Fast Food Toys 101

I know it doesn't take a rocket scientist or a brain surgeon to understand fast food toys, but there are a few things worth mentioning.

Lesson # 1 -

NP vs. MIP

The terms NP and MIP are mainly used online and in ads. They are used to describe the condition of a fast food toy. Of course it's used primarily for toys that are no longer being issued by the fast food restaurants because the toys they give out at restaurants are always MIP (I would hope).

"NP" - No Package
That mean's that the toy is no longer in it's original packaging whether it was a plastic bag or a box. Some use the term "loose" instead of "NP." If a toy is NP or loose, it is important to pay attention to the rest of the description since it is out of the package. The condition of the toys can be described as "like new" condition, slightly used/worn or used/worn. Some might even be more specific and point out discolorations, scratches, etc. Another thing to keep an eye out for is if the toy comes with any accessories it originally came with. Some of these factors can greatly help you decide whether or not you want a specific toy, for example, on eBay.

"MIP" - Mint In Package
That means that the toy is still sealed nicely in it's package. Of course this means that the toy is in perfect condition right? Not always. I once received a toy still in its package but broken. This can happen to toys that have moveable parts and can break during packing or shipping. But that's just one exception. The majority of the time though, MIP is a very, very good thing. The toy has never been played with and it's as if you just walked out of the restaurant with it.

So what have we learned? We learned that MIP is sooo much better than NP. At the same time, MIP toys are often more expensive.

(A special thanks to Lucy for assisting in giving us a visual aid)

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