packing light , RS picnic set?

We took the picnic set on two journeys and hardly used any of it. The corkscrew will fly from U.S. to Europe, but not the reverse. Now we each have a spork, and a folding rubber/soft plastic cup. Both are made in Sweden. They have been more useful than the picnic set was. A spork and cup, with a napkin goes in a little zipperlock bag. If you need more information on either item let me know.

Our internalional picnic set: 2 plastic tops from Folger's coffee cans large thin sarong good plastic utinsels lots of zip lock bags - different sizes travel/folding cups
small salt and pepper shakers Those items take very little room in suitcase.

I have learned from this if nothing else.I did know about bringing some plastic lids for dishes and cutting boards..But,what attracted me about the RS product was the ability to keep the utenisils clean and together..now I will not be using the tube so reallly I paid too much for some plastic tableware.

We had the same experience Pat! After one trip I sent it to Goodwill as a donation. I pack lots of Ziplocs and WetOnes, and always a folding corkscrew. We also stay in apartments a lot when traveling, so we borrow utensils we need.

We had the same experience, picnic set was much bigger than expected. It is now stored in a small box of other travel items that didn't made the grade. This set has never made a trip overseas. We take 2 sporks, ziplock bags and a few small packets of salt, pepper, white vinegar, etc.

I agree; it's big and relatively heavy. I take what I need from the set (typically a spoon and knife) and throw them in the baggie with my other picnic stuff. I also take a "Spork" from REI, which I keep in my purse, which allows for an unplanned meal on something like yogurt.

I hope someone who has purchased this product will send in Feedback via whatever customer service feedback mechanism they have on the webstore; hopefully it will result in their updating the product description with better info! The store customer service people probably do not read this forum.

Oh thank goodness other people see it the same way,, I thought maybe I was just being too critical,, but I was dissappointed in the size!

She said to her boyfriend.

Ok, that was funny,,but this is a family board.

My picnic set is a plastic fork and a Swiss Army Knife (purchased after arrival in Europe). My wife likes yogurt so add a plastic spoon for her set - she shares my knife when needed. We clean the utensils sometimes, and sometimes replace them with fresh ones as we travel. It all goes in the small pocket on my Civita day pack.

Monte, good one! Lol I looked at these online and decided it would be a waste of time. We take some plastic forks and spoons. Light, easy to pack. Or, I get a few In various grocery stores along the way. Monoprix had them near the deli/take out section, and free. Same with Marks & Spencers in UK. I'd rather do this THAN buy the so called picnic set. I wonder if Rick really uses that stuff?

MmeEli,,I agree,,but the photo of the set made it seem small and compact..if you saw what I got you would be surprised,,its really too large to pack,,and as I said I will just ditch the tube,,but that p's me off since the tube was part of the attraction. I feel misled, and as I said returning it is not an option( keeping it costs 18 dollars,, returning it costs 16 dollars!!),,I would come ahead by 2 dollars. I rarely buy online,,and this is why! I can't blame RS for the shipping costs, they are what they are, but I do blame them for misrepresenting a product,,or just omitting important information( the dimensions of the set)I assumed that with the RS mantra of "packing light" and taking the minimum,, that the set would be small and compact.
( and as an aside, the plastic tableware is not that great quality)

I take a camping-grade plastic knife and spoon with me, and that's my picnic "kit." Plastic bags and napkins can make up the rest. A small pack of wet-wipes for sticky face and hands is useful. I bought the toiletries bag some years ago. I never used it because it didn't hold enough and it added weight/bulk to my carry-on. I organize my shower equipment into one plastic bag and get along fine. Almost all the "extras" for traveling add weight and bulk. I have a collection of about 20 pounds of miscellaneous "stuff" that I have bought and used once or not at all.

pat, have you spoken to the folks at ETBD? I'd have thought if you explained how you were mis-sold they would work with you...

Nigel,I am sure they would accept it back and refund me the purchase price,, but it does say on the "refunds and exchanges" section that shipping is non refundable, and I would have to send it back on my own too. Not worth it for a 10 dollar item.

Pat,
For an purchase that just did not turn out to be what the Rick Steves' brand usually represents (pack small, compact), I would think ETBD would send you a prepaid rreturn shipping label AND credit your original purchase price, PLUS your original shipping costs.............that, along with adding (as you suggested) the dimensions on their web site. It would be great if they also added a review section on their travel store for their merchandise (as many retailers have now). I'd guess most reviews for most items would be glowing, but it would help them (and others to avoid disappointment) to know when a set such as what you purchased is not on the mark. Let us know how they work with you.

Margaret,,I guess you are right,I am at least going to contact them with my feedback. I am however leaving for Europe in 11 more days( yippee) so not sure this will have all worked out by then, but I will keep you all posted!

Pay, I'd take Margaret's suggestion and others who said to write and tell them the dimensions issue. I think they'll be responsive even if it takes a few weeks and you're long gone. I've eyed that darn picnic set before every trip, but never got around to purchasing. Thanks for being my guinea pig, lol. I know you can take a joke :-) Have a great trip! Don't do anything I wouldn't enjoy, ya hear?

Well Eli, I hope you enjoy wine, cheese, museums, long lunches, long walks, and picnics,, lol Then of course there will be the tapas, beach lazing, and people watching!
Amsterdam, Paris, and the Costa Brava in Spain!