Clark's Annual Toy Test
Clark Howard, WSB-TV consumer adviser
Read Part II
Christmas is just four weeks away! And if you're tight on money and time, do we have a solution for you!
When you are shopping for toys, it's not just the toys you buy. It's where you buy them. I love discount stores, warehouse clubs and clearance centers.
What I do when I'm looking for toys for my children is I start with a price point in mind, and then I look for something I know they would love. For example, look at this $11.96. This is quite a buy for this truck.
All the toys for my toy test will be good buys. I'm not spending more than $40.
You know, I'm cheap!
After a little bargain hunting, I find an entire aisle of great buys. It's Wal-Mart's private label toys called Kid Connection. Compared to what I usually see, these are well-priced, and I see so many possibilities here. The beauty set, two-vehicle sets, the animal set, and the cash register -- all are bargains at less than 20 bucks! So, in my cart they go!
Now, as for choosing the hot brand name toys, I need some help.
If you'll just walk me down and show me what things not that parents will buy, but what kids really want to play with.
"That kids really want to play with?" asks a Wal-Mart associate. "OK."
And that are a deal. I know that's a tough combination.
"Diva Starz is like the hottest girl's toy," the associated says.
This thing cost like 80 cents to make, and you're telling me $21?
"Yes," the associate says.
She was right. After two hours of heavy play, our 30 kid testers picked Diva Starz as their No. 10 toy.
"I really like it," one girl said.
In at No. 9 : Pixter. It's a handheld computer drawing device. It's 30 bucks.
At No. 8, is the Fisher Price Great Adventure Pirate Ship with real, working cannons. It was a direct hit at 28 bucks.
Racing to No. 7 on the Clark Howard toy test is the Matchbox Hero Highway. All the boys loved it, but their parents didn't.
Parents just can't figure out how to put it together," said parent Joanne Hubbard.
Once they did, the kids couldn't stop playing with it. I say it's expensive at 39 bucks.
So early on, the name brand toys are dominating my Top Ten List. All three toys are more than 20 bucks. But guess what? The top 6 toys are all less than $20. Which ones are they? Are they my cheap Kid Connection toys?
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