‘[They] ruined a surprise for my wife that I waited years for’: Man spends 10 years finding the perfect gift for his wife; seller spills the beans, spoiling the surprise a week before Christmas

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    r/mildlyinfuriating. Posted by u/-PM_me_your_recipes 1 day ago An online seller ruined a surprise for my wife that I waited years to get her Pretty much the title, but I need to vent so y'all get the whole (short) story.
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    There was a very specific gift my wife has always wanted, but it was a little pricey. It also required some research so you didn't end up with a piece of junk. So we never pulled the trigger on getting one. We are in a good financial spot, so I decided it was finally time to get serious about getting one. I looked on and off around the holidays and her birthday for a discount on some of the highly rated ones. Finally this year they had one on
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    sale for a considerable amount off the normal price. Bought it immediately. I was so excited for Christmas. We make a little show out of our surprise gift reveal every year and exchange gifts. I'm fairly good at giving things she never expects but loves, and this was going to be the best one yet.
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    Now a little background, I work from home, my wife doesn't, so on her way home she picks up the mail since she drives right past it. Well now you see where this is going. Yesterday she picked up the mail, and inside was a postcard from the seller with a picture and description of the item she has been wanting for over a decade, with my name on it, asking me to review it.
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    Bless my wife, she tried to pretend she didn't see anything. But that kind of fell apart when I immediately noticed she was happier than usual (her job is very draining), and also due to the fact the item's image and description was front and center on the card.
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    Now I don't exactly blame the seller as it was probably a random survey, just extremely frustrated, but it still ruined a pretty big surprise. I let her have her Christmas gift early so it wouldn't be torture to wait until Christmas day. In the end, my wife is happy and excited, and that is all that really matters to me.
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    Edit: I loved some of those guesses and y'all definitely gave me a few laughs that I needed. I'm sorry to let everyone down, it was just a telescope. She wanted something that could see Jupiter's spot and the rings of Saturn. Edit 2: For those asking what actual the scope is, it is the Koolpte 90900. I have since learned from fellow redditors that it is a bit amateurish. We don't need anything fancy, and so as long as my wife has fun with it, that is good enough for me.
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    asquared3 23 hr. ago I bought something for my husband this year and selected during check out that it was a gift. It came in a box covered in their branding. Some sellers are just dumb
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    tcm0116 21 hr. ago I purchased a LEGO set directly from them for my son. I wasn't too worried about him seeing it since I work from home, but I was impressed that it came in a plan box and even the shipping label just said it was from "Shipping Manager". LEGO knows how to ship gifts.
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    TeslasAndKids 22 hr. ago My husband buys and surprises me with things all around the calendar and doesn't really like the forced feeling of birthdays and holidays. One year my daughter told him she wanted to get me something so he helped her find it online and order it.
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    Came shipped in the original packaging box with a label slapped right on it. Of course the delivery driver happened upon me as I was outside and she handed it to me. My heart immediately sank! I just set it on the porch and went inside. Didn't and still haven't said anything to anyone. But I hate when surprises are ruined and it was so hard faking the excitement when I already knew what it was.
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    CanuckPanda 21 hr. ago Amazon, and some others, have an option for "reduce packaging by shipping in manufacturers box" that is often checked by default for items. Make sure you're unchecking that. It's nice when you're buying shoes or something, but awful for gift giving.
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    Personal Syrup6093 19 hr. ago It's also really bad for package theft. If porch pirates see a big box that says SEPHORA or NIKE on it they're gonna grab that over the plain brown
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    Cat_stomach 22 hr. ago Yup same for me. We bought a new E-reader for christmas and the package was covered with the stores brand. It ruines the surprise because I got a smart Partner who immediatelly caught on. Reply Share 103 ... lesbiannurse1 21 hr. ago Same I ordered a "gift" from Amazon and it came in its original box not an Amazon box so my partner saw it :(.
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    cifala 21 hr. ago Reminds me of a tweet I saw from a woman who'd written in the delivery instructions box on the website 'this is party supplies for a surprise birthday party so please can the box not be obvious' and they'd printed this and stuck it on the side of the box
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    Chaff5 19 hr. ago Aside from ruining gift surprises, if the item is of particular value then it just became a even bigger target for porch pirates. 17 Reply Share ... coltsfan8027 21 hr. ago I had the same thing happen for my wifes present. Told them to put it on the back pourch so she wouldn't see but they put it at the front. Bitched to Amazon and they refunded me and let me keep it
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    jengaclause 23 hr. ago We upgraded my daughter's iPhone 11 to the 15. We specifically told the Verizon dealer that this was her present. He said they would call us when it came into their store to pick it up. I am the account holder. Husband is second. Daughter told us yesterday that she received a voicemail that her iphone 15 was ready. Ffs!
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    imsecretlythedoctor - 22 hr. ago Why wouldn't the seller put the "review request" thing in the package with the item? That's what everyone else does. 884 Reply Share evil__gnome 20 hr. ago I'd guess they send them separately after they ship the initial item to give the buyer time to use the item and give a more detailed review. I know I throw out review request cards that just come in the box since I don't know how I like the item yet and I don't want to clutter my desk with a card for something
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    soc96j. 23 hr. ago WHAT'S IN THE BOX!!!!! 408 Reply Share ... -PM_me_your_recipes OP 23 hr. ago I was surprised at what was in the box. Cause it was another box. Inside that box was 2 boxes. Inside those boxes were the actual telescope, the stand, and you guessed it, some more boxes.
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    SourSour821 22 hr. ago First year iPods came out, the mailman comes to the house a few days before Christmas. My dad opens the door and the mailman says, "I've been seeing this shape box for weeks now. I know it's an iPod. Enjoy!" And I'm at the top of the stairs watching this happen and knew it was for me. My dad was so bummed but I was so still so excited! It's the thought that counts. I'm glad she's happy!!!
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    whyOme 22 hr. ago I agree that's infuriating That could've been an email I'm glad she's happy tho 133 Reply Share -PM_me_your_recipes OP 22 hr. ago That could've been an email Story of my life.
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    JustALizzyLife. 22 hr. ago Way back when answering machines were a thing, I had Home Depot ruin a Xmas gift for my husband. I had special ordered an air compressor for him. Had them put in the notes everywhere that it was a gift and to please not leave a message. So they left a message telling me my special order air compressor was ready for pickup. I returned it and bought something different from Lowes. I was 1. 106 Reply Share ... mmmkewpee 17 hr. ago love the petty revenge on this one!
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    brightdeadlights 23 hr. ago The seller should know so she doesn't ruin more gifts. 1.1k Reply Share LurkersGoneLurk 23 hr. ago Bed Bath and Beyond notified me that a couple had returned my wedding gift. Why?
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    griftylifts 22 hr. ago LMAOOOO I'm sorry that must have genuinely hurt your feelings, but I'm over here picturing some catty coder for bb&b deciding to add this "feature" while cackling and rubbing their hands together

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