Thread 5 - The Mumsnet bargain thread - spreading the squeaky clean, ethical love!

[Reastie]

So it’s not a thread all about ethical stuff (good grief there’s a lot of plastic tat that’s been purchased by me from these threads over the years) but with our current obsession with soap bars and shampoo bars and then I think it was fireflygirl who did the quote and it tickled me.

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

As a general tip, can I recommend signing up the the newsletter for London theatres direct (or your local theatre) because I have managed to get in early and buy decent cheap seats at quite a few things recently which is 3 'activity' presents sorted!

Today it's upstart crow theatre show with David Mitchell - tickets from £24 www.londontheatredirect.com/play/4290/upstart-crow-tickets.aspx

I can't believe ive pretty muched missed thread 4! And I can't believe its almost october and I've no idea what to get my kids still. Struggling this year

New thread hurrah! Oh help clever gift finders. My grown up son has said all he wants for Xmas is gym supplements and gym gear. Problem is he’s already a muscle man, lifting weights and knows waaaaaaay more than me about anything gym like. What do I get??!!

I'm not doing any online or real shopping this weekend. Thanks to this thread I've nearly finished Christmas and birthday shopping 😁🎁

@Whitecandle

link here space add short name

So start with double brackets, add the link, then put a space, then add the name of your link, close double brackets.

I been following all the threads and still not nothing for anyone 😫

@SandraOhshair wow learn something new every day. Thanks!

Just had my email from Argos to say my Lol bubbly surprise is ready to collect! After the debacle of trying to order one I’m very surprised it’s actually here!

Reposted again because it was at the end of last thread:
Not bargainous but I've discovered the Chocolate Smiths via the chocolate thread on AIBU. I've ordered the bizarre chocolate bars in nut flavours, the wrappers make it nice to give the bars as gifts.

www.thechocolatesmiths.com/collections/all?sort_by=best-selling

The chocolate thread is on the Christmas board and not AIBU. It's called 'really good chocolate for Christmas.'

There's lots of good suggestions for palm oil free chocolate. They're not all bargainous except for Lidl & Aldi but since you're all saving money you should have spare cash for a treat.

Craft gin club have a free bottle of gin with your first box "FREEGINSEPT" so 2 bottles of gin a couple of mixers and a snack for £40.

I'm very tempted by the Elemis offer, but do I really need £150 worth of cleansing balm...? For myself obviously.

I'm reposting due to being right at the end of last thread.
Buckley London have some gorgeous bargainous dress jewellery in their sale. I have bought from there before and can vouch for the lovely quality of their stuff. Most come in lovely good quality box with slip case and looks much more expensive than it is. New customers get 10% off too.

There’s loads of Lego creator/city stuff on sale today including a camper van, Samar’s shuttle, shuttle transporter, plane 3 in 1. All reduced from £25- £16

It’s not related to bargain hunting as such but wondered if people could help.

I have read in the past that people do reverse advent calendars (of food?) to donate to charities. I would very much like to do one this year and wondered which charities people do them with? Food banks? And do only do food or can give toiletries etc?

Also, I have bought a couple of presents (and hope to buy a couple more) to give to a charity for children that might not otherwise get much. Where would you recommend I do this? Not the shoeboxes, just individual presents.

Thanks to anyone that can advise.

NeitherNowtNorSummat - where?

Thanks for the new thread Reastie

Oh that's a beautiful idea @Pinkjam - could you start a thread for this in the Christmas section? [Would love to join you in doing something along this line]

Hello!!

25% at Hickies with code FALL25. Might be a good idea for lazy teens me

No tie shoelaces

Pinkjam If you are in or near Glasgow, I have given gifts to children through a charity called Glasgow’s Spirit of Christmas. It works with loads of other charities and organisations to give gifts to children in Glasgow and the south west of Scotland. They have a Facebook page with all their info.

@SandraOhshair thank you thats perfect

I think our local food Bank does a reverse advent calendar and sends a list of suggested donations for each date. Perhaps look around locally to where you live?

@pinkjam For the food I'd give to a food bank. Just collect it all and then donate the lot at the end. Just be aware that people won't get that food until after Christmas (still a great thing to do though of course!).

For children's presents, I think I've only ever seen local things 🤔 information stands in shopping centres and supermarkets, possibly one organised by the local children's hospice. I think Starbucks we're doing something at one point as well.

Oh meant to say as well that what the food bank wants will depend on your area, there's usually a list on the collection bins.