I took the Tour

[Amebgan]

I was going through the posts trying to get an idea of what the site. In my research I was coming across the a lot of negative feedback and what was even more interesting is that most of the feedback was from people who are not WJr members.

I really was thinking that it was kind of a rip off and the pets are over priced - I still think the pets are over priced and it is a shame that Ganz would limit a child's education through a price point.

So anyway, I took the tour and what I found was that there is a great parent's area that allows parent's to set skill levels but it also provides the parent with a graph that shows your child's progress in the educational areas (only for deluxe members.) Some of the more attractive features of WJr are included only in the Deluxe.

This is what Ganz has to say about Deluxe vs. Regular:

"For Deluxe Members, your child's Progress Report will show you their level of success in each of our school subject areas. If you feel that the activities are getting too easy for your child, you can adjust the Difficulty Level and allow your child to start building new skills. You can change the Difficulty Level from the Parent's Area or by clicking on the "Options" button on the upper screen while your child is playing on the site. You can also refer to the "Finding Activities" section in the Parent's Area to see which activities will help your child work on specific skills! If you are not a Deluxe Member, sit with your child and watch how they play. If they seem to be frustrated with an activity, move down a level and see if that helps. If something seems very simple for them, give your child a challenge and move them up a level."

***Note:
I am sorting through the info and I don't see how much extra deluxe cost so I will assume it is the same as Webkinz.

It is actually very impressive and I would snap up the opportunity expect for two things that are holding me back:

1. The price of the pet - this makes no sense to me. If the pet were not "Webkinz"
Ganz would not have that price point on it. I get that the pets are large but really? As I said above, it is a shame to eliminate so many children which ties into number two

2. The Deluxe Memebership...so not only does Ganz ask that you purchase a $25 - $30 pet BUT to access some of the additional features some not even available to regular members you must become deluxe $$$ About another $45

It seems excessive to ask a parent to spend $75.00 just to get ONE child started on WJr with features that most benefit the child. Sure it is a "family plan" but if I have two or more kids in that age range - and I do - just to start them both up without deluxe would be about $60.00 and with Deluxe over $100.00

It could be argued that this is a feature of Webkinz as well. My thought on that is that in Webkinz there are so many things to do and the Gold membership doesn't give you much more of an advantage other then gifts and an extra trading area - although they have added the extra job and class feature now.

My thought on this site is my children would benefit from it and most likely enjoy it and YES my kids education is worth more the money to me and NO I am cheap nor do I want something for nothing but let's get real here...A pet at a $8.00 to $10.00 price or maybe as high as $15.00 would be much more realistic so that I could also provide my children with the benefit of deluxe.

Get with it Ganz...are you serious? You can't even provide a progress report for the kids who's parent's can't afford both the pet and the deluxe? I mean if nothing else this should be included in the basic membership!

[MeganDecember29]

Good job! REP for you!

[Amebgan]

Originally Posted by MeganDecember29

Good job! REP for you!

AW thank you, I was really just trying to figure it out and I kind of ended up on a mission at that point. Thanks!

[Diamond015]

Wonderful job Amebgan! Reppie for you also!

[expresso2006]

The cost is what is holding me back as well. I already buy webkinz for my oldest grandaughter but, I can often find them on sale. I have wanted to begin a webkinz jr. account for my younger grandchildren but, I have never seen them on sale and I can't see buying them at their current pricing.

[brtswim]

Yeah, I was going to get one but this is just too much money these days!!!

[emmlag96]

That's very interesting, thanks (: Rep for you.

[Dixiecup]

Children in the age range that these pets are targetted at are not nearly so influenced by peer and media. This means that they won't want every pet that they see. (Unlike these regular webkinz that even I want every one of ) These pets weren't geared to be a collection pet, but an educational tool. Have you priced out other educational toys, lately??
Even toys like the Refridgerator magnet clip toys are well over that price range and it's ONLY function is letter recognition or putting animals together.
With Webkinz Jr., you have a PILE of games that come with this package
Shape recognition, number recognition, color recognition, cause and effect...it TRULY is a wonderful toy with a LOT to offer for it's price EVEN without the Deluxe add on. $30.00 IS CHEAP!!

[Denimbutterfly]

Honestly, the cost of a plush the size of a Webkinz Jr. Plush and the cost of an educational toy is almost ALWAYS above $30 combined. I have to agree with Dixiecup that it is actually quite a steal! I have bought both stuffed animals and educational toys for my little ones and it gets really costly. Educational computer toys like leapster or systems that connect to the tv usually require purchase of a system and then additional games. The systems alone are well over $30 and out of all my kids, I have to say it is a hit or miss thing with educational games- a toy that one child loves and plays over and over another child will find zero interest in. Also, PC games for children are between $10 to $30 as well. So add stuffed animal plus pc game- again great bargain. I think all this was taken into consideration with pricing and I really do think it is a valuable investment.

[Amebgan]

If you only have one child in that target range that is great but when there are multiple children in that range then not so great. If I purchase fridge mags which I have by the way and for the small pack is was under $15 and for the one that allows a three words spell it was slightly over $20 and all the children in the house can use them.

I am not against educational toys and frankly I have found the majority of them a waste of money because the target age range put on the package must be for someone with genius children but it certain isn't for mine. They often come with some many parts and pieces my kids turn tail on them and go back to the good old stand by of hot wheels and barbies.

My point is that I took the tour because people were saying it wasn't any good and not worth it and they weren't even members.

I still maintain the price point is too high. A $15.00 price point would most likely change my mind...maybe.

One of the most attractive features is the graph that keeps tract of the child's progress and is a deluxe feature for what ever reason. That brings me back to the point that I am not willing to purchase a $30.00 pet and pay an additional $45.00 = 75.00 and frankly I think Ganz should consider all the people they are eliminating from using their wonderful educational site soley because of the cost.