Results Of City’s 2001 Toy Survey

New York City Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jane Steiner Hoffman last week released the 2001 annual Consumer Affairs popular toy survey of 48 stores and two Internet sites. The rresults shows parents that they can save a bundle — up to 71% - by shopping around when it comes to filling their children’s wish lists.

This year’s top ten toys surveyed were: G.I. Joe Search and Rescue Firefighter; Microsoft’s Xbox; Nintendo’s GameCube; Fisher-Price’s Rescue Heroes (Billy Blazes, Wendy Waters, Jake Justice, special edition; FDNY firefighter Billy Blazes): The Incredible Shrinky Dinks Maker by Spin Master Toys; Bratz Dolls by MGA Entertainment; The I-Cybie by Tiger; Harry Potter Lego Set; Hogwart’s Castle; Tyco’s remote controlled Tony Hawk Skateboard; and the Holiday Celebration Barbie by Mattel.

The survey revealed that parents could find the biggest price difference on Holiday Celebration Barbie; Mary Arnold Toys on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan charges $59.99 for the Holiday Barbie but Toys R Us on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn charges only $17.49, a savings of 71%. The toy with the second largest price variation is the Remote Controlled Tony Hawk Skateboard . The Greenpoint Toy center on Manhattan Avenue in Brooklyn sells the skateboard for $79.99 while the Kay Bee Toys on St. Nicholas Avenue in Manhattan sells the same toy for $29.99 a difference of 63%.

Increasingly, many holiday shoppers are turning to the Internet to get some or all of their holiday shopping done. According to the Toy Industry Association study, online toy sales grew 22% from $650 million in 1999 to $793 million in 2000.

Consumer Affairs found that even though it may be more convenient, consumers may not be getting the best price. "Cyber shopping may seem more convenient but it is not necessarily the best way to go," said the commissioner.

Reader Comments

No comments have been posted. Be the first!

Other Stories With Comments:
Article	Comments
Golden City: Bought, Burned, Bought Again	1