this post was submitted on 30 Apr 2025
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It's just not really possible to boycott all three of those. If my kids have a birthday party to go to, those are literally the only three places to buy a toy. That's true for most of the things I buy, besides groceries.
So I boycott just Target. Target used to be the least shitty of those three. Except one or two rare occasions where it was necessary, they've lost months worth of my business.
If we can get just one retailer to turn around on their bullshit, then at least we'll have one place to shop.
https://www.toysrus.com/
https://www.hobbytown.com/
For physical stores there are other shitty places that aren't those 3. Big lots, ocean state job lot, a version of that type of discount store that exists in your area, dollar general, dollar tree, thrift stores.
Really there are so many options that aren't those 3. It really is possible
I'd love to support Toys R Us again, but they don't have a very big selection. Those other options aren't good for toy shopping. Kids want specific toys.
Stop making excuses and just Google it. I didn't even know toys r us was even still a thing before that comment. If you care more about convenience than boycotting just say that, but it's very much not "impossible" to avoid certain stores if you actually want to.
Also they're not your kids? Why would it be your job to get them some specific toy?
That's fair - for birthday gifts for my kids' friends, I can use Toys R Us's limited selection as long as I remember to get the gift in advance.
But my own kids have birthdays coming up, and there are some toys I can't reasonably get any other way.
Working full time and raising two kids, some convenience is necessary. Life is hard. I'm already making it harder by not going to Target, which is two minutes from my house and sells basically everything I need. I think that's reasonable, especially since Target is the only one of those companies that's actually likely to cave to a boycott. But I guess I stumbled into the wrong community to voice that stance.
I just buy used stuff from eBay and Facebook marketplace for all my non grocery needs.
Ebay has a lot of new stuff too
Depends on the area but thrift stores can be great for toys - if only because survivorship bias says anything that makes it there will last a long long time.
Local free groups like Buy Nothing can also be great for sports equipment, school supplies, kid sized furniture etc.
My own misgivings aside, I'm not giving a thrift store toy as a birthday gift.
Why? I’ve bought plenty of things from thrift stores that function as if they were new
Because it would be rude and would create negative social consequences for my kids and myself.
Even if it is like new, I'm not about to try to convince a suburban mom of that.