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Original poster

Feedback on a business idea aimed at parents of 0-5s

12 replies

AbbiG · 21/10/2014 22:00

I am looking for some feedback from you lovely people on a business idea I have aimed at parents of under 5s.

It is basically a toy rental service aimed a parents travelling to relatives or to holiday destinations (within UK only). Toys will be age appropriate and delivered to destination to avoid having to travel with toys or cluttering up relatives houses with barely used toys. It saves money and reduces waste.

Toys will be traditional, open ended with a focus on imagination, natural materials etc, no plastic battery operated noisy flashy toys, no cartoon characters, barbies etc.

Prices would be inclusive of postage/packaging and include return, rental would be for up to 2 weeks.

Would this be a service you would use in general? How much would you pay for this?

Thanks so much for your feedback.

OP posts:

ClapHandsIfYouBelieveInFatties · 21/10/2014 22:24

No. Sorry but I think it's far too specific and it's just not something I'd pay for. If we're going on holiday then that tends to be a good break from toys...we swap the usual for buckets and spades and beach toys....and if we're visiting relatives then we either bring a few things or buy puzzle books to and colouring things...in addition to the usual tablets etc.

I don't think you will find a market for it.

fuzzpig · 21/10/2014 22:30

Hmm, it's not something it'd occur to me to spend money on TBH. Although the fact we wouldn't need to take anything with us would be appealing, since we don't drive.

I imagine it could work when people are staying in naice holiday cottages, perhaps, although it's not something I would use myself. It would only be families with a lot of spare cash I think.

rememberingnothing · 21/10/2014 22:35

to be honest it sounds like more hassle to return the toys rather than pack some of our own and lob them all in a bag to take home.

ClapHandsIfYouBelieveInFatties · 21/10/2014 22:41

I find naice holiday cottages provide plenty of toys such as games, puzzles and fishing nets etc. Well the ones I've been to have anyway.

PhoebeMcPeePee · 21/10/2014 22:42

I think if you could get in with a holiday let business or someone like centre parcs then it could be a good little side-line but I can't ever see it making much money.

FelixTitling · 21/10/2014 22:44

I wouldn't have used this. If I was ever really stuck for toys ( can only remember it happening once) I just did a charity shop sweep and donated it back at the end.

HaroldLloyd · 21/10/2014 22:45

No, I wouldn't have used this.

It's no great hardship to pop a fee toys in a bag, and children generally prefer to take a few of their own favorites.

Plus the toys would get wrecked very quickly, and postage is £££

ClapHandsIfYouBelieveInFatties · 21/10/2014 22:46

Phoebe has a good idea there OP. You could provide caravan parks and holiday lets with toys which you take away and clean regularly...like they do in nurseries...and soft play. I think some places have pro cleaners who come in and blitz all the snot off them. That's possibly a better idea imo.

onedev · 21/10/2014 22:58

I wouldn't use it either, sorry.

BackforGood · 21/10/2014 22:59

Agree with Claphands and everyone else really.
You just bung a couple of things in the car. When you are on holiday, there's all the new experiences anyway, so not much time spent 'playing with toys', and if at a relatives, they either help you distract them or have stuff in their own house, or let them play with an actual saucepan and wooden spoon, or pots or whatever. I wouldn't have dreamt of hiring them. If you want to borrow stuff, some places have toy libraries for free (or small donation) and I know friends of my Mum who had grandchildren flying in to visit her, used to just borrow stuff off us and other friends dcs for the time they were there.

Original poster

AbbiG · 22/10/2014 12:37

Thanks for your feedback. Looks like the idea isn't worth pursuing. Cheers

OP posts:

sleepybuthappy · 22/10/2014 12:51

Contrary to the other posters, I think this idea has potential. I can think of at least two occasions that we might use it - at our in-laws and when we go away with a group of friends plus kids to a holiday cottage. My only caveat would be that if I was expected to return the items myself I would immediately be put off. I think you would have to offer delivery and pick up. I agree with other posters that your best plan might be to try and team up with some holiday companies, hotels etc and aim for it to be a service that they advertise to their customers rather than trying to advertise it yourself. It needs work and thought but in do think it has merit!

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