Door too small for Jersey Giant?

[Alis girls]

OOh love a good rant thread. well all you millitants out there. I wish I was as assertive as you lot. Power to the people

[Valkyrie]

Happy to oblige Alis girls! I'm not usually - I hate returning things for an easy cop out!

 

Soapy it's nice to have some light relief in the middle of a whinge. BV is about an hour's ride here - oooh Didcot roadworks!

[soapdragon]

Perhaps next Oxford Omleteers Meetup should be at BV??!!

 

Returning to the fabric thread...some years ago Laura Ashley did a lovely chicken fabric and matching china set - we had them in all our nurseries (when I was working!) Sunshine yellow and very cheery!

[Valkyrie]

I am considering Laura Ashley too - I made curtains for the kitchen with fabric from there. I have this odd eye for colours thing going on in my head so chose this pretty pastel plaid without matching anything to it. Turned out to be exactly the yellow colour of my walls. I lined them with thermal fabric and have them at the doors. My curtain rail in the utility room is an old pitch fork, which is brilliant for hanging my peg bag and wax hat on! The curtain itself has blue webbing straps. More conventional in the main kitchen! The blind I chose for the utility matched the pastel green in the plaid fabric too. Clothes shopping is a pain because I know what I want but rarely find it!

[Daphne]

I love the pitchfork idea I used to use broom handles as curtain rails with some finials on the end. My favourite ones were sprayed silver Broomsticks now have a different role in my life....chicken related.....

 

My SIL lives in an old cottage in France which they rebuilt from the ground up. Its very rural and rustic and she has decorated it very imaginatively. She is the only person I know who has both summer and winter curtains They are homemade. The winter ones are made out of an old tartan picnic blanket complete with fringing and the summer ones out of an old checked tablecloth The winter ones are held back with leather cuffs as tiebacks

 

Back in the 80s/early 90s my Mum had various curtains made out of LA fabric - they are still going strong, so the quality is very good, although they were very nicely made as well with linings and weights.

 

I have to go and have an argument with a jeweller this morning. I am channelling my inner Cinnamon and everybody else!

[Valkyrie]

Good luck. I'm sure the jeweller will be in shock and awe and will do exactly what you say!

 

I love rustic! And I love tartan. My bridesmaids were in tartan. Well it was either peach or something completely different and they were happy to have the something completely different option!

 

What a good idea to have winter and summer curtains - makes things lighter and brighter or snuggly warm with the addition of wear and tear being lessened.

[Valkyrie]

Would you believe I have heard absolutely nothing since the buck was passed?!!!

[Willow]

Tbh I'm not hugely surprised you've heard nothing. I find JL to be very varied in terms of customer service. I went in once to buy a dress shirt for my teen son. He told me he needed one just as I was heading off to the tip so I was dirty and very scruffy but I didn't have time to clean up and he needed it for that evening. The young man who served me and advised on style was just lovely and couldn't be more helpful. But it's also the only shop where I've felt moved to make a formal complaint about staff as well.

 

Edited to add it isn't the only store I've complained about staff. M&S after I'd had eye surgery and was temporarily (but obviously) struggling to see were appalling

[gavclojak]

Would you believe I have heard absolutely nothing since the buck was passed?!!!

 

I'm afraid to say had terrible service from JL and when I complained they were totally uninterested. I purchased some boxed place mats, they were £25.00 for two and I brought three boxes but when I got home and opened the box I found one was badly chipped so called the store to be told that they only had one box left and if I wanted them would have to travel back that day. I explained it was a 45 minute drive on a good day and if I emailed a picture could they post a replacement out.....NO was the reply! We don't do that....

 

not good JL as my JL is an out of town store bluewater and you tend to go there for the day having to go back was such a massive hassle especially for someone who hates shopping

[Valkyrie]

Dreadful for both of you! It is a hassle to get to them for exchanges - plus depending on where you have to pay a fortune for parking too - or drive further!

 

My hubby wouldn't even dream of letting a complaint slide - he sorts it out right away - because that means although the customer may not be initially happy due to unforeseen things that can crop up, then at least some instant positive reaction plus a happy ending means that they know you are genuinely looking after them and hopefully will use the company again.

 

I think it's well overdue for a chase up in that case.

[newcountrygirl]

I have to say that I used to hate complaining and would put up with things rather than take them back. Then I hit my 50's and wham - Grumpy Old Woman appeared. Now I complain and make my feelings known much more readily. I wont stand for shoddy merchandise or shoddy behaviour. I suppose getting older does have some compensations.

[Valkyrie]

Yup, I'd rather miss out on those things too. I think it gets to a certain age when you think why should I be treated like this? I deserve to be counted.

So I've sent an email to the lady who passed it over to her colleague to find out what happened in High Wycombe. I know it's a bit blunt and sharp but I think 24th Feb is long enough to investigate. I will wait and see what happens next.

 

Auto generated email arrived so they've got that message OK.

[Alis girls]

Oh my - I think I have become the grumpy old 50 something woman too. Yesterday I lost the plot with the Practice Manager (male ) at work and let him have it with both barrels blazing. Months of pent up moans (all 3 nurses are discontented) and the pain from a sore ear which despite treatment has left me very irritable and he got the full force of my discontent. I'm not proud but at 53 I dont see why I should put up with this rubbish anymore. I must have been in full flow for a full 5 mins. In my defense I have never really lost it at work but yesterday was an exception. I think we have as a nation put up with things for way too long. way ta go

[Valkyrie]

Well done you.

 

Sometimes people tend to overstep the mark and need reminding. Familiarity can breed contempt and taking advantage of your nicer and somewhat happier normal mode is not on.

