They've fixed the Threepio somewhat...
I was really excited when GH posted that scoop, as I discussed that exact (annoying) silver knee issue with one of the Hasbro reps down at SDCC a few weeks ago (even mentioned it our our Q &A). The 3PO sample they had in their display cabinet had the silver painted knee joint, but at that time, nobody had seen anything but the awkward, mismatched gold knee joint so far at retail. I asked them why they couldn't do the correct color with the regular production of the C-3PO figures, similar to their paint sample on display, and the Hasbro guy thought it must be a running change, since he didn't even know of the miscolored gold ones. I figured he just didn't know what the heck he was talking about, since their display samples usually have much nicer paint jobs than the finished versions, but sure as hell, the guy was (fortunately) right, and there's indeed been a running change to this figure, as I finally found my first corrected batch tonight. Fortunately, I hadn't opened any of the earlier ones that I'd bought yet, so a couple of them will be going back, in favor of the new silver kneed one. Glad to see Hasbro on the ball there, even if it means sticking me with yet another unwanted carded "variation".