Me and my friend are both Prius owners, and we would like to think we care about green issues. Lately, we have been kicking around an green idea involving baby clothes, and want to get feedback from similar-minded people. Concept is basically Netflix for 0-2 year old children. Every 2 months, members would get a box of 10 sets of 2-3 piece baby outfits. At the end of the month, members would send back the clothes in the same box. Postage is included in the membership price. Why it is green: 1. Only rent Baby clothes manufactured using organic cotton 2. Clothes will be washed using earth-friendly products like Seventh Generation cleaners 3. Clothes can be reused by other kids Ways it is not green: 1. Shipping of the clothes to and fro across the US. A similar service in Germany costs $40 a month. Looking at Babies'r'Us, a typical 3 piece outfit is around $7-$10, so mothers are getting quite a abundance of choice in outfits without worrying about how to dispose of clothes. Admittedly, if you expect to have 2 or more children, it may be more cost effective to just pony up and buy the clothes from a walmart or babies'r'us, but then you are not buying earth-friendly organic clothing, and you will need to eventually dispose of the clothes as well. So looking for thoughts by similar minded people about whether you would use this service or not. Looking for critical feedback, so no need to hold back on comments.
I see a few potential problems: 1) The 'ick' factor. Let's get real. New moms are a very protective bunch. I can't imagine a large number of them saying, "hey, let's dress our little darling in clothes that who knows who's snot nosed brat pooped in, peed in, barfed in, mom spilled food and medicine on, and washed it in God knows what! 2) How do you know the previous renter didn't wash the clothes in NON-earth friendly laundry detergents, bleaches, fabric softeners, etc. 3) Parents who plan on having more than one child would probably do some quick math and realize hand-me-downs is the economically correct option. 4) I have yet to hear a parent express "worry" about how they are going to dispose of baby clothes. 5) Advertisement is expensive. Are there high-end designer baby clothes? I could see a market for the wanna-be types . . . kind of like high end purse rentals. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
I would suggest a "start small" approach and open a baby consignment store featuring only clothes for children of your target age group. Parents who would have thrown the clothes away would probably be happy to get a couple bucks. Parents would would have spent $7 - $10 at Wal-Mart would probably be happy to spend $5 - $8 at your store. Then, if things pick up you can offer home delivery with a two-year subscription.
There's already so much out there and relatives always have stuff. Hell, we reused all of our baby kit for our second daughter and then passed the clothes on to some friends who have a 2 year old. She's wearing lots of the stuff that our 3 year old was wearing last year. Once they're done with it we might save it for my brother if he and his wife ever lose their minds.
well, my sister has a little girl and a boy due any day now. also a massive basement in which she stores EVERYTHING. i have a friend with 2 kids who is saving her baby stuff to encourage us to have kids i will never be in actual need of kids' clothing. everyone i know who has children (the number increases by the week lately), has had more clothes handed to them than they know what to do with- this even extends to maternity clothes!
Thrift shops provide an alternative that is as green, probably cheaper, and allows you to choose. It's not a bad concept, you just have to realize that you'd be the upscale alternative in a market glutted with cheap and free alternatives.
+1 Parents prefer to pick through things they feel are 'right' for their kid...they don't want to be worried about charges if something is ruined and has to be thrown out. Consignment/used shops are good. Remember that a lot of parents won't buy stuff for newborns that is used.
Ordering over the internet never seems "green" to me. Seems the shipping fuel is better spent sending a huge bulk load to a local store than instead of shipping a couple items to one individual.
There is a website called everydaybabyrental.com where you can either choose to purchase the clothing when your child outgrows it or return it for a 50% refund through PayPal. The prices are typically anywhere from $1 to $4 per item and you can get half of your money back if you decide to return the items. The idea is simple, there are no monthly fees, no storage, and prices are more than affordable. It is a great alternative for parents, grandparents, etc.
If I were to use this service, I'd be concerned about keeping track what was originally sent to me when I go to return the outgrown sizes. What would happen if an item is not returned due to loss? I wouldn't foresee using your service exclusively due to the fact that baby clothing, especially 0-24 months, always came out of the woodwork from friends and family.
...we are expecting very soon, I will ask if it makes sense (gramp here). ...2 boys, so we have the hand-me-down option. Also trading clothes with neighbors. I have a book idea for infants...no words, so I can handle the writing.
