I’ve just been mugged

Nov 14th, 2009

by Dan.

Remember when I ranted about how much I dislike the horsey set? And here when I complained about the unstoppable and all pervasive Hannah Montana merchandising machine and it’s effect on my daughter?

Well look what I just went out and spent thirty quid on:

Thirty quid! For a couple of pieces of badly sculpted plastic!! You could get three hundred packets of Space Raiders for that amount! Or forty hours worth of parking in the Huddersfield bus station car park. Or even better – six Smokey and the Bandit 3 disk DVD box sets! (that’s my entire Christmas shopping sorted out then).

But no, I have to spend £30 on Hannah Mon-bloody-tana and her mutant faced horse Blue Jeans. Goddamn Disney corporation exploiting the fact that my love for my daughter is stronger than my half baked principles.

It’s not like it will ever get played with, that’s the galling thing. It’ll just get thrown on the pile with all the other bits of pink plastic. But Amy’s birthday is next weekend and she’s been consistently pining for this toy for six months now. And to be honest it’ll be worth the £30 to see her excitement when she opens it, especially since I’ve told her that the shop was sold out and I bought her a Batman action figure instead.

To make matters even worse Evan was with me at the toy shop so I also ended up shelling out fifteen pounds for this:

Fifteen pounds! For a couple of chunks of wood with some wheels nailed to them! I mean who the hell is it supposed to be anyway. The package says it’s “Flora” and her carriage from Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, but she’s never been in any of the episodes that I’ve seen.

Goddamn Thomas the Tank Engine franchise exploiting the fact that I want to be able to get through the checkout of Toys R Us without having to deal with a major meltdown.

Actually ten pounds of that fifteen was Evans birthday money, which is why I was willing to part with it. And he does play with his wooden trains a hell of a lot, but still – that doesn’t change the fact that it was incredibly overpriced.

There is a serious post to be had here somewhere about the increasing lack of non-franchised toys and the ridiculous premium that we parents are duped into paying for a brand logo. But at the moment I’m not up to writing it. I’m still in shock from my sudden short sharpe pain in the wallet. I think I might have to go out and buy myself something to ease my trauma.

This £269 Star Wars Lego Death Star should just about do it.

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Posted in: Rant.
Tagged: Hannah Montana · Lego · star Wars · Thomas the Tank Engine · Toys

54 Comments on “I’ve just been mugged”

#1 Sew Scrumptious
on Nov 14th, 2009 at 11:16 pm

ha ha. This made me laugh. We’ve just had to buy Rapunzel Barbie for my daughter and have also entered the Disney princess phase after a long Thomas phase. I have to say charity shops are a pretty good bet for Thomas things much to my other halfs horror! Thing is once they get into Thomas they end up with an encylopedic knowledge of all the trains and you can’t fob them off with any old Percy or James!
Sew Scrumptious´s last blog ..Whos the daddy?

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Dan Reply:
November 14th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
@Sew Scrumptious, Those thomas trains go for quite a bit on ebay so if you see any in a charity shop I’d snap them up if they are cheap enough.

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#2 Rosie Scribble
on Nov 14th, 2009 at 11:38 pm

Hannah Montana is definitely overrated. My daughter put her in the bath and she went mouldy. An expensive mistake that I would hate Amy to experience with her new toy.
She has been much kinder to Thomas. Her £10 Thomas the Tank engine train is still going strong atfer 4 years which is pretty good depreciation.
Just wait unti they want a Wii, a branded laptop or an iphone (or is that just me!)
Rosie Scribble´s last blog ..Christmas is not magical for everyone

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Dan Reply:
November 14th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
@Rosie Scribble, those thomas wooden toys actually resell on ebay for some pretty decent prices, even the battered one. Certainly they are high enough for me to conclude I might as well get a new one.

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#3 notSupermum
on Nov 14th, 2009 at 11:39 pm

Yep, you’ve been mugged alright. But guess what? It happens to most parents, and we learn to live with it. My two girls are past the age of dolls etc. but I’ve bought plenty of them in the past. I don’t suppose you know anyone who wants 30 second-hand, ugly, big-headed dolls with huge feet do you?
notSupermum´s last blog ..The Teenager is no longer ‘in-waiting’

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Dan Reply:
November 14th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
@notSupermum, “I don’t suppose you know anyone who wants 30 second-hand, ugly, big-headed dolls with huge feet do you?”

Err, I think you might want to work on your sales pitch a bit.

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notSupermum Reply:
November 15th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
@Dan, Yeah, you’re right.

