To be utterly fucked off? Part missing from DDs main Christmas present.

[BackToB4Beatrice]

Most of her other presents revolve around this main present (wooden toy shop). The other bits and bobs are all to go in the shop. Am going to have to go on a manic hunt for a replacement. Perfect Christmas Eve.

ELC will be getting an ear full from me in the morning.

Try not to give them too much of an earful, it might be better to play on their sympathy to sort it for you?

Bit of a shitter though.

Why did you not check it before?

Oh dear

I'd ring around the ELC shops first...that might save you a lot of running around.

What part is missing?

You poor thing. Could have been worse though, could have been tomorrow night hen you discover this.

We had same problem a few christmases ago with an ELC garage, appraently a few people were missing the same piece though.

Hope you manage to get it sorted tomorrow.

Grr. YANBU to be utterly fucked off. But be calm when initially complaining, give yourself room for manouvre... you can work up to shouting if they are unhelpful, but retain the moral highground and Christmas spirit by being passive aggressive... then you can either back down graciously and apologetically (and naicely) or build to a bleeped crescendo of such epic preportions that I'd expect it to appear in an AIBU thread in a few days time.

How long have you had it? Call ELC, don't get shitty, explain that the part is missing and if they have one there. Take your receipt, and for goodness sake- be nice.

Didn't check it as am reasonably new to all these big toys with parts!! DD is 2. Also we are in a small house and didn't want to put it up as it would be hard to store. Granted I could of checked it, feel a bit crap about it now!

If I call the shops will they be able to exchange it, even though I bought it online?

Part 11!! It's a main structural part.

So annoying, I feel like by paying them I have done my job, you know?

Anyway, worse things could happen (forced grin emoticon)!!

If they have one in stock- get them to reserve it for you. Explain what has happened, and if you could come in and exchange it. There should normally be no problems with exchange from items ordered online as long as you have your delivery note- which acts as your receipt.

Okay- advice taken. Will be nice.

I actually probably would of been nice. I generally am, just angry right now!

But will be chilled in the morning.

Thanks folks

Good luck in finding it! But if you don't - she is 2, it won't be the end of the world - honest! Don't get yourself in a tizzy.

DH didn't check the go-kart one year, he was up until 5am on Christmas morning, putting the thing together, raiding the shed for a part that was crucial and missing. YANBU to be utterly fucked off.

Bet you check everything in November every year from now on though!

Fabby you're such a smart arse...you always pop up with some shitty "told you so" attitude.

OP...is it a big bit? ELC are very helpful usually....I'm sure they'll go all out...if they dont' then mention MN and how everyone on there was so sure they'd help you out...

Unfortunately, I have had it a fortnight! Was stored in the loft. Am so annoyed at myself.
I have two very big mothercares/ELC centres near me, so hope they will have one. Am happy to drive around to find one. Luckily had planned and organised so that we could laze about tomorrow, so nothing really to do. Also DH has finished work, so him and DD can stay at home, and I will go shop hunting!

ElC will exchange it no problem, if they have one really hope they do! Where in the country are you?

Band- very very useful advice!! Thanks for that!

When dd2 was about 2yo dGP gave her a little plastic kitchen. When we set it up we found the tap was missing. To the grown up eye there was this huge hole, the her child's eye there was a posting hole for the knives and forks to go through to the dishwasher.

Manufacturers sent replacement tap, but the ground under the sink stayed as the dishwasher for ages. She was slightly disappointed to lose her hole but then got used to washing her hands under the tap.

Fortnight is no real problem. Honestly.

I seriously recommend calling them first- that way they know you are on the way, they can put the stock to one side and can deal with you quickly so you can get home sooner.

It's what we do where I work.

Don't be ridiculous FabbyChic

She bought it brand new, from a major (and flipping expensive) retailer.

Why on Earth would she have thought she needed to check the product she'd paid for was actually there?

Right, when you call them, explain what is missing and ask if you can pick up replacement part from on they already have in stock. If they ask you to bring the item in, tell them you can't get it back in box but if they can just take part out of stock they have there and then they can return the box they have as the damaged item. Much easier.

Fingers crossed they have it in stock for you.

I am with Fabby on this one, you just do especially if it is for a present, you don't have to put it up, just make sure all the bits are there.