Mattel, Inc. (NYSE: MAT) has recalled more than 150,000 toys produced in Mexico under its Fisher-Price label in yet another installment of a recent rash of toy recalls. This time around it's not lead paint, and for once the products don't involve China. This recall applies to Fisher-Price "Laugh & Learn" and "Learning Kitchen" toys; small pieces can detach from the toys, causing a possible choking hazard.
According to this Reuters report on the recall, about 17,000 toys in the European Union (EU) are affected. Personally I think a comment from EU Consumer Protetcion Commissioner Meglena Kuneva says what a lot of us, worldwide, are already thinking:
This is not the time for 'business as usual'. They risk, if they do not take action, to lose the trust of [Europe's] consumers. That trust has been badly shaken in recent months.
It's not just European consumers who are wondering whether to trust in the big toy corporations any more. More and more reports of Americans trying to "buy American" for Christmas are rolling in. Small businesses are swamped with orders from folks who either want better quality control (assuming that a small company will keep better track of things, I suppose) or who want to purchase hand-made, home-made items that were made with care and without plastics, lead paint, and the other associated recall triggers.
With all these recalls, I can't help but think about the ratios. With 80% of the toys sold in the USA being manufactured in China, and a good 60% of the recalled toys being manufactured there, it's easy to assume that we can't do a darn thing about the issue - imported toys are a Goliath in the system and one less "low price, low quality" tradeoff won't matter. On the flip side, we women are a huge market force. Look at how consumers seeking "green" and organic items have created an explosion in a market that was once seen as the realm of hippies and New Age-rs.
Ladies, if you're concerned, remember you do have power. You have buying power. If you're involved in industry and manufacturing, you have even more power. The Workerettes in these fields can step up to bat for consumers (and probably are trying to do so right this minute!) and tell the corporate giants that we consumers will not tolerate poor quality control. Remind them that it's not just recalls that cost them money - it's the loss of faithful customers who have had enough. It's time for us consumers to enforce that stance with our pocketbooks.
Comment Preview