Hasbro themselves use lower quality materials for different markets, for example there was a recall of mexican transformers that had been imported into the UK years ago due to the high levels of lead in the paint. .....

 

 

 

(I think) IGA themselves made those, but your point is still valid. When Hasbro licensed out TFs to some markets, the toys that resulted were oftern not of the quality a produce made specifically for Hasbro would be.

 

IIRC After Joel Bobbit opened a Chinese issued Cyclonus, some differences in quality were very obvious.

 

 

That said, I've *heard* that the quality on the bootleg casettes is pretty good.(?)

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The KO Cassettes is what confuses me about the whole "China makes poisonous low quality" TFs schpiel. I've recently bought a set from eBay and there were nothing wrong with them. In fact, I would say the plastic is fairly high quality and that the metal parts are pretty good too. In fact, I've found that the KO quality of the plastic has been improving in the last couple of years (KO colourful Devastator, Landcross, and Raiden) - all are pretty good quality. It makes me wonder if this hatred towards China is actually founded or not, or if all the China-bashing is racial or political in nature.

 

But one thing is for certain - China does have different industry standards, but if any of the products produced by any company that is harmful to the people, the guilty company would be heavily fined or worse. As for the machinery not meeting up to EPA standards, I'm pretty sure that would change as China is becoming the premiere world power and trader. The improved quality in the knockoffs that I've mentioned may be a sign of things to come.

But one thing is for certain - China does have different industry standards, but if any of the products produced by any company that is harmful to the people, the guilty company would be heavily fined or worse. As for the machinery not meeting up to EPA standards, I'm pretty sure that would change as China is becoming the premiere world power and trader. The improved quality in the knockoffs that I've mentioned may be a sign of things to come.

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The reason for chinas fast emergance as a power and trader is entirely down to the fact that they dont adhere to industry stifling ledgislation such as environmental standards. Any that they do have are easily circumvented by a quick backhander, this isnt a china bash, its a simple fact of life, china is a hugely corrupt place and every couple of years power rotates and the old lots are then up on fraud/corruption charges. As for them meeting EPA standards in the future, why would they? They, as a government, dont give a damn about the rest of the world or the majority of their populace, the three gorges dam proved this (Im not going into details on this as its too long and complicated but look it up its interesting ;))

 

That said theres no reason why "duplicates" cant be of a similar qualityas good quality molds will produce more items so are cost effective in the long run, as for paint, I dont think they could give a damn whats in it but I dont care, personally I dont stick transformers in my mouth

Dear god, we've opened a serious can of worms, haven't we??

 

I think the point is, China has a history of not regulating their manufacturing divisions, and they don't have to answer to any government agencies because of this.

 

With that being said, I still think the Knockoffs are cool and I will continue to collect them when they are done right and if they are represented as such.

 

The problem is when someone tries to pass off a fake as an original.  It plagues and devalues the market, which is the point I think was trying to be made here.

The reason for chinas fast emergance as a power and trader is entirely down to the fact that they dont adhere to industry stifling ledgislation such as environmental standards. Any that they do have are easily circumvented by a quick backhander, this isnt a china bash, its a simple fact of life, china is a hugely corrupt place and every couple of years power rotates and the old lots are then up on fraud/corruption charges. As for them meeting EPA standards in the future, why would they? They, as a government, dont give a damn about the rest of the world or the majority of their populace, the three gorges dam proved this (Im not going into details on this as its too long and complicated but look it up its interesting ;))

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That's the problem - international standards are hard to enforce (I am assuming that's what you are talking about) - you can't force American or European "standards" onto another country. But, as I said before, as China is becoming a world power and trader, they have to play nicey-nice with those places. Environmental issues are still very touchy because a lot of developing nations sees environmental "legislations" imposed by mainly the West as a tool to control and undermine their sovereignty (they see a lot of hypocrisy and double standards in the West when it comes enforcing their own environmental policies - the Kyoto accord as the latest example), so that's the main reason why the EPA standards are not harmonized with the West.

 

As for not caring for their own people and corruption, that's prevalent everywhere. Here in Canada, our last government was as corrupt as you can get. And not giving a damn about the world and a majority of their populance? I don't know about that. I can argue the U.S. is guilty of the same (Iraq and hurricane Katrina victims.) It's all about politics when it comes to bashing somebody. The 3 Gorge Dam (which I've been following since the late 1990s) is controversial, but it's one of the sacriface any industrializing nation has to make (Look at Hoover Dam or the coal mining operations in Manchester in the late 1800s).

 

So if you take away the politiking, it brings us back to the bootlegging issue. Is it something I would make a fuss about? Not really, because if the quality of the bootleg is bad, I won't buy it - just like if Takara or Hasbro makes a crappy toy, I won't buy it regardless of the fact that it's not a bootleg. Bootlegging and pirating music/movies are the same thing - it's an inexpensive way to get something by people who can't afford the inflated prices on the market. It's not legal and I'm not condoning it, but I would be a hypocrite if I target bootlegger if I myself download music and movies.

With that being said, I still think the Knockoffs are cool and I will continue to collect them when they are done right and if they are represented as such.

 

The problem is when someone tries to pass off a fake as an original.  It plagues and devalues the market, which is the point I think was trying to be made here.

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Yeah, I agree with this 100%. I think being truthful about the products should be the manufacturer's/seller's first and foremost priority.

Chinese versions are missing typo at the back of the card/box.  It´s always missing the following:Made and printed in Japan, Manufactured By Takara Co. Tokyo.  This is 100% bullet proof. Despite what any seller may tell you ,if it's missing typo, it is a Chinese version. Another thing to check is the factory tapes, they are different like twice or three times wider. I strongly suggest you guys to take a look at the item 6063807675.

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http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...item=6063807675

 

Yes this item is suspect. The seller says it wasn't resealed, but the toy has the wrong stickers on it.

That item looks legit, but it has definitely been opened and resealed with crappy tape, just look at the pics!!

 

Some sellers never learn :roll  Guess that's why it didn't sell.

I feel as if I need to say something in this thread becasue I read all your posts. So here goes:

 

"Something"

 

 

Okay I've said my peace.

The box says "Hasbro", it also says "Ages: 6 & up" on it.

I will be be buying one of these for my 6 year old child. Should my child fall ill due to unsafe materials used in the probuction of this toy, or choke on a small part if it breaks, I will be using your last reply as evidence in a case against your company.

 

Regardless of whether the toys are unsafe, the whole point of saying this to Hasbro would be to blow a bit of smoke up their backsides.

 

Lead paint in KO's? Who cares, it's irrelevant. Wanna find out? Eat one & post pics.  :tfevil