Wooden Marble runs, Tedco or Haba?

[isitnaptime]

We are trying to pick out a gift from Grandma and Grandpa for our 3 year old (also have 2 older kids to help set up). We are thinking about the First Playing set by Haba :

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002HYFEI/ref=s9_simh_gw_p21_d0_i5?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1MA8WCTR2HX4QRCERG44&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1389517282&pf_rd_i=507846

 

In the reviews for Haba, many people recommend Tedco, which is made in the US and less expensive:

http://www.amazon.com/Tedco-20400-Blocks-Marbles-Super/dp/B000FGKI2O/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1355516775&sr=1-1&keywords=Tedco+marble

 

Here is their website:

http://tedcotoys.com/dyn_prodlist.php?k=2157

 

Does anyone have the Tedco set? Are they compatible with Haba? I am leaning towards Haba because of the add ons for later, although we probably won't ever get many since they are sooo expensive. Unless I find some on Craigslist or something. Anyone selling any?

 

If we did choose Haba, should we just pony up and pay extra for the bigger set?

http://www.amazon.com/Haba-Ball-Track-Construction-Set/dp/B000F94GMO/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1355516843&sr=1-1&keywords=haba+marble+run

[happypamama]

I think it's the Tedco that we got last year; it looks exactly like that, anyway. Somehow we ended up with a ton of them. They're very nice, and the kids enjoy playing with them. Some of the marbles seem to have slight flat spots, but that's actually sometimes a positive, because they don't roll away too fast. More pieces seems to be better than fewer. It does look like the Haba has a larger variety of pieces, but my kids have had a lot of fun with the basic pieces.

[Farrar]

Haba. I've played with the Tedco one and I think the Haba is superior. I think it's easier to play with and configure creatively.

[isitnaptime]

Thank you both, that is exactly what I needed.

 

I think we will go with the Haba set. Now, to get the First Playthings one, or the Construction set bigger one...

 

http://www.amazon.com/Haba-Ball-Track-Construction-Set/dp/B000F94GMO/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1355516843&sr=1-1&keywords=haba+marble+run

[emcap]

We have theconstruction one you linked plus maybe two other add ons ( I think the click clack one, and the chime one). I wouldn't go any smaller, but this set has been plenty for us and tons of fun. I love haba. Enjoy!