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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to throw this Christmas gift away

134 replies

AIBUToday · 25/12/2019 18:53

Fil and his wife have given my 2 year old (just turned 2) a Christmas train set. Its for a 3 year old and checking online it's some mega cheap tatty one with a Chinese name on the side. Its very very cheap and tatty looking. I'm worried about toxins in cheap toys from China.
They aren't short on money.
AIBU to give to a charity shop? It's so cheap looking I think they might be insulated with it though.

OP posts:
JaJoJe · 26/12/2019 17:30

I agree OP - I only ever get my cheap and tatty Chinese crap from 'real' stores like John Lewis at x10 the cost. That way if my child dies of Chinese toxins I know I can sue them.

Really this thread has been comical.

bookmum08 · 26/12/2019 17:46

I am quite surprised that people are pretty much taking the mickey out of the OP here. Dangerous toys are a genuine threat and at Christmas a lot of markets, temporary discount shops etc will be selling toys that have not been through proper safety checks. Yes many toys are made in China but not all are legal and safe products. Internet shopping has made this issue even worse. I think the OP has a genuine worry.
As I said up thread I would ask where the product was purchased. If it came from a High Street chain discount shop (Poundstretchers, B+M etc) then it will have gone through proper health and safety checks (re calls of products does happen from time to time but that happens in retailers like John Lewis as well). If the train set came from that market stall outside the bank and also sells dolls that look like Barbie but are called 'fashion girl' or something but the logo is written in the same style as the Barbie logo or boxes of building bricks called 'Leego' or something then I would definitely check it's safety. Those products are frequently iffy.

NomNomNomNom · 26/12/2019 17:51

To be fair I think if a family could only afford a cheap toy I would be very wary of insulting them by not having it around next year. If a very rich family bought a cheapo toy (i.e. they bought a cheap version of a normal toy that was likely to be shitty quality) I would assume they just picked it up without much thought and wouldn't worry about just donating it or binning it if it was so dangerous I wouldn't want anyone to use it.

NomNomNomNom · 26/12/2019 17:52

Cheap toys in general I have no problem with if it's just a wooden train or picture book or something it will make no difference if it's a cheap or posh one.

bookmum08 · 26/12/2019 17:55

There are plenty of places to buy safe and legal cheap toys though NomNom. Poundstretchers, Wilkos, B+M, The Works, Home Bargains etc.

NoncePieforSanta · 26/12/2019 17:58

I'm surprised that people on this thread think that CE marks are the thing to look out for - not having one is, of course, an indicator, but kite marks can be and are faked.

Op's tone and posts are all manner of wrong in many places, but it's perfectly possible for a toy bought online/from a market stall etc to have fake marks certifying that it's been tested as meeting EU standards.

bookmum08 · 26/12/2019 17:59

What I meant NomNom it's not insulting to ask where it was purchased because "I read on the news about some toys that have been recalled and I wanted to double check" (small white lie). If the answer is "we got it in Wilkos" then the toy will be fine.

Original poster
AIBUToday · 26/12/2019 20:06

It has a CE mark on a sticker on the side. I can't find it in any reliable store online, be that wilkos or John Lewis. It's also a battery powered train so I also wouldn't trust the battery not to melt or something. I found something similar on an online store called UK Christmas World selling for £5.99. Is that a legit online store?

OP posts:
EssentialHummus · 26/12/2019 20:13

www.ukchristmasworld.com/products/classic-battery-powered-christmas-train-set-with-3d-puzzle.html

To save everyone else the googling.

Tetran · 26/12/2019 20:14

If it's that Christmas train then that's easy, you won't play with that all year round, and they might have forgotten by next Christmas!

Bluerussian · 26/12/2019 20:18

That is a really sweet little train set, Essential Hummus.

ilovesooty · 26/12/2019 20:18

Wouldn't it be much more sensible and effective to do as suggested - ask them where they bought it?

Poetryinaction · 26/12/2019 20:33

What happens to 2 year olds when they play with toys for 3 year olds? Because my kids have siblings so they all play with each others' toys.

RoseMartha · 26/12/2019 20:36

Is it a train that is meant to be put round the tree as a decoration rather than a toy. And just put on now and again during the Christmas period?

LauraMipsum · 26/12/2019 20:45

It's here too www.sparksgiftwholesalers.co.uk/product-p/ac151224.htm

It doesn't look cheap or tatty, for a two year old. For a 15 year old train enthusiast then sure.

Pippa12 · 26/12/2019 22:38

I’m confused... doesn’t the CE mark mean it’s produced to European standards? Sorry if I’m wrong, to be honest I’ve never given it much thought? I’ve definitely never googled all gifts on xmas day to check they’re from John Lewis... bloody hell my poor two would end up with sweet fanny Adams!!!

Original poster
AIBUToday · 26/12/2019 23:01

Surely it's possible for toys to have fake marks certifying that it's been tested to meet EU standards. What is stopping them putting a CE sticker on the side?
UKchristmasworld and sparksgiftwholesalers hardly sound like the most reputable online stores or am I mistaken?

OP posts:
SillyUnMurphy · 26/12/2019 23:11

Well it’s out of stock in Sparksgiftwholesalers so quite a few cheap fuckers, with no regard for two year olds’ safety are buying it Grin

MissCherryCakeyBun · 26/12/2019 23:11

Yes it is possible. and if you feel unhappy your child's health is more important than all the randoms on here telling you to be grateful and give your child a toy to play with that they have no idea is safe.

You don't have to give them anything you don't want to it's that simple. If you do feel strongly you can contact local trading standards and check with them.

However if it were me I would not give it to my child and would dispose of the toy. If questions are asked say you have put it away until they are older if you feel you need to say something.

As you can see from the link I put up yesterday even very well know and expensive brands like Audi and Maserati have quality problems and recalls....don't risk your LO health.

XmasRibbons · 26/12/2019 23:14

I don't think you are being unreasonable to be concerned.

But... unless you only buy organic clothing, organic food, make your own washing powder, buy traditional soaps, filter your water, reusable nappies, reusable wipes, eco furnishings, never light candles etc...

I think you're being a little bit precious to think your child isn't already exposed to carcinogens daily. That's not to say you would be wrong to try and reduce that...

I have read articles which would suggest playing with sex toys is safer than most plastic toys sold as the plastic has to be 'safer'.

ilovesooty · 26/12/2019 23:17

Ukchristmasworld are seemingly a small British family firm. They claim to have a lot of pride in what they do and it looks as though their customer services would be happy to discuss the safety of the products they sell.

However have you actually established who sold it?

Guavaf1sh · 26/12/2019 23:17

You’re being stupid

ineedaholidaynow · 26/12/2019 23:24

Don't a lot of manufacturers state that their toys etc aren't suitable for under 3 years so they don't have to carry out more expensive, extensive testing on the product, it's not that the product isn't actually suitable for under 3s?

TrixieFranklin · 26/12/2019 23:31

Are you okay OP? There's more to this, right?

LotteLupin · 27/12/2019 00:02

Put it on a high shelf as a memento. No playing with.

And tell the in laws over the course of the year that you're collecting the Brio wooden set👍😉