We tested the fairy post office - for My DS, aged 5.
Q1 What did you think of the quality of the product you just tested?
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality. The picture online of the post box makes the box itself look like it is made from card, so it was nice to open it and see that it was metal. Everything inside is very dainty and appealing, DS immediately wanted to start using it. I thought that everything inside was nice quality. The wooden stamp (rather than plastic) was a nice touch.
Q2 How long did your child spend playing with the toy? Did they share it with other friends/ siblings?
DS shared a little with his sister(22months) but as she couldn't play with it properly, he mostly played with it by himself. He played initially with it for about half an hour and then went back to it a couple of times after the initial play.
Q3 How did your child interact with the product? Did they enjoy playing with the toy? How did they describe it?
He enjoyed playing with it. He spent a while writing letters and posting them. He thought that all the little letters and stamps were lovely.
Q4 Do you think this is a toy you would normally buy for your child, or suggest or buy as a gift? If so why? If not, why not?
I would buy this as a gift, although not at the price it is currently sold for. I wouldn't buy it for my child as it has finite appeal. Once the letters are gone, that's it! Of course you can replace with your own paper, but it isn't the same. I also didn't understand why there were 40 stamps but only 15 letters.
Q5 The Red Retro Racer is sold by Letterbox for £20, and the Fairy Post Office for £17. Compared to other toys you have seen, how would you rate the value for money of the toy you tested...Excellent, Good, Average, Poor
Currently, value for money is poor. £17 takes it out of gift price range for a child that is not yours. I would expect to pay £8 for this, meaning that I could buy it as a party gift. However, I understand that with little extras like the wooden stamp, this price is not likely. However, £17 is FAR too much.
Q6 Thinking about Letterbox ? have you bought from them before? Had you heard of them before the product test? Having tried this toy do you think you would be likely to buy from or look at the Letterbox site/ catalogue in the future?
I have not bought from Letterbox before but have a relative who has and has been pleased with what she has received and the service she has been given. I would consider buying from Letterbox in the future.
Q7 Both Letterbox toys tested by Mumsnetters - the Red Retro Racer and Fairy Post Office - were chosen as they represent the kind of toy Letterbox specialise in selling. Having seen these toys what would you say were the key values you'd associate with Letterbox (as a whole)?
I think that Letterbox straddles some fine lines between fartsy GLTC wooden overpriced traditional toys and plastic ELC rubbish. I do like a lot of the toys that Letterbox sell, and would look here in the future for party toys rather than buying Lego or similar, to buy something different. However, I do feel that Letterbox does not really offer anything that cannot be found elsewhere and some things are overpriced. The build your own clock, for example.
I like the idea of letterbox, I love wooden toys, and I do think that the fairy post box is a perfect example of letterbox - halfway and not really saying anything. I do think that your website needs a drastic update.