Parents are confronted with a huge choice and need help to find the right toy. Buying from the internet is easy as a wide range of toys can be looked at just by the click of the mouse! Useful information is provided below to help the consumer buy a gift online which is both safe and appropriate to the child’s age and development.
Main Types of Toys
The main types of toys include Action Figures, Dolls, Stuffed Toys, Construction Toys, Cars, Trains and Games.
There are also many categories of toys including:-
Educational Toys -- puzzles and books.
Outdoor Toys -- bikes, ride-ons.
Electronic Toys -- computer and other multimedia games.
Traditional Toys -- wooden dollhouse, train sets.
Green and/or Ethical Toys -- usually made from sustainable sources and produced by Third World villagers as a means of living. May include multicultural toys such as ethnic dolls and special needs toys.
Choosing a Toy as an Appropriate Gift
When buying a gift, it is essential to choose a safe toy suitable for the child’s needs.
1) Ascertain the child’s age - is he or she a baby, toddler, pre-school age, school-going child or teenager?
2) Decide if the toy is to be gender-specific. Although convention has it that girls like dolls and boys prefer cars, children benefit from playing with a variety of toys.
3) Ensure the toys carry an safety symbol, for example CE Mark (European certification) and the British Safety Kitemark
Choosing Safe Toys
Children are protected by laws that require all toys are reliable and safe. Toys must be designed and made to comply with safety requirements including aspects such as mechanical safety, flammability, exclusion of toxic materials and hygiene.
Look for these safety symbols -- EN71, The Kite Mark, The CE Mark. However, always heed any warnings given on the product's packaging.
The most common dangers in toys are magnets, high levels of lead and small detachable parts.
Secure Purchase
When deciding upon which online retailer to use, unless a major brand, always check for a physical address with street name and postcode. Avoid websites with just a PO Box number.
Make contact, either by phone or email, with customer services. Avoid websites which only provide a mobile number or email address.
Look for a UK company registration and VAT numbers which should be clearly displayed on the website.
Ensure the company is a member of the relevant industry trade association.
Payment should be via a secure encrypted server (look for https:// as opposed to the usual http:// when on the checkout and payment pages). Avoid websites which only accept cash or cheque.
Ensure the retailer has a Returns and Refunds Policy which is usually within 30 days of purchase and of course always remember that you are, in any case, governed by mainstream UK consumer legislation and the Distance Selling Directive which confers statutory rights upon you for any online consumer purchase of goods. Note however that certain types of goods are excluded from this directive such as electronic downloads of music and games.
Conclusion
Playing with well-chosen and safe toys allows children to use their imagination and problem-solving skills. Buying and selecting toys online is convenient, with many websites now providing useful search facilities to guide the consumer, thus making it easier to find the perfect toy. Shopping online is generally safe as long as you choose a reputable retailer or perform some basic checks for a new or unrecognised merchant. The gift of a carefully chosen toy will be treasured by the child for a long time.
Author Resource:-
Steve Wilson is a freelance writer with a focus on consumer and business issues.
Find toy offers and shopping discount codes at ukoffer.com, where you will find continuously updated UK voucher and discount codes in all major categories.
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