I recently got a couple of brand new, in package 2012 ROCKstars, and neither one’s bearing has lasted more than a day. With each one, it started out dead unresponsive, playing as I’d expect it to, but pretty quickly starts building up response until the bearing just stops functioning. Like, one of them spins for less than thirty seconds on a throw, the other one spins for about two seconds when flicked and then comes to a complete halt. I’ve noticed some debris collect in the bearing seats. Is this a common issue? Because it’s happened to me twice in a row, and I can’t find any documentation of it anywhere online. Seems very odd to me.
Try cleaning them and lightly lubing.
Light lube is good. 
you can just swish it in gasoline for a little while if you dont want to buy lube thats what i do it works good. maybe the break in period is happening faster then usual. is it an open bearing and you can see the balls if it is you can buy a new bearing that is closed. thats what i did with my phoenix. try not taking it apart alot the dust will get in it more when its exposed
Thanks for the advice. I should have mentioned before that I did try lubing, cleaning and lubing again and that only seemed to worsen the bearing troubles. Both of them still have shields on, as well. Is this not a widespread issue? Is my luck that bad?
Did you remove the shields to clean it? If not you probably didn’t get a good cleaning. Lubing after cleaning should be minimal, just a miniscule drop. Some people don’t lube at all. Too much lube will slow the bearing way down.
I would recommend not using gasoline for cleaning, and definitely not as a lube. Use mineral spirits or light fluid for cleaning. For lube you can get various types here at the YYE store, or go to the hardware store and get a small tube of Synco Super Lube. radio Shack sells it under their own brand as well. looks like this: