Enhancing the Model Toy Buying Experience: Bundling Ideas for Your Business

Selling model toys is more than just offering a product; it's about creating an engaging and memorable experience for your customers. By bundling additional items with your model toys, you can enhance the overall value, increase customer satisfaction, and even encourage repeat business. Whether you're looking to upsell, provide useful resources, or simply offer a memorable experience, the right bundle can make a significant difference. This article explores various items you can bundle with your model toys to create a better buying experience for your customers.

Custom Patches: A Fun and Collectible Swag Item

Custom patches are a great way to add a unique and personal touch to your model toy bundles. These patches can be designed to reflect the theme of the model toys you're selling, making them a collectible item that customers will appreciate.

Why Custom Patches Work

Brand Recognition: Custom patches featuring your logo or brand colors help reinforce your brand identity. When customers see the patch, they’ll associate it with your business, increasing brand loyalty.
Collectibility: Patches are often seen as collectibles, especially if they’re well-designed and limited edition. Customers may even be encouraged to purchase more model toys to collect different patches.
Added Value: Including a custom patch in your bundle adds perceived value without significantly increasing costs. It’s a small item that can leave a big impression.
Promotion: Customers who use or display their patches can become walking advertisements for your business, spreading the word and potentially attracting new customers.

Remember, you need to ensure your custom patches are poignant to the kind of products you’re selling - this isn’t always easy. To get this right you might need some trial and error or to ensure that you change the patches up so people aren’t ordering the same all the time.

Ideas for Custom Patches

Themed Patches: Create patches that match the theme of the model toy, such as a specific vehicle, character, or scene.
Limited Edition Patches: Offer limited edition patches that change with each season or product release, encouraging repeat purchases.
Brand Logo Patches: Include a patch with your company logo to enhance brand recognition and loyalty.

Forbes reports that branded merchandise, such as custom patches, can increase brand recognition by up to 24%, highlighting the importance of including such items in your product bundles.

Collectibles: Adding Extra Excitement to the Bundle

Including collectibles in your model toy bundles can add a layer of excitement and value, making the buying experience more rewarding for customers. These collectibles could range from small figurines to rare or limited-edition items that align with the theme of the model toy.

Why Collectibles Enhance the Buying Experience

Added Value: Collectibles add extra value to the bundle, making customers feel like they’re getting more for their money. This can increase customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Exclusive Appeal: Offering limited-edition collectibles or items that are only available through your bundles can create a sense of exclusivity and urgency, encouraging customers to make a purchase.
Themed Collectibles: By matching the collectibles to the theme of the model toy, you enhance the overall coherence of the bundle, making it a more attractive and cohesive package.
Gift Appeal: Bundles with collectibles make great gifts, as they offer something extra and special beyond the main product, appealing to both the buyer and the recipient.

Ideas for Collectibles to Include

Miniature Figures: Include small figurines that complement the model toy, such as characters or accessories that fit with the theme.
Exclusive Items: Offer items that are only available as part of the bundle, such as rare decals, special tools, or unique display stands.
Seasonal Collectibles: Create seasonal bundles with themed collectibles, like holiday-themed figures or accessories, to keep the offerings fresh and exciting.

Collectibles Market Report states that the global market for collectibles is expected to grow by 6.2% annually, showing the enduring appeal of these items and their potential to enhance your model toy bundles.

Display Stands: Showcasing the Finished Model

Including a display stand in your model toy bundles is an excellent way to add value and enhance the overall customer experience. A well-designed stand not only provides a dedicated space to showcase the finished model but also adds a professional touch to the display, making it a centerpiece in any room.

Why Display Stands Are a Great Addition

Professional Presentation: A display stand allows customers to proudly showcase their completed model in a way that highlights its details and craftsmanship. This can enhance the satisfaction they feel from building the model and encourage them to display it prominently in their home or office.
Protection: Display stands can help protect the model from damage, keeping it safe from accidental bumps or falls. This ensures that the model remains in pristine condition over time.
Increased Perceived Value: By including a display stand, you increase the perceived value of the bundle, making it more appealing to customers. It shows that your business cares about the entire customer experience, from assembly to display.
Versatility: Customizable stands that allow customers to adjust the angle or height of the model add an extra layer of personalization, making the display even more special.

Retail Dive notes that products that offer a complete experience, including storage or display options, tend to see higher customer satisfaction and repeat purchases, making display stands a valuable addition to your model toy bundles.

Assembly Booklets: Guiding the Customer Experience

One of the most practical items you can include in your model toy bundles is an assembly booklet. This booklet provides step-by-step instructions on how to put together the model toy, ensuring that customers have a smooth and enjoyable building experience.

The Importance of an Assembly Booklet

Customer Satisfaction: A clear, easy-to-follow assembly booklet can greatly enhance the customer experience by reducing frustration and ensuring that the model is assembled correctly.
Educational Value: For customers new to model building, an assembly booklet can serve as an educational tool, teaching them techniques and skills that will make the process easier and more enjoyable.
Brand Authority: Providing detailed and professional instructions reinforces your brand as a reliable and expert source in the model toy industry.
Reduced Returns: A well-designed assembly booklet can help reduce the number of returns due to assembly errors, saving your business time and money.

Features of an Effective Assembly Booklet

Step-by-Step Instructions: Clear, numbered steps with accompanying images to guide customers through the assembly process.
Troubleshooting Tips: Include tips for common issues or mistakes to help customers troubleshoot and complete their model successfully.
Tool Recommendations: Suggest specific tools that will make the assembly process easier and more precise.
Safety Warnings: Clearly state any safety precautions related to the model toy, especially if small parts or tools are involved.

According to Consumer Reports, products with clear and detailed instructions are 25% less likely to be returned, highlighting the value of including an assembly booklet in your model toy bundles.

Photo Books: Showcasing Your Model Toy Collection

A photo book is an excellent addition to your model toy bundles, serving both as a catalog and a source of inspiration for your customers. By showcasing other model toys you offer, you can subtly encourage upselling while enhancing the overall buying experience.

The Benefits of Including a Photo Book

Visual Appeal: A professionally designed photo book filled with high-quality images of your model toys can captivate customers and spark their interest in other products.
Upselling Opportunities: By featuring other models in the photo book, you can showcase complementary or more advanced models that your customers might want to purchase next.
Inspiration: A photo book can inspire customers by showing detailed dioramas, setups, and collections. This might encourage them to expand their own collection or try new model-building techniques.
Keepsake: A well-made photo book can serve as a keepsake that customers will treasure, increasing their attachment to your brand and products.

Photo Book Features and Their Benefits

Feature	Description	Benefit
High-Quality Images	Professional photos of models and setups	Attracts attention, inspires creativity
Product Information	Detailed descriptions and information on each model	Educates customers, encourages additional purchases
Inspirational Layouts	Showcases creative dioramas and scenes	Inspires customers to expand their collection
Collector’s Edition	Limited edition photo books with exclusive content	Enhances perceived value and exclusivity

Statista reveals that 71% of consumers are more likely to purchase from a brand that provides high-quality visual content, underscoring the value of including a photo book in your model toy bundles.

Conclusion

Enhancing the buying experience for your customers by bundling additional items with your model toys is a smart strategy that can increase customer satisfaction, loyalty, and sales. From custom patches that build brand recognition to photo books that inspire and upsell, each element of the bundle adds value and makes the purchase more enjoyable. Collectibles offer excitement and exclusivity, while assembly booklets ensure a smooth and satisfying building experience. By thoughtfully curating these bundles, you can create a memorable experience that keeps customers coming back for more, helping your business stand out in the competitive model toy market.