Lead Paint on Made in China Toys (1 Viewer)

[noli-poli]

Fellow Croakers:

I guess we were so engrossed with the latest releases that headline news on made in China toys escaped our attention. Toys R Us, Mattel and other big toy retailers/manufacturers have recalled hundreds and thousands of toys due to high lead content on the paint used. Just wondering about Figarti, K&C, and others' if their quality control standard have also been compromised.

Inquiring minds want to know.

N-P

 

[jazzeum]

I raised this issue a couple of months ago and the answer was no.

 

[Alexdakar]

Fellow Croakers:

I guess we were so engrossed with the latest releases that headline news on made in China toys escaped our attention. Toys R Us, Mattel and other big toy retailers/manufacturers have recalled hundreds and thousands of toys due to high lead content on the paint used. Just wondering about Figarti, K&C, and others' if their quality control standard have also been compromised.

Inquiring minds want to know.

N-P

I was wondering the same thing especially because I let my daughter help me set up the new soldiers that come in.

 

[King & Country]

Hi Guys,

Re “Noli-Poli’s” obvious concern about the above issue. Like all of you we take this matter very seriously to the extent that for many years now K&C have insisted that the factories we work with for figures...vehicles and dioramas all use “lead-free” paint. In addition to quality controlling all our products virtually every week we also visit the actual factories...inspect the casting and painting sections and take samples for ourselves to test independently of the factories’ own test results. I’m happy to say that both results...the factories’ and our own, confirm the paint is, indeed, “lead free”.

On the same subject...one of the main reasons some Chinese manufacturers “cut corners” is because many of these big American companies demand the lowest price possible for their products. These “big boys” play rough ‘n’ tough with the factories demanding ever better quality for ever lower prices! Having been approached a couple of times by some very well-known names in the U.S. toy industry I would hate to work with them for that reason. Although the volumes they may sell are huge the actual profit margins...at least for the factories...are often miniscule. So, some factories are, alas, driven to make a few cents or dollars extra, by using cheaper materials...in this case lead-based paint.

I think I speak for most of us in the China-based toy soldier business that we look at our market very differently. Quality is what we seek at a fair price that is affordable to us...the toy soldier company. In order to get that we have to pay the factory a reasonable price for their hard work. Both of us...factory and brand-name have then to be able to offer it to you at a reasonable price that provides you top value for your hard-earned money.

The big-names in the toy industry are absolutely ruthless and cut-throat when it comes to price and cost-cutting. I’m just glad I don’t have to deal with them. Thank you very much.

Best wishes and happy collecting!

Andy C.

 

[jazzeum]

Here is the earlier thread.

 

[noli-poli]

Hi Guys,

Re “Noli-Poli’s” obvious concern about the above issue. Like all of you we take this matter very seriously to the extent that for many years now K&C have insisted that the factories we work with for figures...vehicles and dioramas all use “lead-free” paint. In addition to quality controlling all our products virtually every week we also visit the actual factories...inspect the casting and painting sections and take samples for ourselves to test independently of the factories’ own test results. I’m happy to say that both results...the factories’ and our own, confirm the paint is, indeed, “lead free”.

On the same subject...one of the main reasons some Chinese manufacturers “cut corners” is because many of these big American companies demand the lowest price possible for their products. These “big boys” play rough ‘n’ tough with the factories demanding ever better quality for ever lower prices! Having been approached a couple of times by some very well-known names in the U.S. toy industry I would hate to work with them for that reason. Although the volumes they may sell are huge the actual profit margins...at least for the factories...are often miniscule. So, some factories are, alas, driven to make a few cents or dollars extra, by using cheaper materials...in this case lead-based paint.

I think I speak for most of us in the China-based toy soldier business that we look at our market very differently. Quality is what we seek at a fair price that is affordable to us...the toy soldier company. In order to get that we have to pay the factory a reasonable price for their hard work. Both of us...factory and brand-name have then to be able to offer it to you at a reasonable price that provides you top value for your hard-earned money.

The big-names in the toy industry are absolutely ruthless and cut-throat when it comes to price and cost-cutting. I’m just glad I don’t have to deal with them. Thank you very much.

Best wishes and happy collecting!

Andy C.

Andy:

Thanks for the info. Your statements are very comforting and it reinforces K&C's commitment to deliver superior products from sculpting to safety issues.

Again, thanks...I can now rest easy.

Noli-Poli (N-P)

 

[kilted vampire]

Andy:

Thanks for the info. Your statements are very comforting and it reinforces K&C's commitment to deliver superior products from sculpting to safety issues.

Again, thanks...I can now rest easy.

Noli-Poli (N-P)

Andy,I'll echo NPs' thanks an add a question. Any new acquisitions of your own you would like to tell us about?

I would also like to remark that it is very nice to have you respond so quickly on this question.

 

[Alexdakar]

Thanks Andy. My daughter wasn't too happy when we packed up hers toys and returned them to the store but she will be getting new ones or maybe I can use that money to buy more FJs.

 

[noli-poli]

So far, we've heard from K&C and East India Co. directly. We still have to hear assurances from Britains, Figarti, Patriot, NMA, FOV, C21 on how they stand on this issue (lead paint). A third party statement will not suffice in this important issue. I will for now hold off buying until I hear from these manufacturers.

N-P

 

[RWFigarti]

At Figarti Miniatures, we take this matter VERY seriously and ONLY use "LEAD-FREE" paint on our products. Unlike other manufacturers, we are in FULL CONTROL of our production as well as raw materials because we do all of our production in-house at our own factory. We have strict requirements for our raw material suppliers to provide necessary documents and lab test results that meet with international standards through SGS certification. I agree with Andy that our industry strives to give collectors the best and we don't treat our business as a mass market toy business. Figarti Miniatures is committed to QUALITY & SAFETY.

Rick
RWFigarti

 

[noli-poli]

At Figarti Miniatures, we take this matter VERY seriously and ONLY use "LEAD-FREE" paint on our products. Unlike other manufacturers, we are in FULL CONTROL of our production as well as raw materials because we do all of our production in-house at our own factory. We have strict requirements for our raw material suppliers to provide necessary documents and lab test results that meet with international standards through SGS certification. I agree with Andy that our industry strives to give collectors the best and we don't treat our business as a mass market toy business. Figarti Miniatures is committed to QUALITY & SAFETY.

Rick
RWFigarti

Rick:

Thanks for the feedback. Now I can rest easy. You have great products and it's very reassuring to know that your quality control is a-ok.

N-P