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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:
Salmotrutta · 08/04/2014 18:10

The very first thread I ever read on AIBU was by a poster whose child nearly barked their shin on a malevolent display prong.

It was pure gold.

And then there was one about an evil hotel chain with dangerous coffee tables too.

Salmotrutta · 08/04/2014 18:11

Oh, and my DC were not free range when they were two.
They were velcroed to me and didn't get to "explore" in shops.

shminkie · 08/04/2014 18:12

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

ShadowsCollideWithPeople · 08/04/2014 18:12

'Eye threatening prongs' is excellent.

I fear that the OP will only be back to inform us all that we are DISCUSTING beyotches who should be ashamed of ourselves and so on and so froth before flouncing...

ShadowsCollideWithPeople · 08/04/2014 18:12

Oops...

Salmotrutta · 08/04/2014 18:13

"Mind your manners"

What? Are you my mum?

Needaninsight · 08/04/2014 18:15

He was doing his usual 'taking things off prongs for mummy to put back'

Erm, shouldn't you have been controlling him?

YABU. It's not the shop's fault. It's yours.

MikeLitoris · 08/04/2014 18:17

Is anyone else imagining a tiny Indiana Jones exploring Matalan?

IDugUpADiamond · 08/04/2014 18:17

You sound a bit like the potty in Peter Jones mum
YABU

pianodoodle · 08/04/2014 18:18

I'm sick of shopping in Aldi.

Maybe if I go to Waitrose tomorrow and get DD to kick the crap out of an organic chicken I could get some vouchers?

insancerre · 08/04/2014 18:18

ease of sock management
oh my days

Salmotrutta · 08/04/2014 18:21

Blimey - how on earth did I miss "ease of sock management"

Grin
WaitMonkey · 08/04/2014 18:23

Is this a joke ? YABU. Hmm

Amytheflag · 08/04/2014 18:24

Dear oh dear Grin This is one of those threads that just gives

Bunbaker · 08/04/2014 18:24

Clearly the OP didn't like having it pointed out that she was in the wrong.

moldingsunbeams · 08/04/2014 18:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LIZS · 08/04/2014 18:27

You sound a bit like the potty in Peter Jones mum Hmm this is op's first post ...

Trooperslane · 08/04/2014 18:28

I call reverse too

Funnyfoot · 08/04/2014 18:29

Awww OP you cannot give up after your first AIBU.

Also just to point out on here trolls are those that come along and started ridiculous or goady threads not posters who have answered your AIBU question.
Not saying your a troll but if the Matalan sock fits.................

ThePearShapedToad · 08/04/2014 18:29

Hahahaha Grin

AIBU at it's best.... OP flounces off in a huff when she doesn't like the pretty much unanimous answer that she is indeed being unreasonable....

Fleta · 08/04/2014 18:34

I do wish I knew where you lived OP.

I would also be avoiding Matalan as they cannot guarantee that your child's grubby little paws haven't been all over the merchandise.

"exploring his world"

Arf.

WeAreDetective · 08/04/2014 18:35

I missed 'ease of sock management' too Grin

Goblinchild · 08/04/2014 18:35

Well, I supervised my inquisitive and imaginative little boy properly.
That's why he's 19.
Despite his love of deep holes, shiny things, water, dangerous animals and running very fast and shouting rather than looking where he was headed.
And eating random objects that took his fancy.

HyvaPaiva · 08/04/2014 18:36

'Exploring his world' in Matalan Grin Grin

HyvaPaiva · 08/04/2014 18:38

mind your manners

...says the one who treats a store as if it's her kid's own private branch of soft play.