- Online classified platform Gumtree has compiled a list of toys that often end up on its site after Christmas.
- Parents start listing abandoned toys between 28 December and the end of the first week of January, Gumtree says.
- The list includes Hatchimals and Build-a-Bear soft toys.
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Before you shell out big on Christmas toys, make sure that big ticket item your child’s been nagging you for goes the distance.
Online classified platform Gumtree has compiled a list of popular toys that end up on its site after Christmas, often as children lose interest in them.
“Parents start listing abandoned toys (on Gumtree) between 28 December and the end of the first week of January, once it’s clear that their kids are not as enthusiastic about their expensive toys as anticipated,” she says.
"'Kids outgrow toys quickly. Before committing to a big ticket item, shop secondhand. You can teach healthy money habits by having your child sell their old toys to buy new ones. Make a point of donating or repairing old toys rather than throwing it out.”
According to an analysis on Gumtree.co.za from 2018 to date, the following toys are the most frequently listed for sale:
Hatchimals
These cute animals remain a surprise until they noisily hatch from their eggs - that is usually where the excitement begins and ends. Costing between R800 to R1,000 a toy, the hatched Hatchimals are often resold for R250 to R500.
Build-a-Bear
The fun of this toy lies in putting it together and customising it. Build-a-bear ranges in price from R250 to R1,000 depending on accessories and type.
Hoverboards
This was all the craze in 2018, but parents started listing their hoverboards on 25 December already. While it’s not certain why, reports of injuries and accidents might be behind the steep abandonment rates.
Lego
Lego is incredibly popular, but once assembled, pieces invariably go missing and the novelty wears off. “The good news is that you can often buy secondhand Lego in bulk as incomplete sets - leaving your little ones free to use their imagination to assemble their own world,” says Nagel.
Battery-powered cars
Car enthusiast parents will shell out thousands for mini Ferraris and BMWs for their little ones, but they often end up for sale soon after. “The batteries need to be replaced, kids lose interest or simply outgrow them.”
Compiled by Estrelita Moses
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