Sad day for the pink flamingo

[SteSpot]

Originally Posted by Minnie's Mate

I did buy them from Airstream. But my confusion is the box looks the same as the one in the e-bay auction.

Do the birds look the same? pj

[Sugarfoot]

I have every reason to believe I have the real thing here. So as a public Airstream service I'm posting photos for your comparisons. There is the front and back of the box, each side has the statement "1 PAIR FLAMINGOES" except the side with the barcode. There are glassy looking eyes, not painted but a button-type insertion (although I've never seen beads in them) and there is the Don Featherstone signature under the rear wing feathers next to the, er, uhm, you know what.

[klattu]

Paid like $10 for a set last year...probably from China.
Did not know there was an original.
Now the dang things will have to be chained up.

[rickandsandi]

Sugarfoot-

Yea! You have a pair of original Union Products Pink Flamingos. What I find really sad is that when another injection molding company buys the molds from Dennis Plante, the price will go back to $10.00 - $12.00 a pair and all those poor souls who paid $75.00 plus will end up looking pretty silly. Don'y worry, I don't think the original flamingo is dead.

[Sugarfoot]

Yes, rickandsandi, you're right. I'm sure Featherstone flamingoes will be flocking again in the future under a new manufacturer. Then maybe we will all be able to display our flamingoes anywhere we choose without fear of theft.

I'm still put out at at the company where I bought my spare pair, even though I paid the normal old price. I know it's the principal of supply and demand, but I still think its wrong for them to capitalize on their remaining stock at an outrageous $75.00 a pop within minutes of my questioning them about their flamingoes. But, let it go . . . I just need to let it go.

[SafeHarbor]

Would a FINE, upstanding establistment like Wal-Mart sell me a pair of SIGNED pink flamingo in a box like the above that were manufactured in CHINA? <SHUDDER>

Lamar

PS - They said "Made in America" all over the box.

[starflyte1]

I have two pair of pink flamingoes that I have just received. To me, they look to be the real thing, with the Don Featherstone signature. But, there is also Union Products Inc. information imprinted on the other side of each.

They have the stuck on eyes.

I bought these online from Mcphee.com.

Don't know if they are the real thing or not, but tend to think so. Do the "real" ones have the information about Union Products imprinted on them?

Pat

[Sugarfoot]

Yes, Pat, mine do indeed have "Union Products" info and such embossed like the Featherstone signature near the flamingo rump. Sounds like you have the real thing.

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by starflyte1

I have two pair of pink flamingoes that I have just received. To me, they look to be the real thing, with the Don Featherstone signature. But, there is also Union Products Inc. information imprinted on the other side of each.

They have the stuck on eyes.

I bought these online from Mcphee.com.

Don't know if they are the real thing or not, but tend to think so. Do the "real" ones have the information about Union Products imprinted on them?

Pat

Were yours in a box?

The Mcphee.com website says they are bulk, unboxed and the original. They are $16.95/pair and in stock. I might buy a pair just in case they don't come back if they are the real deal.

[starflyte1]

Thanks, Sugarfoot! That is good to know.

Minie's Mate,

I really do believe the two pair I have are "the real deal", but they did not come in a box. Probably would not bring much on Ebay, but I am planning on, as someone on this forum said, "let them nest under the bed".

The stick on eyes, the Don Featherstone signature and the Union Products imprint are all there.

Pat

[Minnie's Mate]

Thanks Pat,
I went ahead and ordered a pair. The box mine from Airstream came in looks just like the ones in the photos above. Maybe they are real, maybe they aren't. But after they are displayed the first time the box will "disappear" anyway. So I figure I will at least have one pair of the real deal.

Tom

[Fyrzowt]

I'm just not a nostalgic type of person, so I have to ask a question that will probably inflame a few folks, but that isn't my intent.

Can you tell the difference from 8 feet away? Does anyone really walk up to your campsite and bend your bird over for an inspection of it's tail feathers?

I do understand wanting to purchase "made in USA". I also understand wanting to buy a product that may increase in value if that is the motivation. I got 2 lighted flamingoes with my trailer that the PO threw in, along with some other stuff. They are not original, but I'm sorry, I just don't care. And they look cool at night!

OK, now throw the rocks...

[Goin camping]

It only matters if they are the original to the owner.

I like the concept of them being American made and that they are the original. Truth to be told though I have originals and cheap knock offs.

If I looked out my trailer window and saw some guy looking under a plastic flamingos butt I'm not sure if I'd be amused or horrified.

[Sugarfoot]

Exactly, it only matters to the owner. Many people don't know the difference and don't care. So its whatever makes you happy or fills your need. I like the originals only because Union and Featherstone was the first to introduce this tacky craze. But this fact doesn't mean any other flamingo is inferior. They're just different.

[clancy_boy]

Originally Posted by Goin camping

It only matters if they are the original to the owner.

I like the concept of them being American made and that they are the original. Truth to be told though I have originals and cheap knock offs.

If I looked out my trailer window and saw some guy looking under a plastic flamingos butt I'm not sure if I'd be amused or horrified.

Hummmmmm, I better stop peeking at these things - might get shot at.

[Sugarfoot]

Originally Posted by clancy_boy

Hummmmmm, I better stop peeking at these things - might get shot at.

AhHAH! It was YOU checking out my flamingo butts at the Georgia rally, wasn't it!

[Minnie's Mate]

It really doesn't matter to anyone other than a collector or the owner themselves. It is like do you want an Airstream or do you want an Airstream lookalike, say an Avion or Silver Streak. They are of equal or maybe by some standards better quality than the Airstream, but I wanted the American icon. And I want an original piece of Americana to go with my Airstream.

[rickandsandi]

Originally Posted by Fyrzowt

I'm just not a nostalgic type of person, so I have to ask a question that will probably inflame a few folks, but that isn't my intent.

Can you tell the difference from 8 feet away? Does anyone really walk up to your campsite and bend your bird over for an inspection of it's tail feathers?

I do understand wanting to purchase "made in USA". I also understand wanting to buy a product that may increase in value if that is the motivation. I got 2 lighted flamingoes with my trailer that the PO threw in, along with some other stuff. They are not original, but I'm sorry, I just don't care. And they look cool at night!

OK, now throw the rocks...

Here comes a small rock, actually maybe a pebble. Having just finished all the research you can imagine on the Pink Flamingo, talking with Don and Dennis I took up your challenge and had Sandi set up tow pairs of flamingos (actuals and imitations) and at 10 feet I could tell the difference between Union Products and China. However will I ever judge a fellow AS owner because of the flock they tend? Heck no! Pink plastic is pink plastic!

Happy Thanksgiving to All!