Be Like Noah: Collect The Animals and Be Rewarded
03.25.07By Deanna DahlsadJust about two years ago Janet Rosso and Steve King, friends since college, were walking by a gift shop when they saw a window full of collectible toys which said, “Collect Them All!” (guess what toys those were Ha!) and Steve and Janet had a conversation which went a little something like this:
Steve: “So, if you ‘Collect Them All,’ what happens?”
Janet: “Nothing.”
Then the two began talking about the nature of collecting — how collectors put time and money into their collections, but to their knowledge, no company did anything special for collectors to reward them.
If you do in fact get them all, your satisfaction is your own and only reward — no one gives you something once you complete it.
Admittedly, satisfaction isn’t a small thing, but the two friends thought collectors deserved ’something’ rather than nothing from the companies which collectors support. Just several months later, both Steve and Janet quit their jobs and became Caboodle! Toys LLC, the first and only company to reward collectors. (Get the whole ‘kit’ and earn ‘caboodles!’)
It’s not just a clever name, folks; it’s a real company that rewards collectors!
Caboodle! Toys LLC. makes Noah’s Pals, a collection of animal toys which are not only cute but educational.
Sold in pairs, as one would expect with the whole ‘ark’ theme, these toys come complete with a collector ID card which provides animal facts — facts which have been confirmed by their philanthropic partner, the Wildlife Conservation Society (the organization receives 5% of net profits).
Noah’s Pals are true collectibles as well because there are limited quantity offerings.
The limited edition Noah’s Pals are of those animals that are in danger of becoming extinct. For example, only 10,000 endangered animal pairs and 20,000 vulnerable animal pairs are being made. Once they’ve produced all of those editions, those animals will officially become retired.
It’s a lesson for collectors to get them while they can, and another all-too-real lesson in our vanishing wildlife.
If you don’t think ‘educational’ is enough of a turn-on for your kids, how does online registration sound?
On the back of each animal’s ID Card, there’s a unique scratch-off code that can be used for online registration at their website which not only allows collectors to create a ‘boarding list’ of all their animals (proof of purchases to earn the free reward Caboodle!™), but the website also allows members to play a game, download a coloring book, and learn more about the animals.
Registered members are also eligible to win prizes. Anyone who registers a Noah’s Pal during a given month, gets a ‘virtual ticket’ in the raffle and becomes eligible for prizes in that month’s drawing. (Currently prizes include some of the goodies from the accessories shop.)
The company and its website are very new (the first toys have just been shipped to retailers) but the company has plans to add more interactivity — similar in addictive concept to Webkinz one imagines.
What I really like about this whole concept, aside from the free rewards (who doesn’t like free stuff?), is the fact that these are real animal toys.
I love that this sort of collecting can be shared by generations — as a mom I know that when I’ve tried to explain to grandparents what the kids want it’s a confusing mess. Grandparents and others can buy animals better because they understand — and can pronounce — ‘bear’ better than some Pokemon or Anime character. It makes for more fun too because everyone can talk about and understand animals and be involved in the collection itself & the collecting process.
And, these collectible animals are affordable — prices range from just $2 to $20 a pair. Now that’s a collection a child (and mom & dad) can afford.
Smitten with this whole idea of a company making collectible animals that engage and educate children and adults alike, I spoke with both Steve and Janet — but you’ll have to wait until Monday for that. *wink*
