I bought a package of the yellow balled Dritz pins at JoAnn's about a year ago, but just recently opened the package up, I haven't had the same problem as you, my problem is that the ball just comes off the pin, this has happened on at least 18 pins, but since I don't have the receipt and am not planning on going up to Klamath Falls, OR., which is the closest JoAnn's, about 100 miles, 1 way.