Buying School Uniform Exclusively Online - Answers required within the hour please

[islandofsodor]

My children's new school uniform is being unveiled this afternoon bythe company who will be supplying it.

It is a totally online company whereas the previous suppliers have been local school uniform shops.

Has anyone an experience with having to buy uniform online and are there any questions I should raise/points that may need addressing.

My concern was postage costs and returns which has been answered by going on their website - they do free postage and send returns labels.

You have to measure your child and give measurements in rather than order by size as such.

I am also going to ask about extremes of sizing, currently my small for age ds can only have trousers and shirts from M & S (and adjustable waist only) as they are the only shop that go small enough.

What havn't I thought of?

[sykes]

Our school recently changed and it's been a nightmare. We order sizes (which seem to be huge) but you'll measure so maybe that will be okay. They're always out of stock, website crashes loads, usually when you're just about to pay having spent the last hour trying to work out the ordering system. If you're out of the usual range made to order takes for ever. It's incredibly inconvenient - hate it. Sorry. Hope your site is better.

[islandofsodor]

Its Perry uniform our school are using?

Have to say the local shop was always out of stock too. I do like actually seeing the clothes and trying them on though debating which size hangs better on dd or allows enough growth room without being mahoosive.

[ChazsBarmyArmy]

DS's school uses Perry Uniform. If I am not sure of sizes I ring them with his measurements. So far so good. You can't always tell stock availability from the website and a couple of things have been a bit slow to come through due to lack of stock.

[weblette]

Ds's school has online uniform.

They do have some samples at the in-school shop so you can check sizing, otherwise the returns policy is very easy and free.

I've also found ringing them when I'm not sure of which size to go for very helpful.

We use Schoolblazer.

[islandofsodor]

What is quality like ChazsBarmyArmy?

[islandofsodor]

Ooh, its just gone online. Having a sneak preview now just before I leave.

[islandofsodor]

Oh good! No logo on boys summer shirts, mens I can get them and trousers from anywhere. Fleeces are twice the price as the current ones. Blazer exactly the same except with a trim.

There is no way on earth ds will fit into a 24 inch waist PE short. He currently wears 18 inch, measured him this am and he is 20inch.

[ChazsBarmyArmy]

Quality seems ok. Its mainly the same stuff as the local supplier used to sell before we went on line.

[islandofsodor]

Well been today to the meeting and apart from one item I think the quality seems better and prices cheaper.

Am a bit that we will now have to get trousers from only one supplier though.

[BelleDeChocolateFluffyBunny]

I didn't think schools could dictate where parents had to get the school uniforms from now??

[islandofsodor]

Not in the state sector at primary level they can't Belle (though some try) this is an independent school though. Apparently the shade of grey has to be just so!!!!!!

[BelleDeChocolateFluffyBunny]

Ahh, I really feel for you. The independant secondaries are far more reasonable (sometimes)

[islandofsodor]

I actually really like the new Senior School girls uniform. They have got rid of ties and the uniform is less of a skirt and non matching balzer and more of a business suit in a dark colour.

[neversaydie]

I have used Perry's in the past (just for generic stuff) - mostly because they sell some 100% cotton kit which helps for a ds with eczema. Service was generally absolutely fine, although you do need to be a bit more organised ahead of time to be sure that everything is in stock and so on. It is more expensive than supermarket basics. Worth it for what I wanted, though.

[howmuchdidyousay]

My DSs are at a state secondary and some items of compulsory uniform are only available from an online supplier schooltrends.I wondered what would happen if a parent didn't have internet access or a bank card ?

[islandofsodor]

We have been told if we don't have internet access there is a phone line. I guess they tqake cheques thought to be honest it woulod be very unusual these days for people not to have a debit card, especially as cheques are going to be phased out.

[CheesedoffBedford]

Our school went with Schoolblazer despite a survey in which 74% of parents requested a shop. One word sums it up . Lamentable. Things fall apart and despite everyone only having the new uniform for ONE YEAR it looks shabby and I would say over half p.e. bags are split and torn. One parent's business is uniform and another parent is a textile expert and they have both expressed 'surprise' that the school has accepted such a poor quality. Ask your school whether they are in business of providing an education or selling clothes.