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Buckyballs toy company fights Nanny State: #SaveOurBalls
twitchy.com ^ | 7/30/2012 | Twitchy Staff

Posted on 07/30/2012 9:35:08 PM PDT by RedCell

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To: zeugma

I have one set of these, and have been meaning to buy some more so I can make bigger projects. I decided I better order them right away, in case big brother ends up banning them.

I checked a few places that normally sell them; they are no longer listed. The CPSC has indeed scared away a bunch of resellers. But they are still available directly from the buckyballs web site.

I searched for coupon codes and found a very good one at www.retailmenot.com. 45% off my entire order, which is nice since these are fairly expensive.


41 posted on 07/31/2012 1:39:27 PM PDT by Jordo
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To: zeugma

I haven’t read the warning on the packaging, so perhaps it does spell out the real danger. But the real danger is *not* choking (any more than any other small toy), but the magnets clamping down on internal organs. This danger is NOT as well known as it should be. If the packaging does not spell out the true danger in exquisite detail, then it ought to.


42 posted on 07/31/2012 8:30:48 PM PDT by Hetty_Fauxvert ( "Be Breitbart, baby!")
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To: Hetty_Fauxvert

You are right, magnets, especially small strong ones, are very dangerous to young children. They can block the small intestine if two or more are swallowed a few minutes apart.


43 posted on 07/31/2012 8:34:58 PM PDT by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they were.)
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To: Hetty_Fauxvert

From the package:

“Keep Away From All Children!
Do not put in nose or mouth.
Swallowed magnets can stick to
intestines causing serious injury or death.
Seek immediate medical attention if
magnets are swallowed or inhaled.”

That warning is on:
the top of the outer package, the top and side of the inner package (both visible through the transparent outer package), and the storage/carrying case.

Similar warnings are on nearly every page of their web site.

These are the conditions the company puts on their retailers:

Maxfield and Oberton (M&O) will not in any way market or promote Buckyballs or Buckycubes for children (defined by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission as persons under 14 years of age), nor permit its retailers to do so. Buckyballs and Buckycubes must be marketed exclusively as adult products and in a manner consistent with that audience.

M&O will not knowingly sell to or accept orders for Buckyballs from retailers unless the retailer carries a sufficient percentage of products intended for adults, segregates its advertising and displays of children’s products from adult products, and advertises and displays Buckyballs exclusively in the adult product section. Retailers are also urged to train their employees regarding these restrictions.

Buckyballs & Buckycubes will prominently display the provided warning in the language appropriate to the market where sold.

M&O will conduct a detailed credentials check of every new account. As necessary, a signed and approved Responsible Seller Agreement will be required to determine if an account is an appropriate place for Buckyballs and Buckycubes to be sold and to outline appropriate sales and marketing requirements. M&O will re-evaluate every account at least every 12 months to be sure that retailer continues to meets the criteria of the Responsible Seller Agreement.

Responsible Seller Notices, meant to reinforce the appropriate way to market Buckyballs and Buckycubes, are provided with every order sent to retailers.

Periodic reminders will be provided to retailers and sales reps of M&O’s safety policies.

Shipments of Buckyballs and Buckycubes include a warning label on the outer carton, a list of selling instructions inside the carton, and 3 warning labels on the consumer packaging, 1 on the product carrying case and 1 warning on the instructions.


44 posted on 08/01/2012 7:14:06 AM PDT by Jordo
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To: Jordo

The safety section of the company’s web site:
http://www.getbuckyballs.com/safety/


45 posted on 08/01/2012 7:17:31 AM PDT by Jordo
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To: Jordo

You need 3 sets for larger projects. Be aware, the balls do ‘wear out’, in that the chrome will eventually wear from the poles. When that happens, I normally retire those balls, so it’s good to have a spare set available for replacements. The wife gave the go ahead to buy a few more sets today. WooHoo!


46 posted on 08/01/2012 11:24:48 AM PDT by zeugma (Those of us who work for a living are outnumbered by those who vote for a living.)
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To: Pontiac

Amen, Pontiac.

MM


47 posted on 08/01/2012 1:58:26 PM PDT by MississippiMan (http://gogmagogblog.wordpress.com/)
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