how that affects the toy economy. If anyone would like a copy of that, please let me know. Its a VERY Good report. Im an Economist, so the analysis is quite concise.
My dear loving sister got me something Ive always wanted....a GIANT PEZ DISPENSER!!!
WOO HOO!!!
She got me the Elmo one. Its like 12 inches tall and when you lean his head back, he sings the Sesame Street song.
Love it. BUt wouldnt you think that PEZ would make extra large pez candies for the xtra big PEZ dispensers? They dont and I think thats really odd.
So somehow, someway, Im supposed to put this half inch PEZ into the neck of Elmo even though Elmo is like 20 Times the size of a regular PEZ dispenser.
Isnt that odd? Maybe I should write to PEZ and ask them if they plan on doing something about it. Does any one have a mold for an XTRA BIG PeZ candy, because I need one. There's some money to be made for the person who can make the XTRA big PEZ candy that will fit into the XTRA big dispensers. I know Im not the only person in America with this problem. Why should I buy the regular size PEz for my xtra big dispenser? Thats like buying an xtra big car and putting the tires from your smaller car on them. It doesnt make any sense.
Ok, next.
Guess what else I got..just guess....guess.
I got..........a ......... POPPLE!!!
Yes, I nearly cried. The POPPPLES were OFF THE HOOK in the eighties. You could kick them, through them, whatever. Me and my sister would fight over Popples when I was a kid.WE were poor, but we hadPopples. Who needs money, and gifts, when you have a Popple. She even had a Popple sleeping bag. I never had one. Anyways, the Popples are back...HOORAY!! There was even a POPPLE TV Show. The POPPLES need to come back. they just have too. So I got a Popple and I sleep with it every night cuz I love it. HInt hint, they have them at Target. Who manufactures Poppples.. I think its Mattel right? Im pretty sure it is/was.
Anyways, so I got a Popple anda Xtra Large Pez Dispenser and im soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy. that with my Lego ice cubes, what more do i need? NOTHING!!!! My world is complete !!!
Update: I sent a letter to Mr. verrecchia and he hasnt responded yet. Its okay. I still love him and his company anyway. HASBRO has never sent me a mean, disappointing, discouraging letter. Now Mattel on the other hand.... well, thats a whole different blog.
Im still waiting to hear news regarding my census data regarding the US population and how that affects the toy economy. If anyone would like a copy of that, please let me know. Its a VERY Good report. Im an Economist, so the analysis is quite concise.
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