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erika
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| Posted: May 12 2008 at 9:56pm | IP Logged
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Oh, okay this is my first "real" post, if you don't count my introduction! I just got my boxes from Montessori Concepts and Montessori Services. Here is the run down of what I got:
Montessori Concepts:
Cylinder Blocks
Pink Tower (and stand)
Broad (Brown) Stair
Red Rods (but these weren't in there, they said I should get them tomorrow)
Montessori Services:
Corn Broom
Sponge Mop
Child's Pitcher with Lid
Childsize Masterpieces Starter Kit
Almost everything from MC was in order except not getting the rods. Also, the trapezoid for my metal insets had the knob broken off. They apologized and are shipping me another one. Then tonight when I was setting it all up, the curvilinear triangle fell and the knob broke off it, too! Are they suppose to be that fragile? So, I'm not sure what to do about that. My MIL says to just ask them if they can replace that one as well. A lot of the insets were a tad warped, but I bent them flat again - that wasn't as hard as I thought; the paint also wasn't the greatest - it got all over my hands. The cylinders were really nice! None of them was too tight or seemed too loose. You could see tiny bits of glue in places and one of the knobs was a tad crooked. The broad stair and pink tower looked pretty good, too. I'm not going to lie and say everything looked flawless, but I'm very satisfied, I mean I wasn't expecting Nienhuis or Gonzaggaredi, so I though I made out pretty good.
I was excited when I opened my package from Montessori Service and saw that a DVD came with my Childsize Masterpieces kit! I just got my new catalogue from there and the kit for 08-09 does show a DVD and I didn't remember that being in my other catalogue, but the one I ordered was also $14.00 cheaper, so I thought that was the difference. I guess I just got my order in before the prices went up, because after I saw that I checked my other items and they cost a tad bit more in the new catalogue, too!! The one thing I was a bit bummed about was that I noticed on my way home that the mop handle is not great at all. It has some nicks in it and the varnish is rough in places especially where it's capped(?) off at the top (the rounded, sanded top end of the handle isn't even at all). The broom handle looks great but the mop must come from a different supplier. I can't decide what to do there. I expected more from Montessori Services than Montessori Concepts, I did expect their items to be flawless.
Now I'm trying to put together another order. This time from Montessori Outlet (20% off until May 31!). From there I plan to order:
Sandpaper alphabet (lowercase cursive)
Sandpaper numerals (USA print)
1 bead stair
Teen bead box
At the school supply store I got a base ten set and some cuisenaire (sp?) rods. I tried playing the snake game with the cuisenaire rods because dd wanted to play it so bad, but it didn't really work that well without the black and white bead stair (hmm, it's just $2.40, maybe I should get that, too???), but I tried to make it sort of work. Now I kind of regret getting those.
I presented the Cylinder block A to dd tonight and she loved it! She played with each block in turn while singing the Montessori Rap!! She kept going, "The sun looks small because it is far away. That's the whole words I know, Mommy." It was so cute! She stayed with it for about 45 minutes. I was ecstatic! She did make the cylinders talk to each other about how the thick one had eaten too much and the thin one was really hungry, but I was just glad she wasn't begging to watch Dora!!!
Whew, sorry for rambling! So, what are your thoughts on the problems I mentioned. I know I mentioned some up there somewhere. Now I can't remember, I think you have to look for them pretty hard. OH, it's past my bedtime!!!
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: May 12 2008 at 11:51pm | IP Logged
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 You sound pretty excited!LOL!
I have not ordered from either of those companies, so can't really comment on them. But the quality you describe for your metal insets does not sound as good as what I have experienced. Mine are practically indestructible (don't ask me how I know this  ). And the paint rubbing off on your hands is a bit disturbing.
Your bead materials from MO should be awesome--mine are! I LOVE their beads.
Enjoy!
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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erika
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| Posted: May 13 2008 at 6:15am | IP Logged
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Quote:
| ...the quality you describe for your metal insets does not sound as good as what I have experienced. Mine are practically indestructible (don't ask me how I know this ). And the paint rubbing off on your hands is a bit disturbing. |
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Oh...really??? Ugg, that makes me sick now. I did try superglue for the trapezoid. Since he's sending me another I figured I'd experiment and see if that would work. What to do?
Quote:
| Your bead materials from MO should be awesome--mine are! I LOVE their beads. |
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Yeah, I had read a post of yours where you were gushing over MO's beads. That's why I decided to go with them! SHeesh,now I wish I had gotten their insets! I had put MO out of my mind when I read some commentary on a yahoo group about them, but I guess they are much better now.
Montessori Concepts does have a thirty day return policy. Oh bother! What should I do?
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erika
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| Posted: May 13 2008 at 8:54am | IP Logged
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Okay, so another question: Are the metal insets suppose to be shiny or matte? The paint on mine is pretty matte looking and in some places it looks webbed.
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Mackfam
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| Posted: May 13 2008 at 9:42am | IP Logged
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Erika,
I'm so excited for you! It is so fun to unpack all of those delicious materials and set them out just so!!
I ordered several things from MC (although not the insets, I got those from Kid Advance) and didn't have a problem. Having said that, I did have problems on other orders and had really good customer service all the way around.
Something is wrong with your insets. They shouldn't be warped at all! That would really interfere with tracing. It would also be really frustrating to deal with paint flecking off in your work too! I would call MC, explain the problem with the entire set, tell them it is defective and ask how soon they can get another set out to you! If past experience on these boards is any indicator, they should offer to replace and ship out with no problems. 
