Warped Minimates?

[Chronotrigger]

Anyone out there have minimates parts that are warped? I'm not sure if this is the case with all of them, but my First Appearance X-Men won't fit on any of the lego parts/pieces that they are supposed to be able to stand on. It's really frustrating.

Also has the plastic quality dipped or is it just me? The older minimates are firmer/harder while these newer minimates aren't as smooth and feel softer. I don't know how to explain it, but I prefer the feel of the plastic on the older mates.

Edited May 28, 2010 by Chronotrigger

[NorthRaider]

Yeah, honestly I've always noticed that as well. I'd hate to imagine this turning into some sort of slow and steady dip in quality as a side effect of DST's big push for putting out loads of Minimate product in recent months. (There was also that thing before about certain chemicals in the plastic getting phased out for being potentially harmful to kids, though I don't know how much this applies to the early Marvel waves.)

[Chronotrigger]

Yeah, honestly I've always noticed that as well. I'd hate to imagine this turning into some sort of slow and steady dip in quality as a side effect of DST's big push for putting out loads of Minimate product in recent months. (There was also that thing before about certain chemicals in the plastic getting phased out for being potentially harmful to kids, though I don't know how much this applies to the early Marvel waves.)

I hope that's not the case either. They seem to be cutting corners though either to push out mates faster or save on costs. The warped feet on my First Appearance X-Men can be a mold issue or a plastic issue.

Also they are taking short cuts that make for a worse minimate overall. Some recent examples include the change on the facial detailing of Captain Britain or the lack of detailing on the 90s Jean Grey's legs and her solid blue torso piece.

[fnwebslinger]

The older Minimates I have are sorta gummy now. Although that might be because of the hot climate in my country, haha.

[Dio]

Yeah, honestly I've always noticed that as well. I'd hate to imagine this turning into some sort of slow and steady dip in quality as a side effect of DST's big push for putting out loads of Minimate product in recent months. (There was also that thing before about certain chemicals in the plastic getting phased out for being potentially harmful to kids, though I don't know how much this applies to the early Marvel waves.)

I hope that's not the case either. They seem to be cutting corners though either to push out mates faster or save on costs. The warped feet on my First Appearance X-Men can be a mold issue or a plastic issue.

Also they are taking short cuts that make for a worse minimate overall. Some recent examples include the change on the facial detailing of Captain Britain or the lack of detailing on the 90s Jean Grey's legs and her solid blue torso piece.

Don't forget about the Spider-Man Friends and Foes boxset. And also the lack of quality control on Dark Avengers Venom (symbol has six legs) and Spider-Girl (back boobs). And Angelgate.

[buttheadsmate]

Yeah, honestly I've always noticed that as well. I'd hate to imagine this turning into some sort of slow and steady dip in quality as a side effect of DST's big push for putting out loads of Minimate product in recent months. (There was also that thing before about certain chemicals in the plastic getting phased out for being potentially harmful to kids, though I don't know how much this applies to the early Marvel waves.)

That was a very informative ...yawn...& interesting ....yawn....'Discovery Channel' quality piece about phthalates & their use in plastic toys esp. to make them soft to touch that I wrote about a while back. Phthalates are frowned upon because of their gender-bender ..."no sniggering at the back of the class Groundhog"....properties when ingested in sufficient quantities. There is no inference that Minimates contain any ,or some, phthalates but C3 'cowls , capes & gloves' certainly fit the bill. Although banned in the EU* I believe this is not the case in the US.....& perhaps explains a few things

* Minimates are not sold in the EU .

[youbastards]

Although banned in the EU* I believe this is not the case in the US.....& perhaps explains a few things

Are you inferring that our National pasttime of watching cars go around a giant oval while swigging Natty Light and listening to Larry the Cable Guy stand-up on our iPod's we bought at Wal-Mart....are you saying this may be due to CHINESE PLASTICS!!! It's an invasion, grab your shotguns boys - YEEEEHAW!

[but seriously....you may be on to something.]

[buttheadsmate]

Are now banned in the EU For years the teats on baby's feeding bottles were softened with .....guess what.

My information is based upon what I have gleaned from the internet .....make your own minds up about it.

[Chronotrigger]

Yeah, honestly I've always noticed that as well. I'd hate to imagine this turning into some sort of slow and steady dip in quality as a side effect of DST's big push for putting out loads of Minimate product in recent months. (There was also that thing before about certain chemicals in the plastic getting phased out for being potentially harmful to kids, though I don't know how much this applies to the early Marvel waves.)

I hope that's not the case either. They seem to be cutting corners though either to push out mates faster or save on costs. The warped feet on my First Appearance X-Men can be a mold issue or a plastic issue.

Also they are taking short cuts that make for a worse minimate overall. Some recent examples include the change on the facial detailing of Captain Britain or the lack of detailing on the 90s Jean Grey's legs and her solid blue torso piece.

Don't forget about the Spider-Man Friends and Foes boxset. And also the lack of quality control on Dark Avengers Venom (symbol has six legs) and Spider-Girl (back boobs). And Angelgate.

