Buying a developmental baby toy lot on ebay is quite a challenge.

There are so many toys, so many brands, and so many sellers. It is often very hard because you are always comparing apples to oranges.

Here are some important tips:

Although it is against ebay policy to sell recalled toys, there are many sellers doing this anyway. Every major toy brand has recalled toys. (Fisher Price, Leap Frog, Vtech, Playskool, Little Tikes, Mattel, Tyco etc.)  Unfortunately, some sellers are not concerned for the safety of your child and are selling in this category for the money. Please buy from reputable sellers that have a recall toy policy in place. I have already contacted previous buyers where a toy became recalled after the toy was sold to them. Please read up on your sellers and do your research about recalls.

Figuring out the toy counts is also a challenge. Some sellers count this number differently than others. Some count actual toys and some count pieces. Be sure to know which number the seller is using to promote their item. For example: One toy may come with  6 additional pieces. Some would count this as one toy, others will say it is 7. Please be sure to check the listings carefully and do actual counts of the items yourself.

All toys are not created equally. It sounds simple but often buyers get confused and think they are getting a great deal. Take time to look at all of the detailed information. Some listings include all or mostly electronic toys that are medium size toys. Some add rattles and small toys to their listings to boost the number count. Although these are great toys to have, they do not hold the same value as the more expensive electronics and may mislead you on value. Also there are really large toys like activity tables, walkers, gyms and wagons. These are typically more expensive toys and will add value to the listing. Knowing the above information will help you value the listings available so you can compare. Please use the compare button located at the bottom of the page to view multiple listings at a time.  This feature in ebay could help you make an informed buying decision.

The above statement: "All toys are not created equally" directly relates to shipping. Some sellers do not state or specify shipping. They say it will be actual cost. You need to be careful of these types of claims because after you win the auction, they can charge you  whatever they would like. A good reputable seller will always give you some kind of shipping cost. Some use the shipping calculator. Some charge a flat fee. With flat fee shipping, please take a look at the size of the toys, the quantity of toys ( again piece count versus actual toys) and the volume (how big they seem). 

For example:

Two sellers are selling 30 toys each. Both have flat shipping at $49.50. Take a look at the difference.

Seller one is selling 3 larger toys ( activity walker, gym and activity table) Plus 24 Medium size electronic toys and 3 small rattles. Most likely this above lot will ship in two large oversize boxes. 

Seller two is selling 15 Medium size electronic toys and 15 small toys or rattles. This is light weight and will ship in one medium box.

The actual shipping cost to the seller on the second lot will actually be considerably less but they still charged you the same $49.50. So do not be fooled by this tactic because most of the sellers have shipping in this range on their listings.

Also please look at how they are shipping when giving you a flat cost. UPS, Fed Ex, DHL, USPS Priority Mail or USPS Parcel Post.  Flat cost shipping going UPS will be more expensive to them to ship than USPS Parcel Post. UPS will arrive sooner and will include insurance and tracking information.

Many sellers state that their toys are in good working order, guaranteed to work, everything works excellent or other similar claims. Yet when looking at their listings there are broken toys and missing parts. Please buy from sellers who state 100% working order. Do your research. Look at toys that are similar in other listings or search for the individual toy on ebay and review several individually from the lot. Also please read the fine print. Some sellers may claim that the toys work at 100% but then later in the detail may state that the letter C and E do not work on this  particular toy.

 For example: I often see the Leap Frog Learn and Groove Activity Table in these lots missing the purple door. This door has a function on the toy, without the door the toy does not work at 100%.

Next we are on to Batteries included or not included. Please check the sellers listings for this information.  30 toys x 3 AAA batteries per toy is approximately 90 batteries. If they are not included with the toys, this could be a significant cost to you the buyer. On the other hand, batteries will add weight to those who do calculated shipping so consider this option when chosing your seller.

Finally, research your seller thoroughly. This lot is for your most prized possession, your child. Check out their return policies, payment policies, shipping. Also take time to read their feedback to see if they have sold lots before and what the comments are saying. Just because the number says 100% or 99.9% does not guaranty they are a good toy seller. Read for comments relating to toys so that you can be confident with your decision to buy from them.

The toy industry is a very complicated industry! Please be safe in your buying decisions and have fun. Buying toys through this process can save you quite a bit from the original cost of the item. Generally good toys from the major brands range from $15 to $20 new. 30 toys x 20 is over $600 value. Plus some of the larger toys cost $40 or $50 new. So if you are looking for a great value, you can find it shopping for toy lots on ebay.

I hope you enjoyed reading this guide and it will be useful as you begin your ebay buying adventure. Thanks and Take Care! Tracylee123