The horror of the dreaded twisty wires...

[Gorn Captain]

Bought myself a 12" Sideshow Quasimodo at a convention.
Now normally, I'm pretty patient when it comes to getting the figures out of the packaging (yes, I like my figures roaming free), but this time I swear, steam was coming out of my ears.
Not only was every limb tightly secured with those awful wires (as if two aren't enough), and his neck, and his torso, but the guy who twisted them gave them a kind of "reverse extra twist". So I had to twist one way, then reverse, then reverse again!!!
Then they added two fabric threads around his feet, and another plastic band around his legs (with extra tape around it).

I know that factory employees need to make a living, but if I ever meet the guy who calls the shots and invented this technique, I'm going to use every piece of wire I have and get medieval on him!

[thunderbolt]

I just use wire snips on them then I don't have to untwist

[PNGwynne]

I have snips & an x-acto handy for wire & tape--I save one nice piece of wire (and the retaining toggle, if included) for around the fig's waist.

That way, I can secure the figure for diplay & storage, but remove it eaisly when desired.

[wilbs518]

I cut them, too. Does a person or a machine twist them?

[stevenlore]

Bought myself a 12" Sideshow Quasimodo at a convention.
Now normally, I'm pretty patient when it comes to getting the figures out of the packaging (yes, I like my figures roaming free), but this time I swear, steam was coming out of my ears.
Not only was every limb tightly secured with those awful wires (as if two aren't enough), and his neck, and his torso, but the guy who twisted them gave them a kind of "reverse extra twist". So I had to twist one way, then reverse, then reverse again!!!
Then they added two fabric threads around his feet, and another plastic band around his legs (with extra tape around it).

I know that factory employees need to make a living, but if I ever meet the guy who calls the shots and invented this technique, I'm going to use every piece of wire I have and get medieval on him!

I know how you feel. That guy or gal also works on Hasbro toys....

[Gorn Captain]

And they should also let painted figures dry a bit before sealing them in the package.
I just removed a Diamond Select Dracula from his card and the toxic fumes nearly killed me...

[Earth 2 Chris]

I like how Mattel does some of their in-package-securing. Instead of twist-ties and those transparent rubber bands, they have these little plastic pegs that hold the item to the packaging. You just lift the tab, twist, and they fall right off. Much nicer than tons of twist-ties.

Chris

[Gorn Captain]

Why don't they use a molded tray (enclosing the figure front and back)?
That way, it'll never shift, and when you open the package, the figure just lifts out?

[UnderdogDJLSW]

Why don't they use a molded tray (enclosing the figure front and back)?
That way, it'll never shift, and when you open the package, the figure just lifts out?

I think the twist ties are more of a theft deterrent than shake and rattle protection.

[rche]

The SS toys are mostly sold by online retailers. Probably less than 10% ever hit a brick and mortar store for their retail life. I doubt it would be theft issues with that brand.

I don't think SS uses ties anymore. I seem to recall a big stink about collector friendly packaging years ago with them and they changed over to molded trays with a molded clear lid. At least that is how most of the Star Wars items are. The Uni monster toys are from an earlier era, I believe.

[palitoy]

The kids call the twisty wires "Daddy's enemy" from my countless Christmas morning tirades...