Customers Should Demand Better Made Toys.

Even if you do not have kids and don't pay attention to the news, you've heard about the toys recall and high level of lead paint content! The issue is everywhere – on the news, in Congress, in the store aisles, and in the forums and dining tables. Everywhere you look, you see and hear loud signs that warn buyers about these toys. Beware, beware, beware!! These recent toys recall has changed the way people think about toys and shopping in general. Shoppers are more aware of labels and origin of the products. A smart buyer has been born! Or risen from its dormant state! Why the sudden concern in product origin and labeling? Why are goods 'made in China' dangerous? Why is everyone on the "I told you so!" bandwagon? Is it because its concerns mostly toys? The children? Given the risks involved, the reaction of the American consumer, especially the American parents, is quite fitting. Kidshealth.org reports that excessive lead contact could lead to headaches and stomach pain and even to behavioral problems and anemia. In addition, it can also affect a child's developing brain. But avoiding these toys is not the answer! The American consumer has long demanded cheaper products. The Mattels are designing them cheap and are hence being made by low bidders somewhere in the Far East in sweatshops competing for these gargantuan contracts from the Mattels and the Walmarts. The lower the price the lower the quality of products. It's Economics 101. The solution is not short term. Its years of 'how low can you go' that we need to stay away from. Measures in Congress do not change our shopping habits. The low priced bidder in China will find a new way to cater to our low-priced wants, and not all of them will be 'safe'. We need to demand better and safer products from our retailers. The giant manufacturers and retailers are certainly not looking out for the consumers. It's not the low price we should look for, but the knowledgeable retailer. Its not the aisles and aisles of Barbies and Webkinz we should demand, but the savvy salesperson who knows about these products. And such service is not at the Walmarts, but your smaller retail stores who actually care about their customers and products. But slowly these giants are pushing out these small retailers. Or should I say by us who love these low priced (and low quality) products along with the low service and product knowledge that these giants are so good in providing. Let's smart up consumers! Let's demand safer products, not by not buying them, but by not asking for them. Let's demand more knowledgeable retailers. Let's demand better service. We don't need Congress to send these toys back. We need better toys AND smarter buyers! Sujan Manandhar MBA, M.Sc. IAKM (Kent State University) My Little Red Wagon http://www.mylittleredwagon.com