Thread 6 - dd3 has a nostril called Steve

[Reastie]

Thank you @Jammiebammie for the thread title.

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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For more links etc see message 2

If any link doesn’t work or you want to add something please let me know in bold or @ me

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 Reastie, checking in for this year!
Have just received my Dr Botanicals goodies and delighted with them.

Happy New Thread! Iceland have the orangutan toy and book in stock again this year of anyone missed out last year. Also 3 tubs of chocs for a tenner.

Well didn't get anything much in Asda, too full of Halloween stuff but they have their xmas bedding out, and also harry potter / friends / unicorn advent calendars (see photos which are hopefully attached)

Calendars

For the poster asking about tcb lego calendar tracking. I bought mine before activating and the offer popped up each time but it did track.

Have I missed a hobbycraft discount code? Trying to find it and getting thread confusion!

Lego will track following dispatch if that helps

If TCB hasn't tracked after a week you can raise a claim for it.

Thanks for the new thread, Reastie.

Lego at a decent price

Thread six already??!

I spent a ridiculous amount in the Typo sale last night. Got lots of stocking fillers.

And some canvas tote bags for the girls in my GCSE media class for their leaving gifts (I know May is a long time away) as they are This Girl Can ones, cost 99p and we study that as a case study advertising campaign. I need to find something else cheap and case study related for my boys now!

Also got a few other ones to use instead of gift bags for my sister and her missus, and other family.

I had zero parcels arrive today. 😭

My house is rammed with unopened parcels (keeping prying eyes away!). They're everywhere!

Thankyou for the reassurance on tcb :)

Another one for RoI bargainers: homestore and more have half price “novelty lighting” if you don’t mind braving their gruesome Hallowe’en offerings. Some small (41cm) lava lamps for €10, various pretty light strings, a himalayan rock salt lamp for €9, a floaty fish tube and various star light projector thingies. Might be nice for bedrooms, or a sensory den. I’m quite taken with the rock salt lamp but trying to be disciplined about not buying everything on the thread for myself. But if I buy it for someone else and then change my mind and keep it, that’s ok, right?

Thanks @Reastie could I ask for start of next thread could your helpful opening post remind us how to do clicky links? I always end up searching back to find out on rare occasion I have something!

Checking in!

Someone was asking for reduced Chilly water bottles or lookalikes. We have a "Cambridge flask" for DD with flamingos on. I paid £10 but they are £6.50 at Dobbies (watch out for postage). I can't really tell any difference between that and my £30 swell bottle.

@jfw82 this might help in the meantime

clicky links

Open double square brackets
No space
Paste link
Space
Name of link
No space
Close double square brackets

Like this
[[http://www.amazingbargains.com bargain ]] but with no space after/before the brackets.
If I do it again without the extra spaces only the word bargain will appear in blue

Tesco have some decent Lego sets in their toy sale. The city burger bar fire rescue truck is a good price.

@PinkDaydreams I just remembered I was going to post a photo of DS1s bean bag. It's erm rather large as beautifully demonstrated by DS2 (with DS1 complaining he might be sick on it )

Durr pressed post instead of the paper clip to attach photo

Thanks for the BusyB code. Some lovely bits in clearance :)

BOGO half price on sale items at Mothercare.

Lots of sizes, unlike some offers like this.

Includes sets of 3 t-shirts at £6 each, so £9 for 6 t-shirts.

I've ordered in the next size up as well - 33 tops/t-shirts/bottoms for under £60 delivered.

4.3% TCB as well.

Subordinate clauses. Love it.

I have no evidence but yes I think prices do go up on Amazon of there is demand. That's just my opinion though.

Will come back with a bargain soon