Howdy friends of Mastermind,

So we have a video channel on YouTube and we have a lot of fun here at the office making all kinds of toy videos. We use a lot of these videos on our website store to help explain the great products that we carry, and since we started the program we've also been putting the videos on our own Mastermind Toys YouTube channel as well. The Youtube channel is awesome... it's like a video search engine and all sorts of different people find our videos and comment on them. Most of the comments are really nice, as many of our viewers are very generous with their praise of our videos (we definitely aren't professionals, but like I said, we have a lot of fun.)

Some of the comments we get, however, are pretty funny when you think about them.
Our Thomas the Train video has been one of our most popular videos of all time, since there's a lot of Thomas the Tank Engine fans out there. And the video has gotten quite a few comments too, like:

"I would love to go to that store:)"... a very nice comment. Or...

"I WANT ALL OF THAT STUFF"... also a nice comment... if not a bit more forceful. Does all-caps mean you're yelling? Or...

"isn't he a bit old for playing with Thomas LOL"... referring to our video host Steve, who is DEFINITELY not too old to play with Thomas. Fact: Thomas the Train is great for ages 2 - 102 (forget it 103 year olds, you are out of luck.)

Now, these people were pretty nice. The Internet is also home to people with all sorts of opinions, however, some of which are a bit weirder. Take these Thomas the Tank comments:

"OMG Neville!"...was Neville the train in the video? Did he startle you?

Or this comment, definitely up for the 'weirdest on our YouTube Channel' award...

"lol this guy has fails" ... Toy Buyin' Ryan likes to think he is on top of the lingo, but 'having fails' is still new to him. Well, you can't please everyone all the time.

Anyways be sure to check out this video it's still one of our favourites, and you'll see all of these comments and more (I promise I didn't make them up, I don't have fails like that.) And check out our YouTube Channel too to see all of our videos!

-- Toy Buyin' Ryan

Mastermind Toys sells not only high quality toys, but also provides high quality service with our knowledgeable sales staff. While our focus for the last 25 years has been on our in-store service here in the Greater Toronto Area, over the last year we've been developing our online presence to spread the news about our online toy store -- so even if you don't live in Toronto you can still get to know us through the internet. We're working hard to give you as many places online to find us as possible -- but there are also advantages to finding us online that you might not know about, such as access to special promotions that aren't advertised in-store. Below is a list of places you can find us online and how we're currently using each of these venues.

eUpdates: Being a subscriber to our eUpdate program ensures that you have access to specials that aren't advertised in stores or on the website. This past year, eUpdate subscribers knew about chess sets for $12, spy kits for $3, and buying an Alex toy for $25 got you a free spy toy or Alex craft. This year will be full of similar spectacular specials and the only way to take advantage of them is to become an eUpdate subscriber. eUpdates also give you advance notice of our spectacular annual Warehouse sale, usually held in May of every year, as well as special in-store events, and web-only specials.

Facebook: We just started using Facebook in 2009, but have great plans for 2010 and onwards. Become a Fan of our Facebook page to keep up with the latest new toy arrivals, contests we're planning for the new year, and a place for fans to share their toy appreciation. We'll also use Facebook to announce our online specials too.

Twitter: we use tweets to alert our followers of new online web only specials as well as alerting followers of when great new inventory arrives, or new Youtube videos have been uploaded, but it's also a terrific place for you to ask for our help if you can't make it in to one of our stores to speak with one of our expert salespeople. Need a gift for your three year old nephew? Tweet away and we'll send you some suggestions! Twitter Handle: @MastermindToys.

Youtube: We've had a very popular Mastermind Toys youtube channel for over a year now. It's a fantastic place to learn even more about some of our most popular toys, as well as to learn about fantastic toys that aren't that well-known in Canada. Our videos demonstrate how toys work or what the object of the game is, or just what's so special about Hexbugs or Go Go Crazy Bones. We are constantly adding new videos to Youtube so subscribe to our channel to keep up.

Mastermind Toys blog: We use our blog to keep you updated of all the happenings at Mastermind. It's a busy place throughout the year with toy fairs to attend, warehouse sales to have, and toys to play with. We have fun and we want to share it with you. We also like to let you know what's new, both within the company and the inventory we receive. Subscribe to our blog to stay up-to-date with our toys, books and games, as well as what's happening behind the scenes at Mastermind.

-- Posted by Cathy the Toy Mom