Not sure what to say about Montessori Services - I've had really good luck with them. I've never had to return anything from there. If it's a little rough, could it be sanded? I'm having trouble visualizing the problems you describe. If the handle is really a problem, I'd call them too and just ask for a replacement.
It will all settle out, I promise. Even though you didn't buy Neinhuis, I think you could still expect a certain level of quality and functionality for your $$. Just think how much you'll enjoy more boxes landing on your doorstep!
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: May 13 2008 at 10:25am | IP Logged
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erika wrote:
| Okay, so another question: Are the metal insets suppose to be shiny or matte? The paint on mine is pretty matte looking and in some places it looks webbed. |
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Mine have a hard, lacquered satin finish. Not high gloss but definitely not matte. They are also thick enough that if they were warped I would not be able to bend them back.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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erika
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| Posted: May 13 2008 at 10:42am | IP Logged
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Quote:
| Not sure what to say about Montessori Services - I've had really good luck with them. I've never had to return anything from there. If it's a little rough, could it be sanded? I'm having trouble visualizing the problems you describe. If the handle is really a problem, I'd call them too and just ask for a replacement. |
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Jennifer, I think that's what I'll do with it. When I looked at it this morning, it didn't seem as bad as it did last night. It's just not as beautiful as the broom.
Quote:
| Mine have a hard, lacquered satin finish. Not high gloss but definitely not matte. They are also thick enough that if they were warped I would not be able to bend them back. |
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Whoa, really? Mine are definately matte, not satiny like the pink tower, and the metal is showing through the inner edges of the frames. They are only about a millimeter thick. I guess I should really pack them up and ship them back, then. Do you know how good MO's insets are? I think MC's insets are all going to be the same... wonder if I should wait for the replacement trapezoid or just go ahead and call them???
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: May 13 2008 at 10:47am | IP Logged
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Mine are from MO and I think they are excellent quality.My kids have dropped them from the table multiple times and I've never had so much as a scratch.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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erika
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| Posted: May 13 2008 at 10:52am | IP Logged
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Wow, I should have just ordered from MO to begin with! Here's what MC's website says:
Quote:
Dear Customer,
The goal of our company is to make Montessori materials accessible to everyone... Customer satisfaction is our number one priority. We offer a 30 day money back guarantee on all of our products.
I appreciate you taking the time to check out our website. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at Johann@montessoriconcepts.com.
Thank you,
Johann
President, Montessori Concepts |
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So hopefully I can get my money back and get the insets at MO. I'll just have to eat the shipping from the East coast to the west
You live, you learn!
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erika
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| Posted: May 13 2008 at 12:26pm | IP Logged
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Well, my red rods just came in and they look fine. A few dings, but I guess that's to be expected after shipping across the country. So, all the wood products that I got from MC seem okay. Even, the stands for the metal insets are pretty nice. Pity. I am not sure how I'm going to phrase my email to MC. I've never had to return anything to a mail order company before, and I don't want them to be offended...
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erika
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| Posted: May 13 2008 at 2:58pm | IP Logged
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Well, here's what I emailed them:
Quote:
I just received the Red Rods (1006) and they look to be in order. Last night after I put the children to bed I started unpacking everything in earnest. I hate to say this, but I really wasn't happy with the quality of the metal insets and wish to return them. After unpacking them the paint started coming off on my hands and several of them were a bit warped and wouldn't fit properly. The paint is also crackly on most of them. If you haven't yet shipped the trapezoid you can just not worry about that. If it has shipped I'll probably wait for it to arrive and ship everything back together. I understand that there is a 30 day money back guarantee on all products. Correct? I would like to do that.Could you please advise me on how to proceed?
Thank you so much,
Erika
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I tried to make it as unoffensive as possible. I haven't received an answer yet, but I sent it directly to the person who had replied to my email before instead of sending it to the generic customer service address. I may have to resend it. What do you think?
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Mackfam
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| Posted: May 13 2008 at 3:07pm | IP Logged
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I'd give them a day, maybe two to respond, then just call Erika. I don't think you have to worry about being offensive. Your email sounded polite to me and you are well within your rights to return something that is defective (which your insets certainly are.)
Hope to hear good news soon!
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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erika
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| Posted: May 13 2008 at 3:19pm | IP Logged
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Thanks Jennifer! Yeah, I just need to calm down and give them some time. I'm still so wound up from being giddy about all these goodies! I have already started packing my cart at MO! With shipping and adding the insets now, it's going to be $93.20 plus $30.00 in shipping for all I listed earlier. I probably wouldn't be able to place the order until this weekend anyway, so I just need to RELAX!!
Besides dd is having a blast with the cylinder blocks. That will probably be enough for this week. Plus I've got the tower, stair and rods still to show her.
And on top of that she has given me the homework assignment of memorizing the Montessori Rap so I can sing it to her!!!
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: May 13 2008 at 8:46pm | IP Logged
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erika wrote:
And on top of that she has given me the homework assignment of memorizing the Montessori Rap so I can sing it to her!!!
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Care to share? I've never heard of the Montessori rap!
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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erika
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| Posted: May 13 2008 at 9:27pm | IP Logged
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Oh, I thought everyone had heard it! It's funny and dorky at the same time! Here you go:
Montessori: The Rap
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: May 13 2008 at 9:35pm | IP Logged
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Ha! Cute!
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
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erika
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| Posted: May 13 2008 at 9:48pm | IP Logged
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My dh cannot stand it!!!
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: Starting Montessori and Q's, Advise?
