These are some FAQs that I think would be interesting to the general public.This information was taken from the PEZ FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) v3.0 compiled by Chris Sharpe. If you would like to know everything about PEZ it would be a great place to start. I got mine from the newsgroup alt.food.pez, but I'll let that lead into the first question

[8-8]* How can I get the latest copy of this FAQ?
You can always request the latest copy by sending email to the author,
sharpe@dg-rtp.dg.com. These sources should also have the latest version:

HTML: http://pobox.com/~pez/

FTP: ftp://ftp.io.com/pub/usr/jpweb/pez/

Automated Listserver: send mail to maiser@cbs-engineering.com
with "send pez.faq" in the body of the message.

[1-1] What does PEZ stand for?
PEZ comes from the first, middle, and last letters of the German word for
peppermint, pfefferminz.
P E Z

[1-3] How long has PEZ been around?
PEZ candy was created in 1927 in Vienna, Austria. The PEZ dispenser was
invented in 1948. PEZ candies and dispensers have been marketed in America
since 1952.

[1-4] Tell me more about the history of PEZ.
PEZ was first marketed as a compressed peppermint breath mint in Austria. It
was initially targeted for adult smokers, and the first dispenser was
designed to look like a cigarette lighter (no character heads). After
being introduced in America in 1952, market research with children led to the
introduction of fruit flavors and character heads featuring top licensed
characters. Today PEZ is available around the world in more than 60 countries.


[1-6] What do MIB, MOC, MOMC, and NF mean?
These are standard abbreviations used to refer to the condition of a
collectible: MIB = Mint in Bag
MOC = Mint on Card
MOMC = Mint on Mint Card
NF = No Feet (see question [4-18])
Note that MOC does not mean that the card isn't bent, torn, and discolored,
but just that the dispenser is still on the card (unopened).



*[2-1]* Can I buy products directly from the PEZ factory?
Late in 1996, PEZ Candy began selling dispensers direct to the consumer or
collector. Mail-order inserts are beginning to appear packaged with the
current dispensers. If you wish, you can request an order form from PEZ Candy
by sending a message to:

PEZ Candy, Inc.
35 Prindle Hill Rd.
Orange, CT 06477

You can then mail the completed order form to:

PEZ Candy, Inc.
P.O. Box 3009
Wallingford, CT 06494

They will not take orders by phone. The dispensers are sold in groups of 8
and they are packaged "in bulk"; there is no special packaging. Prices are
$11.95 per group of 8 dispensers plus $3.95 shipping and handling. PEZ candy
is also available through this mail-in offer.


[2-5] Where is the company located?
The first U.S. PEZ factory was located in New York and imported the candy from
Europe. The United States division of PEZ Candy moved to Orange, Connecticut
in 1972.

*[3-3]* What's in PEZ Candy?
As listed on the wrapper the ingredients are:
Sugar, Corn Syrup, Adipic Acid, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel & Palm Oils
And Soybean Oil Mono & Diglycerides, Natural & Artificial Flavors,
Artificial Colors (including FD&C Red 3, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 2
- depending on which flavor).

The sugar-free candy has the following ingredients:
Sorbitol, Coated Citric Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Natural & Artificial
Flavors, Ascorbic Acid, Artificial Colors (including FD&C Red 40 Lake,
Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake - depending on which flavor).


*[3-4]* Is PEZ Candy good for you?
The nutritional info is:
Serving size: 1 roll (9 g)
Calories: 35
% Daily Values per Serving (based on a 2,000 calorie diet):
Total Fat (0 g): 0%
Sodium (0 mg): 0%
Total Carbohydrates (9 g): 3%
Sugars 9 g
Protein: 0 g

The sugar-free candy has the following nutritional info:
Serving size: 1 roll (8 g)
Calories: 30
% Daily Values per Serving (based on a 2,000 calorie diet):
Total Fat (0 g): 0%
Sodium (0 mg): 0%
Total Carbohydrates (9 g): 3%
Sugars 0 g
Sorbitol 8 g
Protein (0 g): 0%
Vitamin C: 35%

[3-5] What flavors are available?
Assorted Fruit, Grape, Lemon, Orange, and Strawberry. Cherry has been
discontinued in the US, but is still available in other countries.

