I got my labels to send back the tainted toys to Mattel today

[Horse with no Name]

However, they aren't giving money back.
They are giving vouchers to buy what is possibly MORE tainted toys.
I have decided not to partake in this sham and INSTEAD have pledged not to buy from them in the future.
It is NOT China's fault (necessarily) because the corporate greed of Mattel sought out sweatshops in Asia to build toys and enhance their profits instead of building them in America under safe guidelines.
MATTEL CHOSE not to support America and I am choosing not to support THEM.
It was MATTEL'S responsibility to keep our kids safe with the toys they sell and I for one am holding THEM accountable.

[rucky]

1. Sell them on e-bay. n/t

[Horse with no Name]

2. They are hazardous to kids.

Why would I do that?

[rucky]

4. the vouchers - not the toys. n/t

[Horse with no Name]

6. Ahhh but you have to send the toys back to get the vouchers

So that they can dispose of them in the local landfills.

[rucky]

7. Gotcha.

I usually say stuff like "e-bay" or "porn" without thinking.

[Horse with no Name]

8. From what I hear

porn can getcha into trouble.;)

[The_Casual_Observer]

3. They got PR people reminding us that those toys were designed

in the USA. Well I say, fuck you PR people & fuck china.

[Horse with no Name]

5. Here is my letter AND the email address of Mattel

[e-mail]

To Whom It May Concern:
I am a 44-year old woman who was raised on toys from Mattel and Fisher Price.
I have two grown children who have also been raised on toys from Mattel and Fisher Price.
I now have a granddaughter who had a toybox full of toys from Mattel and Fisher Price.
Sadly, I have made my last purchase from your company and have thrown away ANY product bearing your name--even Christmas presents that I have already purchased for next year.
I do not hold the Chinese responsible for this travesty...I hold YOU responsible for not making these toys in America where the safety of our children could be assured.
I am tired of the corporations taking our money and shirking all responsibility in the quality and safety.
I requested my vouchers and sure you will take these tainted toys back--however, you will send me new vouchers and I can buy MORE tainted toys.
What a trade! Thanks but no thanks.
Until your brand brings the toys AND jobs back to the USA...I will be a one-woman campaign against your lead-infested products.
Please don't worry--I have deleted the vouchers and will not be accepting your bribery.
Anything short of getting my MONEY back so that I can buy toys MADE IN THE USA is unacceptable.
Thank you.

[Whoa_Nelly]

10. Excellent!

Good on you!
As a grandmother, I will also no longer be buying from Mattel or F-P.

This whole thing has me wondering about all the toys I bought and used in my Life Skills Mild to Moderate Handicapped classroom. Were my students exposed to more damage than they already had going on in their lives? This was a classroom of children who would drool, lick, or otherwise handle the toys to the point that a clean up/wipe off of the toys had to be done daily before I left at the end of the school day.

[cynatnite]

9. Blame is equally distributed between Mattel, the US and China...

They all screwed up on this. Mattel for it's outsourcing, the US for not adequately testing the products, and China for not holding their companies to adequate standards. Basically, they're all greedy bastards who didn't give a damn about our children.

Fuck 'em.