$130 for Melting-goo figures? Any help, or answers, on the horizon?

[Ivaniski]

$130 for Melting-goo figures? Any help, or answers, on the horizon?

My Brother purchased a Green Lantern for my son yesterday, and to my dismay...There was that "Darn oil leak" in the card. As soon as i pulled out GL from the card, the costume was soaked with something that fet like "baby oil"...Talk about a lube job. I have never seen (in my lifetime so far) a carded action figure that was full of a lubricant.....What gives? I mean it's not a question that you have to grease these things to keep them from rusting...akin to a chain in a motor. Incidentally, as i removed the Green Lantern's greasssy costume (hence the sss's), It took me awhile of soaping up my hands to remove the oil (that was late last night, and still today... my fingers feel very oily). Unfortunately, I will not be purchasing nor accepting anymore of these Mattel DC figures until i'm satisfied that there's no harm due to this "Condensation Oil" fiasco. Just my 2 cents.

[Agent of SHIELD]

I noticed the oily stuff when I first received my figures, but I'm not sure if there's more of the stuff now than there was a week ago. A time-lapse video camera is not a bad idea.

I just keep nervously checking this thread for official news from the Mattel lab.

[geoffdude]

I noticed the oily stuff when I first received my figures, but I'm not sure if there's more of the stuff now than there was a week ago. A time-lapse video camera is not a bad idea.

I just keep nervously checking this thread for official news from the Mattel lab.

Well.. here's the rub.

Mattel may not really "want" to let us know. If any company official goes on record commenting on this goo, for any reason, then they open a legal can of worms for the company. We'll probably have to depend on Doc to get info to us from a Mattel mediatory.. or take this higher somehow to TRU, BBB, news outlets, or what-not for some true resolution.

g.

[mitchedwards]

I'm not a chemist, but I think if you took a swab of the oil, and sent it to a lab, they could tell you what it is, and if its harmful.

[Agent of SHIELD]

Well.. here's the rub.

Mattel may not really "want" to let us know. If any company official goes on record commenting on this goo, for any reason, then they open a legal can of worms for the company. We'll probably have to depend on Doc to get info to us from a Mattel mediatory.. or take this higher somehow to TRU, BBB, news outlets, or what-not for some true resolution.

g.

I hadn't thought about that angle. This has been the most anticipated toy line for me in years, and I'd hate to see it end prematurely. Like if it did become a news story for all the wrong reasons--if this goo were hazardous--instead of a good reason for being newsworth--that the Mattel WGSH are the the heroic return (well, minus Marvel characters) of a much loved toy from decades ago.

[drmego]

I posted the response from Mattel in the other thread on this subject.
Our contact at Mattel is a toy designer who is a full-time employee of
the company. I don't mention his name because I don't want anyone
bothering him.

Enjoy.

Our contact at Mattel got the answer.

The first batch of figures had paint migration onto the card, so the factory
spritzed the heads with silicone based oil that will NOT stain the costumes.

If the sprayer had a light touch, the oil evaporated, if the sprayer had a
lead finger - the excess oil ended up on the blister.

It may not look pretty, but it is not toxic, will not cause mutations, or
destroy the long term existence of these figures.

[gonzo]

I don't mention his name because I don't want anyone
bothering him.

Mattel needs some good bothering. I don't think they listen most times.

[txteach]

Don't want anyone bothering him? These people are the reason he has a job. They should be able to bother him any time they want. BTW I have 1 GA (soon to be Toystalkers) and there is no oil.

[megoscott]

Doc said he's a toy designer. His job is to design toys, not field complaints, that's what customer service is for.

[Earth 2 Chris]

When I bought my Lex, I noticed his nose was pressed hard against the bubble. I questioned whether he had a dented-in nose. I turned the card over and the figure slid back, and no funky nose. But after reading all of this, I checked my Lex, and sure enough, there was a what seemed to be a small drop of some oil on his nose. I washed his head down with dish detergent and water and he seems fine now.

Now to check my GAs. One is still in the package.

Chris

[drmego]

My point exactly

Thanks Scott - you said better than I could.

Mattel had a few rounds of layoffs last year and everybody who
survived has had their workload increased. Not very different
a story from the rest of the country, but it's worth mentioning.

Doc said he's a toy designer. His job is to design toys, not field complaints, that's what customer service is for.

[EMCE Hammer]

If they would make that oil bubble gum flavored they could spin this whole thing around.

I can see it now: The year is 2030, and first-wave Mattel WGRSH figures are commonly afflicted with 'zombie drip.' An innovative collector discovers that a mix of equal parts Massengil and Pepto Bismol will remove the drip and restore the head to its original condition. The good news is posted online at the Mattel Museum, but it's overshadowed by a flame war about the new Retro Retro Heroes line being made on Betty Spaghetti bodies.

[geoffdude]

That's good to hear. I'll post this on the front page of this thread too.

Thanks and regards,

g.

I posted the response from Mattel in the other thread on this subject.
Our contact at Mattel is a toy designer who is a full-time employee of
the company. I don't mention his name because I don't want anyone
bothering him.

Enjoy.

Our contact at Mattel got the answer.

The first batch of figures had paint migration onto the card, so the factory
spritzed the heads with silicone based oil that will NOT stain the costumes.

If the sprayer had a light touch, the oil evaporated, if the sprayer had a
lead finger - the excess oil ended up on the blister.

It may not look pretty, but it is not toxic, will not cause mutations, or
destroy the long term existence of these figures.

[ctc]

Hmmmm....

If it is just a silicone oil it'll come right off with warm water and dish soap. (Dish soap has stuff that'll break up oils.) It MIGHT stain the costumes, in a LONG time. It'll attract dirts and dusts. It'll still be easy to wash off; but not for a figure in the package.

If you're giving the figures to kids I'd advise a soak. After that they should be fine.

Don C.

[Trappy Trek Freak]

I put the superman body suit on my original and the New superman head on a trek body. Does anyone know if the new suit will hurt my original superman?