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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think Smiggle is ridiculous....

79 replies

Gingersay · 04/08/2021 16:46

Back to school shopping with my dc today, youngest dd is just on the cusp of being to old but we ended up having a look in smiggle and bought a few things very over priced bits and pieces.
While in the queue to pay I couldn't believe the money people were spending on stationary, first woman 2 wee girls came to £166 and a man with a boy about 7 £98, obviously it's their money and none of my business but I think I would be sick if I spent that on pens and pencils!! Am I just old and miserable.....

OP posts:
faithfulbird20 · 04/08/2021 16:47

No YANBU that is a lot of money on stationary. Starving kids in the world and all.

FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 04/08/2021 16:47

In the school I work in - which is a private school - we have banned Smiggle because of the amount of complaints kids were coming back with broken pens and pencils that had cost £18! It also was a bit of a "my dad is richer than your dad" thing at one point.

I mean the stuff is pretty but £58 for a backpack - fuck off!

Hugsgalore · 04/08/2021 16:47

It's shit quality too. I bought my dd a bag there when she started school. The straps both fell apart within 2 weeks.

BlueSurfer · 04/08/2021 16:47

I wouldn’t spend that much but I can’t see how Smiggle are being ridiculous when they are a thriving business that is really popular with a certain age bracket.

Nurseynoodles · 04/08/2021 16:48

It’s a load of tat as well.

GoAwayCat · 04/08/2021 16:50

We bought DS a pencil case for starting school. It broke within a few hours. We're miles from the closest store (we were on holiday when we bought it) so can't even return it without an hour's drive.

Body swerve from now on!

ZombeaArthur · 04/08/2021 16:51

I bought my DD a lunch bag and water bottle a couple of years ago without taking note of the price. Nearly cried when I heard the total Blush

DeadButDelicious · 04/08/2021 16:52

We had a smiggle in our town centre, it was never busy. It's since shut.

Never have I seen so much overpriced tat in all my life.

TheKeatingFive · 04/08/2021 16:52

I wouldn’t spend that much but I can’t see how Smiggle are being ridiculous when they are a thriving business that is really popular with a certain age bracket.

This

Comedycook · 04/08/2021 16:53

It's very expensive. I don't mind buying one single item as a treat but I prefer getting my dc stationery from home bargains or b&m

TooBigForMyBoots · 04/08/2021 16:53

YANBU @Gingersay. It is utterly ridiculous, horrendously overpriced tat. It is cheaper to buy actual quality stationary.Confused

clickychicky · 04/08/2021 16:53

It's fine for the kids to spend their pocket money on some stinky pencils etc but anything else is just too expensive.

clickychicky · 04/08/2021 16:54

And it all seems to smell

Usual2usual · 04/08/2021 16:57

I hate Smiggle but when I was 5/6/7 years old I would have loved it, so I totally get the appeal although my Mum would never have paid their prices.

I take my kods in once a year for one or two back to school bits and thats it.

Tiredforfive45 · 04/08/2021 16:58

They have a sale around Xmas that is always very reasonable and I have bought bags and lunchboxes in but I would never buy anything at full price!

ChicChaos · 04/08/2021 17:00

The bags are expensive but last well IME, although we are past the Smiggle stage now. In Junior school it was everywhere.

nettytree · 04/08/2021 17:01

I bought my daughter a back pack in Claires. Broke in 2 weeks, so took it back. The assistant said it was because we had put things in it. Begrudgingly changed it.

LtDansleg · 04/08/2021 17:02

Overpriced glittery shite.

clickychicky · 04/08/2021 17:02

@nettytree

I bought my daughter a back pack in Claires. Broke in 2 weeks, so took it back. The assistant said it was because we had put things in it. Begrudgingly changed it.
Hahaha! I once had to argue for a refund on some trainers that broke after two PE lessons. Aparantly they weren't meant to be run in!
AllTheSingleLadiess · 04/08/2021 17:04

So glad it wasn't a "thing" when my kids were younger. Luckily they were happy enough with supermarket offerings.

AwFeebs · 04/08/2021 17:05

I prefer getting the copy cat stuff from home bargains. Grin

Can't justify the price.

Cardboardboxingring · 04/08/2021 17:05

I went for an interview there but one of the stipulations is that you really have to push sales, and I drew the line at being told to upsell to children.

Original poster
Gingersay · 04/08/2021 17:05

I did complain once about something and they sent me a voucher which I used to buy 2 of their advent calendars. Nothing was used I still have a drawer in the kitchen filled with 2 each of random tat, the drawer does smell nice though.

OP posts:
pelosi · 04/08/2021 17:06

YANBU, I notice Primark had Smigggle type pencil cases at a fraction of the price.

marypoppinsreturns · 04/08/2021 17:12

I bought the giggle by Smiggle bundle this year that was £25 in total for bag, lunchbox, pencil case and water bottle, but will never be paying the money for the other ranges! Can't comment on the quality yet...