In every review on The Shopping Mama we offer our favorite aspects of a product (Reasons “To Buy…”) and room for improvement (“Or Not to Buy…”). We are always honest and forthcoming in reviews, and if we have an overall negative opinion about something we won’t post about it. But the fact remains that no matter how often we use or vigorously test a product before writing a review opinions can change over time. So this is our list of products that fall into the “Or Not to Buy…” category for the year. In other words, after some use and reflection they need some improvement before we can wholeheartedly recommend them.
Moon Dough. Oh dear. I must have been having a really good day when I wrote this review. Admittedly, my kids LOVE the stuff. They would play with it every day if given the option, but I won’t let them. Because clean up is a NIGHTMARE. It’s just too light and flakes everywhere and makes a total mess. This is NOT the same as Moon Sand and despite the fact that it does not dry out (and Play Doh does), I’d buy Play Doh any day over this. Taking the time to clean up and put Play Doh in a container pales in comparison to the time you spend sweeping, vacuuming and cleaning Moon Dough.
Tommee Tippee Cups. In the initial review I indicated a problem with one of the four cups we received leaking from the seam between the top and the cup itself. Eventually, after a month or two of use, every single cup leaked from between the top and the cup no matter how tightly screwed on. I was really disappointed. These cups had so much potential and didn’t leak from the spout like so many sippies, but they all ended up in the trash.
ZZZtime Snooze Wrap Plus. While I like the idea of this sleep swaddle, it just had too many hook and loop closures to figure out. With a tired, crying newborn, taking the time to latch this contraption up just didn’t seem worth it. -Monica
Tike Tech X3 All Terrain Stroller. This one pains me, but I have to add Tike Tech to the list. There is no spot for your child to place feet to avoid the front tire. My son was well below the weight limit when we used this stroller regularly and his feet just flopped about near the front tire – I was afraid he’d kick it or get his foot in it. And I’ve never had so much trouble assembling a stroller – and I’ve assembled a lot of strollers. Given the choice between this and the less expensive Joovy Zoom 360, my husband (the jogger) and I always choose the Joovy.
Do you have any products from 2010 to add to the “Or Not to Buy” List?
Shop with Me Mama
January 3, 2011I did a review for the tommee tippee cups too and one of mine leaked from the get go. I do NOT like those cups!!
Ann Marie B
January 4, 2011We bought my 3yr old the Disney Magic Rise Oven and then the Magic Birthday Cake to go with. #1 I have know idea why they call it magic rise, ours looked like a smushed spongy hockey puck, not once did they rise. #2 The oven falls apart constantly and the magic wand doesn’t work. It’s a shame because it does look really cute. My 3 yr old could have cared less about it not working, that is until my 5 yr old made a huge stink about it. “Why did Santa bring you a broken toy?” “Did he sit on it? Did it fall out? ETC ETC!!! Now my 3 yr old hates it.
Our other bummer was the Princess Aqua Doodle wall runner. It’s made of paper, like regular copy paper paper. Thin paper and 3yr old twins = trash. But when you do “color” it does turn out nice, VERY bright. So I lined the back of it with about a dozen laminate sheets hopeing it will last, she loves it.
And
Moon Dough/ Moon Sand is EVIL!! The mess was even worse then after they’ve had dinner, and I can’t let my dog eat this stuff. The box says non-toxic but it has a really funky/chemically smell. This one is going to hit the very back of the closet until there like 14. We will be replacing with play-do
Nicole Feliciano
January 4, 2011Love this post. I would say I have a “not to go” spot–the Disney Store in Time Sq. was a total disappointment.