So I just got this 'stereo 3cd mini hi-fi system with radio & double cassette' for a late birthday present. It's great - it has automatic stop and built in speakers. I hooked it all up and went to play a 12", lifted up the arm (gently) and the needle fell out. Just like that. So I've just spent all afternoon with a pair of tiny pliers re-attaching the needle. It's so flimsy and I'm really annoyed. I have a year warranty on it so there's still time for it to screw up again before I take it back. It's working now though. I was just talking to a friend about it and he reckons it's never happened to him before. This is my first working record player (there's always been one in my house, but it hasn't functioned for over 3 years), has this ever happened to anyone else?

Didn't the needle come as part of a carthridge? (some people refer to it as stylus). If yours did then it might be better to just replace that cartridge.
I had to often replace the needle cartridge on mine only because I wear them out (transfering records to CD's) not because they fell out. Being the most fragile part of the system and for stability I would recommend replacement.

Yeah I was trying to take the stylus off but there were no instructions how to and I didn't want to break it so I just put the needle back through the loop it fell out of. I think the needle was just loose when I got it or something. Now I'm sort of worried about the position of the needle but everything sounds fine.

go to Dick Smiths and get a new stylus. They have some cheap ones and some expensive ones.

Ok. If it ever becomes necessary use the toll free # on the site below.
www.needledoctor.com