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Original poster

Bought the wrong Barbie Dreamhouse

134 replies

EJ72 · 27/11/2022 21:50

This is actually about a birthday present, but posted here for traffic.

Ok, this is going to sound mad but please be gentle with me.

DD turned 9 today. She’s a young 9, and we bought her the Barbie Dreamhouse, which she is delighted with. Never thought I’d buy such a big load of plastic, but I’ve realised she absolutely loves it and will definitely play with it so all good…

Except I’ve realised we’ve bought the wrong one. I’ve been horrendously busy with my teaching job all term (crazy stress), DH bought this a good couple of months ago on Amazon. I thought, ok that’s fine, job done, though why TF did I not do my own research, as tbh, can never trust DH to buy anything… and now I realise he has bought the 2020 model (only available on Amazon, nowhere else) and my DD has been showing me pics for a few weeks of the one she really wanted. It’s much MUCH nicer (not that I’ve admitted that to her). Just annoyed at myself for letting DH deal with this. He’s irritatingly only interested in getting a bargain and I failed to realise why this one was cheaper 😞

utterly first world problem

Please tell me a) to get over myself b) flog it (beautifully built today) on eBay / local forum and buy the other one (Smyths at £179.99 right now - pretty much what we paid for the old one). PS we don’t buy many things for my DD so it’s not like she’s used to being ‘spoiled’ with loads of stuff…this is the first time she’s been given something she was v keen on. I just feel I’ve messed up and feel sad for her. As she knows it’s not quite the nice one.

OP posts:
AgathaMystery · 27/11/2022 21:52

I think your feelings are valid. Can you ask DD what she thinks?

tickticksnooze · 27/11/2022 21:55

Can you afford to take the loss on it if you sell on and buy the other one?

Original poster
EJ72 · 27/11/2022 21:59

Bless you @AgathaMystery.
I know she’s a bit disappointed. I can tell. She played with it a lot today but later on we had a look at some barbies online as she only has one or two… possible dolls for Christmas, and we scrolled past the dream house online and she said, look that’s it. Etc etc. And a couple of times today I’ve had to say the other one would be too big etc… Even tonight the last thing she said to me was ‘Well, I think I have room for my (homemade, cardboard 😂 😞) extra beds I made… I might not have had room in the other one for those). All suggests making do and a bit of sadness… argh!

OP posts:
Original poster
EJ72 · 27/11/2022 22:02

@tickticksnooze yes. Won’t break the bank…
DH will think I’m mad. He won’t get it (but then he never would….).

OP posts:
Celeryfavour · 27/11/2022 22:04

If I could take the financial hit I'd get her the good one. I've got my DD an ott present just because I think it's the last year she'd love it. All too soon they will only want trainers and make up. Or money.

CheesenCrackersmm · 27/11/2022 22:07

She’s a young 9, and we bought her the Barbie Dreamhouse, which she is delighted with. Never thought I’d buy such a big load of plastic, but I’ve realised she absolutely loves it and will definitely play with it so all good

Really struggling to see the issue here.

Original poster
EJ72 · 27/11/2022 22:07

Thank you @Celeryfavour . My feelings exactly. The fact that my 9 year old wants a dreamhouse at all makes me so happy. I just want it to be right, as she’ll only have a year or so of wanting it…

Ladies, you are so kind. I am so glad you are on my wavelength

OP posts:
BadgerLovesMash · 27/11/2022 22:08

Is there a particular feature that isn't in the house she has but is in the dream one that you could buy elsewhere to add on? Eg a swimming pool or slide?

I dont know much about the houses so not sure on the differences.

I think you really have to big up the one she has and maybe chat about things she could add to enhance it. You could make some bits or ask for them for Christmas. There's loads of ideas on pinterest!

Original poster
EJ72 · 27/11/2022 22:08

Hmm @CheesenCrackersmm you have a point.

OP posts:
EverybodyDance · 27/11/2022 22:11

I'd take some photos of it and list in on Facebook marketplace and if it sells it sells and you get the other one and if it doesn't then just leave things how they are.

zaffa · 27/11/2022 22:11

I'd do it OP, if you can afford it and it won't cause hardship. Also sell the old one.

Yes, some might see it as a waste of money or whatever, but it's not their money and we all waste money on things that are important to us (and don't consider it wasting!).

