Several Silkstone Barbie Dolls Recalled Due To Yellowing Vinyl

Mattel, Inc. has announced a recall of several Barbie Fashion Model Collection dolls (also known to collectors as Silkstone dolls) released in early 2007. It has come to Mattel's attention that when these dolls are exposed to light, the vinyl used to make the dolls' heads will begin to yellow. The recalled dolls are K7932 The Ingenue Barbie, K7939 Hollywood Bound Barbie, K7918 Red Hot Reviews Barbie, and K7933 The Siren Barbie. This defect does not effect any other Barbie Fashion Model or Silkstone dolls. This is not a safety issue, only an issue of aesthetics.

Mattel Will Replace The Recalled Dolls

Mattel is offering to replace these dolls for collectors. According to Mattel, "replacement doll packages will bear the statement “This doll is a replacement version” above the Individual Doll Code (IDC) to indicate that the production issue has been corrected. All product details will remain the same."

Instructions On How To Receive A Replacement Doll

In order to obtain a replacement for your doll, you must follow the following instructions that the Barbie Collector division of Mattel has sent to registered owners of any of these dolls and to retailers:

1) Call Mattel customer service at 800-628-6797 by May 1, 2008, to initiate your return. Customer service is open from 7AM to 10PM Central, seven days a week. A shipping label will be sent to you.

2) Pack your doll(s) in original clothing, and ship using the provided shipping label. It is not necessary to send original packaging or accessory pieces. Dolls must be received by June 1, 2008. Any dolls received after this date will not be eligible for replacement.

3) Look for your replacement doll to arrive approximately between June and September, 2008. Replacement dolls will be shipped based on the date when original doll was returned.

I applaud the steps that Mattel is taking to provide collectors with a defect-free version of these expensive collector Barbie dolls.