Buying second-hand wooden toys

we're coming to visit for 6 days next week from NYC and I am so excited to peruse the thrift stores for some excellent wooden used toys. Problem is: will I be able to fit these things in my suitcase/duffel bag, especially the larger items?

Is the price different for retail that great?

And, are the retail wooden toys (thinking Haba as one example) much cheaper than in the states retail?

Also, is it true I can find a plastic like-a-bike style bike? do they come disassembled?

There are a number of shops specialising in selling second hand children's clothes and toys. As usual what you find depends on pot luck. However I see your problem being the Euro-Dollar exchange rate - you will probably find things pretty expensive here.

Plastic bikes can sometimes be dissambled - just depends on the model how "flat" you can make it.

Hope you have luck, and find some nice stuff.

In fact, due to the weak $, HABA toys retail cheaper in the US at the moment! We are actually going to move from Montclair, NJ to Berlin after the Summer, and we will sell our HABA board games and other wooden toys at a yardsale before the move. PM me if you are interested.

I have found a lot of great quality haba and selecta wooden toys at flea markets esp. for children's and baby's articles.. if you give the dates you will be here I can try to find one for you..

I have a friend who is planning to scout out some stores ahead of time. I will be there 11 to 16 July (just a few days away!)

Do you think the Kathe Kruse dolls are also cheaper in the US now due to the weak USD?

not sur about the dolls as I have never bought them..

but here are the flea markets for childrens items while you are here--

Friedrichshain-Kreuzbg-

12.7.08, Sa 14:00-17:00
KinderOase, Travestr. 2, Baby- u. Kinderflohmarkt, Standgeb. 1

Lichtenbg-Hohenschönhs-

13.7.08, So 15:00-18:00
HEDWIG stadtteilzentrum, Hedwigstr. 10, Familienflohmarkt, Anm. bis

Steglitz-Zehlendorf-

13.7.08, So 10:00-14:00
Ferdinandmarkt, Ferdinandstr. 34, Baby- u. Kinderbasar

Tempelhof-Schöneberg-

13.7.08, So 11:00-14:00
NUSZ, Viktoriastr. 13, Trödelmarkt m. Puppentheater ab 3 J.

hope this helps...

I have found a lot of great items at these..

To sweetieBerlin:

Do they have flea markets every Saturday? How to find this out?

there are fleamarkets every weekend in Berlin.. but not the ones especially for babies/childrens items..

the place to find the info is in the kidsgo magazine,

or at their website, its in German, but the part about the flea markets isnt hard to figure out..

http://www.kidsgo.de/termine/babybasar.php?district=alle

if you scrolll down a bit you will find the dates..