Talk:Magnetix
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[edit] Still being sold?
This is what I've been reading in the press "Magnetix is a construction toy imported and sold by RoseArt Industries Inc. from September 2003 through March 2006." But I've also heard that they are still being sold and only certain kits have been recalled. Furthermore, I've seen some knock-off Magnetix showing up at various $1 shops. Evan1975 23:59, 3 April 2006 (UTC)
See the "Company failing to comply with recall" reference, to the Washington Post, in the article. Feel free to update the article as further news develops. There are already several lawsuits. --John Nagle 02:47, 4 April 2006 (UTC)
This is such a bizarre story. I'd welcome info from kids or their parents on what these toys were supposed to do. I've heard that the magnetic balls weren't supposed to come off from some sources; others say they were intended to come off. Evan1975 04:34, 4 April 2006 (UTC)
Take a look at the picture. See the tiny magnets embedded in the plastic? Apparently those come loose, get swallowed, and cause serious trouble. --John Nagle 04:52, 4 April 2006 (UTC)
I went to Toys R Us and saw a whole aisle of these toys still on shelves (and this is in the state that the fatality happened in!), so it's safe to say that they're still being sold. On inspection of the (boxed) toys, it appears that the metal balls (they looked about marble-sized) are supposed to be loose, although the magnetic pieces shown in your pic probably aren't. However, it's my understanding that the child swallowed the metal balls and not the tiny magnets; therefore I took out my "poorly constructed" line. Evan1975 23:52, 5 April 2006 (UTC)
If you read the litigation press release, you'll see that the reported issue involves the little magnets coming loose from the plastic. The balls themselves are apparently just plain steel, and relatively harmless. The hazard comes from swallowing more than one high-powered magnet, apparently. --John Nagle 01:50, 6 April 2006 (UTC)
Hi, I just changed the wording from 'all' sets to reflect the truth that not all of the sets are recalled, just the more expensive building sets. That is why you can still find them on toy store shelves. I also live in the state that it happened, and work at a retailer and have seen the recall notice.--Puremicros 18:10, 4 May 2006 (UTC)
- The CPSC recall notice says "All Magnetix Magnetic Building Sets", so I changed it to use that language exactly. --John Nagle 18:46, 4 May 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Moved comment to discussion page.
(Should this section be moved to magnets or neodymium magnets? --bob.os 02:23, 7 December 2006 (UTC)) --John Nagle 06:00, 26 December 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Watch for whitewashing by anon
On Dec. 22, an anon made some edits which made the article less critical of the product. I've reverted those. Something like that should be discussed here first, or attempted whitewashing is suspected. Thanks. --John Nagle 06:02, 26 December 2006 (UTC)
I believe my edits were more representative of the facts regarding the recall. It was in fact a voluntary recall and replacement not a full recall. As you can see from previous discussion (see "Still being sold" above) there was confusion regarding the implementation of the recall. The fact that it was a replacement program not a full recall explains why the product was still on shelves.
Even the link to the Washington Post article ("Company failing to comply with recall (Washington Post story)") is misleading. The actual title of the article is "Toy Remains in Stores After Child's Death". Nowhere does the article say the company is failing to comply with the recall.
My nephew loves this product and I looked into it on behalf of my sister. I found a lot of misinformation on the topic and wanted to contribute to a factual discussion. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 64.180.158.206 (talk • contribs).
- Most CPSC recalls are listed as "voluntary". That's because 16 CFR 1115.20 provides that if the firm does not agree to a "voluntary" recall, the CPSC shall "reject the plan and issue a complaint (in which case an administrative and/or judicial proceeding will be commenced)". Things then proceed to the "compulsory remedial action" stage, and the recall happens anyway, with injunctions, court-ordered seizures, fines, and really bad publicity. Thus, very few companies resist a CPSC-initiated recall. Also, once a company has agreed to a "voluntary" recall, it's no longer voluntary. There are sanctions if they don't do the recall. --John Nagle 08:01, 3 January 2007 (UTC)
