Saturday, February 18, 2006 - Homeschool Shopping Survey
1. What time of year do you do most of your homeschool shopping?
I usually browse through catalogs and website during the summer months. I get pretty serious by August. I usually order mid-to late August. I also do quite a bit during December and January.
2. Do you typically do most of your homeschool shopping all at once or at various times throughout the year?
The bulk is done two times per year but I will pick up unique items throughout if it something the kids are interested in.
3. Do you mostly shop online, from catalogs, at conventions or at local stores?
Right now, I am so blessed to have a great Homeschool store within 20 minute drive time and a Christian Bookstore that carries some materials that is 10 minutes from my home. I am able to get most of our materials there. This year the best find was a Used Christian Bookstore that has used Homeschool Curriculum. I was able to get The Weaver Vol 1, Day by Day, and Wisdom Words for $75.00. Our first year I ordered everything from a catalog. I have also gotten some good materials on Ebay. I have never been to a convention--fearful that I will be overwhelmed with choices.
4. How do you learn about new homeschool products? (friend, magazine, see them in catalogs, etc..)
My main source for learning about new products are fellow homeschool friends. Otherwise it is in catalogs and internet search. Now that I am connected in this blogger, I am finding many new products from other bloggers.
5. Are there any areas where you'd like to see more products? (algebra, weather, grammar for boys, etc...)
I am always looking for "Character Building" books for boys and girls. The products I have seen for this are often secular in nature or WAY advanced with in depth Bible Study for tweens and teens.
I always love to see New Educational Games or Toys.
6. What will typically sway you to purchase from a particular company? (online sample lessons, helpful website, customer service, price, able to get most things there, free shipping, etc...)
I love to order from other homeschool families who have developed some of their own curriculum: www.doorpost.com ; www.love2learn.com ; just to support their home business. I rarely order without an online sample unless I have seen the book somewhere else already.
7. How could homeschool companies better serve you?
8. What subject would you say that you spend the most money on?
Probably Bible, because I just can't resist! I love Picture Books, Music, Devotionals, Activity Books, anything that will re-emphasize what we are learning about God.
9. Do you prefer things to be bundled together for convenience or seperated so that you can pick and choose?
I was actually going to comment on #7 that perhaps companies could bundle items together but I wasn't sure that would be the best way either. I do like to see what a company would put together for a particular Unit Study. I really like the website I visited the other day, (eek, I can't find it) that lumped together Activities & Lessons about a particular subject. (something like Sam's Science Kits...so sorry.. I will try to find and add later). I like to be able to buy seperate if I want, but to see what would be recommended in a bundle.
10. When you are looking for the extra products (games, learning kits, etc..) what is most important about them? (fun, hands on, simple, educational quality, easy to use, etc..)
All of the above combined. I don't buy something that is fun but with no educational quality, I don't buy something that has educational quality but is not easy to use. Hands on is important--flash cards are no fun.
