Parents have been reminded about the risk during the busy sales period
Parents shopping at Smyths Toys this Christmas have been urged to keep one crucial detail in mind before placing their orders. With Christmas Day approaching rapidly and Black Friday bargains proving hard to resist, there’s a vital piece of information all shoppers with young children should know about.
The retailer has more than 120 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, and has established itself as a go-to destination for the latest toys, games and entertainment. The convenience of online shopping has made Christmas preparations so much easier, with Smyths offering a straightforward service for busy families.
Customers can purchase toys online beforehand and pick up their selected items from a local branch without needing to browse the shop floor themselves. However, it’s this collection process that has caused concern amongst some parents during the festive period.
Orders paid for in advance are given to shoppers in clear plastic bags. Every item in the order can be seen by anyone near the till – including any curious kids, reports the Mirror.
This policy is clearly stated on the FAQ section of the Smyths website, which explains: “Click and Collect items will be in clear packaging with contents visible.” However, customers don’t receive a reminder about this when completing their purchase online.
Toys purchased online will come in clear plastic bags when collecting from the store(Image: Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)
Shoppers at Smyths Toys have been advised to bring their own bags or pay 99p for a reusable one, as the store’s policy of handing out transparent bags could spoil Christmas surprises.
Advice from a former employee
As someone who once worked at a Smyths Toys store in Liverpool over Christmas, the rule was in place so we could quickly and accurately hand out orders during a time when more people are buying items at the store, writes Andrew Nuttall. If leaving the kids at home isn’t an option, there are a few ways to avoid potential presents being spotted.
I suggest that people plan ahead and bring a bag of their own to put the item in. Stores generally accept most kinds of bags as an alternative to single-use carrier bags, such as totes, backpacks or even using carrier bags that come from other stores.
Parents have been reminded of a Smyths Toys Superstores rule this Christmas
You could also ask staff if items can be put into a standard Smyths Toys carrier bag. Most workers should be able to accommodate this request without raising an issue or a child’s suspicions.
If doing this, it is best to first confirm your entire order is correct to avoid any potential issues when you get home. The extra bags should come with the Government-imposed carrier bag charge. They are not see-through but will still have the Smyths Toys logo on them.
