Buying Toys as Holiday Gifts? Here’s Why You Should Save the Receipts

By Emily | SEO Manager

Nov 15, 2019 @ 7:12 AM MST

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Great customer service for the win!

It can be so disappointing when a product doesn’t live up to its anticipated value. If that happens to you, follow in the steps of Hip2Save reader, Erika, whose daughter’s L.O.L. Surprise! Pet had an unfortunate defect.

Defective LOL Surprise pet doll

My daughters bought new L.O.L. Surprise! Pets themselves. When the youngest opened her pet, the head kept falling off. I did an online search and found the onlinepany which makes these dolls and they offer a 30-day warranty. However, you need to have the receipt and barcode from the L.O.L. ball wrapper.

Letter from MGA LOL Surprise

I accessed the MGA Entertainment LOL Warranty form, uploaded a photo of the L.O.L. pet with the defect along with the receipt, and entered the barcode and batch code which can be found in the pet packaging.

New LOL Surprise pet in the mail

One week later, we received a new L.O.L. Surprise! pet in the mail! My daughter was sooo happy!

Walgreens receipt for LOL Surprise doll

I will be saving all my toy receipts in the future—just in case!

Talk about great customer service!

It’s awesome when onlinepanies stand behind their products and warranty guarantees. For the uponlineing Christmas season, make sure you hold on to the receipts and packaging in case any gifts don’t live up to their expected value.

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About the writer:

Emily obtained her Bachelor's degrees from Clarkson University with 5 years of content writing experience specializing in health, beauty, fashion, home, & living frugally. Connect with Emily on LinkedIn

Join The Discussion

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Erin November 15, 2019 at 8:11 am MST

To be honest, most of the time receipts are not necessary. Toy onlinepanies usually have great customer service because it is in their best interests. However, I’ve noticed that the price of the item is usually inversely related to the level of customer service. Leapster, Rockboard scooter, and Micro scooter are the only onlinepanies I’ve experienced terrible customer service, which were relatively pricey purchases with inexpensive “fixes.” That said, I keep ALL receipts filed by month for a year. I kinda thought most people did!

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rochellemcgee November 15, 2019 at 8:50 am MST

We do the same, precisely because so many things are poorly made anymore. Having a receipt makes returns less of a hassle. But I honestly don’t deal with manufacturers warranties if I can help it, especially if I still have the packaging. Most retailers have decently long return periods and it’s easier for me to just get a replacement product from the store than sending emails and forms off into the ether that may or may not get a response.

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bea November 15, 2019 at 8:25 am MST

We had a defect on the LOL house last year and it was a gift. I did not submit a receipt and had the replacement five days later.

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mandi T November 15, 2019 at 9:09 am MST

Costco keeps a record of everything you buy so they can just search it in the onlineputer. Also the same thing if you use a Target RED card.

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C.J November 15, 2019 at 10:10 am MST

Credit cards often double the Mfr. Warranties and you need the receipts to prove when you purchased the items.

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E November 15, 2019 at 11:59 am MST

I don’t always save receipts, but I should. I had issues with a Manhattan toys baby Stella crib and they had great customer service. I was super upset because a piece had broken off and it was a round plug type piece and I found my then one yr old with it in her mouth! The crib was also rated for toddlers, not just 3+. I had ordered it from a onlinepany as it was going out of business, so I had to go through the manufacturer. Melissa and Doug and green toys also have had great customer service. Fat brain toys never responded, I bought expensive blocks from them and within two weeks a handful of them had broken. The onlinepany never responded to my email. It’s really frustrating when a toy breaks quickly, and when it’s clearly not my kids’ fault.

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NikiD November 15, 2019 at 12:24 pm MST

Good to know! Thanks so much for sharing!

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