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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think smiggle is rubbish??

146 replies

MaryPoppinsPenguins · 05/09/2017 20:28

My DD needs a pencil case this year, going into year 2. All summer she has been asking to get the stuff from Smiggle. She's a terrible sleeper and we did a reward chart, with the reward being that she could get one and fill it from there.

She earned it, so yesterday we went and she got a pencil case, water bottle, keyring, pencils that smell like strawberries, toppers, ruler, scissors, rubbers like lollipops, colours, a pen with a Pom Pom on it and a few other things. (£90!!!! Almost had a heart attack)

We left the shop and she wanted to look at her stuff... picked up the pen and the Pom Pom fell off.

Then she tried the soap band ruler, and it had a big scratch in the design all on the inside Confused

So as I was two minutes out, I went back to the shop and showed them that the items were faulty. They refused to give me a refund and said they only do gift vouchers. I'm pretty sure that's not right, said so, and was refused, so got the gift voucher and left.

Today we were getting her stuff ready for school, putting her stuff in the pencil case, and the zip broke. Totally broke off. Ffs.

Also the metal part of the sharpener is not in right so it doesn't sharpen properly.

Now she has to go to school tomorrow without her little pencil case she's been so excited about. Which I know isn't a big deal... but it is to her.

I'm so annoyed. If you're going to charge £5 a pen and ££££ a pencil case, surely you have to make them with a bit of care so they last more than three seconds.

I'm so pissed off.

OP posts:
Original poster
MaryPoppinsPenguins · 05/09/2017 20:29

I'm going to have to drive to 24 hour Sainsbury's and get her a pencil case too... Hmm

OP posts:
HarrietKettleWasHere · 05/09/2017 20:29

I don't know about the quality but it gives me a killer headache.

ASDismynormality · 05/09/2017 20:30

Shock at not giving you at refund, that's awful as the goods were clearly faulty.

ThisMorningWentBadly · 05/09/2017 20:30

I've always found smiggle really good when returning faulty stuff. I think a lot of the stuff is fiddle with by small people so you do have to check it carefully before you buy it.

Circumlocutor · 05/09/2017 20:31

You're not their target market momma, your kid is!

ThisMorningWentBadly · 05/09/2017 20:31

Yes to the headache though, how people manage to work there I have no idea.

HarrietKettleWasHere · 05/09/2017 20:31

Oh yeah actually! I used to nanny for a girl and her pencil case was from there as were most of her friend's...now I come to think of it it was a pile of shite, Pom Pom fell off on day one I think...

TooStressyForMyOwnGood · 05/09/2017 20:32

YANBU.

The broken pencil case is a big deal to a little one, you are right. The only consolation might be that she decides she doesn't like smiggle now after the disappointment of it all breaking?

I find their bags and keyrings good but have said no more water bottles to my DDs as they have nearly all broken or are the impractical squidgy ones. Both my DDs absolutely love the place Angry.

BayLeaves · 05/09/2017 20:32

YABU to spend £90 in Smiggle...! I know kids get really into these must-haves but you could have got a lovely bundle of stationery for a fraction of that from somewhere like Wilko.

Allthepinkunicorns · 05/09/2017 20:32

Its very expensive for what it is. If your items are faulty then they have to legally give you a refund. I would maybe try and get hold of there customer service's and see if you can get a refund that way.

plantsitter · 05/09/2017 20:32

They are dead wrong on the damaged pencil case but as they are quite shit if they had to refund everything that was rubbish despite being 2 month's wages they'd go bankrupt.

ASDismynormality · 05/09/2017 20:33

Here is the refund policy - show it to them when you return the faulty goods.

saveforthat · 05/09/2017 20:33

You spent £90 on school stationery?

iamyourequal · 05/09/2017 20:33

A pencil case that breaks on the first use isn't good enough. You are entitled to a refund. Quote to them that you know your rights under the 1979 Sale of goods act, and the pencil case, sharpener and pen are of 'unsatisfactory quality' and, most importantly ' not fit for purpose'

Original poster
MaryPoppinsPenguins · 05/09/2017 20:35

I didn't mean to spend £90 on school stationary! She was filling her basket and I stupidly checked nothing... because who thinks stationary will come to £90!! Shock

OP posts:
Original poster
MaryPoppinsPenguins · 05/09/2017 20:36

See... £90!!! Ridiculous. I hate myself and them... Blush

To think smiggle is rubbish??
OP posts:
exLtEveDallas · 05/09/2017 20:37

Yeah quality is shite. There were tons of bad internet reviews of their advent calendar last year.

DD had loads of shite from there, lots of breakages. I was so glad when she grew out of it (Year 6)

OfficerVanHalen · 05/09/2017 20:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Circumlocutor · 05/09/2017 20:39

£90 on school stationery is blowing my mind a bit I have to say.

CookieLady · 05/09/2017 20:39

Over priced stationery in my D's' opinion. Grin

CookieLady · 05/09/2017 20:39

*DS's opinion Blush

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 05/09/2017 20:41

The zips do fall off Smiggle pencil cases. Really awful quality. My niece was really sad when her new furry rainbow dog pencil case fell to bits on the first use.
Smiggle's a craze that they all want to be part of. I'd just stick to one or two items though, I'm shocked at £90 worth of the stuff!

guiltybystander · 05/09/2017 20:42

You always have good old W H Smith.

Beadieeye · 05/09/2017 20:42

DS1 has outgrown it but DD is still into it, like all her classmates are.
I've found the quality is hit and miss, and there are always some reasonably priced bundles or 'special offers'. The advent calendar they did last year put me right off, though. Absolutely shocking. I felt so bad for any kid who had one and so glad I didn't get one for mine.

Aeroflotgirl · 05/09/2017 20:43

Momma is the one with the money, momma can go elsewhere if the quality is crap. Wilko do some fantastic stationary. If you do like Smuggle, go online for the sale. I got a £35 rucksack for £16,

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