Thread 13 - the one where we compare buns, puppets and all that

[Reastie]

NEW INFO PLZ READ
**please post any bargain info IN BOLD to make it easier to scroll through the thread.

To make things bold you:
Put a star each side of what you want to make bold like this but without the space between the star and the writing *

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.

Thank you fireflygirl for the info on when supermarkets opened Christmas delivery slots last year:
Last year, Morrisons opened their Christmas delivery slots to pass holders on 6 November, and non-pass holders on 27th November, Tesco opened theirs 3 days early for pass holders (27th as opposed to 30th), and Asda 5 days earlier (13th as opposed to 18th). Sainsbury's likely opened theirs 3 weeks in advance to everyone at the same time.

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

Some fab Toot Toot bargains in my Sainsbury’s (60% off the animals) but I don’t know if that’s countrywide?

Thanks for the new thread @Reastie.
There is now a pile of boxes at the back door from the Amazon delivery that’s just arrived. Nearly completed teen dds wish list, can probably hand the last couple of things to her DA.

50% selected perfumes at Lloyds Pharmacy I used 10DEFENCE for an extra 10% off and free click and collect- hope it helps someone!

Hamley's have up to 20% off Sylvanian Families
In addition, use code MYAUTUMN10 at the checkout to receive a further 10% off. PLUS an amazing free delivery on orders over £25!

There was a poster on the last thread worried about their Dunedin order. I ordered the first time around and my scarves arrived separately about a week apart. I never got a reply to my email but they did all arrive eventually.

I still can’t get on the referral thread, I hid it accidentally and can’t get it back now 😫

Am I missing anything bargainicious?

Not Christmassy (could make a nice distraction to preoccupy younger children while we bargain hunt?!) but Halloweeny goodness instead. DD has come home from school with a flyer for a free Halloween craft activity box from Toucan Box which can have two crafts added to it.

You have to sign up for a subscription to receive it but I can attest to how easy it is to cancel because I've paid money to get this exact offer at 'half price' last week, received it today (big colourful box, beautifully presented) and cancelled the subscription online straight afterwards. THEN our DD came home with the freebie leaflet

It's one offer per household but the code looks generic. Go to the Toucan Box site and enter code HW14 via the turquoise prompt on the bottom left of the landing page.

Ah, there is a postage charge for the Toucan Box offer, I just followed the steps to the end and it adds £2.95.

I would say (as someone who paid £4.95 and thought I was getting a fab deal) that it's still well worth it.

@DoctorYang it was me after my second complaint via fb I got given a CS phone number, I spoke with someone yesterday who said all 3 should have been in the same parcel. After many questions they have agreed to send it again, so will wait and see.

Another that I doubt will be a huge bargain but for anyone with influencer loving DDs - inthefrow is launching a collaboration with jewellery company Edge of Ember on Friday this week.

Thanks for the new thread :)

Completely missed last thread, so fast this year!

Has anyone seen any Lego Dots at a bargain price? Not to bothered about which set as they’ve only just started asking for them, £15ish limit

Argos did have deals on them

Hiya! Does anyone have a smyths discount code? X

A discount code arrived with my order from Dibor - 15% off everything AUTUMN15

VEL15OFF for £15 off the velvetiser.

Up to 70% off Dr Botanicals with code OCT70

Hoodie blankets £13.99 online home shop(where we all bought the weighted blankets from) linkk*

@Clarabella72

Has anyone seen any Lego Dots at a bargain price? Not to bothered about which set as they’ve only just started asking for them, £15ish limit

@Clarabella72 Argos have the jewellery stand and photo holders £13 each but they're in the two for £15.

They also have kids blanket hoodies for £9.99 link I've bought three adults and done the Klarna payment options so I can send them back if they are terrible.

I was so disappointed in my local Sainsbury's toy sale. It's a decent sized store but it had barely anything really worth buying