Remote control cars and toys: a retailer's buying guide

Remote control cars, helicopters and other RC toys are among the most exciting things a toy shop sells. Children ask for them by name, they sit at higher price points than most toys, and a working demo can draw a crowd.

They also generate more complaints and returns than most products. Batteries, chargers, range, breakage — there is more to go wrong. A shop that understands this can sell RC toys profitably. A shop that does not can spend more time handling problems than making sales.

Know the price tiers

RC toys fall broadly into three levels:

• Entry level. Simple cars with basic forward, reverse and turning. Short range, basic batteries. These sell as affordable gifts for younger children.
• Mid range. Better build, rechargeable batteries, more speed, sometimes stunt features or lights. This is often the sweet spot for gifting.
• Upper range. Larger scale, stronger motors, better controllers, longer range. Bought by older children and enthusiasts who know what they want.

Most general toy shops do best concentrating on entry and mid range, with a small number of upper-range models for display and the occasional serious buyer.

Batteries and charging

The most common source of complaints is power. Before stocking any model, know:

• What batteries the car needs, and whether they are included
• What batteries the remote needs
• Whether the car battery is rechargeable, and how it charges — USB cable or a separate charger
• Roughly how long it runs on a charge

Tell the customer all of this at the time of sale. A parent who gets home to find the remote needs batteries they do not have will blame the shop. Keep the right batteries in stock and offer them at the counter.

Test before you sell

RC toys from any supplier can have the occasional faulty unit. When stock arrives, test a sample from each carton. For higher-priced models, consider testing each one at the time of sale in front of the customer. It takes a minute and prevents most return arguments.

Run a demo

Nothing sells RC toys like seeing one move. If you have space, keep one popular model charged and ready for demonstration. Let children try it under supervision. It draws attention, answers questions about speed and control, and makes the decision easy.

Keep the demo unit separate from sale stock and expect it to wear out over time.

Age suitability

Check the age recommendation on every model. Small parts, charging cables and higher speeds make some models unsuitable for young children. Guide customers to the right model for the child's age rather than the most impressive one on the shelf.

Returns and warranty

Decide your policy on RC toys before selling them, and explain it at the time of sale. Questions to answer:

• Will you replace a unit that does not work out of the box? Within how many days?
• What happens with physical damage from crashes and drops, which is the most common problem?
• Does your supplier offer any replacement on faulty units?

Be clear and consistent. Write the policy on the bill or on a sign. Customers accept reasonable policies they were told about; they get angry about rules they hear for the first time when something goes wrong.

Spare parts

Some models have replaceable parts, such as tyres, propellers for flying toys, or batteries. If your supplier can provide them, stocking a few common spares for your bestselling models builds goodwill and occasional extra sales.

Display carefully

RC boxes are often large and attractive, which makes them good display items. Keep them away from direct sunlight, which fades packaging. Higher-value models should be visible but not easily handled without help.

The short version

Focus on entry and mid-range models. Know the battery and charging details for every model and tell customers at the point of sale. Test stock, run a demo, match models to the child's age, and set a clear returns policy before the first sale.