Does anyone at Mattel even read these suggestions?

[Guest Morinth]

I have seen lots of cool ideas for content for this site, and it doesn't seem like any of them ever get implemented. So what is the purpose of this forum? It's like Mattel is trolling us, asking for suggestions, knowing they'll never actually follow up on any of them.

[SHEREEM]

They do read this forum and have to weigh the cost commitment (in material and labor), along with current schedules, the feasibility of implementation and the benefit to the overall site.

[KATHIEC]

I think Mattel uses the site to monitor general likes and dislikes, but honestly, suggesting a specific doll here is a sure way to ensure it's never produced. Like most companies, Mattel does not accept unsolicited product ideas. If you mail one to them, they return it unopened. It's the only way they can protect themselves against having to pay royalties to someone who comes along and says, "But that doll was my idea." Since they can't return a forum post unopened, you can bet they're to going to give any specific ideas suggested here a wide berth. 

When you come down to it, Mattel has never said, "we use this forum as a source of ideas" -- that's mostly wishful thinking on the part of the users. Mattel uses a number of sources as focus groups, but for most of them (like CAP) you have to sign some industrial strength, "we'll hunt you down and kill you" legal agreements.

[SHEREEM]

I think she was talking about site content suggestions rather than dolls themselves.   

[KATHIEC]

Woops, sorry! Forgot what forum I was in! I'd like to blame it on that metal plate in my head from the war, but in actuality I'm just old and easily confused. 

[SHEREEM]

Kathie, that describes so many of us!  LOL!  See you soon!

[JUDYRAE]

Old, easily confused, I resemble that remark.

[TEDDYSLIVINGBARBIE]

In Response to Re: Does anyone at Mattel even read these suggestions?:

Old, easily confused, I resemble that remark.

Posted by judyrae

 

I think the correct term is older, not old...  Easily confused describes me as well.

[Guest pattidolls]

In Response to Re: Does anyone at Mattel even read these suggestions?:

I think Mattel uses the site to monitor general likes and dislikes, but honestly, suggesting a specific doll here is a sure way to ensure it's never produced. Like most companies, Mattel does not accept unsolicited product ideas. If you mail one to them, they return it unopened. It's the only way they can protect themselves against having to pay royalties to someone who comes along and says, "But that doll was my idea." Since they can't return a forum post unopened, you can bet they're to going to give any specific ideas suggested here a wide berth.  When you come down to it, Mattel has never said, "we use this forum as a source of ideas" -- that's mostly wishful thinking on the part of the users. Mattel uses a number of sources as focus groups, but for most of them (like CAP) you have to sign some industrial strength, "we'll hunt you down and kill you" legal agreements.

Posted by kathiec

 

I agree they are not going to a specific doll design/suggestion but if you throw out a reques to do a doll of "somebody famous", it has gotten made. Like Grace Kelly.  

[Boodle]

I guess what ever the parents spend the most money on would make or break a company, despite the outcry in the adult collectors that post on this forum.