Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Birthday present complaint

99 replies

BeepyBoo · 30/06/2022 20:35

Just want to run this past you to see what you think, and whether this is reasonable.
My DS went to some twins’ birthday party. To provide context…The family live near us and the twins often spend time around our house - several times a week - although I’d say their mother is more of an aquaintance (we are always friendly, but she keeps to herself a bit).
I bought the twins both a sports ball each and some shin pads each, which is more than I would usually spend on presents for a party, but we do know the twins well. Basically, 4 weeks later, the mother has sent me photographs of both of the balls, which have both ripped apart a bit. She has asked whether we have the receipt, to exchange them.
I am feeling a bit irked by this. I think it’s the photos that have bothered me. Basically I would never do this if someone bought my children presents. To save them embarrassment, I would just replace the balls myself and not mention it. The balls cost £8 each, so not cheap, but also probably more budget as balls can cost a lot.

We do not have the receipt - my husband chucked it. So, I’m thinking - should we replace them?! Am I right to feel a bit uncomfortable? It’s not a big deal but Would appreciate your thoughts, thanks.

OP posts:
DelosParks · 30/06/2022 20:36

I agree with everything you have said.

Just reply 'no I don't'.

SheldonesqueTheBstard · 30/06/2022 20:39

‘No I don’t’ would suffice.

She could have been breaking in new veneers on them for all you know.

00100001 · 30/06/2022 20:40

"No, I don't"

ManateeFair · 30/06/2022 20:42

No, don’t replace them! If you don’t have the receipt, just say sorry, you no longer have the receipt but that you bought them at [wherever] and that she could try taking them back there without a receipt if she thinks they’re faulty.

Personally I wouldn’t have said anything in her position. She didn’t pay for them so it’s not like she’s out of pocket. She can buy her kids footballs herself if she isn’t happy with the quality of those ones!

britneyisfree · 30/06/2022 20:43

🤣🤣🤣

She's bonkers. Just say nope

Vallmo47 · 30/06/2022 20:43

I’d reply no we haven’t kept the receipt, hope the twins had fun enjoying them while they lasted! I don’t know if I’d get annoyed about it, she hasn’t asked you to replace them - I assume she’d like to take them back to the store and ask them to replace for free. If I knew you well I’d think this is ok… she doesn’t want you to have spent all that money on something that soon became faulty. But I’d have to be close with them to think it’s ok to mention it!

CrystalCoco · 30/06/2022 20:46

Wow! Please please don't feel like you need to replace the balls.

Tough on them that it's happened but that's what can happen to a ball.
She is a v v CF!

EarringsandLipstick · 30/06/2022 20:48

I doubt I'd do this (message you) but I wouldn't be annoyed.

The balls shouldn't be falling apart after a few weeks; she's just checking if you've the receipt so she can replace them. She's not asking anything of you (I always put the gift receipt in the bag if getting a gift rather than a voucher anyway).

I don't agree she's 'bonkers' - I'd just say I didn't have the receipt, sorry.

RicherThanYew · 30/06/2022 20:48

Wow, Blackpool is calling for that woman 😮

Simbobbly · 30/06/2022 20:48

No I don't. Glad they played with them!

Don't give an inch, it's incredibly rude of her.

EarringsandLipstick · 30/06/2022 20:49

CrystalCoco · 30/06/2022 20:46

Wow! Please please don't feel like you need to replace the balls.

Tough on them that it's happened but that's what can happen to a ball.
She is a v v CF!

I had to re-read the OP to check - the mum has not asked OP to replace them. She's just asked her if she has the receipt.

I don't see how that makes her a CF!

drpet49 · 30/06/2022 20:49

I fail to see what she has done wrong here. All she asked for is the receipt as the gifts you bought them are faulty.

EarringsandLipstick · 30/06/2022 20:49

drpet49 · 30/06/2022 20:49

I fail to see what she has done wrong here. All she asked for is the receipt as the gifts you bought them are faulty.

Exactly.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 30/06/2022 20:51

OMG that is sooooooo rude and entitled I'm gobsmacked. Don't buy new ones. I've heard it all now.

Greensleeves · 30/06/2022 20:51

I don't think she wants you to replace them at all, she's probably just annoyed on principle that everything is so fucking shit these days Grin. Things really shouldn't fall apart after five minutes of normal usage, or not be fit for purpose in the first place. It's a bit socially clumsy of her to ask you for the receipt, but I'd just tell her you didn't keep it and leave it at that.

Mally100 · 30/06/2022 20:51

Wtf. I read this a few times to see why posters are calling her a CF. All she did was ask for a receipt. She didn't ask for op to replace them. Wouldn't any of you return something that was faulty soon after purchasing??

Cantanka · 30/06/2022 20:52

I think it’s rude. She’s implying the presents bought by the OP are poor quality. She should have kept her mouth shut.

EarringsandLipstick · 30/06/2022 20:54

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 30/06/2022 20:51

OMG that is sooooooo rude and entitled I'm gobsmacked. Don't buy new ones. I've heard it all now.

Didn't you read the OP?

She hasn't asked her to buy new ones. She just has asked for the receipt 🤷🏻‍♀️

Acheyknees · 30/06/2022 20:54

I think it's a bit rude to be honest. Why would you still have the receipts? It's been a month since they got them. I'd be irked too.

BeepyBoo · 30/06/2022 20:55

I’m not annoyed. I said I do not think it’s a big deal, but I do think it’s a bit rude. Also I’m a bit confused about how she thought I’d feel about this….? Surely, if I don’t have the receipt, it’s then a bit awkward.

OP posts:
LemonMuffins · 30/06/2022 20:56

She hasn't asked OP to buy new ones :-/ she just asked for the receipt so she can exchange. I probably wouldnt have bothered telling you, but don't think it's particulalry unreasonable.

Cactuslockdown · 30/06/2022 20:56

I don’t think she’s implying you should replace them either… she just wants to try and swap them as they’ve not lasted. Don’t get annoyed OP, just say no receipt 😊

BeepyBoo · 30/06/2022 20:56

Cantanka · 30/06/2022 20:52

I think it’s rude. She’s implying the presents bought by the OP are poor quality. She should have kept her mouth shut.

Exactly, that’s how I feel.

OP posts:
EarringsandLipstick · 30/06/2022 20:58

She’s implying the presents bought by the OP are poor quality

Well, they are poor quality if they have both fallen apart in a few weeks.

That's not OP's fault & she really should have put the gift receipt in.

I don't think I'd have done it myself, to be honest, but I don't think she's done something wrong.

ncqtime · 30/06/2022 20:59

Just say you don't and hope they were fun while they lasted you'll know not to get those again.
I take it as her being more annoyed that a shop would sell shit quality than a dig at you