Mattel Recall REPLACEMENT SELECTION LAUGHABLE

[wils]

I'm sure most people have seen this but just in case anyone else is affected

http://service.mattel.com/uk/recall/Magnet.pdf

Molly has lots of the Polly-click sets (she got them from everyone last Christmas) We have had one magnet fall out and as she is a bit of a 'things in her mouth' girl at the moment I can't risk it especially with a toddler around.

3 kids have needed surgery as the magnets are so powerful that if more than is one is swalled it can tear intestines.

Been trying the helpline number all morning but it is swamped (not surprisingly!)

Hope no one else is affected - I think you get a refund but not looking forward to telling Molly she's going to lose some many toys - we even have accessory sets in the loft waiting for her birthday.

 

[T16GEM]

It's a real pain isn't it - but better than the alternative - why on earth do they need such strong magnets in them anyway!!??
Thankfully we are still on baby toys in our house so we don't have anything on the list - keep trying to call them Jo.

Gems

 

[Lizzybear]

It's slightly ironic in a way that they changed the Polly Pockets quite drastically from those I remember from my childhood as they were thought to be a choking hazard. Seems as if the new ones aren't much better in some cases! Hope not too many people are affected and that the children who have been injured so far recover soon.

 

[cstokell]

My DD has some of the Polly Pocket with magents but I can't work out if it is included in the recall. Some websites include it and others. Well rather than phoning Mattel I sent an e-mail am just waiting for a reply.

My DD is being very matter of fact about the whole thing, I thought she might be a bit upset as she loves her Polly Pocket. We saw the item on the news, the next thing I knew she had gone upstairs brought all her magent Polly Pocket downstairs and started putting it into an envelope. I asked what she was doing and she said, ""I might be old enough to know not to put the magnets in my mouth but if any of my friends come to play and they bring their little sisters they might not. So I thought we had just better send it straight back!" 6 years old going on 60!!!!!

 

[wils]

, ""I might be old enough to know not to put the magnets in my mouth but if any of my friends come to play and they bring their little sisters they might not. So I thought we had just better send it straight back!" 6 years old going on 60!!!!!

Bless her - you must be so proud

 

[natalielongstaff]

i am glad my kids are too old for these toys !!

i hope you all get yours refunded ok

 

[cstokell]

I have recieved an e-mail reply from Mattel:

Thank you for contacting us regarding our recent voluntary recall notice on the Polly Pocket toys.

We will now send a pre paid envelope out to you for the return of the original toys. We will also send you a list of replacement toys. Please make a note of which replacement toys you would like and return this with the affected toys. Once we have received the list we will have the replacements sent out to you as soon as possible. We appreciate it is not always easy to keep hold of all the bits to these sets, please return the main play set and as many of the pieces as possible.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused you and any upset this may bring to your children as we understand it is not easy giving up your favourite toys. If you have any further queries regarding the recall please do not hesitate to contact us and we will endeavour to help you quickly and efficiently.

Thank you
Kind regards

I sent my e-mail to HELPLINEUK@Mattel.com, I included my name address, contact number and asked if Mattel would be paying for the return of the toy.

Hope that this might be of help to anyone else that has been affected.

 

[wils]

Thanks Caroline - I've e-mailed them.

We mentioned it to DD tonight and she's quite upset. I told her what your DD said and I think it made sense to her and understand that there are lots of sad little girls other than her

Just glad didn't get her the pooing Barbie dog as that's recalled too! (I told her if she wanted poo she could do some of DS' nappies and that was the end of that!)

What a PR nightmare

 

[cstokell]

Just glad didn't get her the pooing Barbie dog as that's recalled too! (I told her if she wanted poo she could do some of DS' nappies and that was the end of that!)

.

 

[wils]

Just had an e-mail from Amazon telling me about the recall as I I'd ordered some of the toys from them. Not a majorly difficult query to run on their database but still good customer service so a big to them

 

[saratogagirl]

This reminds me of when I worked in Customer Services at BlueBird Toys, the original manufacturor of Polly Pocket. It was a great place to work and we used to have a good laugh, Polly Pocket was made in Merthyr then, along with Oh Penny, The Big Yelllow Teapot and The Big Red Fun Bus, it was my job to answer complaints and send out replacements etc. I remember there was once a promotion where if the children collected tokens they would get a free packet of Polly Pocket dolls, we received thousands of tokens, it was mad, we earned loads of overtime staying till nine each evening stuffing envelopes with dolls, I'm not sure how old you are Lizzy but you may have been one of the little girls who I sent an envelope too !

 

[wideeyes]

My DD has one of the Polly Pocket dolls, she not really into Polly pocket so did not mine having to get rid of it. I told her she can get another My Little Pony to replace it, she is obsessed with My little Pony so she is happy to get rid of Polly Pocket in exchange for a Pony.

 

[Lizzybear]

This reminds me of when I worked in Customer Services at BlueBird Toys, the original manufacturor of Polly Pocket. It was a great place to work and we used to have a good laugh, Polly Pocket was made in Merthyr then, along with Oh Penny, The Big Yelllow Teapot and The Big Red Fun Bus, it was my job to answer complaints and send out replacements etc. I remember there was once a promotion where if the children collected tokens they would get a free packet of Polly Pocket dolls, we received thousands of tokens, it was mad, we earned loads of overtime staying till nine each evening stuffing envelopes with dolls, I'm not sure how old you are Lizzy but you may have been one of the little girls who I sent an envelope too !

I'm 23 and remember Oh Penny! toys too, I was never allowed any I think I remember those tokens, I was mad on Polly Pocket! One of my favourite things was the sticker album as there was a doll in each sticker pack

 

[tracipierce]

OMG,, thankyou for posting this, I rarely watch TV so I was oblivious to it. My DD5 has the polly pocket limosine that is picured in the link. She absolutely adores it, I'm not looking forward to explaining this tomorrow morning to her

 

[saratogagirl]

Lizzy I am 13 years older than you, and worked there when I was 20, which would have made you 7, so I could well have sent some to you. God you've made me feel old !!

 

[wils]

Finally had a mailing label and the alternatives list through and it is very poor. Bearing in mind I have nearly £150 to spend (as I said EVERYONE got her Polly Pockets for Christmas!) there are no Polly Pockets sets of the price of size or the ones I'm returning and the only other items suitable for her age are 3 Barbie dolls, a Barbie horse styling head, some Ratatouille figures (not big on Rats!)and a Lazytown dressing up set.

Luckily Boots will refund on the items they stocked which is nearly £100 worth and I'll get her a couple of the little Polly Pocket sets and maybe the Dress Up from Mattel.

I know that Mattel are taking a big loss on this but I'm just a bit disappointed that there is nothing comparable to what we are returning on offer.

 

[natalielongstaff]

that is very dissapointing Jo not good customer relations by Mattel

 

[cstokell]

I was a bit disappointed by the choice of replacement products as well. Fortunately I only had £20 to spend.

Don't tell Mattel though because when I bought the sets they were Buy One Get One Free.

 

[DisneyJo]

I've just seen this and had a look on the Mattel site and my DD has at least 6 of the sets, but now knowing the replacements aren't what she would want and she is 9 years old so old enough not to put things in her mouth I'm wondering about sending them back Also she loves them, I assumed they would just replace the toys with new safe ones!