If it was me and DD had her heart set on it I'd absolutely do what I could to make it happen.

AgathaMystery · 27/11/2022 22:12

zaffa · 27/11/2022 22:11

I'd do it OP, if you can afford it and it won't cause hardship. Also sell the old one.

Yes, some might see it as a waste of money or whatever, but it's not their money and we all waste money on things that are important to us (and don't consider it wasting!).

If it was me and DD had her heart set on it I'd absolutely do what I could to make it happen.

Me too. It’s so so rare for my DC to ask for a specific thing that I would get it if I could afford it.

Original poster
EJ72 · 27/11/2022 22:13

But I know there’s a bit of disappointment too. But I know DH would say the same thing as you - already has (which is why I’ve snuck off to seek reassurance / canvas opinion on mumsnet😆)

OP posts:
JessicaPeach · 27/11/2022 22:14

I'd get her the other one as well if it won't be too much of an issue. I imagine dream houses sell really well on marketplace at this time of year so I bet you'll make a good return with it being so new.

JessicaPeach · 27/11/2022 22:17

I read something on here a few years ago that always sticks with me (and it was about dream houses originally too I think) that if you have a specific thing you really want, you'd be quite hurt if your husband or whoever said 'well yes but I think this one is better/cheaper etc' and why do we think it's ok to do that with stuff our kids want. I know we all do it to a point and there's other things to consider like money etc but I do try to always get the thing they wanted rather than what I think is better.

Hope I've phrased that the right way!

Original poster
EJ72 · 27/11/2022 22:18

@AgathaMystery @zaffa thank you. I’m half laughing half weeping at my pathetic feelings and glad others identify with the feeling…

I think you are right about bigging up this one, though,@BadgerLovesMash

I might have to sleep on it

OP posts:
ThatshallotBaby · 27/11/2022 22:19

I’d get her the one she really wants. You probably will be able to sell the other one.
Could you combine with Christmas somehow to keep dh on side?

Original poster
EJ72 · 27/11/2022 22:23

Wonderful yes, @JessicaPeach that really makes sense. to be fair to my DH (and I know you weren’t suggesting it was his fault either - I was the one suggesting it was only about the money!)) I don’t think he realised it was an old model either. But that’s typical too. If there’s one thing that causes tension (and it does, all the time), it’s his lack of attention to the detail… he just would simply not have noticed that it was an old version only available from one seller…)

OP posts:
BungleandGeorge · 27/11/2022 22:24

You won’t get much back for it second hand. £180 is a pretty generous present for a birthday! What has the other one got extra? Half the time they just want things for the marketing.

Allmyarseandpeggymartin · 27/11/2022 22:25

Have you got links to them? (Loved barbie as a kid and I’m being nosy)

ThatshallotBaby · 27/11/2022 22:26

The newer one is actually a lot better tbf.

Scout2016 · 27/11/2022 22:26

I think if even you as an adult can see the new one is better / nicer then it's justified. It's also justified in terms of admitting a mistake was made, making the effort to put it right and showing you care. Role modelling a life lesson or something, as the Americans might say.
As a PP said, if I asked for blue gloves and DH got me red because they were cheaper I'd be miffed.

I'm not clear though, does your DH know he got the "wrong" model, and did he do it deliberately to save money? The first is just a mistake, the latter is a bit unfair and deserves putting right. He has no right to complain if he knowingly bought the wrong present.

m00rfarm · 27/11/2022 22:26

DOn't sell the old one until you have got the one you actually want in your house - you can guarantee that if you sell the old one then you won't be able to find the one you want!

JessicaPeach · 27/11/2022 22:27

EJ72 · 27/11/2022 22:23

Wonderful yes, @JessicaPeach that really makes sense. to be fair to my DH (and I know you weren’t suggesting it was his fault either - I was the one suggesting it was only about the money!)) I don’t think he realised it was an old model either. But that’s typical too. If there’s one thing that causes tension (and it does, all the time), it’s his lack of attention to the detail… he just would simply not have noticed that it was an old version only available from one seller…)

Yes I knew you werent blaming him in that way, just making the comparison. I think the joy of her getting the one she really wanted would outweigh it all for me but I'm a bit soft like that!

Scout2016 · 27/11/2022 22:30

Ignore my last bit, sorry, you say it looks like a mistake on DHs part.
Fine to rectify it though.

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