Run by Garrett and Alice Pillivant, a husband-and-wife team of Power Wheels repair and maintenance specialists, Gramps’ Garage is now in its 12th year of business.
Alice described to TDmonthly Magazine the store’s top sellers, which include Fisher-Price’s Power Wheels spare tires, mirrors, personalized license plates and decals. Though she wasn’t willing to reveal all of her suppliers, here’s an idea of what rolls out of Gramps’ Garage (Read the Pillivants’ story in Retailer Spotlight: Gramps’ Garage):
Power Wheels Batteries by FISHER-PRICE INC.
This 12-volt battery has been designed to fulfill rigorous Power Wheels requirements to provide the best possible performance, durability and maximum play time for Power Wheels vehicles. It’s for use with Fisher-Price Power Wheels Advanced Series vehicles, with a Type 12-volt battery system only. It features an internal, self-resetting fuse and also comes with an instruction booklet containing important safety information. A 6-volt version retails for $28. ― Alice Pillivant, owner of Gramps’ Garage in Maynard, Mass., said of the Fisher-Price Power Wheels line: “Batteries are my very top [sellers]; they sell year-round. Because of the quantity I sell, I stay competitive with Wal-Mart and Toys ‘R’ Us.”
This charger is for use with Power Wheels 12-volt battery systems with one gray battery. A built-in indicator shows the battery charge status so users can easily see when the battery is ready for use. The charger must only be used with a Power Wheels Type 12-volt lead acid battery. ― “We New Englanders have some sense of the reality that battery life can be enhanced by the use, at least on occasion, of overnight chargers,” said Alice Pillivant, owner of Gramps' Garage in Maynard, Mass. Fisher-Price Power Wheels chargers are her second-best-selling item.
Fisher-Price Power Wheels switches prevent children from accidentally leaving the vehicles on for extended periods. They are an excellent sales point for Gramps’ Garage in Maynard, Mass. A key element of this product, Owner Alice Pillvant noted, is that customers need to come to Gramps’ Garage if they want switches because the switches “often have to be installed” and ― at least locally ― Gramps’ Garage is the place to go for Power Wheels installation.
Maintenance and repair, in addition to the original car shopping and ongoing experience, is all well and good; but vehicle ownership, especially among the younger set, should have a “fun” element to it, said Garrett and Alice Pillivants, owners of Gramps’ Garage in Maynard, Mass. Decals personalize Power Wheels vehicles and make them extra cool.
Power Wheels Mirror/Windshield by FISHER-PRICE INC.
Cosmetic parts, such as a mirror or a windshield, add to the value and realism of Power Wheels cars, Alice Pillivant, owner of Gramps’ Garage in Maynard, Mass., told TDmonthly. The more realistic the vehicle, the greater the child’s learning experience.
PW107 Large Power Wheels Car Cover by FISHER-PRICE INC.
This nylon UV-resistant car cover helps protect a Power Wheels vehicle from the elements. The bottom drawstring lets parents tie the cover down for added protection against the elements. The cover is screen printed with the Power Wheels logo. (Vehicle sold separately.) ― “For those who must keep the vehicles outside, the Power Wheels covers are the way to go,” said store owner Alice Pillivant, of Maynard, Mass. “At Gramps’ Garage, this accessory comes in seventh place on the best-seller list.”
Taking the traditional peg puzzle to the next level, realistic animal sounds are heard when the puzzle pieces are properly placed on the board. — Jo Ann Barrett, owner of White Rabbit Toys in Ann Arbor, Mich., was excited about sales so far of this new Melissa & Doug product. — Susan Israel, sales person for Toy Box in Asheville, N.C., said this sells well at her store. — “Only when they put the right pieces in does it make noise, so the battery doesn’t wear down,” pointed out Owner Alice Pillivant of Gramps’ Garage in Maynard, Mass.
This Duck House heirloom fairy doll is made of porcelain and is a limited edition of 5,000 pieces. The product is ideal for the specialty market because it offers “great quality at an affordable price,” Anna Crosby of Duck House told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2007. — Porcelain dolls are a good seller at Gramps’ Garage in Maynard, Mass., said Owner Alice Pillivant.
Writer's Bio: A professional writer/editor since 1984, Christine has spent much of her career in business and technical writing/editing. Her technical communications expertise is complemented by work developing curriculum materials for both print and on-line use in personnel training, and by work as both a software applications trainer and a writing skills tutor/one-on-one instructor. Read more articles by this author
Writer's Bio: A professional writer/editor since 1984, Christine has spent much of her career in business and technical writing/editing. Her technical communications expertise is complemented by work developing curriculum materials for both print and on-line use in personnel training, and by work as both a software applications trainer and a writing skills tutor/one-on-one instructor. Read more articles by this author
