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Original poster

Dd got BIG gift from my parents that we don't want -advice needed on what to do please!

44 replies

CantSleighWontSleigh · 28/12/2007 22:51

They bought her this trampoline for Christmas.
She does like her current trampoline (little toddler one with a bar to hold onto whilst she jumps), but is only 22 months, and we want her garden toys to be safe to leave her to play on. We don't feel that we'd be comfortable leaving her alone on this for quite some time.

Having looked through the TP site, the only things that we can see any point in getting are this trampoline or this. The problem with the trampoline is that it will take up a lot of garden space, and we have just applied for planning permission for a large conservatory extension, so we will be losing a lot of space out there as it is.

The spiro hop looks fun, and is something that I can see that we might have got in the future, but not for quite some time (min recommended age is 4!).

I don't get on particularly well with my parents, and they will think that we are being difficult.

I have already broached the subject of us thinking that their gift was unsuitable, and they have agreed to take it back, but that was before I looked at the TP site and found that there was nothing we really wanted as an alternative.

I can't imagine that TP will just issue a refund, as there is nothing wrong with what was bought, so I feel like we are going to be forced to have something that we really don't want yet/at all.

Can anyone offer any advice on what we should do, and how I should word it when speaking (or most likely emailing) my parents?

OP posts:
islandofsodor · 28/12/2007 22:55

Gosh, that is a bit unsuitable for a 22 month old!

Do you visit your parents a lot? My parents have a huge garden and buy presents for my dc that they know we don't have the space for but they keep them at their house which isn't a problem as they go there every weekend.

littlelapin · 28/12/2007 22:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

whomovedmychocolate · 28/12/2007 22:57

Put it on ebay and buy something more sensible. Maybe next year they will know better.

KristinaM · 28/12/2007 22:57

minimum recommended age is 36 months

i would not let my 3yo and my 7yo on it unsupervised, let alone my 24mo. and i used to be a trampoline coach

Tamum · 28/12/2007 22:58

I am not sure if the one you prefer is smaller, but if not can you not just get a net for the one they have bought you,or don't they come in that shape? I would have thought she'd be fine on it with a net in another year and a half or so.

WendyWeber · 28/12/2007 22:58

I think in the first instance I'd contact TP, explain the circs (esp DD's age) and ask if you can return for a full refund.

I bet this happens regularly and they won't want to piss off potential future customers, will they (not to mention all their MN friends )

Original poster
CantSleighWontSleigh · 28/12/2007 22:59

They'll have bought it from TP, as their shop is close to where they live, and we've been there before.

Don't visit a lot, as they are a good couple of hours away, and we argue if I spend long there! Plus they already have a couple of big garden toys there (bought on ebay!).

OP posts:
mustrunmorewantsanewname · 28/12/2007 23:00

Here's what I'd do.
Sell the swing you have in the garden. Buy a wooden single frame (or double, depending how much you want to spend etc; doulbe better to stop fights with friends!). Get the pirate swingboat for now, and something like the double seesawwy looking thing for later, ot a normal seat. Put the frame sideways to the house so its not intrusive IYSWIM. The boingy seesaw looks good though
Make up tale of a child having a terrible accident on a trampoline too old for them, to reinforce what you already said.

Or keep trampoline ans sink it in the ground so there's nowhere to fall to.

Original poster
CantSleighWontSleigh · 28/12/2007 23:01

Tamum - that was our first thought, but sadly it's about the only one that they don't make an enclosure for.

I guess I could phone TP myself and see what they say before I have to broach the subject with my parents again.

OP posts:
differentbutthesame · 28/12/2007 23:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EachPeachPearMum · 28/12/2007 23:03

Swap it for the bigbouncer (ooh err missus!) and put that into your new extension [facetious emoticon]

If you ebay it, you'll lose out big time at this time of year, sorry.

Original poster
CantSleighWontSleigh · 28/12/2007 23:03

mrm - I wondered about another swing, but we do have a non-baby seat for the existing swing, and my parents bought her the swing too, so don't think they'd like that they were just getting her another .

