HearthSong

Full review
Personally I like shopping online, but with HearthSong I found some advantages to placing your order with them over the phone. Here is why:
1.- Their Online store gives you the impression which items
can be wrapped - when actually wrapping is not available for all those indicated, per the telephone order staff, for that item. Online will actually fully process your wrapping request erroneously, so to be sure I suggest you call them if you want wrapping. Obviously this can be an issue when ordering gifts and mailing them directly to the recipient.

2.- There are several, and I mean several (not just a few) items that are offered each day at a super discount price to phone order customers only. I was surprised to learn this when I was ordering items already with a good sale price, and other items listed at the standard price. The telephone order agent informed me of the even lower sale prices, and I found them all to be remarkable deals.
I learned of these items after I placed my first order and was easily convinced to purchase a couple of additional super sale items (a couple of items I was interested in were 25%-75% cheaper than priced online!) with that call. Then as I thought about the list of toddler toys and stocking stuffer items at super sale prices, and looked at them more closely in the printed catalogue, I couldn't resist calling again and ordering a couple of things for my girlfriends' children. When I called the second time I just asked her to tell me again about all the specials for that day. So you don't need to buy something first to get the listing of special prices.

3.- Based on some of the Epinion complaints about delayed delivery at Christmas time - in spite of guaranteed delivery...and based on my own experiences, I again recommend selecting what you want online for efficiency and then calling and quickly giving your order, with all the code numbers you found online for merchandise you know is 'in stock', to the phone line staff. Also both of the telephone staff I spoke with were very nice and helpful. While discussing my order with them I learned that some items have different titles and even slight differences in the code numbers in their listings, and this can cause discrepancies in whether an item is 'in stock' or not. The item number is key to a successful order, and they are available online in the ordering process and in the printed catalogue. I could be wrong about this, but I do think you will have a better delivery guarantee, especially during the Christmas rush, with a phone order. Their online system seems to have more than one glitch. Hopefully they will look into this issue after inventory in early 2007.

The quality of all the merchandise met or exceeded my expectations, my friends and their children were delighted, and I didn't spend a lot of money! I don't know of any mother who is familiar with this store, who doesn't just love it. So many items to support the healthy growth and development of creative and smart children - what is there not to love?!

- Their print catalogue is also great and at Christmas the catalogue offered a coupon code for free delivery or discounted delivery, that I utilized along with the super sale prices. I don't know if you can or can't use it with an online order. So do ask to be mailed a catalogue, and don't forget to check the catalogue before ordering if you want to take advantage of additional cost savings coupons.

I ordered a variety of items, here are some details: all of the small wooden puzzle boxes (due to the internal maze walls, the castle maze is too dark to see into, but the others are great for all ages),the small music boxes with the moving Christmas scenes are a remarkable buy for such great quality, the wind-up squirrel was a big hit as it is such a unique item, the Whirl-O was fun for all and visually intriguing with its retro look, the 2 baby toys comprised of multi colored wooden blocks tied together with the elastic looked like whimsical modern art when displayed and also appealed to the baby, the classic 'busy bee' game (SuperSaver call-in price: $1.99!) and all the children's books were priced well below other stores, and the paint brush shaped wall hanger for displaying the many 'masterpieces' is a great functional and unique decor item.

I sent items to friends living on both coasts at Christmas time and everything arrived on time and in perfect condition. The items that arrived at my home arrived earlier than I expected.

The quality, uniqueness, variety and prices of their items are why I give them a high rating. They don't sell junk, even though the prices will remind you of your local dime store.