Page 31 | Beauty Advent Calendars Thread 12 - reeling in the aftermath of SFAC, we soldier on... 💄💋

LightandBreezy · 2026-10-11T17:54:42+00:00

Welcome to the 12th thread, we still have 50 days till the daily unboxing officially starts, although I very much doubt any of our calendars will remain untouched until then 😂 Still time for lots more friendly chat, tips and discount codes - to cut down on links as a poster requested, here's link to some very comprehensive run-downs of the calendars [[https://beauty-detective.com/category/beauty-advent-calendars/ https://beauty-detective.com/category/beauty-advent-calendars/]] When enjoying those breakdowns please remember that some are OOS already - Harrod's Fragrance, Harrod's Beauty and Selfridges Beauty to name a few.

NC543210 · 14/10/2026 16:42

Thank you for all your help and advice with this you lovely lot.

I really appreciate it. I actually feel tearful about it then pure rage!
I sent one final email earlier which said a lot but I highlighted this part (chatgpt helped)

I have to say, I am genuinely astonished by the position Selfridges has taken.

You have acknowledged that I am seeking to exercise my statutory rights, yet your response simply reiterates that you will not accept a return, arrange collection or offer anything beyond 5%

Could you please explain the legal basis on which Selfridges believes it can refuse my request to reject goods that arrived damaged?

Seahorses12 · 14/10/2026 16:56

IlovePond · 14/10/2026 16:09

@Thelifeofawife - I agree with other posters - get a hotel close to the venue that you can walk to but keep phones out of sight on the street, (even during the day).

I would also suggest using a crossbody bag with a zip and not putting wallets/phones in jeans pockets!

There will be loads of people pouring out of the venue at the end of the concert, so you won’t be wandering around on your own.

I would suggest using the toilets before the end of the concert, though - this avoids queues and makes sure that you leave at the same time as everyone else!

Edited to add:
DS2 got his phone snatched at Oxford Circus the other day by a thief on a bike. He had the presence of mind to shout that someone had stolen his phone and, rather unbelievably, a guy on a motorbike gave chase. The thieving scum bag then panicked and threw the phone on the ground.

On a related note:
I don’t know how many times I have told adult DS1 & 2 to keep phones out of sight, but it’s like talking to the wall 🙈 DS2 is now being more careful- I think 🤞

Edited

I love this story! So glad your DS got his phone back!

Batsratscatsgnats · 14/10/2026 16:58

I literally cabt believe how badly Selfridges has handled this whole debacle. Im not sure what their plan was with the calenders. I'd assume marketing? But they seem to be taking a similar stance as Michael o'Leary from Ryanair that any publicity is good publicity. Problem is one is a super budget airline, whose entire premise is get a flight for as cheap as possible, while he other is SUPPOSED to be a luxury goods supplier.
Not really feeling the luxury here.
Im absolutely boycotting them over how shit they've been. And im sure im nit the only one.
I really hope they lost a lot of custom and realise they cant treat their customers so badly and then expect their support. Twats.

Seahorses12 · 14/10/2026 17:00

Cyan7867 · 14/10/2026 14:42

That's my thoughts. Although Selfridges said it's a technical issue. I'm holding onto the tiniest thread of hope that it turns up.

What frustrates me is there's no goodwill voucher at all and they are quite happy to hold onto the money.

As a tiny consolation prize, the JL FAC appears to be back in stock so I have ordered one. Here is the link.

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-fragrance-advent-calendar/p115661227?s_share=jlappdroid

Thanks @Cyan7867 , I was so fed up by the two SFAC failures, but I've just bought the sweet JL FAC and feel so much better 🙂

Advententhusiast · 14/10/2026 17:11

Im happy to report Ive been reporting my buttocks off on Vinted and a lot of Harrods and Selfridges advents have been taken offline. 😇

IlovePond · 14/10/2026 17:12

I wonder if these JL a/c are new stock or returns?

I don’t know why I am tempted to repurchase it having sent it back - my 10% code works and still have my £40 credit following the refund.

If I took out all the tuberose scents that leaves about half. Is it worth me repurchasing it?

I will ponder, but I think it would probably be a mistake!

Advententhusiast · 14/10/2026 17:18

IlovePond · 14/10/2026 17:12

I wonder if these JL a/c are new stock or returns?

I don’t know why I am tempted to repurchase it having sent it back - my 10% code works and still have my £40 credit following the refund.

If I took out all the tuberose scents that leaves about half. Is it worth me repurchasing it?

I will ponder, but I think it would probably be a mistake!

Sell of the ones you dont want. Trade them on here and you basically get it for free.

