Beast of Burden: Consumers could face paying more for toys

New York, New York If shopping for toys was not difficult enough, American consumers may also have to dig deeper in their pockets to pay for them next year, market analysts said.

By 2008, shoppers will be facing a 10 percent price raise as a way to balance the industry’s focus on keeping toys safer. The announcement comes just two months after the major toy recall of 3 million plus lead-tainted toys.

Most toys have been inexpensive because of offshore manufacturing; market analysts have pointed out, but the pricing is also an indication of sacrificing inspection and guarantee that toys are safe for use. Companies like Mattel Inc., which recently announced its third major recall, are said to be using independent laboratories to examine toys.

On Wednesday, a subcommittee held a toy safety hearing in Washington to discuss ways to improve safety standards.

In addition to the hearing, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced their plans for modernizing the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and uniting manufacturers and retailers in improving toy safety. The bill will focus on reforming and streamlining the recall process and giving parents tools to identify recalled toys in their own home.