War for Holiday Toy Dollars Heats Up as Online Toy Store Competes with Wal-Mart

Released on = December 9, 2005, 8:14 am

Press Release Author = David Luebke

Industry = Retail

Press Release Summary = Online toy retailer, Sillyasstoys.com, provides exceptional
customer service and offers unusual toys not available at larger retailers

Press Release Body = RICHMOND, VA, December 8, 2005 - Online toy store,
Sillyasstoys.com (http://www.sillyasstoys.com/), continues its plan to compete for
toy-buying customers with larger retailers, such as Wal-Mart, this holiday season.
Even with all the pre-Thanksgiving hype, the holiday shopping season is off to a
slow start giving retailers more reason to fear a rough holiday season. Wal-Mart,
whose aggressive pricing in 2003 allegedly contributed to the bankruptcy filings of
KB Toys and FAO Schwartz, has dropped its prices for this Christmas buying season
hoping to capture price-conscious consumers. But as more customers find themselves
standing in long lines or staring at empty shelves online stores are seeing a rise
in visitors and sales.

In this time when many areas of the United States are in distress, independent
retailers need to be supported. The small business owner is one of the main
foundations of the community, and Wal-Mart\'s aggressive pricing scheme intends to
put financial hardship on these small business owners and, by extension, their
communities. In essence, this tactic will undermine the small businessman's
livelihood and will damage the retail community that depends on making a profit
during the holiday season. The war for Christmas toy dollars has been declared by
Wal-Mart's announcement. Online retailer Sillyasstoys.com has taken their stance -
saying they are happy to compete with the big chains, not on price, but on the
quality of customer service and variety of toys and games offered.

Great customer service and responsiveness, once a given in the retail industry, has
become a rarity. In an effort to cut costs, large chains have reduced their customer
service staffs, forcing shoppers to search for store workers or talk with outsourced
customer service representatives who don't know the products they are selling. "We
recognize that many parents and grandparents don't blindly select toys and games for
their children. They often have valid questions and need advice," says Dave Luebke,
president of Sillyasstoys.com. "When you contact us, your call or email isn't being
sent to a detached, customer service rep; you are actually in contact with someone
who knows the merchandise being sold." The toy experts at Sillyasstoys.com not only
know the inventory but also have play tested all of the toys. They are able to
discuss how the toys work and offer gift-giving advice. "Product knowledge is one
area that Wal-Mart cannot compete with us," states Luebke. "We select the toys,
we play with the toys, and we understand the toys. This helps us educate our
customers so they can avoid purchasing toys that would be inappropriate for
younger children."

Sillyasstoys.com's unique and unusual toy product mix is another area that Luebke
says he can do battle with Wal-Mart. Luebke explains, "Variety is the key here.
Sillyasstoys.com customers come to us for toys that they will not find in the bigger
national stores. There is little overlap between us and a national chain. If you are
only shopping at Wal-Mart or Toys-R-Us, you are missing out on a world of fun,
educational, and just plain different toys and games that offer a consistently high
play value. That is what we specialize in and what is missing in a Wal-Mart or
Toys-R-Us. Sillyasstoys.com is a special place to shop for people who actually care
to find something fun that will be remembered for years to come."


About Sillyasstoys.com
Sillyasstoys.com (http://www.sillyasstoys.com/) is dedicated to providing unusual
and unique toys and games not found in mainstream stores. They strive to stock only
the finest toys that pique children's interests and excite their imaginations.
Founder, Dave Luebke, is also the president of Dave\'s Comics Inc., a
brick-and-mortar comic and toy store located in Richmond, Virginia, which has been
going strong for over 23 years.

Contact:
David Luebke
http://www.sillyasstoys.com/
Phone: 804-282-1919


# # #


Web Site = http://www.sillyasstoys.com/

Contact Details = David Luebke
http://www.sillyasstoys.com/
Phone: 804-282-1919
Post Office Box 18162, Richmond, VA 23226

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