Birthday present complaint

[BeepyBoo]

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.

Of course it's really rude! WTAF. I can't help but think that the people who don't think this is rude are cheeky fuckers themselves.

Nope. I’m just a bastard notstayingin

I’m about as far from CF as you can get 😇

😂

I do think the mum is cheeky for asking you and I wouldn’t send a receipt after this amount of time but I do think you are taking this too personally OP

As pp’s have said I would have just replied no sorry I don’t have it and moved on with my day. Wouldn’t be something I could get worked up about

You seem to be taking offence @BeepyBoo when the way to look at is her kids have really enjoyed playing with the gifts you gave them and they have prematurely fallen apart so she wants to replace them . No ball , irrespective of how cheap should be falling apart after a few weeks unless they have a dog that has mangled them .

I just think it's mean to tell someone this.

The chances of someone actually having a receipt a month later are pretty slim.

So you are letting them know their gift was shit quality, knowing that they can most likely not give you a receipt. So why are you actually then telling them?

Now the person who gave the gift knows their gift wasn't as good quality as they had hoped for, but can't do anything about it. Unless they offer to pay for a new item.

So what do you want from telling them? You can't actually want the receipt, cause the chance of that still existing is pretty much zero. So what you are doing is just going to make people feel bad.

I don't get it. I personally wouldn't make someone who gave me or my kids a gift feel bad. But each to their own I guess.

That's some leap 🙄

I don't see what the mums done wrong. All she's asked is if you have the receipt. I'd be more annoyed if someone hadn't told me a gift I'd brought them had broken over a few weeks, I'd feel like I wasted my money. If you don't have the receipt, just say that and say the store. You're being strangely defensive because someone asked you if you have the receipt for a present that fell apart.

OP: "Just want to run this past you to see what you think, and whether this is reasonable"

MN: "nope, not particularly unreasonable"

OP: "Oh god, I give up"

I see this differently. If someone had gone to the trouble of buying presents for my child I would be annoyed on their behalf if their hard earned money had been spent on something that fell apart as soon as it was used. So I would ask for a receipt to ensure I got replacements and their money had not been wasted.

I don't think that's rude of her at all OP?
If I spent good money on a present for someone and it fell to pieces due to poor quality, I'd want to know about it - it isn't a personal insult it's an issue with quality of a product that you've spent your money on.

My friend very kindly ordered me a personalised mug when I was going through something and it arrived in the post chipped - first thing I did was send her a photo so she could get an exchange from etsy...

She is rude. The accompanying picture makes out that the balls you bought were poor quality. I think the quality of the balls was fine for the price. I wouldn't have expected them to get more than 4 weeks worth of play out of them especially if they are older and kicking the ball about more often.

I'd reply that you don't but are glad that the boys enjoyed playing with them by the looks of it.

@NotStayingIn I totally agree on both counts!

This.

The twins mum is simply asking you a practical question. She's not bonkers and you have no need to be embarrassed or worried.

I personally would never ask for the receipt or send photos of a present that’s broken. I think it’s quite rude but I can also see her point of view.

I don’t think she’s being a CF. She probably just wants to try and exchange the balls as they shouldn’t be broken in 4 weeks. She doesn’t want to waste your money. I don’t think she’s implying they are cheap. She isn’t implying you need to replace them and of course you don’t. Just say no sorry I don’t have the receipt.

I agree with this

It’s a politeness issue - it just isn’t polite to do what she’s done!! I’m cringing at the thought of it! All people should say about presents given to children at parties is thank you very much! Doesn’t matter if they were shit quality / faulty or not 😂🙈

For people wondering why it’s rude- she’s letting the op know the gifts she bought weren’t up to a good standard and also inadvertently finding out how much she spent on the present.

Well balls shouldn't fall apart after a few weeks. But you don't have the receipts. Do you have your bank statements and maybe could get them replaced that way?

I don't understand why you're upset. It isn't about you but the fact that the balls should have lasted longer.

I wouldn’t bother replying OP.

It is rude. I'd ignore the message xxx

I shouldn’t imagine that the mother is caring about finding out the cost. How dear is a football going to be that falls to bits?

It isn’t as though it was made in Brigadoon, crafted from unicorn leather and stuffed with pubes from the Angel Gabriel. 🤷🏻‍♀️

It’s difficult as I think it’s rubbish shops get away with selling such poor quality stuff but it’s hard to send a message to someone you don’t know well about it. I’d feel too uncomfortable asking myself. Like someone else said it’d be easier to ask someone you were close.

I'm embarrassed for her. So rude. Just say you no longer have the receipt.

I think it is so rude to complain about gifts even if they break.