Broken toy advice?

RondackHiker

The wheel of DS's remote control monster truck broke off.

It's not fixable (I just spent an hour trying and failed). DS is crushed. Completely broken hearted.

Do you guys replace broken toys immediately? This truck was pricey and a gift.

With maternity leave and fucking med school loans... It'd be tough to replace it.

I just feel so bad for him and I'm not sure how to comfort him. It was a really nice truck. He wasn't being rough. Damn thing just broke.

He's so sad but I don't want to get to the point where a toy breaks and it's immediately replaced. I feel like that could make him careless.

lizziebooper

How long has he had it, can it be returned? Could you call the company and see if you can get a replacement part? I am not sure I would run out and get a new one right away but maybe as a special gift in the near future so although you are replacing it if it is as a gift he may not think he will get a replacement right away every time something breaks.

fancynewbeesly

It depends on the situation. Growing up DH's family rule was they never bought two of the same toy--if it broke, was lost, he never got a second one. (They also didn't have that much money as a family--so that makes sense)

I am more lenient with replacing things. If DD broke something because she was too rough, playing with the toy incorrectly (i.e throwing, banging, etc)--and it broke we won't replace it.

However if it broke and it wasn't anything she did wrong I will replace it. (If I can't fix it).

In this situation I would definitely call the company/manufacture and see what they say. 

RondackHiker

It's 8 months old or so. I think part of it is that he used to give Knarla rides on it. He still cries often over her.

I will call the company on Monday, and see what they say. He freaking steered it around a corner and the damn wheel went. Piece of crap.

TiffanyBerry

I don't immediately replace.  Sometimes, I don't replace at all.  Depends on the toy.  What would you do if it was yours and you really loved it?  I think that's an important guideline to use. (I'm not trying to assume the answer - some people would replace some things, others wouldn't.)

And I just explain this very mater-of-factly.  "It broke.  I'm sorry.  I can see your sad, and I understand.  I am sad when my favorite things are broken too.  It's ok to be sad."

klondikebar

It depends on the situation. I'd definitely call the company first. In your specific situation, I'd probably replace the toy.

Did a plastic part break? Loctite makes a pretty good plastic adhesive.

RondackHiker

KlondikeBar said:

It depends on the situation. I'd definitely call the company first. In your specific situation, I'd probably replace the toy.

Did a plastic part break? Loctite makes a pretty good plastic adhesive.

A plastic part of the axle broke. But the spot it broke is supposed to rotate and is set inside a non-rotating part. I don't think I can glue it. I tried playing with the screw that held it before but it didn't work.

I'm not sure if I'm calling the company now. Dh said that last week the dog ran over it and stepped on it while playing. I'm assuming 80 pounds of lab weakened it and I don't think it'd be fair to ask for a replacement. I'll try to find a similar one for less.