It’s been a few years since I bought any “Thomas and Friends” toys for my son, so I don’t think any of the approximately 18,000 trains he owns are part of the recall that was just announced. It covers toys sold in the U.S. from Jan. 2005 through June 2007; they are thought to contain lead paint, and they were made in China.
I must say that I’m surprised to hear that Thomas toys are made in China, only because they’re so incredibly expensive. A typical little engine goes for about $10; a big one or a double goes for $20. They are very, very high-quality wooden toys (except, of course, for the apparently poisonous paint), and I had always assumed they were made in, oh, Wisconsin or somewhere similar. Why else, I wondered, would they cost so much?
and 
. You can also watch it on 
Monopolistic competition. These are basically toy trains, but the company that makes Thomas have successfully branded Thomas toys, allowing them to charge a price over marginal cost.
Monopolistic competition. These are basically toy trains, but the company that makes Thomas have successfully branded Thomas toys, allowing them to charge a price over marginal cost.
Try $29 for Thomas’s friend James with tender light and motor- a gift for my 2 yr old grandson. I tried to return this one today and was told it was not subject to the recall. I asked the clerk, who was busy boxing up a large display case of Thomas toys, if she would give the toy to her child? I can’t wait till he is older so I can get him the into “G” gauge LGB trains-German made indoor/outdoor very high quality.
The real issue is the ongoing quality/safety of Chinese made goods.
Try $29 for Thomas’s friend James with tender light and motor- a gift for my 2 yr old grandson. I tried to return this one today and was told it was not subject to the recall. I asked the clerk, who was busy boxing up a large display case of Thomas toys, if she would give the toy to her child? I can’t wait till he is older so I can get him the into “G” gauge LGB trains-German made indoor/outdoor very high quality.
The real issue is the ongoing quality/safety of Chinese made goods.
#1. How can it be monopolistic and competitive, at once? Marketing puts pricing as a feature in itself – you pay $20 for a 50c train because the price ticket is a feature.
#1. How can it be monopolistic and competitive, at once? Marketing puts pricing as a feature in itself – you pay $20 for a 50c train because the price ticket is a feature.
When my friend took a missionary trip to China they took the toys from McDonald’s Happy Meals made in China. The circle of life.
When my friend took a missionary trip to China they took the toys from McDonald’s Happy Meals made in China. The circle of life.