Cinnamon Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 I only ever buy meal deal & funky scarves in M&S these days. Couldn't find any shoes for work in there, & the clothes are not to my style or taste at all, but each to their own. I did get some very good & great value gym gear for the daughters birthday though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 Oh DM, a Radley for free I love handbags and got a gorgeous green leather drawstring one for a pound the other week. Not my usual unfussy, cross body style, but I'm getting a little more adventurous in my old age! I'm now worried about venturing into M&S, I have some vouchers to spend and really not sure what to buy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 The M&S in Basingstoke has a very low ceiling. I rarely go in there because it's so claustrophobic! Even worse going to the back into the lingerie department - bit like going in a black hole! Not that I've been in a black hole - dungeon then. Camberley is better, although not much there for me fatty bum bum size - even though it's huge (the shop - yes my bottom is too ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 There is only one M&S in Holland and it's so lovely! Very classy renovated building in the centre of The Hague. Very big and roomy. The fitting cabins in the lingerie department are huge and have a sort of anti-room to get help in without you standing there in your, well... nothing. When shopping, I regurlarly pop in for a cup of tea and a slice of carrot cake.... Hmmmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted March 29, 2015 Author Share Posted March 29, 2015 Yes, I to have a Christmas voucher to spend (forgot it when bra shopping...stupid me ) but will struggle in any dept apart from the Food Hall. Have decided to get in some treats for Easter in our small, very local food hall shop, Cowley! Charlottechicken, love the bag......also looks like it could pack a mean punch if swung right. I do love things with a dual purpose!!!!!! your pad, too!!!! Oh for a drawbridge of one's own Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 The M&S stores abroad are always better than the ones in the UK I haven't been into Oxford for ages, despite having worked there for 6 years; there are sooo many tourists there now that it's a bit like trying to walk down Oxford Street in London, with everyone walking straight at you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted March 29, 2015 Author Share Posted March 29, 2015 The M&S stores abroad are always better than the ones in the UK I haven't been into Oxford for ages, despite having worked there for 6 years; there are sooo many tourists there now that it's a bit like trying to walk down Oxford Street in London, with everyone walking straight at you! I went in last Tues for the bra run and OH was there Thurs/Fri doing a seminar thingy at The Examination Schools. We both came to the conclusion that Oxford is dying on its feet. Relies FAR too much on the tourists and full of brands; all the individual shops have gone. If I were you, DM, I'd not bother!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 I worked in the town centre for 6 years from 1994, when I first moved up from London. I don't really enjoy shopping, so it'd take a lot to make me be bothered to go there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Charlottechicken, love the bag......also looks like it could pack a mean punch if swung right. I do love things with a dual purpose!!!!!! your pad, too!!!! Oh for a drawbridge of one's own Hadn't thought of the dual purpose aspect! Ahh yes, a drawbridge, doesn't everyone have one these days? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 I am an M&S girl and my biggest bugbear is I buy jeans. Can pick up two pairs same size, colour, style exactly and diff of an inch in leg length?? Plus they shrink big time in the wash. I have found myself holding two pairs same size length wise trying to find a pair that agree on length, pref longer. And fail..... Other one is in bra dept. I buy a bra (perfect) go buy diff colour/design and near cuts me in half or cups too small!! All same size! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Exactly! There is nothing uniform about the sizes or lengths - something that you find that actually fits is pure luck and when you get a second item you can bet it's totally different. Ridiculous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted March 31, 2015 Author Share Posted March 31, 2015 Last year, when I finally decided that the saggy, grey over shoulder boulder holders (or, rather bras!) had to go I decided on an M&S trip. I knew what size I was and took 10 of that same size, all different designs and styles, into the changing room. I emerged, red faced, sweaty and generally begrumpled, some time later with only ONE that was a really good fit. Odd that, given that they were all the same size Message to M&S......consistency, please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I find this too, and not just with M&S. I think the problem lies with different factories/suppliers working either to different briefs, or an inconsistency in standards.... Or both! