An Expat Buying Toys in Europe

We did it. We made the life changing decision, quit our jobs, sold our house and moved lock, stock and barrel to Spain in search of a 'better' life. Everything is great. The sun shines, the countryside is beautiful, we are learning the lingo and our 8 year old is in a lovely little village school that only has six other children.

So what do we have to complain about, you ask? The price of the bestselling toys here in Spain is crazy. So as an expat how can you get your child's favourite toys in Europe?

Trying to Buy Toys Locally in Spain

Last November we went to our local Toys R Us to start our Christmas shopping. When I say local, just over an hour away is the best we can do! Anyway we were on the hunt for the then 'must have' Ben 10 Deluxe Omnitrix. There it was, looking all ready to be wrapped and stacked under our Christmas tree, until we saw the price - 35 Euros. Knowing a bit about Ben 10 prices, I knew it was then on sale at Amazon.co.uk for around £14. A few coughs and splutters later, a key item on our shopping list was left on the shelf.

After trudging home slightly disappointed we kick started our satellite internet connection (oh I miss broadband) and got down to the task of ordering things from Father Christmas' list online. This was the first time I had tried to ship items that are so easy to get in the UK out to Spain. It was quite an eye opener, especially the dent to the toy budget made by the shipping costs.

Postage Costs from the UK

Sticking with my Ben 10 Deluxe Omnitrix example, you have to bear in mind that it weighs 241g. According to Royal Mail this should cost £2.18 to post to Europe - not too bad you think. Hmmm.

So onto finding someone to buy from. Toys R Us, John Lewis and Argos do not ship outside of the UK so that rules them out.

TheToyShop.com does ship to Spain yippee. On no, hold on, changing your delivery address from the UK to Spain increases the standard £3.95 delivery to, wait for it, £22. What?

eBay has a great feature allowing you to sort the results by cost including P&P with the lowest first. There were a few Omnitrix's available to be sent to Spain with postage starting at £4.99 and certainly no £22's in sight!

Amazon say that 'Toys & Games' can be shipped to Spain. This, however, seems to apply mostly to Amazon dispatches rather than those from their Marketplace sellers. So you happily shop away and when you finally think it's all over, you go to checkout and choose your delivery address. Take a deep breath as this is where it can all fall apart.

If you get to the credit card page you have won. Otherwise you get the "There's a slight problem with your order" message where they tell you they cannot ship to your destination. It's then back to square one for those items where you have to try the "More Buying Choices" box on the right hand side of the product screen in the hope that you can find a seller willing to ship to you. If Amazon themselves can fulfill your order or you can find a Marketplace seller, things are looking up as the Amazon postage rates abroad are very reasonable at £4.98 for this toy.

One last point about Amazon is that their postage charges are based on adding together a 'per item' charge and a 'per delivery' charge. So if you are ordering a number of toys it is cheaper if you can find them from the lowest number of suppliers. In other words make sure they are going to be sent by Amazon themselves or just one of their resellers. I ended up buying things from quite a few different suppliers at Christmas so the postage was nearly as much as the toy value. By the time I got to the final 'Confirm' page where this became clear I had lost the will to live. I could not face going back over each item again to combine my suppliers. Don't make my mistake - take note when you are filling your basket.

So overall being an expat is great and thoroughly recommended. Just enjoy the sun and the views, turn off the TV and hope your child will not find out about the bestselling toys in the UK!

Chloe Alice Wilson is the founder of BestBen10Toys.co.uk - an independent review website of Ben 10 toys and merchandise. She writes articles on many topics related to toys. For the latest in role play toys for boys read her review of the Ben 10 Ultimate Omnitrix.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chloe_Alice_Wilson

Or Check Price at amazon.co.uk

Ben 10 Toys

Ben 10 Alien Force Omnitrix Projector £12.24	Ben 10 Alien Force Omnitrix Walkie Talkie £11.99	Ben 10 Hero Identity Station Card Kit £16.27
Ben 10: A4 Colouring and Sticker Set £2.08	BEN 10 TATTOOS £2.99	Ben 10 Jigsaw Puzzle (100 Pieces, Style Var... £2.99
Ben 10 Ultimate Omnitrix £11.49	Ben 10 Alien Force Triple Jigsaw Puzzle Pac... £5.99	Ben 10 Flyme £2.99
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ... Next > >

Ben 10 Toys - 10 Things Every Parent Needs to Know

"Ben 10 is without doubt the hottest boys' brand of the moment". The Ben 10 10cm and 15cm Action Figures were selected as the "2009 Toy Of The Year" and the Ben 10 brand also scooped the "Boys' Range Of The Year". So what are Ben 10 toys all about and are they worth buying?