[3-6] Are there any sugar-free flavors?
Yes, PEZ Candy makes sugarfree Orange, Lemon, and Strawberry flavors.

[3-7] Where is PEZ Candy made?
Both sugarfree and regular candy are made in Orange, Connecticut where
the candy is also packaged with the dispensers.

*[3-8]* What flavors have been discontinued?
There have been many flavors over the years. Many of these were never
available in the United States:
Anise (tastes like black licorice)
Chlorophyll
Choco
Coffee
Eucalyptus
Flower Flavor
Hot Cinnamon
IZO (vitamins)
Licorice
Lime
Menthol
Peppermint
Wild Cherry

*[3-9]* What are Kosher PEZ?
Some common dispensers have cards marked "Kosher". It signifies that the
candy inside the package was prepared in accordance with Jewish dietary laws.
They are always the assorted flavor packs. The Kosher carded PEZ are made by
PEZ Candy, Inc. especially for Paskesz Candy Company and are difficult to find.


[4] PEZ Dispensers
-------------------
[4-1] Where can I find PEZ dispensers and Candy refills?
PEZ Candy products (both dispensers and refills) are sold nationally by
K-Mart, Walmart, Walgreens, Target Stores, Eckerd Drug, Family Dollar Stores,
and Dollar General Stores. Also try your local supermarket, drugstore, and
gift and novelty stores.

*[4-4]* What new dispensers are coming out next?
It is not the policy of PEZ Candy to discuss their current or future marketing
plans. However...
Here are some of the latest releases and things _rumored_ to come:
BubbleMan (mail order direct from PEZ only)
Sylvester (revised; no whiskers and no hair between ears)
Valentine's Day Heart (this one will also come attached to an actual
Valentine's Day greeting card)
Pink Panther series (Europe only):
Pink Panther
Inspector Clouseau
Termite
New Animal series:
Crocodile
Pony
Giraffe
Elephant
Parrot
Muselix series (Europe only):
Asterix
Obelix
Muselix
Majesty
Caesar
Soldier
Centurion
Smurf Series:
Smurf (reissue)
Papa Smurf (reissue)
Smurfette (reissue)
Brainy Smurf
Gargamel
Revised PEZ Pal Boy (Europe only, yellow stem, new face)
Revised PEZ Pal Girl (Europe only, yellow stem, new face)
Flipper Astro-shooter (Europe only)

[4-5] How many PEZ dispensers are currently available?
The number varies at different times of the year. Holiday collections are only available at certain times, and different dispensers are available in the US and Canada and in Europe. For a Complete list go to PEZ dispenser list

[4-7] Where are PEZ Candy dispensers made?
The dispensers are manufactured and imported from Austria, Czech Republic,
China, Hungary, and Slovenia. The dispensers are packaged with the candy
in Orange, Connecticut.

[4-11] Should I open the packages or leave them in the bag and on the card?
This answer is the same as from any collector. Whether you open them or not
is completely up to you. If you want to retain the highest resale value, then
don't open them (but also keep them locked away in a humidity controlled
environment away from UV radiation...). If you collect them just for fun
then it's up to you. I like the cards, so I keep them unopened. It's
difficult to display them in the bag, so I open them. Only keep them in the
bag if you're going to resale them. There are a few exceptions (older
dispensers like the Stand By Me special that *must* be in the bag). The cards
are favored over the bags, but I'm not sure they're really worth more (except
that you get one more pack of candy).

[4-14] What is the highest price ever paid for a single PEZ dispenser?
David Welch sold a Big Top Elephant dispenser for $3600 in July 1995. The
dispenser was a very rare variation of the Big Top Elephant. I don't know
who bought it. Several other dispensers have been sold for over $1000.

[4-17] How old is a particular dispenser?
You can get a vague idea of the age of a dispenser by looking at the patent
number:
Patent 2.620.061 1st series issued in 1952
Patent 3.410.455 2nd series issued in 1968
Patent 3.845.882 3rd series issued in 1974
Patent 3.942.683 4th series issued in 1976
Patent 4.966.305 5th series issued in 1990
Patent numbers are commonly referred to by only the first two digits, so a
4.9 dispenser is one from the 5th series.

