Tegu Blocks: When Customer Interaction Lives Up To The Product

A couple of weeks ago I was sitting at my laptop, cappuccino in hand, skimming through my morning emails when one from Mamaista caught my attention. The email featured a modern take on children's wooden blocks, by a company called Tegu. The blocks are produced in Honduras in an effort to stimulate the local economy with a sustainable business that employs local people in a profitable trade, using abundant local resources, and reinvesting in the local community.

I checked out the site, admired the beautiful blonde (huesito wood?) and mahogany blocks with built-in magnets, and added my name to their waitlist to learn when the blocks would become available for purchasing again. That was around 10 a.m. Monday morning.

By close of business Monday, I received a personal email from Brandon, Tegu's Chief Customer Advocate, letting me know that they had sent an email out the previous week to their customer list announcing that the blocks would be in stock and available for purchase the next day, Tuesday. Since I joined the list after the email went out, he wanted me to know so I could take advantage of their availability.

Yep, I know what you're thinking - duh c2cmom, he wanted to sell some blocks. But here's the thing: the blocks were already backordered from their previous window of availability, so there was already demand for them. He didn't have to contact me to let me know . . . but he did.

So Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. when the blocks became available, there I was, entering my payment info and ordering a set. However, because I was personally contacted by someone before I even made a purchase, and because Tegu was working to sustain not only their own business, but offer a means of income for people in Honduras, AND replenish the forest there, AND that with each purchase you choose whether to have them plant a dozen trees or fund a day of school for a child there: my heartstrings were pulled and I ordered not one, but TWO sets. I hadn't even touched the product yet, but I thought I may want to share them with others.

By close of business THAT SAME DAY, I received a shipment notification from Tegu that my blocks had shipped. I replied to Brandon's email from the day before thanking him for letting me know about the early availability, letting him know I was impressed they already shipped and asking if he knew I write about their topic (wondering if perhaps he had pitched me during Toy Fair and I'd missed out on meeting with them). Nope, he didn't know me from Eve and was doing just doing his job of interacting with their customers. Don't you want to purchase from a company that treats every customer like this? (See my piece on Biggby Coffee too.)

So what do we think of the blocks now that we've had time to play with 'em? The quality of the blocks is fantastic, they look gorgeous and are smooth to the touch. C2cdad and I both wonder how they get the magnets inside the blocks because we don't see any seams. The magnetic pull between the blocks is stronger than I imagined it'd be - they REALLY attract each other, so manipulating them may be difficult for toddlers and younger kids (Tegu lists a 3+ age requirement on the website). These are solid, use for a lifetime and pass 'em down wooden blocks. Tegu is starting a "Show 'N Tell" site to post photos of your Tegu block creations - here's what my son and I came up with the last time we played with them together:

Tegu focuses on offering four products: the original 52-piece set in mahogany or a natural finish ("blonde hardwood native to Honduras" according to the website), and a 26-piece starter set in mahogany or a natural finish. Currently, only the natural-finish starter set is available for purchase, the others are on backorder until sometime in May.

HOWEVER, I have this extra set of original natural-finished Tegu blocks just sitting here waiting to be played with . . . so I'm offering them as a self-sponsored GIVEAWAY! To enter, just leave a comment below and don't forget to enter your email address into the form so I have a way to contact you to get your mailing address if you win. I'll choose a winner on Monday April 26th at Noon PST via Random.org. You don't have to be a blogger to enter to win. Good luck!

Comments

[Nicole Pelton]

Those blocks look awesome and I love the customer service story. You are so right, a little service goes a long way. I like how their pitching Admins, I could see a VP hanging around an admins desk playing with the blocks :)

[Tracy]

These look fabulous! Sounds like a great company.

[megryansmom]

Oh my daycare kidlets would love playing with these blocks! Love when you receive great customer service.

[Jennifer Bush]

These look awesome!

[Eunice]

That is really great customer service. I wish more companies would take note of it! My sons would definitely love to play with these.

[Dawn Mooney]

Wow- these are gorgeous! I love how you can do even more with these than with traditional unit blocks because of the magnets. I think this would really intrigue my almost-4 year old daughter. Thanks for the giveaway!

[kari]

The blocks look amazing! Thanks for the chance.

[Michelle]

Oh those are so gorgeous. We LOVE playing with building materials like this - yay for stimulating imaginations! Thanks!