Christmas Catalogues / Clubs

Herbaholic

I've seen a thread about christmas clubs/hampers somewhere on here and thought we could lump them all together? To help those of us that prefer to shop this way, to spread the cost, avoid the crowds etc.

This is my contribution.... I signed up to get a Studio catalogue (I think it got me some ipoints or piggy points can't remember now). It arrived this morning with a pack of 3 free Xmas cards inside and and offer for a free 1kg tin of roses chocs if you spend £20, (a 2.2kg tin is less than £9.00 at Asda currently) p&p for the studio order is £4.75. They do have some nice things but there is also a lot of tat in the catalogue IMHO. Some good deals on wrapping paper and a few pressies under a fiver which could make the deal worth while?

Anybody else got any other similar deals for catalogues that are worth looking at? Also be useful to know of any to avoid!

Phatmouse

I avoid them all they are hugley overpriced. Even with a free box of chocs and some points its well worth just starting early, that way you can aslo avoid the rush. The only post I have ever seen on here is about the studio sale which I think was back in june/july could be wrong though

They scare me a bit, my nan used to shop this way and was forever in debt what with the ticket man and meat hampers :eek: thats why I don't even look.

Maybe in avoiding them I have missed a scam, let me know if so

~Loz~

I ordered from a catalogue a year or so ago it may have been studio i can't remember to be honest but i was very dissapointed and felt scammed by them.

I ordered a few things, the wrapping paper and cards were lovely but the bills saving box (loads of different holes for saving for various bills) was bent and wouldn't lock properly. Obviously i wanted to send it back but then realised it would cost more to send it back then to keep it - money that isn't returned by the company.

Check their returns policy!

Lyndsay_21

i find it good for personalised stuff, like pint glasses with 'worlds greatest grandad' and stuff like that on it but i dont buy any big presents with it more stocking fillers

earthmother

Too late for this year, but just in time for next - I use a couple of hamper catalogues to save.

I don't buy hampers or physical goods (they're all overpriced), what I do is order vouchers - after all, there's no interest to pay, and it means rather than sticking money in a jar each week where it could get spent, it's going out on a DD instead and so is untouchable.

High Street Vouchers are about the best - I either give them as gifts, or spend them on presents/Christmas food as there's such a wide range of stores they can be used at.

In the three years I've been doing this, Park Hampers is consistently the best both for payment/DD reliability and speedy delivery (I made my last payment for this year on 7th, and had my vouchers by 11th)

Queenie

I have tried and tried to see an advantage to those but I still haven't found one

Wrapping paper and cards can all be bought dirt cheap in the after Christmas Sales.

Gifts can be bought throughout the year in various sales.

Large tins of chocs often go on sale as BOGOF earlier in the year and if you check the use by dates are often still good to gobble at Christmas.

Then, there is Martins article Xmas Savings Boost which adds more power to your spending elbow. In fact, you would benefit from reading his list of articles in the Shopping Zone so that there should be no need to resort to those catelogues/clubs.

Queenie

earthmother wrote:

...

I don't buy hampers or physical goods (they're all overpriced), what I do is order vouchers - after all, there's no interest to pay, and it means rather than sticking money in a jar each week where it could get spent, it's going out on a DD instead and so is untouchable...

You could set up a DD for that same amount into a savings account and *you* would earn the interest on it and then have the flexibility of buying vouchers in a greater variety of stores

lil_me

I buy my on vouchers and stamps instead of the savings clubs with catalogues, find it easier, buy them for where I want to use them.

I like Studio for the personalised items, and I don't have the space to store things from Xmas sales so get the cards, paper etc when it is on offer. Only downside is if you ring the helpline it is abroad and they can't understand you 99% of the time which is why my Dad cancelled his.

earthmother

Queenie wrote:

You could set up a DD for that same amount into a savings account and *you* would earn the interest on it and then have the flexibility of buying vouchers in a greater variety of stores

For many people that would work - but as we are currently on benefits, any savings over a few hundred poundsthat we have, we're expected to live off of. Putting the money into a savings club like Park and getting vouchers back means it's ours to spend.

I use the vouchers throughout the year for presents and the kids parties (even groceries if we have a really tight month), so it's not just for Christmas that we're saving.

And there is limited commission, so there is a little extra in the pot each year.

Becles

earthmother wrote:

For many people that would work - but as we are currently on benefits, any savings over a few hundred poundsthat we have, we're expected to live off of.

I think you can have £3K in savings before your benefits are affected, so I'm sure saving a few hundered for Christmas would be ok.

If you're happy with the voucher club, then stay with that though.

Bossyboots

There are a couple of threads around warning that Farepack Hampers have gone into administration and will not be sending out vouchers or hampers. You wouldn't know it from their website though so watch out for that one.