26 minutes ago, STngAR said:

I think it depends on the figure. Ive handled some where I thought it felt nice and chunky and had some weight to it. And on the other hand i've had figures that felt like one of those KO cyber jets you can buy at Family Dollar. I belive the most recent one that felt like that was Selects Ricochet. That toy felt so light and brittle I was afraid to transform it.

It's funny, since of the best figures I've handled in recent times are the cyber series and authentics. Both lines are designed for discount chains. 

I think it depends on the figure. Ive handled some where I thought it felt nice and chunky and had some weight to it. And on the other hand i've had figures that felt like one of those KO cyber jets you can buy at Family Dollar. I belive the most recent one that felt like that was Selects Ricochet. That toy felt so light and brittle I was afraid to transform it.

Indeed, I would say quality has gone down and there are likely several reasons. In Siege, I must admit, it was the first time I had to return items. I dislike that experience and it is a deterrent. I have neither the time nor interest for such hassle that should have been settled at the factory level.

Siege was both wise and sneaky. They replaced ball joints with, once again, hinge and swivel. I believe that before long, that will revert to ball joints again. the lack of hollowness, heck, that ended before Siege did. Case in point, here, cyberverse deluxes DO again use all ball joints and retail for the same as Siege deluxes. As for hollow....Earthrise Hoist...that is all.

Larkin also made good points.

Of course, corporate greed has an increasingly big role and, honestly, factory workers care less and less and QC. There are many things but newer isn't always better and as a consumer, I am wising up, as we all should.

38 minutes ago, Larkin Vain said:

I'm certain what were are used to has gone down over the years and my theory is around these 2 factors.

1. Toy safety regulatory compliance. Plastics we had as kids seems to last longer over the years. I doubt any of the current stuff will age in 30+ years as well as G1 plastic.

2. Hasbro environmental commitments. They go beyond packaging and goes into manufacturing process and sourcing of materials. I have feeling the use of pins over screws is a part of this. As a customizer I hate the use of pins but I see it done more and more.

Honestly I don't see it getting better for collectors as major toy companies shift to being more green beyond packaging but even in materials. For example what would the quality of Legos be like if they are pant based plastic? I don't know, but I'm sure they won't have the longevity of vintage toys if they are designed to be biodegradable. 

I think the future for collectors may be 3P. As a parent I think it's all good knowing they are taking these initiatives.

Pant based plastic? If it comes in my size I'll be down. 

I feel like the "wars" stuff has been of reasonable quality, but the Cyberverse stuff... anything deluxe or smaller belongs in a Happy Meal box, possibly in the garbage with the apple slices. 

The recent "build a figure" set seem to be a step up in quality for the line. 

I'm certain what were are used to has gone down over the years and my theory is around these 2 factors.

1. Toy safety regulatory compliance. Plastics we had as kids seems to last longer over the years. I doubt any of the current stuff will age in 30+ years as well as G1 plastic.

2. Hasbro environmental commitments. They go beyond packaging and goes into manufacturing process and sourcing of materials. I have feeling the use of pins over screws is a part of this. As a customizer I hate the use of pins but I see it done more and more.

Honestly I don't see it getting better for collectors as major toy companies shift to being more green beyond packaging but even in materials. For example what would the quality of Legos be like if they are pant based plastic? I don't know, but I'm sure they won't have the longevity of vintage toys if they are designed to be biodegradable. 

I think the future for collectors may be 3P. As a parent I think it's all good knowing they are taking these initiatives.

One of these days I'm going to talk about my tin-hat theory on modern transformers and their construction. 

I have noticed it more on the plastic. The plastic feels more brittle and is more prone to stress marks. I first noticed it with the Transformers Prime line and confirmed it with Beast Hunters Optimus Prime voyager figure; it got stress mark just by putting the weapons on the corresponding peg holes.

Armada and Energon line, even Animated still felt good quality.

And don't get me started on the combiners from Combiner Wars; they can barely stand. I would have tried to get more of them but after completing Volcanicus, I was fed up and said no more. 

But again, the plastic has felt of lesser quality lately and some of the joints too loose in the more resent figures

Absolutely the quality has gone down ever since the oil "shortage" almost a decade ago. What makes it worse is there's a vocal minority in the Fandom that tries to excuse the quality reduction and brush it all under the table.