Comments from mums and dads please....

[Hedgehog Toys]

We are about to diversify into another child related area and are looking for comments or opinions please.

We will be providing hire services for 2 different sectors. The first is a toy loan box service for local nurseries / playgroups etc and the second is baby equipment / toy hire for private individuals.

Has anyone used this type of service before and /or would you use the service???

[Pebble Communications]

I've heard of this scheme where people can hire baby kits...grandparents, guest houses and so on...

[DavidHorn]

I've not used anything like this before but I've been toying with the idea of trying to set up - amongst our friends who are parents - a 'toy library' or something similar where we can all just rotate our toys.

We must know half a dozen kids all roughly the same age as ours and sharing the toys around makes so much sense!

I think this idea has legs, for sure ... certainly on a local scale.

On the other idea, my mum used to hire a push chair when we went visiting - thought it was useful up to a point ... I think for the price of 3 rentals, she ended up buying a 2nd hand one in the end. But not everyone has the space, I suppose.

Good luck!

[Hedgehog Toys]

It generally works out cheaper to buy things like pushchairs but things like baby walkers, play pens travel cots etc can be expensive especially for pople on a low income / budget or those who don't want the hassle of disposing of these things after only using them for a short period of time.

[Pebble Communications]

I think a travel pack sounds good for families who are away visiting with young kids. For example grandparents hire them if their kids and grandkids are coming to stay. Perhaps with a travel cot, play pen and highchair - so the parents don't have to lump this stuff across the country with them.

[MorethanWords]

Expensive toys like sensory equipment for children with special needs is a good idea, and things like that robo-sapien (costs a fortune and they get bored after 5 minutes!).

[SillyJokes]

You need to be clear exactly how you see this making money.

Toy libraries are usually not profit making. I used a local one - it was good as it had a drop in centre as well which subsidised costs.

Do not hire out easily damaged or stolen toys like Robosapien.

Sensory toys were popular as were large items you only want for a short while.

[caroline]

I agree with your point that buying all the stuff for babies is expensive, but to be honest I usually get it pretty cheap on ebay and then I have the opportunity to make some of my money back by selling it there again. The hire idea for nurseries or people on holiday sounds good though, good luck!

[Claire B]

I would definately see it woking for occassional use such as travel or having family over to stay (things like stair gates and sterilisers and ahem..breast pumps would be a godsend) although not for me personally anymore :wink:

I do remember long haul schleps up to norfolk with the car fit to bursting with baby equipment, very stressful, so I could see it working in that sense.

How would you cover your costs of postage? presumably (unless you ran individual, local schemes), you would need to post these items out to people and that would be expensive for bulky items.

How about setting up vending machines at local airports and railway stations? (they would have to be massive - lol :D )

anyway, good luck, you have loads to think about

[coxadmin]

We might have been interested in this sort of servce, especially if the hired package could be delivered to the address we were staying at.

The one thing we didn't buy but found very useful when we needed it was a travel cot - fortunately we had a friend who had finished with hers and lent it to us until we didn't need it. Things like playpens and highchairs may also be useful for private individuals, as they are so bulky.

[fastfences]

I wouldn't want my child biting into a toy that another unknown child has been slobbering over for the previous 3 days! Sanitation would have to be an issue.
Cheers, Nigel

[Admiral Collections]

Hi

The only time i have heard of 'toy loan' has been via by sis in law who works for the social services. They have a toy loan service for parents who cannot afford to buy stimulating toys for their children. I am not a snob by any stretch of the imagination, but I tend to agree with Nigel re: some other child 'slobbering' as Nigel puts it on a toy my children may put into their mouths.

The only way I can see you making money out of this is to be a recognised provider to these free services and get yourself some local PR via the local rag.

Nic :wink:

[becky]

Am sure there would be a market for this with uk holiday cottage companies too - if you there were some in your area you could do a trial and see how it goes. They tend to organise cots and highchairs already but portable stair gates, toys and all the other gubbins that babies need might be useful for them to rent out cottages.

sounds like a good idea to me - but tricky logistics...

[Hedgehog Toys]

I am going to run wityh this one and see how we get on. Now all i need is a website name. Maye i could piggy back it off the hedgehog toys ut then i don't want to get them confused.
Any sugestions

[Marke[T]hink]

You can also try market like birthday or summer parties with big toys. No one have the fund to buy those things.

Good luck.

[Claire B]

Now all i need is a website name

What about 'Hedgehog Hire' ?

well i like it anyway :D :D

[Hedgehog Toys]

hmmm........how about 'LittleHoglets' :D :D

[Ravenfire]

I wouldn't want my child biting into a toy that another unknown child has been slobbering over for the previous 3 days! Sanitation would have to be an issue.
Cheers, Nigel

Nigel never let you child go to preschool then..lol!!

Luckily my DD doesnt tend to be a chewer but I must admit I cringe when I see all the other children with toys in their mouths.

[wellnessdirect]

Hello,

I agree - used toys can be scary. I work with a wholesale company that offers natural, biodegradable, non-toxic cleaning formulas in their anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral cleaning products.

Please let me know if you are interested.

Also, have you considered supporting the needs of lower income families with a not for profit end for your corporate clients? High end hotels may like this idea of sharing their wealth.

Cheers,

Donna