It’s been a few years since I bought any “Thomas and Friends” toys for my son, so I don’t think any of the approximately 18,000 trains he owns are part of the recall that was just announced. It covers toys sold in the U.S. from Jan. 2005 through June 2007; they are thought to contain lead paint, and they were made in China.
I must say that I’m surprised to hear that Thomas toys are made in China, only because they’re so incredibly expensive. A typical little engine goes for about $10; a big one or a double goes for $20. They are very, very high-quality wooden toys (except, of course, for the apparently poisonous paint), and I had always assumed they were made in, oh, Wisconsin or somewhere similar. Why else, I wondered, would they cost so much?
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Your son only has 18,000 engines? You clearly don’t love him as much as I love my son.
Your son only has 18,000 engines? You clearly don’t love him as much as I love my son.
Conspicous consumption.
“Martha, look how much this costs. It must have been made in the USA! Probably by union workers, even!”
Conspicous consumption.
“Martha, look how much this costs. It must have been made in the USA! Probably by union workers, even!”
Remember Stephen, that price is not set by the manufacturer, but by the market. In this case the market has no problem paying 10 or 20$ for a toy.
If people think that only worthless trinket come out of China, they will be in for a surprise sometime soon
Remember Stephen, that price is not set by the manufacturer, but by the market. In this case the market has no problem paying 10 or 20$ for a toy.
If people think that only worthless trinket come out of China, they will be in for a surprise sometime soon
Price-Quality messaging…i.e. The Thomas brand must send a certain message about quality that should be matched by the price. If the Brand was very high-quality but the toys came out with cheap/low prices, the offering would not be in alignment with custome’s expectations.
Also, Parents buying the toys for their children are less price-sensitve for popular toys. The brand also carries some very good attributes, wholesome, educational etc. Informed parents price-sensitive or not, may percieve these values and be willing to pay more.
Price-Quality messaging…i.e. The Thomas brand must send a certain message about quality that should be matched by the price. If the Brand was very high-quality but the toys came out with cheap/low prices, the offering would not be in alignment with custome’s expectations.
Also, Parents buying the toys for their children are less price-sensitve for popular toys. The brand also carries some very good attributes, wholesome, educational etc. Informed parents price-sensitive or not, may percieve these values and be willing to pay more.