Save Money on Children's Toys and Games

Have you been to a toy shop lately?  If so, you are aware of the high cost of keeping kids occupied.  Not many fathers whittle things out of wood for their children to play with any more and television commercials and word of mouth have caused toy prices to skyrocket. 

For instance, toy story toys are now collectible and highly sought after.  Many enterprising people sell them at yard sales, garage sales and flea markets and fetch good money.  Others sell them at toy consignment shops and online venues like eBay where the whole world can find them at a glance.

There are many places you can find things for your children at a discount.  If the item is not collectible you can often find bargains at a garage sale if you are patient.  Often, high-priced baby toys go for less than $5 at these sales.  Children outgrow the item or lose interest and parents are glad to get rid of it to make room for more.

Consider These 6 Rules When Buying Used:

1. Count all pieces to be sure the item is intact.
2. Plastic is good because it can be disinfected, but you might want to think about other things that a child might put in his/her mouth if you can’t clean it well.
3. Don’t be afraid to haggle over the price if you think it’s too high.
4. It’s not always a good idea to take your youngster along as sometimes he or she may take a liking to something and cause a ruckus if you decide not to buy it.
5. Try to stay with a durable used toy that will last for a few years.  You’ll get more value out of it.
6. Know the current retail price of the toy you are seeking.  If not, you could actually pay more for the item used than on sale at a department store.

Good Places to Shop for Playthings for Children:

• Toy consignment shops
• Yard sales, garage sales and rummage sales
• Church rummage sales
• Second hand stores
• Yard sales online
• Friends and family
• Department store sales
• Online auctions such as eBay

Your child can have the latest in technology in toys and games if you follow this advice and spend a little time researching before you shop.  Good luck!