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Moms and Dads. Prices rise daily and with the amount you spend on diapers and food for your child, we can just imagine the strain it puts on your purse. But basic necessities aren’t all that you need to spend on. What about toys and clothes, two categories of items that the little ones tend to outgrow quickly. Wouldn’t it be just perfect if you could sell your little one’s items once he outgrows them and buy ‘new’ ones at a reduced amount?
Wishful thinking? Perhaps, not.
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In Oct this year, a new company sprouted up by the name of DearBaby™ and they do exactly that – buying used items, cleaning and sterilising them and re-selling those items. Such items are term as Previously-Loved, or simply ‘Pre-Loved’. DearBaby™ believes that sharing and using of pre-loved baby products provides an affordable option for parents in giving quality care to their children, and also allows them to do their part towards environmental conservation.
Eager to know how all this started, we spoke to Frank Ng, who started this company with his wife, Mrs Ng and his friend, Dani Teng.
Flashback to two years ago, when Frank and his wife were the happy parents of a baby girl, their first child. Although armed with an above average income, they still realised baby items were pricey. As if that wasn’t bad enough, they started accumulating things when kind friends and relatives believed they could squeeze a last use out of certain items. Too nice to decline, the Ngs found themselves short of space and owners of many things their baby was not going to use.
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That’s about when the idea of ‘Pre-Loved’ started to forming at the back of the Ngs’ minds. It dawned on them that it would probably make more sense, both financially and environmentally, to use a mix of pre-loved and new stuff instead! Not only is using pre-loved items a less costly alternative to buying new stuff all the time; it also allows them to play their part, as responsible residents, towards conserving earth’s resources.
Together with his army buddy, Dani Teng, Frank and his wife decided that it was time Singapore got a fancy version of the American thrift stores that exist every few blocks. Today, DearBaby™ is 2 months old and becoming quite a hit with many parents. Though the store area is small, it holds a comprehensive range of products, comprising both pre-loved and new items: toys(educational, stroller, bath etc), ride-ons, children art supplies, baby gears, books, clothes, leather soft sole & squeaky shoes, and many more. DearBaby carries good quality reputable brands that parents can put their trust in. This currently includes Alex, Crayola, Dreambaby, Evenflo, K’s Kids, Lamaze, Munchkin, Little Blue Lamb shoes, Little Tikes, Play-Doh, Playskool, Thomas & Friends: Take Along, Tolo and Vtech.
DearBaby™‘s store at Depot Heights Shopping Centre, offers parents a walk-in and a leisure browsing. You can see, touch and feel the pre-loved product before buying it. And in the event where a suitable pre-loved item cannot be found, a new item may very well be within reach as well.If you prefer doing your shopping online, DearBaby™ has a comprehensive website that allows you to browse through their items and select what you want.
Got a baby playgym that is in perfect condition, lying in the corner of your storeroom? A new toy given by your boss that Junior refuses to touch out of disinterest? Well, what are you waiting for? Bring it to DearBaby™ and sell it. All sellers have a choice of receiving either cash or BabyDollars™ (Store credits) that is 25% more than its cash value. Receiving BabyDollars™ also gives the seller a free membership that grants them discounts of up to 15% for pre-loved and new items along with other privileges and members’ exclusive deals.
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We’re already clearing out our storeroom in search of things we can exchange for BabyDollars™!
Check out DearBaby™’s store online!