Roka lucky dip.

[NoOneKnowsWhoYouAre]

Anyone else playing this year; rokalondon.com/pages/lucky-dip

I'm thinking of going for a midi! Looking for a free shipping cod ethough

I don't like the shiny nylon material at all only the canvas type so I won't be doing it this year I don't think

They're decent sturdy bags though with strong zips and useful pockets

I’ve got a small sized Canfield that I use for work. It fits in my laptop, a water bottle and a coffee cup in just fine and stops me from carrying too much crap around which I always do in a larger bag! I just stuff a cloth tote bag in there in case I need it.

I am sorry you didn't get a variation, but it is the luck of the draw as to what you get. I have to assume there is some sort of system about what goes out when.

But it is a risk you take so I don't think it's fair to tell people to avoid as you were not happy.

Going on last year's thread, I'm pretty sure that someone will want to swap with you if you are open to that.

From what I recall there did seem to be similar bags going out at the same time. People seemed to be getting the Bantry at the same time, and bucket hats too. So again, maybe they have stock in sections which get cleared out before going on to the next load. I got a Finchley and so did quite a few people who ordered the same time as me.

It is a bit of a gamble, but I don't disagree that they could have put two different styles in your order.

I still get surprised by how much I can get in mine too. It's deceivingly spacious.

Aw, I’m glad for you. I am SO hacked off, I just want my money back off them so I can get something I can actually, you know, use!

I would need to trade up two sizes, I can’t conceive of anyone wanting to swap a decent sized anything for such a small product- do you know if anyone managed to swap ‘up’ size wise like that last year?

This is now such a faff, the returns lot at Roka aren’t even open until into January and they haven’t updated their system so they have no record my rubbish lucky dips have been ‘fulfilled’ (LOL!) so I can’t even start the sodding returns process. If that doesn’t happen til January I’ll either have to take time off work to enable a return, or DH will need to drop his Saturday hobby so I can do it then. ☹️. And by then I’ll have likely missed the sales and the possibility of getting a decent Sandqvist….

(The dispatcher though?! who in their right mind thinks any person would want TWO sodding tiny bags?!!! Aargghhhh!)

I got a bit carried a way by Roka lucky dip fever a couple of years ago. And ended up with several lifetimes worth of bags 🙂fortunately I managed to use them up as gifts, which were well received.

Just remember, a Roka bag is for life, not just for posting on MN.

AVOID AVOID AVOID

But how can it at a the same time be ‘the luck of the draw’, and there ‘must be some sort of system about what goes out when’? If there is a system, then it can’t be the luck of the draw really. My gripe is at some point, a real person put two identical useless products into a single parcel and didn’t think for a moment perhaps that was a daft thing to do? Or if that is the ROKA system, they are just using this to shift old underselling low VFM stock. The ROKA website encourages multiple purchases too…. All this is very good for their balance sheet, no?

This reflects really badly on the brand. And their system to enable returns is non-functional, and staff away until late next week.

It’s all really poor. And I hope others perhaps look at my experience and learn from it. If I’d have known, no way I’d have gone ahead with one, leave two.

So all in all, reasonable for me to say AVOID. And I say it again AVOID!!

😁 or for as few days as possible in my case.
(v generous of you- but I can’t afford to just gift these on, wish I could).

Nope, only 7 litres (!) it wont fit my work laptop (standard issue lenovo), and I need my charger, headphones, one workbook, one book book, a 750ml water bottle and a brolly. Occasionally I’d bring in small bento of salad and or fruit. If I stuck with this pointless Bantry I would have to wander around with the laptop on show and never achieve my five a day 🥴

They admit to the sale being stock that didn't go into production or samples so naturally also older stock that hasn't moved.

Again, many people have been very happy with what they received. Many swapped if they weren't.

So yes, it is unfair to slate a company for something you received and didn't like, when it's made clear that you could get any of the products within that category.

Whilst I understand you are disappointed, I think shouting AVOID all over the place is a little unfair. You didn’t pay full price for these. The lucky dip was a gamble and whilst yes, they could have put two different items in, I think they clear a shelf or bucket at any one time. So they have to empty that before opening the next container. Some people may have been happy with two similar products - someone buying a lucky dip for two children perhaps (saving many arguments). Just because you were not happy does not mean Roka is a company to be avoided.
The lucky dip is just that - a lucky dip. You were unlucky. Others have been lucky. I’m hoping for a small bag as I already have a large (have had for 7 years and it’s serving me well and has stood up to a lot of abuse).
There is a returns system in place. Again, it is unfortunate that this is inconvenient for you. But it is there. Same with the swap thread here or on Facebook. You may still end up with what you want at half the cost it would have been had you purchased it outright.
The lucky dip was always going to be a gamble.You knew that when you purchased it.