Am glad you all seem to agree that it was an unsuitable gift though, so dh and I know that we're not just being precious!

OP posts:
TheYoungVisiturkeyandstuffing · 28/12/2007 23:04

I heard a good suggestion on R4 the other day about ebaying - they suggested if you have unwanted gifts then take them back and ask for vouchers/store credit, then ebay the vouchers. Apparently this usually goes at about 80-90% of face value while goods (even brand new) often don't reach anywhere near that unless they are very sought-after, and of course you don't have the hassle/cost of arranging delivery.

Tell your parents you are exchanging their gift becuase, while you love it, you simply don't have space for it, ebay the vouchers for cash. Then if you think it would be polite you can always spend a bit of it on another, smaller trampoline.

mustrunmorewantsanewname · 28/12/2007 23:05

Er, like she wasnt just bought another trampoline, albeit bigger?!

Hang on, i'm going to have anotherlook at the site.

EachPeachPearMum · 28/12/2007 23:05

ooh- like mrm's idea of sinking into the ground! Would be very posh- and if you camouflaged with leaves, a very good burglar trap!

Tamum · 28/12/2007 23:06

Oh crumbs, Cantsleigh, if there's no possibility of ever getting a net then you're not being remotely precious- it will never be safe even when she's older. Get your parents to look at the ROSPA advice. I know what you mean about them thinking you are being difficult, I would have the same problem, but I think you're just going to have to tell them. Agree that phoning TP first is a good idea.

pinkteddy · 28/12/2007 23:06

My brother has the big bouncer version in his garden and dd was going on that from about 20 months (I used to go on it with her as she couldn't bounce properly!). She has always loved it and can't wait to go on it whenever we go round there. Our garden isn't big enough even for the smallest size unfortunately otherwise I would get one tomorrow - they never tire of it even when teenagers so it will have a long lifespan! I certainly wouldn't be happy with the one they bought you - even for much older children. What about swapping for the big bouncer - and if you haven't room, keeping it at your parents house? Otherwise I would go with the ebay suggestion if TP won't refund the money.

EachPeachPearMum · 28/12/2007 23:06

Precious? Hah- dd wouldn't even go on a mini hold-on trampoline without someone holding her waist!

mustrunmorewantsanewname · 28/12/2007 23:08

from house to playhouse!!

Original poster
CantSleighWontSleigh · 28/12/2007 23:08

But if she bounced off it she could still hurt herself landing on the grass!

Will bear that suggestion in mind if we can't find another resolution TYV - is certainly a worthwhile idea.

Right ladies - I must go to bed - was supposed to be having an early night. Will call TP tomorrow/next week (depending on whether they are open on Sats) and let you know what they say.

Thanks for all of your comments.

OP posts:
mustrunmorewantsanewname · 28/12/2007 23:11

She's going to bounce off alot more than grass before she grows up you know

Like the image of it being a burglar trap!

littlelapin · 28/12/2007 23:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fortyplus · 28/12/2007 23:11

We have a TP giant swing frame with 2 swings, trapeze rings and a 'Pirate boat'. The Pirate boat is a sort of swingboat and can be set very low to the ground. It's been in constant use since ds1 was 2... he's 14 now! Best value toy we've ever had!

Original poster
CantSleighWontSleigh · 28/12/2007 23:11

Stop it mrm - I thought dh was going to suggest that!

We can fit the big bouncer in the garden, just would prefer not to have to IYSWIM.
mrm - where would you site that in our garden, bearing in mind the planned changes?

(am going to bed, honest!)

OP posts:
mustrunmorewantsanewname · 28/12/2007 23:17

I'd have movedthe playhouse closer and put the big bouncer behind it by the field, to hide it from view Or, directly opposite the playhouse and make a half trellis thing using the stuff you'll have to move for the extension. You might not want it thickly planted while she's little, but by 3 or 4, you can put up a quick growing thing like russian vine, and hide it!