A couple of years ago, I bought a backyard playground from one of the big box stores for $1100. I thought I was getting a great product for the price I paid. Boy was I wrong! I wish I had done some homework on playsets before I spent my money.
My goal was to find a nice big play set that would last until the kids outgrew it. Unfortunately, the box store playground only lasted a year before the Idaho winds made it lean to one side. The only reason it didn’t fall completely over was because of the 20 yards of sand my wife and I put on the bottom of it. I also failed to take into account the speed with which my children grew in one short year. Now, not only does the play set lean to the side, but my kids look at the playground as a 'baby toy'.
When Rachel suggested offering playgrounds as a new product for our business, I told her, "NO WAY!" I was not about to sell backyard playgrounds to folks when I knew they would only last them a year or so. Rachel convienced me to at least entertain the idea, because not all playgrounds are the same. So, we spoke with our customers, our neighbors, parents at playgroup, and anyone else with an opinion about their experiences with home backyard playgrounds.
Longevity was the number one factor everyone mentioned. Home outdoor playsets just don't seem to last. Even Mari-Jane Williams of the Washington Post said that a backyard playset will only last 7-10 years. Rachel and I set out to find ones which would last longer than that. After an extensive product search, we found a site where people mentioned playgrounds that have been in use for generations. A Backyard Adventures playset is built out of cedar for longevity against the elements and is even backed by a lifetime warranty!
Customization was the next important aspect of buying backyard playsets. People we spoke to complained about having to play the "either-or" game when buying a backyard playground. Not all children are alike, so the adventure playsets should be just as unqiue as the child. It is also best to keep in mind that children grow and their needs change. Our Backyard Adventures playgrounds can be customized as your children grow. But don't throw away those outgrown items, because your grandchildren could be using them soon enough!
Fun was another aspect of having a backyard playset. When I finished assembling our box store set, the kids jumped on it and said, "come on and play with us dad!" However, I couldn't because I was afraid it would break if I looked at it too hard. When the kids started swinging, the legs would come off the ground. The set stoped being fun and more of a worry for my children's safety. With a Backyard Adventures set, I no longer worry and I have the added benefit of playing with my children on it. Over the last year so, I've been Captain Whiskers, the dreaded pirate of the high seas. As well as Jaws, the little girl-eating shark. And even Cowboy Slim to be rescued by Buzz Lightyear and Princess Peach.
Price was the least important aspect of the backyard playground for moms and dads. When we spoke to those who had purchased playgrounds before, they said they wish they had spent more on quality. Everyone agreed that a cheap price meant a cheap product which led to a cheap result.
After our experience in buying a backyard playset, Rachel said that in her mind, buying playsets should not be any different than buying houses, cars, furnature, or even toys. Cheap may be convient, but quality saves money in the long run because it doesn't have to be replaced. As one grandparent put it, money may buy things, but quality creates memories.