Thread 8 - anyone for a giant sloth?

[Reastie]

Thank you @BadgerFace for the thread title.

Just a reminder you can watch the thread by clicking on ‘watch this thread’ at the top of the first message. It’s much easier for everyone than so many place marking every time which can use up a fair chunk of each thread to scroll through

Referral link here . Use this to post any links where you can refer a mner and you or both of you get an incentive. For ease and fairness please don’t post these on the main thread.

Affiliate Advertising: Mumsnet carries some affiliate marketing links, which means we earn commission on sales of some products when users click through a link from the site. Our editorial content is NOT influenced by affiliate partnerships. You may not post affiliate links without the prior permission of Mumsnet.

Here’s Barbarara’s instructions on doing clicks links:

Open double square brackets
No space
Paste link
Space
Name of link
No space
Close double square brackets

Like this
[[www.amazingbargains.com bargain ]] but with no space after/before the brackets.
If I do it again without the extra spaces only the word bargain will appear in blue

For more links etc see message 2

If any link doesn’t work or you want to add something please let me know in bold or @ me

[Reastie]

camel camel camel is a great page for price tracking amazon

Sockeatingmonster’s top tips for using aliexpress

1. Check reviews
   
2. Be wary of plastic toys. There have been concerns about toxic plastics from China, and I have binned plastic figures for having very unpleasant smells. I no longer buy any 'low-end' plastic items (UPDATE: I wouldn’t buy squishiest either, for the same reason) and only ever from sellers with lots of positive reviews
   
3. Aliexpress refund/complaints procedure is actually way more straightforward than eBay, and stacked in the buyer's favour
   
4. Beware of mains operated electricals, many of which are supplied without fused plugs. Always message the seller first if in doubt, don't rely on the photos
   
5. I don't trust dress up clothes to be flame retardant, although I don't believe this is UK law anyway?
   
6. Clothes can come up very small. Quality can be variable (excellent to awful). Photos are often of similar items, so take them with a pinch of salt and check the reviews.
   
7. Actually, all photos on Aliexpress should be taken with a pinch of salt. Again, check reviews (where buyers often post photos of the actual item received)
   
8. I wouldn't trust toys to meet UK safety standards and wouldn't buy anything that could pose a risk (e.g. Paint might not be safe for children to gum, there could be sharp edges/choking hazards, etc)
   
9. Lego alternatives don't tend to stick together as well as genuine Lego. Minifigures are still excellent value, but the odd one might benefit from a few drops of superglue.
   

10. Barbie and other doll clothes can be excellent value, but check reviews for fabric quality and finish (UPDATE: Type “18 inch doll” for clothes that will fit American Girl/Our Generation/Designafriend dolls. Shoes are particularly excellent value. Wash dark clothing first as dyes can stain dolls’ limbs)
11. Stationery is generally excellent value, although paper quality can be lower than expected. Type 'kawaii' into stationery and be prepared to spend a fortune!

Also to add I’ve seen a fair few posts from fb this year from small businesses where aliexpress have posted photos of their products and photos without permission, so be wary and be warned the photo might not be exactly what you get.

Wibbletooth has a great gift idea:

Best received grandparent/great aunt etc stocking filler that I’ve done has been a personalised glasses cleaning cloth, with a photo of the grandkids on.

I did it on eBay - was much cheaper than many other places - and the quality was great. Cost them was about £2.50, there seem to be 2 or 3 on there that are about £3 now so guessing it was one of them - didn’t recognise either of the listings. At the time it was cheaper to go through the eBay page than their website. There were two sizes - seem to think it was worth the extra 30p or similar to get the slightly bigger cloth - not much of a difference but enough to make it feel a bit more substantial.

They were all in awe as had never come across photos being printed on fabric. Also meant they always had a photo of the grandkids with them at all times without needing to carry photos with them as they always had their glasses and this glasses case with them and alwaûs had a cleaning cloth in the glasses case anyway.

Think I teamed them with a mini cleaning spritz and mini glasses screwdriver to get 3 related stocking presents.

[lifelongfrugaleer]

Thanks reastie
Has anyone used a website called
www.paigntonbowlingclub.co.uk

Can't decide if it's ok or not. I've messaged them for delivery and location detail but though I would ask the collective wisdom?

[Justonedayatatime11]

Checking in!

[imsorryiasked]

Ooh thanks @gaggiagirl they've got several things at 70 or 80% off if you look at their other items.

Thanks for the new thread Reastie

[PowerslidePanda]

Big sale at La Redoute at the moment - the biggest discounts seem to be on clothes.

[imsorryiasked]

@lifelongfrugaleer that looks fishy to me - like the web address has been hijacked?

[gaggiagirl]

80% off cake toy as it was near the end of the last thread.

[QOD]

2 pack face packs in Superdrug for
10p !

[NoWordForFluffy]

Yeah, that site isn't right, @lifelongfrugaleer.

Thanks for the new thread.

[imsorryiasked]

Not quite a good as the last deal but jacques of London have 65% of their rummy game.

[lifelongfrugaleer]

You have backed up my thoughts. I'm going to leave it and pay double the price on something in Argos. If it looks too good to be true and all that

[Unihorn]

If anyone is smart about new computer game deals, please could you advise where to get the cheapest copy of the new Borderlands on the Xbox for my husband! I know it's the only thing he will be interested in.

[imsorryiasked]

@lifelongfrugaleer can we try and search out a bargain for you?

[EnglishRose1320]

@Reindeerpoop edible paper money is often called funny money and is made from sugary wafer paper. My Ds has loved it for years, normally find it in a local sweet shop.

[WaitWhatOh]

So where’s the best place to find Le creuset bargains?

[MrsCrimbo74]

The Spicery are doing 35% off of their curry legend kits, the price is now £24.70 instead of £38 but for that you get;
240 page hardback World Curries cookbook (90+ recipes, all with full colour photos)
Beautiful limited edition outer storage tin - perfect for storing your book and blends and looks great on your kitchen shelves!
All 4 Curry Legend blends in individual storage tins (40-60g of each blend- enough to make at least 10 different dishes depending on the recipes!) - more are available as refills or alternative suggestions are given in the book.
Measuring spoon
Bookmark
Gift card with your personal message (don’t forget to leave one at the checkout!)
Access to the Curry Legend Club (using the book number on the inside of the back cover) to get free extra recipes, share photos and more

[beadyboo]

M&S have emailed 2 codes to me. Expire tonight but good for anyone who’s filled their basket already?
Let me know if you want one.

[CupoTeap]

Checking in, think I missed most of the last thread

[Mynameisnotthis]

Thanks for the baby toy suggestions on the previous thread. The pop up pencils look fab so I’ll be on the look out for them!

[NoWordForFluffy]

The Spicery is amazing! They're SUCH a fab company. I cannot rate them highly enough.

You'll never want takeaway again as you'll make better at home!

I have a referral code on the referral thread. Not sure it'll work on sale stuff though.

[Shitfuckoh]

Thanks for the link to the cake toy @gaggiagirl I've ordered one but it's not expected to be delivered for 3 weeks and upon checking after ordering the seller is in China - for anyone thinking of ordering but needing it quickly

[woodwaj]

My box arrived today from mrs snowballs bubble boutique and here are the contents. (The small coloured ones weren't included I paid for those seperate. ) The box was £18

[Allmyarseandpeggymartin]

@woodwaj they look amazing

[Whatsername7]

Thanks for the new thread :)

[marmiteandcheeseoncrumpetspls]

M&s codes expire tonight x