I recall some kind of shift in personnel at the time... Between 2003/2004 anyay I think.
I thought even Collection 2 wreaked at the time though... Some stuff slipped through, especially once AOTC's run was done, say after Christmas 2002. It improved, but only slightly IMO. That first run of stuff was so easy to pass on... I think I got at least 50% of it on clearance. I refused to buy certain figures.
And I used to say this in my reviews, and I'll say it again... The 2002 Jedi in all their pre-posed glory are more appreciated NOW than they were then, because they all have a superior (in every way) basic figure. ROTS's Shaak Ti is a vastly superior figure to her 2002 release, yet somehow the 2005 release makes you appreciate the statue then, as something extra. Kind of a weird way that worked out.
The ROTS figure is my favorite, but for one single Geonosis scene I still hang onto all those pre-posed Jedi. I may retire them though here soon. They were some of the worst toys ever though, I think, especially for this line.