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 The M&S stores abroad are always better than the ones in the UK I haven't been into Oxford for ages, despite having worked there for 6 years; there are sooo many tourists there now that it's a bit like trying to walk down Oxford Street in London, with everyone walking straight at you! I went in last Tues for the bra run and OH was there Thurs/Fri doing a seminar thingy at The Examination Schools. We both came to the conclusion that Oxford is dying on its feet. Relies FAR too much on the tourists and full of brands; all the individual shops have gone. If I were you, DM, I'd not bother!!!! Surely the Covered Market still has independant shops Mind I haven't been to Oxford for 13 years despite living there for over 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted March 31, 2015 Author Share Posted March 31, 2015 I find this too, and not just with M&S. I think the problem lies with different factories/suppliers working either to different briefs, or an inconsistency in standards.... Or both! Not just the briefs, DM...the whole lingerie dept Sorry, couldn't resist! Louise....the Covered Market does have independent shops but the greengrocers, butchers, florists are fast disapearing and there are more and more tourist based shops every time I go in. They are down from two greengrocers and fish mongers to one of each so less and less for 'the locals'. I guess thats where the money is but its sad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Bought up John Lewis today. They fit and only one cardy to be taken back because the arms are tight - hope it's not and M&S thing because the others were perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 There was an item on BBC Breakfast about M&S and how they seem to have lost their loyal customer base. I too have found the style of clothes unappealing, the quality poor, the sizing erratic yet the price does not reflect the poor quality. Sort yourself out M&S or you will be in serious trouble. The housey items are always lovely so maybe that buyer needs give the fashion buyer some advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 M&S is a bit like a rabbit caught in headlights, they can't seem to find their way and they have panicked! Per una, autograph, classic, collections,best of british,indigo, limited collection....the list goes on. How can they get the food department so right but the rest so wrong. What's that all about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted April 4, 2015 Author Share Posted April 4, 2015 Slight munching sound as I eat just a few of my words! Found a FAB pair of cotton jeggings in a 10 in charity shop in Chippenham (on the way to FIL in Corsham) BNWT and fit perfectly. Really love them but didn't see anything like them in M&S Oxford though!!! Just shows that they CAN do it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 Sorry to hijack your thread but I have seen bad and good service in shops this week. These werent English people either who are often berated for being stuffy re working in shops, or waitressing etc. A well known shop Sports Direct where over the yrs I have probably paid the mortgage of the boss who lives in leafy Totteridge not too far away from me - well yesterday I was trying to find a goalie top for 13yr old YS. They were so unhelfpul - in the end I and said to a young guy - please come and point them out to me - he was probably so alarmed at this mad middleaged blonde who was uttering expletives he did. Result another sale. Today in Brent X Hennes I was looking for birthday clothes for YS - whos at the gangly skinny stage where 15 yr old clothes esp jeans dont fit and should I buy a small mans ones.? Finding another gangly 20 something with a quiff and big specs I asked his adv - bless him he was very helpful. I told the manager when paying and compilmented him on his staff. Well done that shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 DS ordered a suit online. Apart from it going backwards and forwards between depots it eventually reached us. He is well happy with it. He looks really good in it too! Perhaps men's things are better then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 Sports Direct are an absolute shower - I refuse to enter the place any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 Sports Direct are an absolute shower - I refuse to enter the place any more. Agreed, just the layout of the place gets me going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 Sports Direct are an absolute shower - I refuse to enter the place any more. Agreed, just the layout of the place gets me going. I'm so glad it's not just me - I thought it was just that I'm old and not "down-with-the-kids" (at 44!!!) I go in there when I have to for stuff I can't easily get elsewhere but if the staff acknowledge me at all they look at me like an alien and if I have cause to speak to them I'm lucky to get a grunt at best! They could do with upping their "customer-service-skills-training" me thinks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 I refuse to set foot in Hollister the shop for trendy young things (yes I was in there for my son not me - I am not trendy or young) the lighting is appalling for the ageing eye - I asked them if they had a prob with the electrics and the smell - dont get me started - like a house of ill repute - I nearly gagged when I went in. never again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
