Released on: September 5, 2007, 2:38 pm

Press Release Author: Brian Gordon

Industry: Small Business

Press Release Summary: Nearly 1-in-3 Moms Surveyed Say They Will Not Buy Any
Products from China
According to a Poll From Online Toy Retailer eBeanstalk.com

Retailers must take accountability; eBeanstalk lead-tested all toys


Press Release Body: The toy recalls from Mattel and Fisher-Price are creating a
profound shift in the perceptions of more than just toy safety in moms across the
country, according to a study conducted by eBeanstalk.com.* The 'ripple-effect' to
curb purchasing of other Chinese goods sold in the U.S. may be greater than
anticipated. Specifically, 30% of the moms surveyed said that now they will not buy
any goods manufactured in China, not just baby toys or products for their children.
And many more, a full 55%, said they are now "hesitant" to do so.

"After the toothpaste recall, dog food recall and now toys, I will not buy anything
that is made in China," says Tiffany Ennis a mother of a two year old boy from Avon,
Connecticut. Prior to the recalls only 12% of moms said they felt toys manufactured
in China were unsafe, whereas 71% now feel they are unsafe. In addition, two out of
three moms (66%) said that they will not buy any toys manufactured in China for the
foreseeable future.

A smaller, but significant, percentage of moms have more extreme views towards
products manufactured in China and what should be done about the current safety
situation. More than 1-in-3 moms (38%) polled feel that the U.S. should consider
banning all baby products manufactured in China, and 26% feel that the ban should
extend to all products manufactured in China. While many may not be looking for such
a harsh reaction from their government, more than two thirds (67%) of the moms agree
that the toy recalls are a symptom of a much bigger overall problem regarding the
safety of products being sold in this country.

"No doubt these strong attitudes stem from the fact that the recent recalls are
really hitting home for moms with young children", says eBeanstalk co-founder
Patrick Moore, "A full one third of those interviewed owned toys on one of the
recall lists. And 71% said have searched the Internet for information relating to
the recent toy recalls." Moore ads, "When you are dealing with baby toys and toddler
toys in particular, when all the children put the toys in their mouths.well, this is
serious."

For one mom this was especially frustrating. "It affected our family directly
because my son\'s June birthday landed us with a number of the items on the first
recall. It was disheartening to have to take away so many of his new toys."

While the backlash may seem extreme, most moms are not being unrealistic about their
future purchasing. "It is a sad situation, but it is difficult to find toys not
made in China. Toys made in China can be made safely. We just need to be more
diligent in monitoring their safety," says Christel Kozar, a mom from Parker, CO.
Interestingly, only 17% surveyed felt they would not buy toys from Mattel and 14%
would not buy from Fisher Price in the foreseeable future.

Overall though, 81% of the moms answering the survey said that moving forward, they
will be careful to take note of where the products they purchase for their children
are manufactured. And while it remains to be seen whether current concerns translate
into significant and lasting changes in U.S. demand for other Chinese goods, it
appears that some changes in shopping behavior, certainly by parents with young
children, will endure for the foreseeable future. As Katie Statham, a mother of two
from Marietta, Georgia put it, "It scares me a little because I wonder, what\'s
next?"

"Given the scope of all products from all categories that come from China, we as
retailers, must be stronger advocates for our customers and not just rely on the
manufacturers", says Brian Gordon, co-founder of eBeanstalk. "First, we are working
with all of our manufactures to ensure all safety steps have been made in the
manufacturing process. If we are not satisfied, we remove the manufacturer from our
site. Second, we lead-tested all the toys ourselves. And third, we are offering free
lead testing of any toy from any retailer that is brought into our store." Adds
Gordon, "We recognize the seriousness of moms' concerns and are trying to be
proactive and helpful. I'm a new parent too, and I know when it comes to your
child's safety and health you never compromise."

From Kelly Coveny, a mom in Rowayton, CT, ".[It is] reassuring to know there are
still companies interested in leading and not just doing the bare minimum."

eBeanstalk.com is a website dedicated to helping children in their most critical
time of development grow their minds and bodies, by supplying the highest quality,
professionally screened, stage appropriate baby toys and toddler toys. Launched in
September 2006, its founders, former marketing executives Brian Gordon and Patrick
Moore, continue to move www.ebeanstalk.com beyond e-commerce to one that offers
those interested in the development of children a place to come together and "plant
the seeds to help children grow".


*eBeanstalk surveyed 403 moms with young children (ages 0-5) from 37 states around
the US.

Web Site: http://ebeanstalk.com

Contact Details: Customer Service at eBeanstalk
50 Water Street
Norwalk, CT 06854
203-854-9600
bgordon@ebeanstalk.com