Deleted as posted duplicate.

If you've got such stringent necessity in what you carry, why are you doing a lucky dip in the first place? Seems misguided to me.

"Oo I hope I get a bag that's big enough for all of the stuff I HAVE to carry..."
If you HAVE to carry all that stuff everyday, find a bag that fits it instead of hoping you'll get lucky..

The returns system isn’t functional. It isn’t only inconvenient, it isn’t possible for me to return. I explained in my post.

And because I am unable to make a return, so Roka continue to hold onto my money. As a gamble, it REALLY favours the company.

And there is no point me (or anyone!) getting anything half price if it is of no use to them whatsoever! 🤪 Again, great for the company, they get to clear their over supplied poorer VFM products out, not so much for people like me 🤷‍♀️

Also, just to add, all the bags are pre-packaged into dark, non-see through bags this year, so it is not the dispatchers fault that you got two small bantrys as they cant see whats in each bag. It is a lucky dip and the clue is in the description unfortunately. It's very clear what is included within each lucky dip on the website - there is no guarantee of a bigger bag. If you go into it expecting to get something you will be disappointed. I don't blame the staff at Roka at all if I don't get something to my liking, they are just doing a job and bagging up items, it's a bit unfair to have a go at them. Over the last couple of years of lucky dips I've received some wonderful bags and that was luck of the draw, many people did swaps or sold on vinted if their item wasnt to their liking. I'm sorry you feel that way about what you got.

Jesus some people are dramatic.
The warehouse people haven't purposefully gone out of their way to annoy you. They probably don't even have discretion, it's probably a handhold computer that tells them to pack it and they have to do just that also they probably have so many to do they don't have time to analyse whether you'd like your product.

Honestly, I looked at the range available and there are many, many more products which would work for me (ie can accommodate a standard laptop) than those which don’t.

So to that extent it was a punt, but as more products could work for me than don’t, and I don’t care a fig about colour or type, it should have worked out, especially with two [unlucky, improbable] dips.

In the event, as OvaHere pointed out, I hadn’t appreciated the extent to which ROKA would have excess over supplied low VFM products into the maxi category to try to get rid. Getting two was to try and mitigate further, but laughable to end up with two identical inadequate bags- merely points up what Ova concluded last year 🤷‍♀️

My challenge now is getting my money back in time so I can afford a Sandqvist which can work for me.

And now also revived last year's thread to complain there too. 😶

This lucky dip has been going for a few years now and most people are happy with what they get. I think you are over reacting a bit to repeatedly telling people to AVOID on multiple posts. The small bags are not as tiny as you are making out, I use mine as a work bag and it is big enough for that. I agree it’s really rubbish you got two of the same albeit in different colours, but that’s the risk with lucky dip. I was disappointed in what I got last year, but the year I got an £84.99 bag in a great colour for £29.99 so I’m very happy with that 🤷🏻‍♀️

Be doing 2022/21 for extra drama next.

Should have gone to Sandqvist...

Or Aer.. or Alpaka.. or Boundary Supply.. or Osprey.. or Timbuk2.. or Bellroy.. or Troubadour.. or Rains.. or Able Carry.. or GoRuck.. or TNF

And got a bag to fit the gear you have to carry.
You took a gamble, you lost, that's not Rokas problem.. buyers remorse is a bugger..

To be fair I think everyone else on this thread is just enjoying the fun of it. I enjoy putting in an order each year and following the threads to see what people got. Most people are pretty light hearted about it and if they get something they don't want just swap or sell. This kind of behaviour on the chats is quite unsavoury, I dont understand why someone needs to post things like this and can't just get a refund and be done with it? People buy online or in shops all the time and return things, there's really no need to spread anger and have a personal vendetta against a brand.

FFS some people are drama queens.
If you have really specific requirements a luck dip is not for you.

If you want a bit of fun, don't mind much about size or colour or are happy to put time, effort and a wee bit of money into a swap, then maybe a lucky dip is for you.

Last year I got a Paddington. Would I have purposely buy a round bag - no, has it proved to be a great dog walking bag - oh yes.

Well said. It really soured what was until that point a very nice light hearted thread.

If you don't like what you've got that's fine but seriously the repeated unfair comments and shouts to avoid were just so unnecessary.

Stick them on Vinted for what you paid plus £5- then when they are favourited make an offer to what you paid

No more hassle than taking to post office to return.

They will sell very quickly- mine did last year- as I said at the top- the lucky dip wasn't for me but I am definitely someone with a certain style- I got sucked in last year- didn't work out but I didn't lose out in the end. You might even make a few £££s- I did on 1 of mine as it was a desirable one- just not my colour.