No Batteries. No Blinking Lights. No Cartoon-themed Toys. A GREAT Toy Store. Period.
Oompa
My own kids are 15 and 20 so I have no need to shop for toys for my household but I have five nieces and nephews under the age of eight who have way too many birthdays, christenings, First Communions, and other gift giving occasions to distance myself too far from the wonderful world of toys.
While traditional toy stores are fine, I was sick of the same ole toys this past Christmas and I went looking for a new place to shop. I found Oompa through a search for wooden pull toys. I was amazed at all the fun things on the site and saw that their stock is European meaning their products are somewhat unique here in the states. I ended up doing quite a bit of shopping on Oompa and have gone back a second time for my godson's first birthday. People are always remarking about the things I give the kids because they aren't the standard, everyday fare seen on every shelf of every toy store in America.
What the Site Sells
Oompa sells a large selection of toys for children ages six and under. They also have some room décor products. The toys are unique, many of them wooden, learning, or very uniquely plush. There are many name brands — none of which I ever heard of — from France and other countries. Their policy is "No batteries. No blinking lights. No cartoon-themed toys. Period."
Navigation
The site is easy on the eyes and has a great selection of toys on the home page. Shop by toy type, brand or age of child. You can also use their search box or shop from someone's wish list is they have made one on the site
Browsing is so much fun. I don't even like toys that much but these are very unique and picking one for a child is actually quite a lot of fun. If you see something you like, click on the small photo to bring up a larger photo with a description and price. Descriptions are good and age appropriateness is on every item. There are also a few suggestions for similar items under your selection in case you want to explore more.
When you find what you want, click to add to your cart. You can also add to your wish list if you on the site building one.
When you are ready to checkout, if your order is over $65.00, no shipping charges are added. If it is under that amount, your shipping charge will be $4.95.
You can register for the site which will expedite the checkout the next time you shop there or bypass registering and checkout right away.
Fill out your mailing and shipping address, phone number, and email address and input your major credit card, expiry, and the three-digit CVV number on the back of the card and you are on your way.
A confirmation email arrives the minute you place the order. A second email will arrive notifying you of shipping and giving you a tracking number.
Orders arrive within a week to 10 days, sometimes less.
The site is very simple to use and I experienced no broken links, hang ups, or problems navigating at all.
My Experience
What a nice change from the typical online toy store! There are no screaming advertisements, no garish photos, nothing to detract you from shopping but the toys themselves which are just so unique and different from what I have seen around my area. While you won't find Thomas the Tank Engine or Dora the Explorer on this site, you will find exceptional learning toys, very unique plush toys, and a myriad of wooden toys that will stand out from all the other stuff kids have stacked up in the rooms.
I found several items I wanted for my younger nephews and my niece on this site. The two eight year olds were stuck with standard Toys R Us fare. Baby toys, in particular are adorable.
I chose what I wanted, exceeded the $65.00 limit to get free shipping and had no trouble checking out. Everything I ordered was in stock and arrived in about a week.
I did get an email with my tracking info but didn't bother looking up the progress of my order because it came pretty quickly, especially during the holidays.
Items were well packed, exactly as described, and of high quality. I really was very satisfied with my shopping experience and the quality of items I bought.
The kids (and their parents) were delighted to get something different and unique and, for me, all was just swell. I went back again recently and had the same positive experience.
Shipping and returns
Shipping is free for orders in the US over $65.00. You can also opt for expedited shipping for a hefty extra charge. Under $65.00, shipping is only $4.95.
You can return anything within 30 days of delivery but it must be in unused condition and, if it requires assembly, cannot have been assembled. Shipping costs are non-refundable and, if you don't exchange an item, $4.95 will be deducted from your credit to make up for the free shipping.
Damaged items must be reported to the site within 30 days of delivery. You will receive a replacement or credit. You will get a postage paid shipping label to return the damaged item.
Contact Info
Oompa Enterprises, Inc.
2933 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
888.825.4109
e-mail: general@oompa.com
Recommendation
I love this site! The unique toys are so, well, unique! Their policy of no battery operated, no blinking, and no cartoon character items forces kids to actually PLAY with the toys and use their imaginations. Some of the plush items are absolutely adorable. Baby toys are so cute that I am hoping someone in the family (besides me!!) gets pregnant so I can buy a bunch of Oompa's stuff.
This is a fantastic site with decent prices, very unique and safe toys, and good customer service. I give this one 5 stars. It's a safe haven in the zoo of dangerous and commercial toys for young kids.
Recommended:
Yes
