Online Firm Says Rent, Don't Buy, Toys For Your Kids
By Ian Bush
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- There's a new way to put toys under the tree this holiday. And it may be especially appealing if your kids are fickle: playing with one toy for a month nonstop while the next month they don't want any part of it.
That's the idea behind Toygaroo.com.
"Members go online, choose a plan, and they get four, six, or eight toys -- whatever works best for their family," explains founder Nikki Pope. "And once they sign up, they add all the toys they want to receive to their wish list."
Pope says the plans start around $25 for four toys -- everything from wooden blocks to tablets for tots.
"Our toys go through a rigorous three-step sanitization process," she says. "Non-electronic toys get steam-cleaned. If they're electronic, rather than steam cleaning, they get wiped down with a cleaning wipe, then they all go to the sanitization phase: we use an EPA-approved, all-organic sanitizer. And the toy gets completely sanitized, and then it's inspected and shrink-wrapped. So from us to you, nothing can get on the toy."
Like the big DVD subscription services, there are no late fees or due dates, but toy turnover is crucial to get your money's worth.
"When the kids get bored, you're able to give them some new toys to keep them challenged and entertained," Pope says.
And if you child really doesn't want to part with one, you can buy it at a discount.
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