Do you know anyone who wants to buy 30 pre-loved ugly, big-headed dolls with huge feet? That better?
notSupermum´s last blog ..The Teenager is no longer ‘in-waiting’

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#4 Arjan
on Nov 14th, 2009 at 11:49 pm

sounds like my plastic paintable dolls aren’t that expensive afterall :P

As for the deathstar…you’re kidding about the price aren’t you…
Arjan´s last blog ..Death Korps of Krieg

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Dan Reply:
November 14th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
@Arjan, no, i never kid about lego death stars.

you should see how expensive the millennium falcon is:

http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=10179&cn=233

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#5 Idaho Dad
on Nov 15th, 2009 at 2:30 am

Wait a minute, what’s this? We have a huge boxload of wooden Thomas engines. Sounds like I just found my airplane ticket!

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Dan Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
@Idaho Dad, seriously man, have a look on ebay – they go for a fortune.

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#6 Seattledad
on Nov 15th, 2009 at 6:12 am

They have you right where they want you Dan. Just tell em not to squeeze to hard.
Seattledad´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: ‘You Asked for More’ Edition

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Dan Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
@Seattledad, I don’t mind my kids having me where they want me, its the corperations having my kids where they want them that worries me.

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#7 Mark
on Nov 15th, 2009 at 8:57 am

Not that warhammer models are over priced at all!? I seem to recall a certain longing on your part for some of those…

My rule on presents is that it mustn’t have ‘loads of bits; single piece toys area must. The trains resell well too, so when it’s time for ours to go, I’ll let you know.

Now there is an idea – how about organising a bloggers version of swap shop – you could be Cheggers,, I’ll be Noel.
Mark´s last blog ..Personal space

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Dan Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
@Mark, Warhammer models are vastly overpriced – however it was a computer game based on warhammer that I was pining for (although I have recently bought some models too).

I love “lots of bits” presents – lego, palymobil, and all that sort of stuff. I’d have loved them as a kid and so want my kids to love them now.

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#8 SingleParentDad
on Nov 15th, 2009 at 11:31 am

Is that the same Death Star you told my son I’d buy him if I loved him enough?

And THAT Lego catelogue you gave him, that’s just feeding a (expensive) habit man.
SingleParentDad´s last blog ..Why am I the default bin?

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Kelloggsville Reply:
November 15th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
@SingleParentDad,
That’s really funny – did he really say that to your son?!!!!!!!!!! That’s just so funny :0)))))))))))))))
Kelloggsville´s last blog ..Conversation I had with my Husband tonight

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Dan Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
@Kelloggsville, I did say that to Max yes, and I found it very amusing too. Single Parent Dad didn’t find it quite as amusing for some reason though :)

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#9 Kelloggsville
on Nov 15th, 2009 at 1:57 pm

All I can say is:
a) It gets worse before it gets better!

b ) doesn’t matter how many times you stand in TRU saying “you don’t want that, you want this” they don’t listen!

c) hold onto the boxes – themed stuff ebays really well and if you sell international you can find yourself getting more than what you paid for it – especially for the wooden trains (all thomas, noddy, tweenies… – I had an ebay few weeks on it all and was really pleased)
Kelloggsville´s last blog ..Conversation I had with my Husband tonight

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Dan Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
@Kelloggsville, we don’t have enough room in our house for the toys themselves,never mind keeping the boxes.

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#10 DJ Kirkby
on Nov 15th, 2009 at 3:11 pm

Oh that’s really made me laugh for the first time in a week. Okay it ended in a swine flu induced coughing fit but still….thanks forthe laugh anyway.
DJ Kirkby´s last blog ..Swine Flu

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Dan Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
@DJ Kirkby, I’m glad my pain brings you joy.

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#11 Sam
on Nov 15th, 2009 at 3:33 pm

Dan, if you have my secret santa, can I have the Lego Millenium Falcon for Crhistmas please. Thanks.
Sam´s last blog ..On Hobbys

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Dan Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
@Sam, Ian said something very astute the other day;

It’s easy buying presents for a man. Just but him a toy aimed at boys aged 8 or over.

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Dan Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
@Sam, Anyway, you’re getting a smokey and the bandit boxed set.

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#12 Jo Beaufoix
on Nov 15th, 2009 at 10:17 pm

Yep, mugged, but you know you’ll be playing with the trains, even if they are silly made up ones that no one has ever heard of. And guess who I hugged this weekend??
Jo Beaufoix´s last blog ..Miss E Makes A Mountain out of…

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Dan Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
@Jo Beaufoix, was it a out of work actor in a furry suit?

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#13 Always Home and Uncool
on Nov 16th, 2009 at 1:57 am

Thomas sets are incredibly overpriced. Must be to pay off the families who’s kids get sick from eating the lead paint on them.
Always Home and Uncool´s last blog ..Why I Won’t Sleep Much Halloween Night

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Dan Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
@Always Home and Uncool, I thought lead was a vitamin? Or is that zinc? I think maybe I need to rethink my nutritional strategy.