This has been my girlmath method on pretty much every advent purchase Ive made lol

IDontHateRainbows · 14/10/2026 17:23

Advententhusiast · 14/10/2026 17:18

Sell of the ones you dont want. Trade them on here and you basically get it for free.

This has been my girlmath method on pretty much every advent purchase Ive made lol

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That is pretty much my modus operandi, if not free then heavily subsidised!

Theresalotgoingon · 14/10/2026 18:04

Just to add to Selfridges woes although minor in comparison to shocking story from @NC543210

My online Wishlist has been decimated after yesterday’s debacle. I did notice yesterday that everything cleared out but naively assumed they’d saved it for post SFAC frenzy and it would be restored today but nope…. So lost all my gift ideas.

Then I got a Jellycat release notification so went to buy a few using code UNLOCK1 which said worked but every time I went to check out the £7 (!!) postage kept getting added. Their website is absolute sh*te so I gave up and ordered direct from Jellycat with free postage!

finally just a word of caution if anyone has anything damaged in their AC or any delivery don’t post pics on here, or put a piece of paper with your username because those with nefarious intentions could copy them to make their own false complaint for refund.

Batsratscatsgnats · 14/10/2026 18:10

Oh ladies I have a confession. I have been a VERY BAD WIFE. I asked dh to get me F&M calendar for my birthday end of Nov but honestly hes scatty and tends to leave stuff till the last minute and I was so worried it would sell out that I HACKED HIS EMAIL.
Yes he has ordered it but now I am 50% excited and 50% guilty 😬
But i will definitely be joining the opening thread in Dec!!

DidILeaveTheGasOn · 14/10/2026 18:19

Oh I don't know if that's very bad wife status, I think we can let it slide in the grand scheme of BACs 😁

SucksToBeYou · 14/10/2026 18:23

Batsratscatsgnats · 14/10/2026 18:10

Oh ladies I have a confession. I have been a VERY BAD WIFE. I asked dh to get me F&M calendar for my birthday end of Nov but honestly hes scatty and tends to leave stuff till the last minute and I was so worried it would sell out that I HACKED HIS EMAIL.
Yes he has ordered it but now I am 50% excited and 50% guilty 😬
But i will definitely be joining the opening thread in Dec!!

Well if he wasnt scatty and didnt leave things to the last minute, you wouldn't have to hack his email, so who is really at fault here? Its just a BACcident 🤷🏻‍♀️

MaryBD · 14/10/2026 18:25

Just got a new email saying:
WEEK 40 (4/10–10/10)
Selfridges Fragrance Advent Launch

SheilaFentiman · 14/10/2026 18:32

MaryBD · 14/10/2026 18:25

Just got a new email saying:
WEEK 40 (4/10–10/10)
Selfridges Fragrance Advent Launch

Gosh, what an extremely on-time heads up!!!!

Goldleafcat · 14/10/2026 18:34

SheilaFentiman · 14/10/2026 18:32

Gosh, what an extremely on-time heads up!!!!

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That does seem odd!

Addictedtobeauty · 14/10/2026 18:36

MaryBD · 14/10/2026 18:25

Just got a new email saying:
WEEK 40 (4/10–10/10)
Selfridges Fragrance Advent Launch

That doesn’t even make sense.

Honestly so sick of Selfridges, They’ve sucked the joy out of their offerings and can shove their FAC somewhere it might mask the stench from their dodgy business practices.

MaryBD · 14/10/2026 18:44

SheilaFentiman · 14/10/2026 18:32

Gosh, what an extremely on-time heads up!!!!

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This!

Doglover73 · 14/10/2026 18:46

OvaHere · 14/10/2026 11:26

Yes this is a SNK issue, not Royal Mail. I've noticed samples are out of stock quite a lot too. If they restructure their rewards system too there will be less of an incentive to use them as much.

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Is there talk of restructure? Minimum delivery has gone up as well x

Botanique · 14/10/2026 18:52

SucksToBeYou · 14/10/2026 18:23

Well if he wasnt scatty and didnt leave things to the last minute, you wouldn't have to hack his email, so who is really at fault here? Its just a BACcident 🤷🏻‍♀️

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BACcident

mooshkymoo · 14/10/2026 18:56

this may have already been mentioned, but if anyone was due an evri delivery to collection point on Monday and hasn’t received a notification, it’s worth checking in with the shop. Mine was there, despite evri saying it was still out for delivery. Think there was a problem with the system on Monday and parcels weren’t scanning properly.

