The recall problems are associated with not doing your homework up front when outsourcing either in the USA or any other country. Quality and manufacturing standards are set before anyone can even bid your product. Once a supplier and you agree on the standards and cost, it is up to you, the Purchaser, to put in place an independent audit for quality on each and every shipment. I have my overseas independent Engineering/Quality Assurance group check on all product at the beginning of all production and then a final quality check before it goes into a container. This includes a last part off tooling for dimensions as well as working with the finishers for plating, powder coating, or anodizing to assure the correct products are put in or on my finished product. As time goes on, most suppliers try to cut corners for cost in all raw materials as well as secondary operations to keep from asking for cost increases to your product. You must be dilligent when working with any contractor, no matter what country you are dealing with, for product that eventually has your name associated with the end product.

The recall problems are associated with not doing your homework up front when outsourcing either in the USA or any other country. Quality and manufacturing standards are set before anyone can even bid your product. Once a supplier and you agree on the standards and cost, it is up to you, the Purchaser, to put in place an independent audit for quality on each and every shipment. I have my overseas independent Engineering/Quality Assurance group check on all product at the beginning of all production and then a final quality check before it goes into a container. This includes a last part off tooling for dimensions as well as working with the finishers for plating, powder coating, or anodizing to assure the correct products are put in or on my finished product. As time goes on, most suppliers try to cut corners for cost in all raw materials as well as secondary operations to keep from asking for cost increases to your product. You must be dilligent when working with any contractor, no matter what country you are dealing with, for product that eventually has your name associated with the end product.

Actually, the lead paint recalls clearly demonstrate problems specifically with low-quality Chinese vendors, but the huge Mattel magnetic toy recall is a completely different issue. The 9.5 million Polly Pocket!, Batman etc. toys that consumers are now being asked to return were assembled in China and use magnets sourced from China. But even the CEO Bob Eckert has disclosed that the real issue is not shoddy production but a problem in the design. These new NIB magnets are so powerful and so small that it is hard to keep them firmly encased in the toy while allowing the magnet to be partially exposed so its magnetic properties can work. Geomag of Switzerland seems to have done a great job in safely designing their magnetic building sets. But Magnetix by Mega Brands, and these Mattel toys, have had multiple CPSC recalls because of the same product defect - the lip didn\'t cover the edged of the magnets and they popped off unexpectedly. Let\'s spend more time asking our North American toy conglomerates to design safe toys, even if they end up costing us more, and less time railing on China. As a parent I would rather buy a few higher quality toys than so many cheap junky toys. How many different models of Polly Pocket can a girl need, anyway? Somebody\'s making a lot of money on this huge product assortment. Just a few examples of recalled inexpensive toys: Polly Pocket!â„¢ Quick Clickâ„¢ House of Styleâ„¢ Playset; Polly Pocket!â„¢ Polly by Me Totally Beadiful; Polly Pocket!â„¢? Quick Clickâ„¢ Penthouse; Polly Pocket!â„¢? Quick Clickâ„¢ Movie Timeâ„¢ Playset.

Actually, the lead paint recalls clearly demonstrate problems specifically with low-quality Chinese vendors, but the huge Mattel magnetic toy recall is a completely different issue. The 9.5 million Polly Pocket!, Batman etc. toys that consumers are now being asked to return were assembled in China and use magnets sourced from China. But even the CEO Bob Eckert has disclosed that the real issue is not shoddy production but a problem in the design. These new NIB magnets are so powerful and so small that it is hard to keep them firmly encased in the toy while allowing the magnet to be partially exposed so its magnetic properties can work. Geomag of Switzerland seems to have done a great job in safely designing their magnetic building sets. But Magnetix by Mega Brands, and these Mattel toys, have had multiple CPSC recalls because of the same product defect - the lip didn't cover the edged of the magnets and they popped off unexpectedly.

Let's spend more time asking our North American toy conglomerates to design safe toys, even if they end up costing us more, and less time railing on China. As a parent I would rather buy a few higher quality toys than so many cheap junky toys.

How many different models of Polly Pocket can a girl need, anyway? Somebody's making a lot of money on this huge product assortment. Just a few examples of recalled inexpensive toys: Polly Pocket!â„¢ Quick Clickâ„¢ House of Styleâ„¢ Playset; Polly Pocket!â„¢ Polly by Me Totally Beadiful; Polly Pocket!â„¢? Quick Clickâ„¢ Penthouse;
Polly Pocket!â„¢? Quick Clickâ„¢ Movie Timeâ„¢ Playset.