oriental trading company - cheap stuff!!!

[punkin413]

hello, fellow budget boarders! i'm sure someone has mentioned this before, but i did a search on it and didn't see anything recent. i get a catalog sent to me from oriental trading company and they have lots of things that i know people on the DIS board are always looking for: spray bottle fan necklaces ($19.95/dozen), all kinds of pirate stuff (hats, eye patches, earrings, swords, etc.), all kinds of glow stuff (necklaces, bracelets, jewelry, glowstick), tote bags of all varieties (i.e., drawstring bags - $14.95/dozen). anyway, just thought i'd spread the word. i'm always reading TRs about people buying glow stuff or pirate accessories or whatever for their trip. it seems if you're in need of larger quantities of this stuff (like more than 2 or 3), these are some really good prices!

the website is http://www.orientaltrading.com/

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I just wanted to add that I've ordered stuff from them before and they have always had really fast shipping and I've been happy with them. I haven't needed their customer service as I haven't had any problems with my orders so I can't comment on that.

 

[sk!mom]

I just wanted to add a word of caution- I have found their stuff to be very cheap in quality as well as price. It's fine if quality is not important but maybe make your first order a small one until you are aware of the quality.

 

[vikingfans]

I used to work for them (in the Customer Service Department) and I live in the town where their home base is...just remember...you get what you pay for. Don't be afraid to call and ask if you are unsure.

 

[kileybeth]

I usually order things by the 100's for larger groups (youth groups, VBS, that kind of stuff) and yes, stuff is really cheap but I usually count on only 8-10 out of every 100 not being usable. Still a pretty good deal.

If you only want to order a couple dozen of something, I'd think twice. I used some things from their Haiwain theme collection for DD b.day party and nearly half of it was unusable. I did know better then to count on it tho and we were still fine.

Things like glow sticks, bracelets (neil armstrong kind) leis, bouncy balls single piece items are better than things with moving parts or batteries (bracelets with clasp, fans, anything clippy,etc.)

just my 2cents

 

[punkin413]

Things like glow sticks, bracelets (neil armstrong kind) leis, bouncy balls single piece items are better than things with moving parts or batteries (bracelets with clasp, fans, anything clippy,etc.)

i've never ordered anything from there consisting of moving parts or batteries, so maybe that's why i've never had a problem. i've ordered glow stuff, party favors, things like that. i've just seen countless TRs where people were making WDW gift baskets or whatever for their kids and were including glow necklaces, pirate garb, etc., so i thought they could probably use the discounted stuff. i mean, the stuff will probably go either in the trash or in a scrapbook after use WDW anyway.

 

[Danemom]

I don't know if this will apply anywhere else but I'll share anyway...
We have a local novelty store and they can order anything in the OT catalog, they match the price, and I don't have to pay shipping. If you have a store like that around, it doesn't hurt to ask!

 

[EpcotLove]

If you buy something from them, goodluck on getting them to stop sending you e-mails or catalogs. I ordered something for an office party and they never would take me off their e-mail list- and I didn't sign up for one.

 

[LisaNJ25]

I love OT... I order a few times a year between personal use and things I need for my Girl Scout Troop. I usually make my order over $60 for free shipping and also go though my points for 500 points per order. I have never had any problems with the items I order from them.

 

[Cindi0511]

I ordered a box of flashing rings to include in my daughter's birthday party favor bags, and only one of them worked. They did reimburse me, though. Last year, they forgot to include a sword in my order for our DCL cruise, but they did have time to ship it on time. I do find their stuff to be pretty cheap in quality, though. I do agree that you get what you pay for.

 

[punkin413]

all these reports of "cheap" stuff......hence the title of the thread, "oriental trading company - cheap stuff!!!" i agree.....you do get what you pay for. but buying 12 glow necklaces for $14.95 that your kids will use once at fantasmic is better than paying $10.00 for one (or whatever it is they cost now) at the park. just sayin.....

 

[mrs.beast]

I have ordered for them for years, and while the products are inexpensive, i have received mang great items that are not "cheap." I order about $500 worth of items (craft related)every year for our grade level team at school and we love them. This time i spent $800 on merchandise for our VBS and was very disappointed. We are doing a spy/mystery theme and we purchased magnifying glasses and over half came broken and 3 packages of cups came crushed. I am really upset because i have never had any problems before and now we are in a crunch to get the stuff by next week.