New Service Lets Parents Rent Toys Before Buying Them

FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) – A Los Angeles-based company has taken Netflix's model and applied it to toys, giving families a more affordable option during the typically expensive holiday season, company officials say.

For Paul and Pam Reinsmith, Toygaroo gives them the chance to rent toys for a fraction of what they cost to buy.

"It's the ideal situation for the holiday time," Paul Reinsmith said. "You can stuff toys under the tree for under 50 bucks. If you were out there buying them, there's just no way you could do that."

Parents choose the toys that are best-suited for their children and – just like the aforementioned movie rental service – they're added to a queue.

Depending on the service plan, every month or every other month a box comes in the mail with a new set of toys from that queue. When the time's up, parents send the toys back and a new box will be packaged and on its way.

The cheapest option is $24.99 a month for a box of four toys.

Take a look at the Toy Story 3 Speedway, the Thomas the Tank Engine Laptop, Chicco's radio controlled ATV and the Rolling Round Jungle. Those all retail for $112.96. the Reinsmiths say that's why they use the service.

But what if the toy breaks or the child can't live without it? There's an option to purchase the product at a discounted rate.

Toygaroo also touts its sanitation method: The toys are thoroughly cleaned and resealed in plastic before they're shipped to a new home. Paul Reinsmith says all the toys his family used have looked like new.

"We haven't found any ick factor at all," he said.

Toygaroo offers a variety of toys, but most are geared toward toddlers and elementary-aged kids. There's no sophisticated electronics or toys designed for older children available.