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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

cardboard fixture fell on my son while shopping

237 replies

shminkie · 08/04/2014 16:51

I visited a matalan store on 10th Feb with my almost 2 year old son and my mother. My son loves exploring his world right now and I'm happy to let him under my watchful eye. He was doing his usual 'taking things off prongs for mummy to put back' when he tried to take some socks off one of their cardboard display units. As a store planner and shop fitter, it never occurred to me that the fixture would be unsecured, especially placed so close to the children's department. I was therefore horrified when the 4 foot, front heavy fixture with eye threatening prongs fell covering my son. I settled my son who was thankfully ok, but thought that it needed reporting to duty manager. After paying for my goods I asked to speak with someone. A young lady arrived and I explained what had happened and was utterly astonished at her response. There was no concern, no apology. She just said 'well he must have pulled on it' I replied yes he had, as he explored, as he should be able to without the fixture falling onto him. She then told me 'that's why our trolleys have child seats in them, we recommend you keep them in a trolley.' I was utterly enraged with the 'well it's his fault or your fault' attitude. This attitude has been repeated by their own h and s dept and by my local council. I simply cannot believe that this is OK?! That because these are temporary fixtures and because he was not injured I should accept the vouchers they offered and shut up!? I have asked them to donate them to charity as i do not plan to revisit while my sons safety cannot be guaranteed. Please let me know your thoughts, or knowledge of other incidents/ways I can report it. Either way, watch your little ones in matalan, as ease of sock management comes before your child's safety.

OP posts:
Flibbertyjibbet · 08/04/2014 17:23

At least if you aren't going back there they are saved the trials of you pulling out your pfb pottette in the middle of the shop in another few months.

FannyFifer · 08/04/2014 17:24

Ha, that's what happens when you don't control your children, the only person at fault is you.

WeAreDetective · 08/04/2014 17:25

Please don't tell me that you complained??!!

WorraLiberty · 08/04/2014 17:28

You got vouchers?

You should have got a bloody bill for the damage your little 'explorer' caused.

Stinklebell · 08/04/2014 17:28

YABU. He shouldn't have been allowed to keep pulling things off shelves

My children aren't allowed to touch or keep picking things up in shops

rumbleinthrjungle · 08/04/2014 17:33

i do not plan to revisit while my son's safety cannot be guaranteed

This is a shop, not a soft play or an interactive play centre, are you seriously feeling they should child and baby proof the shop so your son can play with any part of it that catches his eye?

WildThong · 08/04/2014 17:34

Try Primark instead. Everything is nailed down.

defineme · 08/04/2014 17:36

If, apropos of nothing, it had fell on him then you had every right. However, you were not watching him and he pulled it over: your fault entirely. Take him to the park/soft play/ play group to explore-not flipping shops. My ds once removed the arm of a mannequin accidently whilst 'exploring'- I was mortified and attempted to fix it before rushing him out whilst resolving to put him on reins. Really don't get your attitude at all.
Lucky you got the vouchers.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 08/04/2014 17:36

Well - I am going to go against the majority here Wink, and say that you shouldn't be letting your child play in shops - they are NOT play parks. Whilst you are indulgently watching your child 'exploring her world', the rest of us are thinking you should be keeping him under better control, schminkie.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 08/04/2014 17:37

Oops - 'his' world, not hers.

teacoffeesomethingsweet · 08/04/2014 17:37

I have a toddler too.
I have this fancy device I use when we're in shops. It's called a buggy.
I would be mortified and beyond embarrassed if he destroyed anything in any shop. And you got vouchers for it??!!! FFS...

RedRoom · 08/04/2014 17:40

Oh come on, a two year old shouldn't be just wandering round a shop pulling socks off cardboard display models. He should have been in the trolley and watched by you because if you pull at most things - tables, vases, cardboard cutouts of people- they will fall over. Adults know this, but two years olds don't, so why let him wander around to pull at things? Yabu whereas the shopkeeper is being logical.

RedRoom · 08/04/2014 17:43

'Eye threatening prongs' of 'heavy' item = cardboard fingers on a cut out figure.

skittycat · 08/04/2014 17:44

YABU. A lot of stores now a days have freestanding units such as these cardboard ones. If it had fallen over onto your child of it's own accord that you had a right to complain... as it was, your child pulled it over on to himself. If you had been watching your child better then he wouldn't have been able to pull this over. Stop blaming the store for your lack of attention.

LokiDokey · 08/04/2014 17:45

DEMAND COMPENSAYSHUN!!!!!!!!!
(there may be a smidgeon of sarcasm in my post)

OwlCapone · 08/04/2014 17:46

10th of Feb and you are still whinging about it so much you needed to register on MN to whinge some more...?

AllDirections · 08/04/2014 17:46

Hope the OP doesn't let her DS play that game with the loose breadbuns or fruit in supermarkets Hmm

Sallyingforth · 08/04/2014 17:47

Entirely your own fault. Shops are not playgrounds and from what you said about his usual games you are failing to control him.
Until you can do so you should not take him into shops.
YABU

BeverlyMoss · 08/04/2014 17:49

{{hug}}

Gosh, there are a lot of OUTRAGEOUS things happening to people this week.

tut.

BrokenToeOuch · 08/04/2014 17:55

I think you need to get on to my favourite conshoooomer rights activist, Dominic Littlewood Wink

ShatnersBassoon · 08/04/2014 17:56

Let me hand you some Brasso, for your neck.

Your son misbehaved in a shop. You failed. Never mind.

kilmuir · 08/04/2014 17:58

Poor parenting,

CommanderShepard · 08/04/2014 18:03

I am so tempted to name change to eyethreateningprongs Grin

Migsy1 · 08/04/2014 18:06

If it was a mirror then I would be shocked and outraged but as your son was not actually injured then I would be thankful for the vouchers.