DurableToys.ComPanion Newsletter Issue 02 September 5, 2007

Welcome to another edition of .ComPanion from DurableToys.com.  Happy September. Also at: http://durabletoys.com/toyinfo.htm DurableToys.ComPanion is available in text with links. We plan eight or fewer email issues of DurableToys.ComPanion per year.

Included This Issue:
1. Made In China In The News  - our experiences and insight
2. Product Availability - information such as new products, changes
3. Seasonal Schedule - holiday UPS shipping schedules and more
4. Reader $5 Gift Code - a promo code to redeem store credit online 
5. Info, Parts, Discussion, Typical Topics, Subscribe - Unsubscribe

1. Made In China In The News:
Scandals involving pet food, toothpaste and toys made in China are top of mind in our business and personal lives, but it's not a new topic.  Since 1995 we have seen quite a few durable toys transition from USA production to China or other far east locales. When that happens we try to stock up and identify the last of them as USA-made and grab one for our own nostalgic collection.  But for future sales we continue unless there is a possible out.  We also plan to further indicate German made as well as USA, and may in the future enhance our database internals.

Some toys and other items make the jump from domestic to foreign made better than others.  For example, "Ertl" pedal tractors from RC2 were indistinguishable after transition to China.  However, DurableToys.com switched to "Scale Models" pedal tractors from the same Iowa town and the same family name.  ISO 9002 certified manufacturing at Scale Models is simply excellent.  That conquest back to the USA has been a great success though large production runs (affecting selection) are less frequent.  RC2 now is "Learning Curve" and who knows what it will be called after another negative news item.

Flexible Flyer sleds and tricycles (also branded Roadmaster) were less successful after moving to Taiwan ROC.  They were inferior and soon went out of business.  FF sleds have a new Canadian maker and we now have "Mountain Boy" USA made sleds.  New tricycles, almost the same as we remember now by Radio Flyer are of high quality though from China.  Radio Flyer transitioned metal and wood but not plastic wagons to China with minor negative consequences.  Schedules especially near the fall pre-Christmas season are sometimes off. Three Chinese-made toddler toys have had to be recalled for small part retention.

Kettler has sent a letter to its customers who in our view extends to the toddler astride the toy. (at http://DurableToys.com/trans/ketsafe.pdf) View it and see that they strongly assure in writing that all of their products are tested to DIN EN 71 Safety Standards.  Most Kettler items are made in Germany though some "Classic Flyer" items come from China and some other items have other origins. Kettler has never had a product safety recall since their founding in 1949.  The level of responsibility exhibited by Kettler is refreshing.

Schoenhut Piano Company still has a shop in the USA for its one Special Edition Toy Piano and possibly a prototyping capacity.  But for the rest of the product line we have to admit that initially it was a hard transition.  Later product quality has been largely trouble free.  That is good news but we believe that the charm is lost and so are the sales compared to other interchangeable imported brands.  

E-Z UP Instant Shelters apparently had the Wal*Mart price influence on them, too.  First, cost-reduced lighter versions of nicer shade tents started showing up as parts requests to DurableToys.com.  Even then many good ones remained good but now come from China.  Still, competing brands seem to have never been as good as genuine E-Z UP.  There is a whole industry in copies of well known and loved products with often poor results.  Besides initial quality, part and/or accessory fitment and warranties have been problems with the noname pretenders.

Our product selection criteria starts with top tier brands all the way to reputable independent domestic craftsmen.  We avoid brandless copies that may tout a significant price advantage.  The largest of supplies source world-wide and meet all modern safety and environmetal standards regardless of country of origin.  Better items use powder coating to make a tough finish yet little VOC (volitile organic coumpound) emmision.  The best companies place trusted employees on-site to head off locally made and unapproved decisions.  Many items, for example metal bodied pedal cars, are nostalgic replicas which are being sold but with a "not a toy" disclaimer.  Contrast that with Kettler, Berg and Radio Flyer tube frame pedal cars equipped with freewheel and brake and real metal pedal tractors from Scale Models.

DurableToys.com attempts to find local, USA made, western made and more fine products in that order.  The Amish wood wagon and toy shops have had a timeless, sparkling reputation with us and our own customers.  Over time it has become very difficult to find a shop with a younger torch bearer for a retiring woodworker.  The employee/ employer relationship in the USA has increasing government and societal baggage that tilts the decision away.  We have had heart to hearts with three suppliers on this topic, relating experience gained in a past career in the electronics industry.  Sadly, we are usually too late or too far removed to make much difference.

Twice we have experienced product recalls involving small part choking hazard from far east toddler toys.  We notified our customers and placed the notice on our web page in its designated area in excess of the required time.  We will always comply fully when involved.  More product related technical information is on our website at: http://DurableToys.com/toyacc.htm#tech

Somehow it is satisfying to recover an old item rather than replace it.  Old things seem to have been made for a longer haul and paid for with more precious money.  A classic example is the telephone, once a lightning resistant industrial grade appliance from Western Electric, now not the same. Free advice: buy high. Paying too much is better than paying too little and suffering a repeated purchase or another bad side effect.  Lots of items we sell have ongoing hand me down or nice resale value.  We even have hand me ups now.  Besides, why trade away hard currency for short lived results?
 
2. New or Returning Product Availability:
Kettler's Lil-Foote Kettrest is back after a redesign.  This item gives restful support to young legs while pushed along with pedals freewheeling.  New items from Kettler are CAT DumperKid (not our translation) and CAT Digger On Wheels.  Kettler and CAT by Rolly items mentioned are made in Germany.  More CAT sandbox toys are also coming soon.  CAT is a move up brand for kids with a lot of big toy range!  Kettler's Roller Skiddy Scooter returns as Kettler Thunder Scooter, closeout prices on Skiddys.  (Skiddy needed a better translation anyway).  Kettler Fox gone, now we stock the similar "Lightning".  New Kettler "Oceana" Kettrike replaces the "Splash."  Check "manager's specials" pulldown for more good deals.

3. Thanksgiving, Christmas 2007, New Year UPS Schedule:
Our web site has the UPS Holiday Schedule as well as additional info related by zip codes. See http://DurableToys.com/toyhow.htm#holiday For best results order early (and often).

4. Reader Five Buck Offer:
Readers, during the month of September 2007, order online and enter the promotional code "compsept" to receive $5 off your next order.

5. Information, Parts, Discussion:
Infomration, Search Tool, Community: DurableToys.com/toyinfo.htm 
Discussion, Related Stories: DurableToys.com/toydisc.htm 
Parts, Accessories, Technical Information: DurableToys.com/toyacc.htm 
Instructions, Terms, Shipping Info, More: DurableToys.com/toyhow.htm Security, BBBOnLine Privacy, VeriSign: DurableToys.com/toypriv.htm

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This text file may be shared freely in its entirety. Thank you.  Debra and David McCusker DurableToys.ComPanion Needak, Inc. Needle in a Haystack DurableToys.com