Growlybear83 · 14/10/2026 19:13

Advententhusiast · 14/10/2026 17:11

Im happy to report Ive been reporting my buttocks off on Vinted and a lot of Harrods and Selfridges advents have been taken offline. 😇

Me too 😆😆

NC543210 · 14/10/2026 19:46

BeanNaGealai · 14/10/2026 16:13

What? They can't refuse to allow you to exercise your statutory rights.

Your best bet at this stage is to get the bank to do a chargeback. Send them a copy of selfridges refusal to honour your statutory rights.

Or you can email the CEO ([email protected]) and cc customer services. Gemini suggests the following:

I am writing to formally escalate a critical failure by your customer service department regarding order #[Order Number] (a 12-day advent calendar which arrived with two smashed/broken bottles).
Your customer service team has issued a "final position" stating that Selfridges is "unable to arrange a return" and will only offer an £11.25 goodwill gesture. This stance is a direct violation of UK statutory law.
Under Section 20 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, I have an absolute Short-Term Right to Reject goods that are not of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, or as described within 30 days of delivery. Because the item arrived broken, it is inherently faulty. A retailer's internal store policy or "final position" cannot override my statutory rights. I am legally entitled to a full refund upon rejecting the item, and Selfridges is responsible for the return or disposal.
I am disappointed that a luxury brand like Selfridges is choosing to breach consumer protection laws over a damaged seasonal item.
If a full refund is not processed within 5 working days, I will proceed with the following actions without further communication:

Instruct my bank to initiate a Chargeback for "goods arrived damaged / not as described," using your customer service email thread as evidence of a statutory breach to ensure a forced reversal of the funds.
Submit a formal report to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer service regarding Selfridges' policy of denying statutory return rights on damaged items.

I hope that someone in your executive team will review this and ensure my statutory rights are respected. I have attached the photographs of the damaged calendar and broken bottles again for your reference. I look forward to your prompt confirmation of a full refund.

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Thank you for this.

I sent this email, it kept bouncing back from the CEO email but I managed to find an ethics and compliance email address that I've sent it too.
Hoping they do something.

Couldn't call the bank today as was stuck at work. I'll give Selfridges until Monday to respond and sort and then approach the bank again.

I just cannot get over it all. The absolute audacity.
" I see you want to exercise your statuary rights, but no" infuriating.

In more cheerful news I bought myself a tiny sample of Memo Marfa and have fallen in love with it. It is much nicer than everything in the sfac and I just wish I'd bought that haha. I also blind bought an Arabic perfume from Tik tok which I also really love. £15! It reminds me a lot of by the fireplace.

Hicupping · 14/10/2026 19:49

NC543210 · 14/10/2026 19:46

Thank you for this.

I sent this email, it kept bouncing back from the CEO email but I managed to find an ethics and compliance email address that I've sent it too.
Hoping they do something.

Couldn't call the bank today as was stuck at work. I'll give Selfridges until Monday to respond and sort and then approach the bank again.

I just cannot get over it all. The absolute audacity.
" I see you want to exercise your statuary rights, but no" infuriating.

In more cheerful news I bought myself a tiny sample of Memo Marfa and have fallen in love with it. It is much nicer than everything in the sfac and I just wish I'd bought that haha. I also blind bought an Arabic perfume from Tik tok which I also really love. £15! It reminds me a lot of by the fireplace.

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Was it this one, this is supposed to be similar to Fireplace I was going to get it but forgot www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235379268414?

NC543210 · 14/10/2026 20:01

Hicupping · 14/10/2026 19:49

Was it this one, this is supposed to be similar to Fireplace I was going to get it but forgot www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235379268414?

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Yes this is it.
I absolutely love it.
It arrived yesterday and I wore it to work and I can still smell it! Put it on at 6am and just got home.
I've had 2 people compliment it too.

I had the original by the fireplace and loved that too but it used to last a couple of hours.

BeanNaGealai · 14/10/2026 20:01

NC543210 · 14/10/2026 19:46

Thank you for this.

I sent this email, it kept bouncing back from the CEO email but I managed to find an ethics and compliance email address that I've sent it too.
Hoping they do something.

Couldn't call the bank today as was stuck at work. I'll give Selfridges until Monday to respond and sort and then approach the bank again.

I just cannot get over it all. The absolute audacity.
" I see you want to exercise your statuary rights, but no" infuriating.

In more cheerful news I bought myself a tiny sample of Memo Marfa and have fallen in love with it. It is much nicer than everything in the sfac and I just wish I'd bought that haha. I also blind bought an Arabic perfume from Tik tok which I also really love. £15! It reminds me a lot of by the fireplace.

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Hopefully they will see sense. There is also the social media option where you enquire publicly if it is their policy to deny customers their statutory rights.