Dispensers changed from "footless" to "footed" in 1987, but the recent
re-release of the "Regulars" are without feet. In general, if you have a
3.9 dispenser with feet, it was made after 1987. If a 3.9 dispenser is without
feet, it was made before 1987. (Of course some of these were made *during*
1987, but that's difficult to determine.)

[4-18] What does it mean for a dispenser to be "with feet" or "without feet"?
Most post-1987 dispensers have "feet" on the bottom of the stem. There is a
small plastic lip around the bottom of the stem that has two "feet" in the
front. These were added to aid the dispensers in standing up. Dispensers
without feet are generally older than the versions with feet. A word of
caution: Some recent releases (most notably the reissued Regulars) do not
have feet, so do not use this to judge the age of a dispenser. Switching
stems on a dispenser is quite easy to do.

[4-20] What is the most popular dispenser?
Santa and Mickey Mouse are the two biggest sellers of all time.

[4-22] My dispenser says "Made in Jugoslavia". Is that a misprint?
No. Jugoslavia is just an alternate spelling for Yugoslavia.


*[4-35]* I'd like a PEZ dispenser of xxxxx. Where can I get one made?
Kelley Philipovich makes "Custom Creations". These are not PEZ dispensers
(they don't dispense candy), but it's a great way to have your favorite
character to display with PEZ. You pick the character and the base color and
she sculpts the head out of clay using a different color for each feature
(no painting or glazing). The clay is then fired and a base is attached.
Cartoon characters usually work better than people and prices typically
range from $20-$40. For more information email her at kelleyp@juno.com.

[6-4] What are the PEZ Body Parts?
Right from the package, "Body Parts are amusing attachable parts, with which
you can dress up your PEZ dispensers." These plastic pieces snap around the
base of the dispenser. The arms move up and down and the hands are made to
hold certain items. PEZ Body Parts are currently available in Canada and
Europe. It is not known if they well be sold in the United States. There are
several different sets of Body Parts: the "old" set, the "new" set, plus
Easter and Christmas sets. There are also plans for Back to School, Airport,
and Gas Station Body Part Playsets for European release.

The "old" set was released in 1995 and consists of eight different costumes
(All packs include 2 packs of candy):

Tarzan - light flesh-colored with painted hairy chest; orange
and black spotted loin cloth; knife; human feet
Robin Hood - bow and arrow; light green shoes; light green tunic
with dark green stitching
Woman - red dress; blue purse; blue shoes; red necklace
Maid - purple outfit with painted white lace; blue pitcher;
purple shoes
Nurse - white outfit; white shoes; blue first aid bag; Red Cross
badge painted on outfit
Hockey Player - red outfit with white and blue trim; red shoes;
brown hockey stick
Knight - silver armor; large sword
Grim Reaper - skeleton with sickle

The "new" set was released in 1996 in Europe only and consists of six costumes
(All packs on European-style cards with 2 packs of candy):

Robot/Spaceman - silver body; box wrench hands; 3-color space gun
Convict - gray body with black stripes; ball and chain
Caveman - flesh-colored body; painted on loin cloth; club
Roman Gladiator - green body with plate armor; shield and spear
Cavalry Officer - blue body with uniform markings; boots; bugle
Cowgirl - red body with western markings; rope

The Christmas set includes the current Santa dispenser, Santa body, boots,
six packs of candy, and a fold-out Christmas display.

The Easter set includes the revised Bugs Bunny on a red base, white feet, a
gray body with a white painter's smock with blue and yellow splotches, white
arms, a painter's palette, brush, six packs of candy, and a fold-out Easter
scene.
[7-2] What other uses are there for PEZ?
You can make Matt Shook's PEZ gun. Here's how he describes it:
[ I don't know of anyone that has successfully made one using these
instructions. If you get it to work, please email me with clarifications
for the instructions below. -CS ]

The materials you need to make a PEZ gun are:
A PEZ dispenser
A spring from a ball-point pen
Double sided tape
A pair of needle-nosed pliers (or wire cutters)
A package of PEZ (ammo)

Take the double sided tape and wrap it around the little plastic thing that
pushes the PEZ out of the dispenser. Then use the pliers (or cutters) to
shorten the spring. Then stick the spring around the double sided tape. The
spring should be long enough to be shoved all the way up the PEZ stem and go
straight down to touch the colored plastic. If it is too long or to short the
gun won't work.

