Thread 4 - a 6 foot giraffe?! Her name is Melvin

[Reastie]

Just a reminder you can watch the thread by clicking on ‘watch this thread’ at the top of the first message. It’s much easier for everyone than so many place marking every time which can use up a fair chunk of each thread to scroll through

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camel camel camel is a great page for price tracking amazon

Sockeatingmonster’s top tips for using aliexpress

1. Check reviews
2. Be wary of plastic toys. There have been concerns about toxic plastics from China, and I have binned plastic figures for having very unpleasant smells. I no longer buy any 'low-end' plastic items (UPDATE: I wouldn’t buy squishiest either, for the same reason) and only ever from sellers with lots of positive reviews
3. Aliexpress refund/complaints procedure is actually way more straightforward than eBay, and stacked in the buyer's favour
4. Beware of mains operated electricals, many of which are supplied without fused plugs. Always message the seller first if in doubt, don't rely on the photos
5. I don't trust dress up clothes to be flame retardant, although I don't believe this is UK law anyway?
6. Clothes can come up very small. Quality can be variable (excellent to awful). Photos are often of similar items, so take them with a pinch of salt and check the reviews.
7. Actually, all photos on Aliexpress should be taken with a pinch of salt. Again, check reviews (where buyers often post photos of the actual item received)
8. I wouldn't trust toys to meet UK safety standards and wouldn't buy anything that could pose a risk (e.g. Paint might not be safe for children to gum, there could be sharp edges/choking hazards, etc)
9. Lego alternatives don't tend to stick together as well as genuine Lego. Minifigures are still excellent value, but the odd one might benefit from a few drops of superglue.

10. Barbie and other doll clothes can be excellent value, but check reviews for fabric quality and finish (UPDATE: Type “18 inch doll” for clothes that will fit American Girl/Our Generation/Designafriend dolls. Shoes are particularly excellent value. Wash dark clothing first as dyes can stain dolls’ limbs) 11. Stationery is generally excellent value, although paper quality can be lower than expected. Type 'kawaii' into stationery and be prepared to spend a fortune!

Also to add I’ve seen a fair few posts from fb this year from small businesses where aliexpress have posted photos of their products and photos without permission, so be wary and be warned the photo might not be exactly what you get.

Wibbletooth has a great gift idea:

Best received grandparent/great aunt etc stocking filler that I’ve done has been a personalised glasses cleaning cloth, with a photo of the grandkids on.

I did it on eBay - was much cheaper than many other places - and the quality was great. Cost them was about £2.50, there seem to be 2 or 3 on there that are about £3 now so guessing it was one of them - didn’t recognise either of the listings. At the time it was cheaper to go through the eBay page than their website. There were two sizes - seem to think it was worth the extra 30p or similar to get the slightly bigger cloth - not much of a difference but enough to make it feel a bit more substantial.

They were all in awe as had never come across photos being printed on fabric. Also meant they always had a photo of the grandkids with them at all times without needing to carry photos with them as they always had their glasses and this glasses case with them and alwaûs had a cleaning cloth in the glasses case anyway.

Think I teamed them with a mini cleaning spritz and mini glasses screwdriver to get 3 related stocking presents

Thank you

thanks!

Can somebody carry on finishing on please? It's stopping me from posting!

Thanks for the new thread!

Not especially Christmassy although money saved on essentials can be used for presents I guess! But Next have some boys school trousers down from £11 to £3, just ordered some for next year for skinny, tall DS1

Thanks for the Fred

Thanks!

I will have a Bob into superdrug tomorrow.
Tokyo laundry customer services fab btw over my faulty gillet

I give up. Is there a post limit now?

@EvilHerbivore sorry if this is a thick question but which trousers did you order? Ds is also a long skinny child and I struggle to get a good fit. Always end up with the adjustable waist pulled tight and bunching at the back

I picked up a few nice clothes for Kids in next sale this morning. I wouldn't go specially but worth a browse if you're passing.

I think there must be, @lifelongfrugaleer!

Costco have Build a Bear e-cards on offer, 1/3 off - £66.66 for £100 value or £33.33 for £50 value.

I bought the Build A Bear gift cards from Costco last year and then saved them till the Black Friday and Xmas promotions. Saved me well over £100.

@Barbarara I bought these

These dolls are buy 1 get 1 1/2 price at Smyths. www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/fashion-and-dolls/other-fashion-and-dolls/little-live-bizzy-bubs/little-live-bizzy-bubs-walking-baby-polly-petals/p/160935

I hope the superdrug whips are still in my local one tomorrow 😁

On the subject of Superdrug, I popped in least week for perfume (always good deals) to be told I'd won £100 of points! This will really help with the shopping (if they ever appear on my card). It may be worth buying something cheap and getting your card swiped.

Another one hoping to strike likely in Superdrug tomorrow!

I can't remember who else was after the toy story wrapping paper but we got ours last week and I love it!!

Very happy with my Olay whips and free gift in Superdrug today thanks
@EternallyGrapefruit staff at till said they were flying out of the door. Must be all the MN’s.

Little Bug Bingo GALT £3.99

Anyone know what the Argos countdown is for? Seems unlikely it’s 3for2 as worded as new sale. Beware though lots of prices have shot up

Coffeeonthesofa That's quite cool!

Picked up a grey & white marble pattern Wet brush in TK Max today, £5.99 which is half of the Boots price (£11.99) only priblem is I needed two for stocking fillers and they only had one!

The nerf Pro laser blasters does anyone know if you can only use them with a smartphone or can us use them without and still have fun plus know whether you have hit anyone?