That's right, thanks for reminding me. It's not like these are cheap. For 6-9 bucks for a pack of 2, there should be less cost cutting and more care that go into them.

[Lobsterman]

Disclaimer: This is not a defense of shoddy production on DST's part, but an indictment of the "consumer class'" addiction to cheap stuff.

Seriously. $9 is not a lot of money. It seems callous to say that when people are struggling to make ends meet, but it's just not realistic to say "I'm paying $9 for these; they should be perfect in every way." We should either be willing to settle for softer plastic and sloppier paint, or accept a higher price point. But we don't want to do either.

It only seems like "a lot of money for a 2-pack" because we've become inured to ridiculously inexpensive merchandise while ignoring its externalized costs. Not to go all socialist tree-hugger, but if these were produced using workers who were paid a decent wage, using materials whose environmental costs were adequately mitigated, they would probably cost $25 for a two-pack. It is literally remarkable that we can enjoy a steady stream of Minimates with the detail, articulation, paint application, and number of parts as we do at all, much less for $3 to $4 a unit.

It's kind of a race-to-the-bottom proposition with toys in America. We want more cheaper, rather than fewer of higher quality, because we're just going to throw them on the pile anyway. We grouse when Minimates climb a dollar or two in price, so DST, in order to hold the line, has to use cheaper plastic, shoddier QC, or lay people off (or all of the above). Compare with higher-end art toys, or even some of the die-cast robots from Japan that fetch $150 and up. The collectors of those pay much more money, but get a better quality product.

To use the ever-popular drug metaphor, art toy collectors buy pure cocaine. It's expensive as hell, but it's pure, and the rush is totally gratifying. We, on the other hand, are like crack junkies. We plunk down $5, get some rock that's cut with baking soda, then complain when the high is gone after a few minutes.

I have never done either of those drugs, so that metaphor could be totally off.

Anyway, there some food for thought.

[karamazov80]

Wait, is crack cheaper than Minimates? Hmm. . .

Where would one buy crack, anyway? Just asking out of intellectual curiosity.

[Pete]

Wait, is crack cheaper than Minimates? Hmm. . .

Where would one buy crack, anyway? Just asking out of intellectual curiosity.

I'll trade you some for a wave 2 symbiote spidey!

[karamazov80]

PM sent

[Chronotrigger]

Disclaimer: This is not a defense of shoddy production on DST's part, but an indictment of the "consumer class'" addiction to cheap stuff.

Seriously. $9 is not a lot of money. It seems callous to say that when people are struggling to make ends meet, but it's just not realistic to say "I'm paying $9 for these; they should be perfect in every way." We should either be willing to settle for softer plastic and sloppier paint, or accept a higher price point. But we don't want to do either.

It only seems like "a lot of money for a 2-pack" because we've become inured to ridiculously inexpensive merchandise while ignoring its externalized costs. Not to go all socialist tree-hugger, but if these were produced using workers who were paid a decent wage, using materials whose environmental costs were adequately mitigated, they would probably cost $25 for a two-pack. It is literally remarkable that we can enjoy a steady stream of Minimates with the detail, articulation, paint application, and number of parts as we do at all, much less for $3 to $4 a unit.

It's kind of a race-to-the-bottom proposition with toys in America. We want more cheaper, rather than fewer of higher quality, because we're just going to throw them on the pile anyway. We grouse when Minimates climb a dollar or two in price, so DST, in order to hold the line, has to use cheaper plastic, shoddier QC, or lay people off (or all of the above). Compare with higher-end art toys, or even some of the die-cast robots from Japan that fetch $150 and up. The collectors of those pay much more money, but get a better quality product.

To use the ever-popular drug metaphor, art toy collectors buy pure cocaine. It's expensive as hell, but it's pure, and the rush is totally gratifying. We, on the other hand, are like crack junkies. We plunk down $5, get some rock that's cut with baking soda, then complain when the high is gone after a few minutes.

I have never done either of those drugs, so that metaphor could be totally off.

Anyway, there some food for thought.

I know they may not be as expensive as say statues or busts, but they are still considered expensive for 5 inches of plastic compared to other toy lines. I'm not asking for perfection. None of my minimates are perfect. Basic quality control like the c3 feet actually fitting pegs is however something that is expected. If it's included with the product it should at least work imho.

Edited May 28, 2010 by Chronotrigger

[Rheul]

Wait, is crack cheaper than Minimates? Hmm. . .

Where would one buy crack, anyway? Just asking out of intellectual curiosity.

Why yes... it is cheaper than a Minimate! and to help you further... You may have to walk a block or two depending on the time of day...

[karamazov80]

I'm expecting to click on that cart and have my Paypal window open up

In all seriousness, I could probably walk 4 houses down from me and buy some crack today if I wanted to. I need to move immediately

[Killek]

In all seriousness, I could probably walk 4 houses down from me and buy some crack today if I wanted to. I need to move immediately

You should do it man, it sounds exciting!

I suppose I'm in the camp that likes the new plastic. I just like the texture of it. It may be a little softer, but I'm not making my little men fight all day, so I think it's going to turn out fine for me.