Don't worry if your gun doesn't work the first time. After my initial burst of
PEZZY inspiration, it took me three hours and four pen springs to finally get
one that would shoot at all. But the more you make, the more you get a feel for
what the size and tension and the easier it will get to make them, and you can
get them to shoot farther. My first PEZ gun only shot about two feet and was
only good for shooting them into my mouth. The latest one I've made can shoot
about twelve feet and can cause pain to humans at point-blank range. Once you
have made a PEZ gun you too will feel the satisfaction one gets from pulling
out a dispenser and popping some of the sweet candy into one's mouth with only
the flick of a finger.


[8-1] Can I write to the company? What will they send me?
Yes, you can write to the company at:

PEZ Candy, Inc.
35 Prindle Hill Road
Orange, CT 06477
Phone: (203) 795-0531

They do not personally respond to your questions. However, within a couple
of weeks you should receive a packet including their FAQ (which is incorporated
into this document), a PEZ dispenser list (which erroneously lists a Robin
Super Friends dispenser with rubber head that was never made), a color
brochure which shows displays of PEZ dispensers and candy, and a mail order
form.

*[8-3]* Are there any books on PEZ?
There are several:
"More PEZ for Collectors" by Richard Geary ($14.95, Schiffer Publishing
Limited, 1995)
"A Pictorial Guide to Plastic Candy Dispensers, Featuring PEZ"
by David Welch ($19.95, Bubba Scrubba Publications, 1991)
"Collecting PEZ" by David Welch ($39.95, Bubba Scrubba Publications,
1995)
"PEZ Collectibles" by Richard Geary ($19.95, Schiffer, 1994)
"The Collector's Price Guide to Plastic Candy Dispensers"
by Mike Edelman and John Laspina (no price given,
self-published)
"PEZ Handbook" by Steve Glew (see [4-10] for ordering info)
*[8-10]* Where can I find these newsletters I've heard about?
There is a newsletter called "PEZ Collectors News" which began
in September 1995. For a one year subscription, send a check or money-order
for $19 US ($20 for Canadian subscription and $26 for air-mail to Europe) to:

Richard Belyski
P.O. Box 124
Sea Cliff, NY 11579-0124
Fax: (516) 676-1183

There is also a PEZ club, "The Fliptop PEZervation Society." Members get
an official certificate of membership, an official membership card, and 6
issues (1 year subscription) of the Official Club Newsletter. The first issue
was in September 1995. Membership is $18 per year. For more information,
or to join contact:

Dennis Martin
2328 Farley Place
Birmingham, AL 35226
(205) 822-8745

There used to be a newsletter "The Optimistic Pezzimist" published by
Mike Robertson of Dripping Springs, Texas. There was also another newsletter
published by Larry Lafoe.

Many antique price guides and collectible toy price guide include listings
of discontinued PEZ dispensers and their current market values.


This information was taken from the PEZ FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
v3.0 compiled by Chris Sharpe. (sharpe@dg-rtp.dg.com) If you want a copy of
the entire PEZ FAQ I got this one from the alt.food.pez newsgroup or you can
try one of these sources

*[8-8]* How can I get the latest copy of this FAQ?
You can always request the latest copy by sending email to the author,
sharpe@dg-rtp.dg.com. These sources should also have the latest version:

HTML: http://pobox.com/~pez/

FTP: ftp://ftp.io.com/pub/usr/jpweb/pez/

Automated Listserver: send mail to maiser@cbs-engineering.com
with "send pez.faq" in the body of the message.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
This document is Copyright (c) 1996 by Chris Sharpe.
It may be freely distributed as long as no fee is charged and
providing the author's name and this notice remain intact.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Press " Jason's Pez Page" to return to the main menu