I am freaking out and I don't know what to do! My husband and I just opened the bike we ordered from Amazon to put it together as a Christmas gift and the bike is damaged. I've sent an email to the seller, but I don't know what to do for Christmas. Do we keep it in the box and tell her it came damaged from Santa? Do we put it together and some how swap it later? Has this happed to anyone before?
Thank you for the good ideas. We bought it online so I highly doubt we will have a replacement in 2 days. I like the "crash" story. I will build on that.
Thanks again for the helpful answers. I cannot go to a store and buy the bike because it's not sold in a store near us. It's an adorable beach cruiser that she has her heart set on. I hestitate to buy another one online because the seller we bought it from is the only one on amazon that sells it and I was hoping they could work with us first. The bike is sold other places online, but the 2 day shipping is $200. That's more than the bike! I also emailed the manufacturer to see if they can sell us new fenders.
The crash story is cute.
It's not an "elaborate lie," it's make-believe. That's what childhood is supposed to be about.
The child will get all the reality he needs once he's an adult.
If you can't get a replacement in time, tell your children it was very foggy (or snowy/rainy if it really was) and that Santa had a minor crash when he landed at your house because he couldn't see through the fog. Say that Santa wanted to make sure something was left under the tree for your child and that the elves are working hard to build the replacement. Say there will be a special delivery in a few days. You could even write a note from Santa saying all of this.
A few years ago a shipment took longer than expected, and arrived 2 days after Christmas. On Christmas morning, Santa had left a letter for my son telling him that he was getting one more surprise gift, but there wasn't room on his sleigh, and that he would be back in a few days with the surprise gift.
I don't know how old your daughter is, but I don't think the swap theory will work for any age.
If it must be a Santa thing, then Mr. Claus would be courteous to write a note to her (on nice note paper that she doesn't recognize as being yours - or a "Merry Christmas" greeting card) saying there was a glitch in the works, and that she should expect a surprise pretty soon. No, he doesn't need to tell her what it is. You might mention to her that this is a wonderful way to make Christmas last longer!
Go back on Amazon and order a replacement bike. If you have Amazon Prime, you still meet the window for free two day shipping. Then you can always return the damaged bike.
Okay, am I the only one who has some trouble with all of these elaborate lies we are willing to tell this child? I realize it is all in the name of Christmas fun but at some point it just starts feeling like a big ol' lie.
Don't sweat it. I once got a present for my son, who opened it christmas day to find it empty! It was used for the demo:( bad mama, bad mama.
Love the crash story! You could make it really creative by adding Rudolph's bell that must've fallen off in the crash and a cute descriptive letter from Santa. She will love retelling the story to her friends. :)
I would put it away and give her something else and give her the bike yourselves later. Sometimes things ship late. I don't think a story is really necessary. One year my friend gave me a card with an IOU picture of the book because it was delayed.
Hi, Mom:
Send it back and buy a new bike.
Merry Christmas.
D.
Yes, keep it put together, keep the box. Surprise her. Then act surprised that it's damaged & you'll have to put in a word to Santa to see if his elves can have a part shipped.
Then secretly when she doesn't see you, exchange it at the store and put
THAT bike together. Sorry. (Oh & when you ret it to the store, leave it
put together & just take the box w/you.)
Edit: OMG "Momoftwo" is brilliant & adorable. Love her response!
You can buy another one and pay the slight extra to overnight it (I'm a prime member and overnight shipping is an extra $4 - not sure what it is for non prime) and return the original.
without a doubt in my mind, I would go to a store and buy a new bike and give her that. I'd deal with a refund for the other one later.
if that particular bike is THE bike and you can't just return this one and hit a store to replace it, print out a picture of it and a write a note from santa saying the elves made a mistake, and it will be there next week.
khairete
S.
Have Amazon ship a new one to you TODAY for delivery TOMORROW. They should wave the shipping cost. Even if you have to pay for it, return the other one today and then get the refund.
