Integration

trebleshot · 04-20-2011, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cellardoor

This is an idle question. I've been buying a fair few loose figures from ebay sellers in China. It's a cheap viable way to grab army builders and fill in the checklist.
However, almost all the figures are what I would assume were fresh off a production line. They are never sold with accessories (unless it's just a generic sword/gun from another line) or packaging. If it wasn't for the fact that they're always in great shape i'd guess they were rejected figures that don't pass a quality control check.

Chances are, they were stolen out of the factory before or during the QC portion of the process. Unless there's some kind of deliberate defacement of the figure (big slash through the figure or the like), then it is not a QC cast-off.

Quote:

Does anyone know if it's standard practice for factory workers to grab loose figures from the production lines and re-sell them?

It's not common practice, but it is frequently the reason we see new figures on Ebay before anywhere else.

I believe Hasbro has a "zero tolerance" policy about it. Generally, though, a factory employee could get fired for doing it. Or the contractor could pull the entire order and go to a different factory, costing the first factory a lot of money. So these workers don't smuggle out toys without some risk involved. Unfortunately, from what I understand, the factory workers make enough off these stolen toys that they feel the risk is worth the reward.

Quote:

It's pretty much what i'd be doing if I had access to the toys!
The sellers always have a healthy stock of figures, and are bang up to date. The last figure I managed to win was a Giant battles Loki, saved myself about £40 by electing to not buy the frost giant and all the packaging!

Keep in mind the reason they take these toys isn't to help out collectors or keep them - it's to make money. Whether that's to support their families or earn enough not to work in a factory anymore is anyone's guess. Some may even do it just for the thrill.

Are you so sure you'd be willing to risk your livelihood were you in their situation?

04-20-2011, 09:37 AM	#4
trebleshot Dark Lord of the 'Ark Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,224	Quote: Originally Posted by cellardoor This is an idle question. I've been buying a fair few loose figures from ebay sellers in China. It's a cheap viable way to grab army builders and fill in the checklist. However, almost all the figures are what I would assume were fresh off a production line. They are never sold with accessories (unless it's just a generic sword/gun from another line) or packaging. If it wasn't for the fact that they're always in great shape i'd guess they were rejected figures that don't pass a quality control check. Chances are, they were stolen out of the factory before or during the QC portion of the process. Unless there's some kind of deliberate defacement of the figure (big slash through the figure or the like), then it is not a QC cast-off. Quote: Does anyone know if it's standard practice for factory workers to grab loose figures from the production lines and re-sell them? It's not common practice, but it is frequently the reason we see new figures on Ebay before anywhere else. I believe Hasbro has a "zero tolerance" policy about it. Generally, though, a factory employee could get fired for doing it. Or the contractor could pull the entire order and go to a different factory, costing the first factory a lot of money. So these workers don't smuggle out toys without some risk involved. Unfortunately, from what I understand, the factory workers make enough off these stolen toys that they feel the risk is worth the reward. Quote: It's pretty much what i'd be doing if I had access to the toys! The sellers always have a healthy stock of figures, and are bang up to date. The last figure I managed to win was a Giant battles Loki, saved myself about £40 by electing to not buy the frost giant and all the packaging! Keep in mind the reason they take these toys isn't to help out collectors or keep them - it's to make money. Whether that's to support their families or earn enough not to work in a factory anymore is anyone's guess. Some may even do it just for the thrill. Are you so sure you'd be willing to risk your livelihood were you in their situation? __________________ Last edited by trebleshot; 04-26-2011 at 12:23 PM..