Papo is getting not so good as before year by year.

Papo has been renowned for its feline models. But some items in last few years were disappointed especially on the facial painting such as running Cheetah, Lynx and Ocelot, etc. This year, too, the painting and the sculpturing texture of the stalking Lioness are both apparently simplified than before.

The photos below were only shot by mobile phone. The differences would be much clearer if shot by camera. Also, it's strange that the paint colour of this year should be so dark.

I'm just wondering is it because the ever rising manufacturing cost in China or some other reason?


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Any comparison with the old Papo lioness may result cruel. Anyway, I agree that the finwish work of the old lioness is better in all regards. Enough noticiable to talk about a quality clevage.
Are both made in China? Papo is diversifying their places of manufacture lately.

This new lioness embodies perfectly what I reproach Papo : bad painting on brilliant scupts.

I have never seen a Papo figure as well painted as this old lioness you posted. I think shops close to my place are just supplied by manufactures doing poor work because Papo figures ALWAYS look way better on pictures on the internet than in shops...

But the specie choice 2020 is the best after years

RtasVadumee wrote:

This new lioness embodies perfectly what I reproach Papo : bad painting on brilliant scupts.

I have never seen a Papo figure as well painted as this old lioness you posted. I think shops close to my place are just supplied by manufactures doing poor work because Papo figures ALWAYS look way better on pictures on the internet than in shops...

The difference of painting between figurines for exposition and figurines sold in shop is rather recent and, fortunatly, only  concerns some models (new spotted hyaena and lioness for exemple) not all of them! :)

widukind wrote:

But the specie choice 2020  is the best after years

Right.

Can't wait to get the Cormorant !

Ohhh! NOO !

I have the same problem with the Papo snow leopard in Athens, the figures that I find since I decided to buy it (from last September) are somehow badly painted. Especially the face. It's not a disaster, but certainly not worth paying 9 euros for it.

spacelab wrote:

I have the same problem with the Papo snow leopard in Athens, the figures that I find since I decided to buy it (from last September) are somehow badly painted. Especially the face.  It's not a disaster, but certainly not worth paying 9 euros for it.

Ahah I also bought several Papo snow leopard because I was never fully satisfied with the face :

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Although, I still like it better than the new Schleich one :

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With CollectA cubs :

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We are still far from that :
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About the snow leopard, it is common in Papo that the first batch of a release is better in paintwork. Big cats and dinosaurs most of the time. Later batches are simpler, to reduce time/money.

My model is the closest in resemblance to the promo pic but the fur pattern is not as good.

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I agree Karin. On left, 2 first release, on right a more recent one. Spots are at the same place but more little and they are no more lighter inside. The fur is more yellow and uniform without shadow of grey..

Roger wrote:

Any comparison with the old Papo lioness may result cruel. Anyway, I agree that the finwish work of the old lioness is better in all regards. Enough noticiable to talk about a quality clevage.
Are both made in China? Papo is diversifying their places of manufacture lately.

Hi Roger,

Both of the lionesses have no mark on underside and I didn't keep the tags, either.
The 2019 one I bought online from China so I presume It's made in China.
The old one I bought online from the US long time ago and I'm not sure where was it made.

After seeing some snow leopards of yours, I went to check my one and if you would agree or not, I think the painting of mine is rather more detailed and better. Probably just like Karin said that my one is from the earlier batch. I bought it at the end of its releasing year, not at very early stage.

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Very interesting to see all these variations of paintwork

Seeway wrote:

After seeing some snow leopards of yours, I went to check my one and if you would agree or not, I think the painting of mine is rather more detailed and better. Probably just like Karin said that my one is from the earlier batch. I bought it at the end of its releasing year, not at very early stage.

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it's a matter of focal distance I think.. :)

Hi Caracal.

I was wondering... since you have two very well painted Papo Snow leopards and I am not happy with mine... would you agree to sell me one ?

I also live in France so it won't be difficult for you to send it. And as we say in French : "Ton prix sera le miens !"

Everything I reproach to Papo summed up in one picture :

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It does not even look it is the same figure... One of them looks like a snow leopard, the two others look like NOTHING.

Beyond the fur pattern, the most striking difference is the face, truly expressive on Caracal's figure (left one). That makes me so angry with Papo for botching the painting job on newer figures.

Thank you Caracal for letting me have a TRUE snow leopard

HOLY, HOPPING HAMSTER

Papo ! What are you doing ?

Are they made in the same country ????

SUSANNE wrote:

HOLY, HOPPING HAMSTER

Papo ! What are you doing ?  

Are they made in the same country ????

YES ! All made in People's Republic of China ! All sold in France !

You may understand why I don't like Papo as much as you now : I just don't get the same products as you guys !

Same thing with that Jaguar :

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Looks amazing on this photo from the Toy Animal Wiki right ?

Well, those sold in my favourite shops rather look like that :

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I don't have this jaguar but the 2007 Schleich instead. Though, I find it a very beautiful figure despite not looking as a jaguar at all. It is disturbing to see the differences. The second version looks a knockoff.

Roger wrote:

The second version looks a knockoff. :Shocked:

I ASSURE you Roger that this is what my town's shops are selling. And most of their Papo big cats' painting looks like that.

I also have the 2007 Schleich jaguar. I think the fur pattern is more realistic than on Schleich's newer model (I prefered to buy the black version). However the first Papo jaguar I posted is awesome but may not be in stores anymore...

Gee! the paint job looks really different a lot. The neglect of quality control is not good for business ethics.