Thread 22 - the one with mad sheep disease

[Reastie]

Thanks to @friskybivalves for the title

I think we might actually make it to 25 threads!!

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

Affiliate Advertising policy: Mumsnet carries some affiliate marketing links, which means we earn commission on sales of some products when users click through a link from the site. Our editorial content is NOT influenced by affiliate partnerships. You may not post affiliate links without the prior permission of Mumsnet.

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.

Independent online businesses to look here for links recommended or own businesses.

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

Thanks for the new thread @Reastie.

Thank you @Reastie

Oooh shiny new thread. I was alerted to not on amazon fb thread that has some lovely independent sellers. Have ordered some truffles for a friend from one.

@purplepandas
I bought this flexible LED neck torch for my FIL. It's pretty handy and costs exactly £5 but is part of Boots 342 so you can get it even cheaper.

If anyone's looking for hand made jewellery I'd really suggest mama tiger lily on Facebook. I've had a lot of things over the years and they're really affordable. Not involved in any way other than a customer!

Eek that seems a bad link for some reason. If you look at the Boots site it is Ingenious Flexible Torch.

Oh we are flying through these babies this year! Thanks for another thread Reastie!

I’ve finished my Christmas shopping now but can’t help following these threads still... probably not good for the bank balance!

Thank you for the new thread. Marking my place.

Does Black Friday start tomorrow? I know there have already been deals on Amazon but will there be better deals this week? Hoping for some Lego.

Anyone have any ideas for my mum? She's in her 70s and has mobility issues and health problems so hasn't been out or had anyone in the house since March. She also can't see well.

I've got her so far fingerless gloves, a calendar of the kids and a soft fleecy blanket.

I have a Matalan code for 25% off if any use to anyone
DIG38E-5XK-01Z9WD-492
Only valid until today

As posted on previous thread, I'm looking for a Switch Neon bundle offer for Switch + Animal Crossing (and Minecraft if poss) if anyone can tell me where I can look for the best deals. Nintendo site was raised as a prospect (thank you) but I'm sure I read alternative options in a prior thread when I thought I'd bought one (before Asda cancelled my order). Just lost the one that was in my Amazon basket at £317 and Curry's deal has vanished so any help appreciated.

@thaegumathteth, have you considered an Alexa and an Audible subscription? If your mum enjoys books it could be a nice way to maintain access to them and the Alexa could be used for calling family, getting forecasts, recipes etc. too.

(Assuming one of you can go in safely and set it up for her, of course.)

Decided last minute to do our normal book advent.... 48 books to buy.... The book people are my usual go to... But obviously they have gone now.
I'm looking at books 4 people.... Does anyone know of any codes at all? Please! 😊
Ds has been talking about a christmas carol..... Just after I didn't grab the offer from a few threads ago.... If anyone has the link that would be amazing.
Thank you

@kulaexchange - sorry for late reply, I had Cassiopeia, Andromeda, Orion, Canis Major, Little Dipper and the Plough!

@thaegumathteth I got a relative in similar circumstances the jam advent calendar mentioned on another thread. She's thrilled with it. She does have toast most days so figured it makes it a bit more interesting having a suprise what jam it is that day. I know I get bored thinking about meals.

Has anyone seen a dressing gown with cuffs? My forearms always get very cold as my current dressing gown's sleeves gape so would love one with cuffs. (But don't fancy an Oodie!)

@CoffeeAndEnnui there's rumours that both Aldi and Tesco will have the Switch (on its own, no games) for £229 at some point this week. Might just be fake news but worth a gamble if true. Failing that, looks like Amazon will have some of their bundles in stock from Nov 24

@purplepandas I know you've already had suggestions but my mum got my DD a huge (and I do mean huge!) cuddly sloth in our local Aldi a few weeks ago. Might be worth looking there. I can't remember how much she said it was but I remember thinking it was a great price given the size of it!

@yafilthyanimalandahappynewyear I am with you! @reastie we are going to need to know more of this sorcery of 12 minute bedtimes. Pretty please!

@CoffeeAndEnnui that would be a great idea but we don't live in the same country. She's pretty technically literate but has a computer for Skype etc so I think she'd not bother tbh.

@Scout2016 I'll take a look at that. She has problems with her blood sugar though so not sure if it's be ok.

@unkindnessofravens, it WAS Aldi!!! I knew it was somewhere really odd. Thank you. I might be brave and white knuckle it for another 48 hours then. This will be dd's first-ever gaming anything and a huge huge surprise (I'm really not keen but she's nearly 10 so I think I've held out long enough) which will be totally fubar'd if I've mistimed buying the bloody thing!

[quote CoffeeAndEnnui]@unkindnessofravens, it WAS Aldi!!! I knew it was somewhere really odd. Thank you. I might be brave and white knuckle it for another 48 hours then. This will be dd's first-ever gaming anything and a huge huge surprise (I'm really not keen but she's nearly 10 so I think I've held out long enough) which will be totally fubar'd if I've mistimed buying the bloody thing![/quote]

I am also looking for a switch (not bothered too much about games, but don't want fortnite!) so will shout if I see any