DUBIT RESEARCH What do parents really think of fake toys?
As part of our Fight The Fakes campaign, ToyNews teamed up with youth and family research agency Dubit to ask mums and dads for their opinions on counterfeit toys, using its award- winning Clickroom online focus group tool
NONE OF our group said they’d bought counterfeit toys for their children, although Helen said: “I have a feeling my husband just has - Sonic characters from China on Ebay.” (It later turned out they were cheap but genuine). And Rebecca, mother of a two- year-old, contributed: “My Dad's wife [based in Cambodia] sent us some obviously fake 'Disney' clothes but my husband said they made our
26 February
daughter look like a baby prostitute so she never wore them.” Two group members had
won fake toys at fairs, with one being rejected by the child as a fake Mario. Shona, mother of two boys (aged four years and two months) added: “My son's Hulk from the fair looked like Simon Cowell but he still loves it.” Age clearly played a part, with children over ten being able to spot a fake a
mile off, as Helen said: “My niece and nephew are 10 and 13 and they wouldn't have a fake toy or any fake item. Not good for the street cred.”
MAKING COMPLAINTS A common concern among the group is the inability to spot a fake. While dodgy- looking Hulk and Mickey Mouse toys were easy to spot, most parents say they trust the kite mark as a seal of authenticity. This
MUM’S THE WORD
We asked five mothers about what they – and their children – think about fake toys in general.
“If it's bright and got a face on it, she'll cuddle it – whether it burns her skin or not.”
Rebecca
“[My son] said the eyes were wrong and he questioned if it was the real Mario. The toy’s face did have an odd expression.”
Rachel
“You kind of half expect it to be a fake on a market stall, plus you don't know who they are. You would expect a shop or chain to be more responsible.”
Helen
“I wouldn't want to buy anything I thought was unsafe.”