[Valkyrie]

I wonder if she has chickens in an Omlet house! If you do then thank you for giving the HW branch a kick up the proverbial.

 

Dear Kerry,

 

Thank you for your reply.

 

I am extremely disappointed to learn that you have not been contact by our High Wycombe customer service department. I have passed your query over to the store once again and my colleague should be in contact with you in the next 72 hours. Please advise me if no one contacts you.

 

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Kind regards,

[Valkyrie]

Went out with a friend today and this is what I found on my return! REEEEESULT!!! So thank you all for giving me a boost and helping me with the letter. I do hope they will use this as an example too.

 

Dear Kerry,

 

Thank you for your email.

 

Having read your email, I am very disappointed to learn of the issues you had when recently visiting our High Wycombe store. At John Lewis we pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service and I sincerely apologise that we have appeared to have let you down on this occasion.

 

It is concerning to learn that that my colleague was condescending to you and she told you that you should consider a cheaper range. I can certainly appreciate your frustration that you felt she judged you on your appearance and you therefore felt uncomfortable.

 

Please be assured that I will forward this to the relevant department. Further training will ensure that this Partner understands that our customers are highly valued and should be treated accordingly.

 

We always endeavour to make improvements to the service we provide and this is not always possible without having the constructive feedback we get from our valued customers. Therefore, I would like to take the opportunity to thank you as I sincerely appreciate the time you have taken and consideration in highlighting this matter to me.

 

As a gesture of my regret I would like to send complimentary refreshment voucher for you to enjoy on your next visit to any John Lewis branch. The voucher entitles you and a companion to a hot beverage and pastry or cake of your choices in any John Lewis branch catering facilities. I appreciate this cannot erase your experiences, however I hope it may go some way to restoring your faith in John Lewis. To enable me to send this to you can you please reply to this message with your address details.

 

I would once again like to thank you for taking the time to write to us and I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Kind regards,

[bluekarin]

Fantastic! So pleased they listened to you. Hope you enjoy your hot beverage and cake

[Daphne]

Well done, its a lesson to all of us. I am still in the midst of my complaint. Extraordinarily frustrating and upsetting. I will continue the fight as I have found this thread to be quite inspirational!

 

The JL letter is a really good reply - it makes you feel that you were right to complain, they have heard what you said and are doing something about it, and lastly are making a small gesture as an apology which goes a long way. Its extra nice they are going to treat 2 of you. Small touch, big difference

 

You've just got to choose your best cake buddy now!

[Valkyrie]

I'm considering that very carefully seeing as OH said he thought she was "very helpful" (see me fume) until I mentioned the scenario to our lovely daughter who said "how blooming dare she say that!" and then had a go at her dad for being oblivious! He has since eaten humble pie and said that he thinks he knows of a lady who sews curtains - their designer ladies tend to use her so I'm waiting for details there. I have a feeling it's the same lady that my neighbour used. On the other hand I'm now thinking Laura Ashley because I don't want to splash out on curtains because when we move, the curtains more than likely will not fit. We've had 3 different houses now and each time the curtains didn't fit the new windows! But it would be nice to have really, really nice things in my house even for a short while. And then £3000 goes towards at least one alpaca! Next house will be the last one until I'm bundled off to the abattoir or a care home when I lose my remaining 2 marbles, so that will be done really nicely and heaven forbid my two have children. Kitchen and barns only for them.

 

Hubby is being eager to please me, although he doesn't know I've complained. Mwah hah harrrrrrrrrrr.

 

Yes, it was a nice letter and I sent an equally nice one back (had to respond because they need my address to send the voucher) - I did mention that I would be avoiding the curtain department for a while though! Of course it would have been better if it hadn't happened in the first place.

 

Go Daphne, go Daphne! Pity you live so far away - you could come with me!

[The Dogmother]

Very good reply from them, just a shame that it wasn't more timely.

[dancing cloud]

Yay! Result!

 

Ebay's good for Laura Ashley curtains, if you decide to go for those and spend the money on an alpaca instead

[Valkyrie]

Thanks!

[JellyBean2605]

On the subject of service i would like to give a shout out for some good service. I bought some tiles from Homebase (Laura Ashley ones actually ) i bought them online as there was 20% off (and they are blooming expensive) and paid for delivery. I was called by the distribution centre who said they couldn't deliver for 3 weeks despite the 10 day promise online. I said that was no good so the girl said why didn't I pick them up from a local store. She promptly refunded the delivery charge and called round local stores until she found one with enough stock to fulfil the order, then put an extended reserve on the tiles. The staff at solihull homebase just took the order number on my phone, and then loaded the tiles into my car for me, simple stuff but it just made a better experience!

[soapdragon]

Well thank goodness they have acknowledged you complaint and tried to make some reparation! Hopefully someone, somewhere has had a good talking to!

 

I admit to being a grumpy old woman (aged 50!) Hubs and I work damed hard for our money and will not put up with shoddy service etc. If more of us stood up to be counted then customer service would improve proportionally!!!!!

[Valkyrie]

Jolly good show Jellybean.

 

We have become so complacent - anything to avoid any sort of confrontation - which is why we seem to be inundated with goods that are disposable. Clothes made to last are now thrown away at the end of the season - mainly because hems, seams and fabric is inferior - they cost nothing to make but we pay a lot. Years ago I stopped going to M&S purely because of the inferior clothing. Plus the sizes are erratic. I used to get long leg trousers but now long leg is extra long leg and I have to take them up. Standard leg is still too short And then one leg is longer than the other sometimes and twice now I have had twisted legs that feel so weird when you wear them!