They have such a range of toys you can find presents from £7 to £50. They advise and you can actually see what you buy. Maybe you find them cheaper on line but if you really don’t need to save £1-2 I think it is a no brainer. I understand not everyone is in that position but loads are, especially in Northcote area. Making a post about this, attacking a local family business with no marketing budget is just mean. Shop where you want without need to write negative advertisement for a local independent shop.

12 month financials ending December 31st, 2023 for Amazon (USD)

Net sales internationally 131.2billion
Operating expenses 133.8billion
Operating loss of 2.6billion

Net sales in US is 352.8billion
Operating expenses 337.9billion
Operating income of 14.8billion (4%) 

FYI in 2022 it was also a loss in America - the only operating profit they made in 2022 was due to Amazon Web Services - their cloud service.

Amazon is cheaper though.

https://s2.q4cdn.com/299287126/files/do ... elease.pdf
 

I have 3 kids! I wish after Covid we were financially so comfortable like you so I could say paying £7 extra on each birthday present which most of the times are actually the same one we bough as last time (so minimal effort from the owner there), would be nothing in our lives! For sure we are not the only ones here either.
Perhaps if we weren’t after a fair profit in our business and just focusing on maximising our profit, then probably now we could afford anything too!
These days everyone like to pay not just extra as things are extra now , but overly priced since they think the higher the price is the better value it holds!

Making a profit is what holds a business for sure but the kind of profit you make is how it breaks that business apart and in my opinion it’ll be too shame for a business like chalkboard to be broken

I really love shopping at Chalkboard - they have a great selection and are always so keen to help. They're so welcoming, friendly and make such an effort to get to know the community.

I appreciate that other places may be cheaper, but I'll always support the team at Chalkboard as would hate to loose them!

Agree with the above… amazing local store owned by great people. They might be slightly more expensive than Amazon because they have rent to pay. But if we were to lose a small business like this due to Amazon, I think we can kiss northcote road goodbye.

Like QT toys, I think Chalkboard is excellent value for money.

It has a huge selection of pocket money toys that my children can buy themselves, as well as the fantastic selection of bigger toys, games and activities that no other shops stock.

And as others said, their advice and help is unrivalled- you can go in and say you’re looking for a birthday present for a quiet 7 year old who likes dinosaurs and art, and come out with the absolute perfect present. And they’ll wrap it!

Amazon is not the arbiter of value. Its business model is to undercut to reel you in and become reliant.

It would be a travesty if it was allowed to destroy amazing shops like Chalkboard over a few quid price difference

Hiya
I do understand your point and somethings are a tiny bit more expensive online BUT this is an excellent shop. A small family owned business and I would t dream of supporting the likes of Amazon et all over these guys.

Always greeted by name and with a smile. They know their products inside and out and will always let you demo them too.

The owners work tirelessly, are hugely welcoming and their advice and help is second to none. And they even deliver if you can’t get to store!

Totally appreciate times are tough for everyone so I am not having a go here. Just shouting out my support and love for Chalkboard ❤️

I rate their suggestions and expertise so I don’t mind to pay a little more.
That’s why small businesses are closing, because we buy lots and don’t value what we buy

Does anybody else feel Chalkboard is just ridiculously over priced now?
I always shoped for my children and every birthday party (which would at least be 15 a year) locally as I believed even if you pay £2-3 extra still would make sense as you get a loyality card after shop 12 items, help local businesses and the Highstreet while make the experience more personal. I’m really sad this doesn’t make any sense any more as they are pricing most of the items £5-7 more expensive than Smythtoys, toy r us or Amazon.