1. What are Ben 10 Toys?

Ben 10 is the superhero from the Cartoon Network show of the same name. Young fans all over the world are going wild for the merchandise relating to their hero and he now has his own toy range. The watch like object called the Omnitrix gives Ben his super powers and is central to the toy range. It allows him to transform into 10+ different superhero aliens, who form the action figure toys available.

Ben 10: Alien Force is the sequel to the original show. The trusty Omnitrix has evolved, resulting in new aliens to transform into. The toy range has been updated accordingly with a new Ultimate Omnitrix and new alien action figures.

2. For what age group are Ben 10 Toys suitable?

The range is primarily aimed at boys aged 4 to 12.

3. Are Ben 10 Toys any good?

Ben 10 toys are exciting, good value toys that entertain and inspire creativity. They are realistic to the cartoon, well detailed and well made. In this time of financial crisis it is all about trusted brands and the makers of the Ben 10 range, Bandai, are the world's third largest producer of toys. If you are looking for high quality, durable, multi-purpose toys that can be played with in different ways - Ben 10 delivers.

4. How much do Ben 10 Toys cost?

You can get some good action figures starting from about £5.

The best 'Omnitrix' watches cost between £15 and £20.

The new Alien Force creature vehicles cost about £15.

The video games start at about £15 depending on platform.

You can find a nice selection of books for around £3.

You could perform a great Ben 10 bedroom make-over for around £60, to include curtains, a duvet cover & pillowcase, wall stickers and a lightshade.

5. Which is the best Ben 10 Toy?

The must have toys for any Ben 10 fan are an Omnitrix and some action figures.

The Omnitrix comes in many different versions so beware of the cheaper forms that are less playable. The two best Omnitrix watches are the Deluxe Omnitrix and the new Alien Force Ultimate Omnitrix. They are realistic to the cartoon series and are ideal for superhero role play.

The best value for money in action figures are the 10cm versions as they are poseable, well detailed and hard wearing but also cheap enough to buy a few. Ensure you are buying the 'right' alien though as your Ben 10 fan will undoubtedly have their favourites. Take advantage of multi figure packs to get your Ben 10 fan's collection started. The Creation Chamber figures also offer great creative play allowing children to mix things up and make new Ben 10 aliens.

If you don't mind shoot-em up games, the Ben 10 video games are great. They are fairly easy to play, challenging but not too much so. There's great sound and story line and you have to solve problems. The best bits for young Ben 10 fans are:

• another player can join or leave and help at any point in the game; and
• you start from where you run out of life so you don't have to go back to the beginning of a level.

6. Which is the worst Ben 10 Toy?

The playsets are typically expensive, cumbersome and have too many parts that get lost. Generally they also require you to buy the rest of the product range to use with it, so are often not worth the money. The adverts and the packaging are always very tempting but once the box is opened and the first play frenzy is over, disappointment sets in.

The cheapest versions of the Omnitrix (the Omnitrix FX and the Alien Viewer) have limited appeal. Check out my other article "Ben 10 Omnitrix Watches - The Differences Every Parent Needs To Know" for more detailed information.

With the action figures you need to avoid the smallest and the largest. The Transforming Alien Rocks or figures from Planetary Powder sets are tiny, mono-coloured and badly detailed. At the other end of the scale, the 30cm Epic Alien Figures are not poseable and made of inferior quality plastic.

7. What toys and merchandise does the Ben 10 Toy range include?

As well as the Omnitrix and Action Figures, the Ben 10 range includes:

• games and puzzles;
• vehicles;
• playsets;
• DVDs;
• video games;
• clothes & shoes;
• school equipment;
• dressing up costumes;
• arts & crafts;
• sports equipment;
• furniture;
• party supplies;
• bedroom accessories;
• books.

8. What educational value does the Ben 10 Toy range provide?

The toys encourage imaginative play with your child starting as Ben 10, meeting a villain and then transforming into one of the hero aliens simply by switching toys. They also help develop moral reasoning by identifying the good from the bad characters. When used to interact with other children, they will engage in cooperative and dramatic play.

