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I think I've rumbled a very dodgy trick in a major label toy product...
Ashmil
Posts: 79 Forumite
I recently wrote to a major toy manufacturer to ask them about the function of a suspicious component in one of their products...
Basically the product has moving parts which are controlled by a winding mechanism - a handle which rotates a set of cogs (the cogs are hidden inside part of the toy).
The product used to work fine (for my 6 yr old daughter) until one day it seemed to jam completely - the handle wouldn't budge and the mechanism was stuck.
I dismantled the winding mechanism with a screwdriver and found all the cogs. I also found that a strange plastic component had extended, pushed by a spring that was behind it. The component had teeth which precisely locked in with one of the cogs and prevented the whole mechanism from moving.
It seems impossible that the component has any function other than to deliberately block the cog from moving, rendering the mechanism useless. There is no other purpose it can possibly serve. Upon removing the component and reassembling, everything worked fine.
I wrote to the company describing my findings with photos and text, concluding with "Please could you explain the function of this component, as someone more cynical than I might surmise that the component might be present to increase the likelihood of a parent purchasing the product again, in order to quell the frustration of their disappointed offspring when the product appears broken."
Their reply has been to apologise for the inconvenience, pass on the comments, and offer to send me any product from the range in question.
But I feel like I've stumbled on an intergalactic conspiracy! It's plain as day that that bit of plastic only exists to make the whole thing obsolete.
Maybe I've got too much time on my hands (I haven't) - but what would you do?
Basically the product has moving parts which are controlled by a winding mechanism - a handle which rotates a set of cogs (the cogs are hidden inside part of the toy).
The product used to work fine (for my 6 yr old daughter) until one day it seemed to jam completely - the handle wouldn't budge and the mechanism was stuck.
I dismantled the winding mechanism with a screwdriver and found all the cogs. I also found that a strange plastic component had extended, pushed by a spring that was behind it. The component had teeth which precisely locked in with one of the cogs and prevented the whole mechanism from moving.
It seems impossible that the component has any function other than to deliberately block the cog from moving, rendering the mechanism useless. There is no other purpose it can possibly serve. Upon removing the component and reassembling, everything worked fine.
I wrote to the company describing my findings with photos and text, concluding with "Please could you explain the function of this component, as someone more cynical than I might surmise that the component might be present to increase the likelihood of a parent purchasing the product again, in order to quell the frustration of their disappointed offspring when the product appears broken."
Their reply has been to apologise for the inconvenience, pass on the comments, and offer to send me any product from the range in question.
But I feel like I've stumbled on an intergalactic conspiracy! It's plain as day that that bit of plastic only exists to make the whole thing obsolete.
Maybe I've got too much time on my hands (I haven't) - but what would you do?
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Comments
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Set up a website offering to fix / resell broken ones?0
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Buy your daughter a real dog instead, but please don't try taking your screwdriver to it if you think it's malfunctioning.0
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So why did it work in the first place if this component is there to stop it working? What possible benefit does a product have that would deliberately break it, it would just cause mass returns.
You are clutching at straws, looking for problems that don't exist.0 -
Was there any reason as to why the spring had suddenly decided to push that component against the cog? (i.e. had they rigged the toy so when dropped, or turned upside down, or shaken, that this would happen)
As a parent buying similar toys, I'd be interested to know more and to see a photo of your findings:heartpuls Mrs Marleyboy :heartpuls
MSE: many of the benefits of a helpful family, without disadvantages like having to compete for the tv remote
Proud Parents to an Aut-some son 0 -
LiLElvis - ha!
Bris - jeez lighten up. this is the consumer revenge website isn't it? Well I think I've just found an example of flagrant planned obsolescence in a product. The manufacturer declined to explain the component, and is offering me products to go away. This is all a bit tongue in cheek, and I'm not taking it or myself seriously, but at the same time I HATE planned obsolescence...
Tigsteroonie - I don't know what triggered the thing to come forward, that is a good question. But it's clear that once forward, there was no retracting it - only removing it.
Quizzical Squirrel - I know I sound like a conspiracy theorist but yeah - a built-in self destruct is actually the most likely theory given the evidence. I really can't see any other function at all.
Note to everybody - can we have some fun with this and not take this too seriously, cheers
Will post photos soon!0 -
You clearly know more than me about this. So why does my argument make no sense?0
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Having worked in manufacturing and design engineering for many years (not toys!) you would laugh at how many last minute components have been added to products, usually to satisfy various testing to stop something else failing.
It will no doubt have some ridiculous purpose!
Chances are, they do not even manufacture it themselves, so would have no idea what it is!
Good customer service though!Should've = Should HAVE (not 'of')
Would've = Would HAVE (not 'of')
No, I am not perfect, but yes I do judge people on their use of basic English language. If you didn't know the above, then learn it! (If English is your second language, then you are forgiven!)0 -
Eh no, where does revenge come into this website.
On the description here: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/site/about-the-site
In the title here: http://signup.moneysavingexpert.com/
Have you misunderstood this site for so long?0
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