Bargain thread 2 - the one where I panic and can’t think of a title

[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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Here’s Barbarara’s instructions from last year on doing clicky links:

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

Like this
[[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

For more links etc see message 2

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

Referral link here . Use this to post any links where you can refer a mner and you or both of you get an incentive. For ease and fairness please don’t post these on the main thread.

Cash back sites. You can order through cash back sites like Quidco and topcashback. It’s really simple, you just create a free account and then when you’re purchasing anything online you search on the cash back site the lace you’re ordering from and see if they do cash back and if so follow the link to place the order. You usually have to earn £5 minimum to cash the money back but it easily adds up. Go to the referral link page to join if you haven’t before.

The summer holidays 25% off at Tu was due to start next week, but has been at the least postponed, and probably cancelled. The next one is then usually October half term.

camel camel camel is a great page for price tracking amazon

A great website for looking up items of specific price so you hit the £20 free delivery at amazon here

Sockeatingmonster’s age old but very useful top tips for using aliexpress (note these are also relevant for wish website and anything shipped from China on Amazon and Ebay - you can usually tell by the estimated delivery time and multiple same pictures but different companies. Although you can filter search by country on Ebay. - thanks scrappydappydoo for that bonus point).

“1. Check reviews

1. 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
2. Aliexpress refund/complaints procedure is actually way more straightforward than eBay, and stacked in the buyer's favour
3. 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
4. I don't trust dress up clothes to be flame retardant, although I don't believe this is UK law anyway?
5. 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.
6. 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)
7. 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)
8. 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.”

Bargainmax here

Laser cut outs which have been popular on the thread here

Lisa angel is a very popular site with great regular sale discounts on jewellery etc here

Toysforapound has some well priced items here

Phew, thank you for letting me know about the last thread, I didn’t spot we were so close to the end already! Hope I’ve updated the thread with everything everyone asked. If not please shout.

Put on the end of the last thread but putting here too in case it gets missed
Flash sale at Boots

Thanks Reastie.

Thanks @Reastie!

Thanks Reastie!

Photobox has 40% off everything today with code STAR40. I've ordered a framed print for my dad for his birthday.

Thanks Reastie! I do love this thread.

Looking for gifts for nearly 6 year old twin girls please! :) got loads of stocking fillers from toys for a pound.

Not as much Christmas but does anyone know when Lidl will stock their children's rain dungarees/ puddle suits?

Thanks for the photobox code - I’m always slow to get these sorted and end up paying extra for next day delivery

Just swooping in to say thank you for the lego architecture London tip off. Just arrived and I think my DH will be very happy with it!

Thanks for the new thread.

Still looking for teen sticking ideas!

Stocking even!

Checking in! I am in full on Christmas mode!

If you still have an Ocado smart pass then they’ve got a sale on with some things that might appeal (Kath Kidson bags etc).

Checking in also. I'm 90% done, In fact I have bday presents up to June for some people but I'm kn mat leave so officially broke 😂 I do need some stocking fillers for DH and his bday is at beginning of Jan too

Thanks for the new thread

Thank you!
I might push myself to start doing photo gifts early this year (I also end up paying full price and next day delivery! )

Thanks for Ocado sale tip!

Not a discount but I got one of these delivered from Aldi today for toddler DD’s bedroom. Apparently they are a right deal compared to similar from wayfair etc. The quality is surprisingly good for £17.99 too so would definitely recommend if you have an animal lover for a young child (they did dinosaur and unicorn stools too) but out of stock online now

Just got a few bits in the sale from Very. Want to start getting ahead this year as I always leave it too late then panic.

If anyone spots any our generation horse riding offers please let me know, DD is obsessed with horse riding at the minute and would love to get her the large stables for her birthday just before Christmas but hanging on to see if I can get it any cheaper

I saw the our generation range in smyths today and think dd age 5 would love them!

Do they usually go on offer? All seemed about £30-35 for a doll

I'm hoping the in laws will ask for an idea for Xmas and I can suggest it as I've got most things for her now

If you go on the photo box website there's a 50% off discount code

This isnt a specific discount but lidl have released an app called lidl plus where you can download vouchers for shopping and it also has the special buys listed. Apparently theres a sky deal as well but i can't see it at the moment