We are a small family run business based in Melbourne, Australia.
Initially, Toot Toot Toys came about from my limited return to work options after the birth of my twins (boy/girl). My employer would only let me return to full-time work and the cost of childcare for two was nearly as much as I would earn! Hence came the idea to start a business at home, working around the needs of my family.
Why trains? My children were two years old when they first became interested in Thomas the Tank Engine™. They would sometimes watch him on television, but soon became interested when the other kids in the street had something with Thomas on it. At first I bought one Thomas for my son, soon to realise my error and buying another for my daughter who was as equally committed to taking Thomas to bed every night. We started building up a collection of the main engines.
Then came toilet training. Initially I used the trains as a reward. For every 18 successful times going to the toilet they received one train. Once my son got the hang of it, he was getting a train every three or four days. I then slowed down on the reward and tried to make it after 5 days of no accidents, unfortunately his successful toilet training slowed too.
During the period where I was buying vehicles quite often I found it hard to locate some of them. One day I went to eight stores looking for Fergus. Quite regularly I would go to at least three stores to find the vehicle I wanted. The kids had chosen the trains they wanted and then I went out and searched for them. It was during this period that the idea of “Toot Toot Toys” began. Surely, there were other parents like me that no longer had the inclination to trudge from store to store looking for a particular train.
I also want to make sure we offered Gift Certificates. How many times had I wanted to buy one of the vehicles for a child (particularly pre kids, when I didn’t know James from Percy, Annie or Clarabel, let alone any of the newer ones and had no idea what type wooden, plastic, diecast to buy.) It would always end in a call to the respective mother whilst in the store, “now which one does he need again?” Always hoping they didn’t receive two of the same on the actual day.
Finally, thoughts got put into action and here it is - Toot Toot Toys.
Our goal is to provide you with competitive prices, attentive service and peace of mind. (Learning Curve is backed by a lifetime guarantee and we have a great exchange policy.
We hope you enjoy your online shopping experience with us and avoid the "I’m, hungry, can I have a drink?, I need to go to the toilet" shopping nightmares.
Maxine (2004)
A quick update...
The online store grew much quicker than we could have hoped. The range has spread to more trains and train related products that I could have imagined in those early days operating from the spare room. We insisted on having the items in stock before we sold them, (unlike some online stores), so the house was slowly taken over, room after room, hallways, loungerooms etc. Two extensions to the house and off site storage and still the range kept expanding! The kids actually answered their pretend phones " Toot Toot Toys".
The kids are now off to school and the move of all the products to the one location is finally obtainable.
One of the things I enjoy most about the business is when I talk to a new customer and they are so grateful that they have finally found us. Their one stop shop for trains, and I know how much time and stress, finding us has saved them! In a parents day, saving time, money and stress is fantastic!
Thanks to all of our customers who support us. We are always pleased to serve you!