9. Which toy should I buy for a child that has most of the Ben 10 Toy range already?

Take a look at some of the sports equipment, such as the skateboard or the scooter.

10. Where can I buy Ben 10 Toys online?

Everywhere! Ben 10 is so popular you can find the toys for sale at most online toy retailers such as Amazon, The Toy Shop and Toys R Us.

© 2009 Chloe Alice Wilson

Chloe Alice Wilson is the founder of Son Time Now - A Boys Toys Blog. She would love you to pop by and read more of her "10 Things Every Parent Needs To Know" reviews of popular toys such as the new HM Armed Forces toys.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chloe_Alice_Wilson

Ben 10 Toys - Which Will Be the Most Collectible?

It's easy to forget that some Ben 10 toys will become collector's items in years to come. These colourful action figures and play sets are seen chiefly as children's toys right now, and rightly so- Ben 10 is a massive hit with children around the world and looks set to remain that way for some time to come. As with most cartoons that generate such a buzz, the loyal fans will carry their enthusiasm with them for years to come, and as the show continues to evolve, so do the demands of those fans.

The demand for Ben 10 toys does fluctuate depending on seasons and the general flux of popularity for animated heroes, but dedicated fans of Ben and his adventures will always want to get their hands on Ben 10 toys that they may have missed first time around.

The Ben 10 toys and games owned by your young Ben 10 fans are sure to be seeing a lot of action, but will they become collectible in years to come? Possibly. The Ben 10 toys that look set to be the most sought after in years to come will be figures of Ben himself along with Ben 10 toys such as Kevin's car, the toy replica of which has already been a big hit with fans around the world.

Another favourite will always be the Omnitrix in its many versions, but possibly the most popular one will remain the Ultimate Omnitrix. This is to be expected, as the props of main characters are always a hit!

When your child isn't playing with their Ben 10 toys, make sure they are tidied away and kept in a clean and safe place. If a Ben 10 toy is no longer being used, don't throw it away- preserve it in a protective wrapper. Why? Because, even if your Ben 10 toys and games don't become collectible items, there is sure to be someone else who would love to enjoy those Ben 10 toys for the first time that they can be shared with.

Are you too a big Ben 10 fan? The Ben 10 toys and games that are currently available will blow your mind! Check out the special offers you can take advantage of!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Hawnt

Ben 10 Toys

Ben 10 100 Piece Puzzle (Various Styles) £2.99	Ben 10 Wrist Bands £2.99	Ben 10 Alien Force Omnitrix Projector £9.24
Ben 10 Comic Maker Kit £6.99	Bandai Ben 10 Deluxe Omnitrix	Ben 10 Hero Identity Station £10.75
BEN 10 TATTOOS £2.99	Zap Ben 10 Alien Force Fleece £6.50	Ben 10 Alien Force Triple 100 Piece Puzzle ... £5.08
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ... Next > >

Ben 10 Alien Force Laser Set

Ben 10 Alien Force Laser Set
From IMC TOYS

Price:

£34.99

Customer Reviews

xmas present for grandson of 5 years
AS STATED THIS WAS PURCHASED AS A CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR MY GRANDSON OF 5 YEARS OLD.I SHOULD STATE THIS WAS ONE OF THE MANY ITEMS HE WANTED FROM (SANTA HO HO HO) BUT AMAZON HAD THE BEST PRICE SANTA COULD FIND,IN THE MARKET PLACE.(THANK YOU AMAZON)MERRY XMAS JOHN MATTHEWS

Availability: Usually dispatched within 6-10 business days
Dispatched from and sold by Otherland Toys

2 new or used available from £14.99

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Top Trumps Ben 10 Card Game

Top Trumps Ben 10 Card Game
From Winning Moves

List Price:	£3.99
Price:	£3.49

Customer Reviews

Ben 10 trumps
My 6 year old had these for christmas - it was the most played with christmas toy.

Top Trumps Ben Ten
I have a nine year old and he plays with these alone and with friends, good for interaction, colourful and useful on holidays!!

top trumps ben 10
I bought ben 10 top trumps for my 6 year old son and i was very happy with it, my son really enjoyed playing it and we had lots of fun.

Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days

Dispatched from and sold by Fun Collectables

20 new or used available from £0.01

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Ben 10 Back Pack

Ben 10 Back Pack
From Zeon

List Price:	£14.99
Price:	£14.25 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Delivery. Details

Customer Reviews

Great Bag!
I got this bag for my son who is primary 2 and he loves it! Its made very well, has plenty of room inside and the design on the front isnt cheap and doesnt wear, all in all its a good kids bag.

Great for Kids
Bought this for a relative who likes the Ben 10 series. It is well designed for small children from 6+ and it is well made. It isn't the biggest bag, but for most stuff kids take to school it will be O.K. I agree with a previous reviewer who said the printed design wasn't cheap, it certainly looks well done and high quality- time will tell how the kids manage to destroy it though!

All in all it is a nice bag for a kid, and well worth the money

Back Pack review
This bag was bought for my 8 year old son. It's a good size and holds his all his PE stuff. The quality is good and it looks exactly like it did in the picture.

Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk

5 new or used available from £10.50

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Ben 10 Wallet

Ben 10 Wallet
From Zeon

Price:

£4.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Delivery. Details

Customer Reviews

Wallet
My two nephews loved there Ben 10 Wallets...although now costing me a fortune to keep money in them...lol, excellent service and delivered very quickly. thank you

Ben Ten Wallet
My grandson who is 4 loves Ben Ten and he loves the Ben Ten wallet. He plays with it using old credit cards etc and takes it out when he goes to the shops with his mum with a small amount of money in it to spend.

First wallet
This is a fun first wallet - perfect for a boy who likes Ben 10!

Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk

2 new or used available from £2.99

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Ben 10 Watch and Clock Set

Ben 10 Watch and Clock Set
From Ben 10

List Price:	£14.99
Price:	£12.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Delivery. Details

Customer Reviews

Ben 10 Watch and Clock Set
verry disapointed with this order, the clock was alot smaller than it looks compared to the picture,i thought it would have been the lenth of the watch

fair
Got it for my son's room, he loves the wrist watch, but the table watch is a bit too small.Much smaller then shown in the picture.

Ben Ten Again
I bought this for an eight year old who's a Ben Ten fan. Both items are great fun but the clock is a bedside clock rather than a wall clock which is what I really wanted.

Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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Ben 10 Alien Force Kevin's DX Action Cruiser

Ben 10 Alien Force Kevin's DX Action Cruiser
From BANDAI

List Price:	£29.99
Price:	£29.50 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Delivery. Details

Customer Reviews

Should have listened to previous reviews
If you can avoid buying this try to do so. I can't help comparing it to my son's transformers which are really robust and durable. This is so flimsy that I can't believe it has passed any kind of quality control. The advert makes it look so desirable and I felt that I had to buy it despite the poor reviews I had read but the reviews were right! The doors come off incredibly easily and the 'alien orbs' don't shoot out at all - at best they dribble out of the car! It's been very cynically marketed and if you are able to persuade 'young uns' away from it - do!

what a con
Bought action cruiser for my sons 8th birthday. Doors keep falling off, balls don't exactly shoot out the front of the car, as the image on the front portrays them as doing and wings fall off.
This is a toy that kids beg for, adults know deep down that it will not be good value, but buy it any way to make their children happy. The child then discovers, after being bought it, that they should have listened to their parents when they were being talked out of wanting it!!!!!

cheap n nasty
My son loves Ben 10 and was very excited about getting the car for his birthday. I really doubt it'll last the week--badly made piece of overpriced rubbish.

Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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16 new or used available from £26.99

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Ben 10 Micros Triple Pack

Ben 10 Micros Triple Pack
From Corinthian

Price:

£3.89

Customer Reviews

Great fun.
I was able to complete a collection for my grandson and he loved it. The rest of the packages I used to put in the favours, and the children were amazed.

It is a cheater
It was really a cheater. It was so expensive. The seller didnt menntion the size of the toy at all.

It's hero time
As always with these sorts of things you don't know which ones you're going to get, which is great when you're starting out but not when there's that last elusive figure your child is after. Some of these are better made than others - we've lost a couple of arms on some, though most are moulded from single pieces. I've also had to super glue on pretty much every stand at some point, but that's more to them being well abused by my six year old. He loves them, so who am I to cast aspersions.

Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Dispatched from and sold by Otherland Toys

2 new or used available from £3.06

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