Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to want to shout at Primark shoppers?

322 replies

baiyu · 22/07/2010 15:41

I mean really, just how many shoppers without a conscience are there? There really is no justification for shopping somewhere that treats its garment workers so badly and has continued to do despite years of campaigning.

Primark are thriving in the economic downturn making workers lives worse and worse as they struggle to keep up with orders. Being poor is no excuse, I can?t afford to buy new clothes but I?d rather my few quid went to Oxfam than ABF and their cruel trading practices. So tell me, why do people shop there? The quality is terrible too, how is it a bargain if an item of clothing lasts ten minutes?

I?m not just reading the Daily Mail by the way, researching things like this is my job, the working conditions have NOT improved and it?s just making me angry! AIBU to think more people should care?

OP posts:
puffling · 22/07/2010 22:22

Rockinsockbunnies - if you class Bristol as the south of England, it's been around at least since 1985, prob. before that.

expatinscotland · 22/07/2010 22:26

CrackFox, you forgot that plebs also need to go veggie and only holiday by train/public transport.

toccatanfudge · 22/07/2010 22:26

ermm yep - that's about it CrackFox - only had a quick scan through the document, but irrc John Lewis scored 0..............

toccatanfudge · 22/07/2010 22:26

oooo oooo expat - I'm holidaying on public transport - a whole 3 weeks of it - does that mean I'm a qualified pleb???

scottishmummy · 22/07/2010 22:27

fair-trade chatterati shop JLewis et al.the proles can scrabble around for 2nd hand,ebay and they should feel bloody guilty bout it too.hell how dare they consider buying new affordable for themselves/family

people do what they have to with the finances they have.and if that is tesco,asda, buy 2 get 3 then fair enough

and as i have said charity shops arent packed with cheap clean,good nick clothes in size etc you need

toccatanfudge · 22/07/2010 22:29

scottish - I hope the fair-trade chatterati don't shop at JLewis........they didn't score too well...

thefirstmrsDeVere · 22/07/2010 22:29

Rich people who source pieces from Primark are clever

The rest of us who buy school joggers and babygros are selfish and uncaring.

crackfox pmsl at 'cant tell who is poor'

scottishmummy · 22/07/2010 22:31

yes,thats what i mean the fair-trade chatterati swanning round JL, Clarks and L.Ashley content they arent in Primark

expatinscotland · 22/07/2010 22:33

tocc, that is 10 points on your PlebCred card.

now, because you are holidaying in a council home, that's another 5 points.

for shopping in Primark, 5 points.

toccatanfudge · 22/07/2010 22:35

oh sorry - misunderstood you there.......I'm just a uncharitable pleb so please ignore me.

actually on that note I'm off to make a coffee.

Spotted a new Fairtrade coffee in Morrisons today - never seen it before - it's bloody GORGEOUS, I'm SOOOOO hoping it's not just a new trial run of it (though it wasn't on special offer as trial runs usually are).

By far and away the best tasting, with a real kick to it as well, fair trade coffee I've tried

scottishmummy · 22/07/2010 22:37

ned pour bébé!pleb card tell me more.can i collect ginger and fags points (for the weans).they look smashing in their primark clobber.

AhickeyfromKenickie · 22/07/2010 22:39

I'm not being sarcastic, or argumentative, just genuinely curious: what high street shops are ethically sound? Anyone have a list?

expatinscotland · 22/07/2010 22:41

Council/HA dwellers and people in receipt of Housing Benefit/LHA - 20 points!

Any of your neighbours, friends or family own a Staffie or Staffie cross? - 10 points.

£5 Primark vouchers for those with 200+ points - you can buy an entire outfit for it!

It's just too bad they don't sell tabbards for plebs in low-level cleaning and restaurant jobs. I've not seen any in charity shops.

Must check Freecycle. Or maybe just chap on the neighbour's door and see if she has one going spare.

MollieO · 22/07/2010 22:43

I wonder how many people shopping at Primark still own that item of clothing in 5 years time? I imagine for those who are genuinely poor the answer would be yes. However Primark seems to be one of those stores that people shop at to buy clothes they wear a couple of times or for that season and then discard.

I would rather do less shopping and buy things that I keep for a number of years and consider the ethical stance of the company I purchase from.

toccatanfudge · 22/07/2010 22:44

ooooo I'm getting a fair few points in there on my plebcard

toccatanfudge · 22/07/2010 22:46

actually Expat - I've never even stepped foot into a Primark

But I shop at Matalan.......

MollieO - that last time I bought clothes for myself was April 2008 - they were from "cheap" shops

AhickeyfromKenickie · 22/07/2010 22:47

Can the posters who "YANBU"-ed tell me where they shop then, please Thank you.

TheCrackFox · 22/07/2010 22:49

I've got some old stuff form Primark - in the days before it was called Primarni. My jim jams are ancient but still look nice and I have a ten year old cardi that I get complimented on all the time.

The quality seems on par with Next and M and S but a fifth of the price. They are all made in sweat shops so I don't understand why I should pay more to line the pockets of the shareholders.

thefirstmrsDeVere · 22/07/2010 22:51

expat you have just lost a few points.
Primark dont do vouchers.

Wannabe

SirBoobAlot · 22/07/2010 22:53

They do do gift cards though...

toccatanfudge · 22/07/2010 22:53

I'm sorry DeVere YOU are the Wannabe

MollieO · 22/07/2010 22:55

toccata - that's my point. It isn't just about buying from ethical sources - not everyone can afford to do that. However everyone who buys clothes can afford to keep those clothes for a number of years. I was smartly dressed today for my job dressed in 6 yr old outfit from Monsoon. I did have sandals bought this year though only because the ones I did have literally fell apart. I don't understand the need to have 'this season's' fashions.

scottishmummy · 22/07/2010 22:55

all this i only buy fair trade,made in a commune by a gifted artisan is a bit smuggley smug. fair trade made costs more,and to many is too pricey.lots of people have a finite budget that doesnt stretch to more expensive option.saying but buy less doesn't address children who need a school uniform.buy 2 get 3 etc are good deals

all this leaves a bad taste. best washed down by a big ole starbuck latte

toccatanfudge · 22/07/2010 22:58

ahhh but scottish I DO only buy fair trade cofffee, tea and sugar (and in winter hot chocolate/cocoa too) >>

It's my little bit I can afford to do.........sadly the clothes option is much more expensive (and I wish I hadn't bloody googled some of the online ethical cothing shops as I've seen some stuff that I WANT)

I have to confesss I do buy shoes......well Boots - quite a lot of them (but second hand - from the fab little vintage shop that opened in town start of last year).

expatinscotland · 22/07/2010 22:59

Damn, that's me rumbled!

I actually do shop in Primark.