Is buying from Taobao ethical?

[Wardah]

Hasbro is never going to even admit the taobao ponies are real. They are too worried the factory rejects will damage "brand reputation" while letting things like bodiless EG Celestias slip through QC.

[SilverRains]

Here's my question regarding all of this...

If it seems like something is certainly going to be released, why do people still buy it for exorbitant prices? Why not wait for it to come to the toy store shelves for $5?

[Violet CLM]

Because they can turn around and sell it to other people!

...I guess? I mean, I'm willing to pay a little extra for something that I really like, in order to get it sooner. But not on the order of $70, $500, whatever. Still, I would think it's generally the first of a kind that go for the most, and part of that may well be that we don't know if that thing is certainly going to be released. It's easy to assume everything is, but where are those mysterious flower fillies?

[Shiromisa]

Reminds me of that rainbowified Dr. Hooves that went on Ebay for $740. Man, I wonder how the buyer feels now that he's been found in packaging...

[hathorcat]

Here's my question regarding all of this...

If it seems like something is certainly going to be released, why do people still buy it for exorbitant prices? Why not wait for it to come to the toy store shelves for $5?

A lot of people take a gamble on whether a pony is a genuine release or not. I still kick myself a little on the white Celestias - I saw them listed and only purchased one of them because they were only $10 and because I had an order open. I genuinely thought she was a pending release because there were a lot of them floating around for a while. I am still reasonably convinced we will see her at some point ins stores but its just speculation and its possible Hasbro considered her too like Rarity to release that way.

So for a lot of people you pay a little more to potentially get a reject/proto who is never ever going to hit shelves.

that is what i call theft. if i made an extra 20 at the factory, said "oops, we didn't need these" then pocket them, that is still theft. even if the company allows it, they are still knowingly profiting off of someone Else's  idea.

But how easy would it be for you to actually do this? I have toured Chinese factories when sourcing suppliers, I would be baffled by when these workers had the time to randomly create items and sneak them out. The speed with which they absolutely have to get though a set number of items is insane and nothing like I have seen in any western factories. I once watched a guy iron 200 sets of jeans in 30 mins - I am still blown away by it...takes me half an hour to iron a set of trousers Every process is closely monitored and most factory workers would not have 1) the authority, 2) the time or 3) access to all elements of the production line. If you work moulding, you don't have anything to do with that product by the time its getting hair put on or a cutie mark added. In addition, many of the biggest factories are in many ways their own towns; workers live too far from the factory to commute so they live on site, eat on site, socialise on site. Its not slave labour by any manner of means but there is not the opportunity to sneak some ponies in your pockets out the gates and into the hands of some passing toy back street dealer. There are a couple of fascinating documentaries which go into great detail on the manufacturing process and "factory life" in China. Its such a different way of life and work.

one thing i don't understand, usually in the forms we try to avoid confrontational discussions, but
this is a fairly confrontational topic....

Nope...we lock subjects when they deteriorate into arguments or finger pointing or become nasty or are repeating subjects which have recently been locked or are simply going around & around in circles. This is an interesting topic with different opinions on either side. Right now no one is accusing anyone of anything; its just different opinions and its really interesting to read where everyone stands. There is no rule against confrontational subjects just a request for people to treat one another's opinions with respect and read the whole thread before posting.

[CupidStrikes]

Hathorcat, would you happen to recall the names of thse documentaries or the company that produced them? I'm interested in watching them but Googling brought maaaany results back and I'm unsure which to go for 

[hathorcat]

Hathorcat, would you happen to recall the names of thse documentaries or the company that produced them? I'm interested in watching them but Googling brought maaaany results back and I'm unsure which to go for 

Sure

One of the best ones was actually on BBC2 just a few months ago. It was about a cushion manufacturer who was based in Liverpool. It compared his UK factory which made high end cushions with the Chinese factory which he contracted to manufacture a cheaper range of almost the same items. It was fascinating to see one company which used both types of factory and it also addressed whether Chinese workers are now wise to the fact they are being used as inexpensive labour and now want to start redressing the financial balance. It was called "The Town Taking On China" really interesting watch. And it followed the UK business owner around the Chinese factory so gives you an initial overview of how it all works.

You can also watch "Santa's Workshop" - it can be a little bit emotional [rightfully so but its worth remembering when you watch it was not made as an independent unbiased documentary] and its a little dated now but it still shows you how so much of the process is hand made and how strict working conditions are in so much as having access to product. "Made in China - Last Train Home" is more focused on working conditions but it does go into detail on how factory towns work. There is also "China Blue" - this is about a denim manufacturer - and "Dreamwork China" - which deals with one of Chinas largest factory employers who are actually the manufacturers on a lot of iphone products.

Hope that helps

[Whippycorn]

Interesting thread. My instinctive response is that it's no less ethical than buying new MLP, as they seem to be mainly extras sold by workers trying to supplement their low wage. I'm going to watch those documentaries for sure.

[Galactica]

I'm really glad that Cat mentioned those documentaries-

The issue is really not as black and white as people seem to see it.  I enjoy discussion but really nothing irritates me more when someone takes a stand on something and judges others- without taking even five seconds to find out what it is that they are talking about. 

The most irritating statement is when people say that Chinese factory workers steal ponies to sell on Taobao.  That is just not what's happening here.

[Vintergatan]

I'm really glad that Cat mentioned those documentaries-

The issue is really not as black and white as people seem to see it.  I enjoy discussion but really nothing irritates me more when someone takes a stand on something and judges others- without taking even five seconds to find out what it is that they are talking about. 

The most irritating statement is when people say that Chinese factory workers steal ponies to sell on Taobao.  That is just not what's happening here.

I agree.
Especially now that people who have been there or even lived there have taken the time to explain how things work in China and their factories.
I'm also not sure why it matters that a boss in the US would or wouldn't allow you to sell these extras? The boss also probably wouldn't make you sleep in your factory either so we are talking about a completely different set of rules, and whether we agree with these rules or not, I just think it's very rude to call these people thieves!

[Iris Patch]

Echoing the others, I believe the grand majority of these items are factory rejects that would be trashed anyway. These few resellers aren't in direct competition with Hasbro, since these goof ponies never make it to the market, and I support low paid workers in their attempt to pad out their wages somewhat.

[Shenanigans]

I heard that when McDonald's has left over Happy Meal toys that they just throw them all away. At least the Taobao extras and rejects get sold and don't end up in the landfill! I wish McDonald's would give the toys away to children who don't have any toys