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#14 Gary
on Nov 16th, 2009 at 8:18 am

Oh dear :)

Fear not Dan, life gets easier soon, it won’t be too long before the only answer to the question of birthday/christmas presents is “just give me money” and you can banish Toys R Us behind you for ever, they are like a bad dream now and nearly out of my conciousness completely.
Gary´s last blog ..The X Factor, 40 years ago

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Dan Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
@Gary, that sounds lovely. although then I can’t buy them stuff that I secretly want to play with.

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#15 Nota Bene
on Nov 16th, 2009 at 11:24 am

Does Hannah Montana wear a hoody?
Nota Bene´s last blog ..Education is in vogue

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Dan Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
@Nota Bene, I dunno, but I’m pretty sure she carries a flick knife.

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#16 Holmes
on Nov 16th, 2009 at 4:31 pm

The prices on Thomas The Train toys are outlandish. But my boys love them, so…..
Holmes´s last blog ..Wanna See Ridiculous?

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Dan Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
@Holmes, I know, I know. They’ve got us by the balls man.

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#17 Martin
on Nov 16th, 2009 at 7:47 pm

working out sums in my head there, 30 and 15 pounds sterling is pretty steep for those, isn’t it?
Martin´s last blog ..Stubbing toes on both left feet

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Dan Reply:
November 17th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
@Martin, not only “pretty steep”, it’s “Bloody steep!”

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#18 Erin
on Nov 16th, 2009 at 9:13 pm

I have to hide this post from Noah. If he sees that Lego Death Star…
Erin´s last blog ..For further emphasis…

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Dan Reply:
November 17th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
@Erin, I am toying with he idea of sending him a catalog through the post. I have your address now you know.

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#19 Kevin Spencer
on Nov 16th, 2009 at 11:02 pm

Holy crap that Star Wars Lego Death Star looks amazing. Wait. Bloody hell toys are expensive in England.
Kevin Spencer´s last blog ..Why Is It?

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Dan Reply:
November 17th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
@Kevin Spencer, They certainly are. It’s a shame the pound is so weak too as it would be a great excuse to go to the US for Christmas shopping.

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#20 Mwa
on Nov 17th, 2009 at 9:55 am

Funny, I just spent 50 euros on a Lego Star Wars thing. (NOT for myself.)
Mwa´s last blog ..Tourist in my own country

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Dan Reply:
November 17th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
@Mwa, was it for me?! that is exceptionally kind of you!

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#21 MrsW
on Nov 17th, 2009 at 10:30 am

My FOUR year old is already hankering after £200 Lego Star Wars sets. At least it’s just hankering, should it develop into anything approaching demanding negotiations will stall. So long as he still needs stubbed toes kissed better he can carry on with imagining Lego sets in boxes bigger then 5″x9″.
MrsW´s last blog ..iHeartFaces – Autumn

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Dan Reply:
November 17th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
@MrsW, you know you can actually get Lego that kisses your stubbed toes for you these days. Soon mothers will be obsolete.

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MrsW Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
@Dan,

You better not be joking cos I think this means I’ll get out more.
MrsW´s last blog ..Can pay won’t pay

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#22 Linda
on Nov 17th, 2009 at 10:29 pm

Don’t want to worry you but have you seen Katie Price’s horsey stuff for little girls?

….Makes a sharp exit.
x
Linda´s last blog ..A bit of a cock up on the parenting front

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Dan Reply:
November 17th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
@Linda, as well you might.

Actually, isn’t that stuff for actual horse riders rather than aspirational horse riders? Because unless something dramatic to our financial circumstances changes there is little chance of Amy getting a horse

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Linda Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 8:22 am
@Dan, I mean the books, last spotted innocently staring out from the shelves of our local supermarket. I’m currently locked in an on-going debate with one of my daughters because she wants to watch IACGMOOH. She keeps asking me why she can’t and “because it’s crap” doesn’t appear to be convincing her.
Linda´s last blog ..A bit of a cock up on the parenting front

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Dan Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
@Linda, I didn’t know she’s got books out. That woman is bloody everywhere!

What on earth is IACGMOOH ?

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#23 dadwhowrites
on Nov 17th, 2009 at 11:31 pm

Jesus! That’s harsh. Especially the fifteen pounds for the train. Mind you, we got mugged for thirty quid ourselves for a flimsy little Thomas set…
dadwhowrites´s last blog ..So what exactly is going on with your sex life, Dad Who Writes?

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Dan Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
@dadwhowrites, whoever owns the lisence for Thomas must be raking it in.

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#24 Greg
on Nov 18th, 2009 at 3:42 pm

Hope Amy had the best birthday ever yesterday!

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Dan Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
@Greg, Thanks man.

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I’ve just been mugged

54 Comments on “I’ve just been mugged”

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