To think that Debenhams is actually shit?

[Selks]

I sallied forth to Debenhams this afternoon as I have a gift voucher to spend and wanted a new work bag. No bag to be had; what was there was plasticky and overpriced. OK, slippers then. Virtually no slippers to be had because - as the sales assistant snottily informed me - it's not Christmas. Right.
Meander through the lingerie section. Not one bra in my size. Enquire about the possibility of one to fit me and am met with a look of shock and horror. Slink off feeling decidedly downcast by now to the coffee shop where I am sat now. So far I have been told off by one of the waitresses for sitting down at a table of my choice rather than one they led me to, and I have been waiting 20 minutes for my coffee to arrive while the staff stand around chatting.

Meh. Don't mind me. I hate shopping. And I have found nothing to spend my voucher on.

And what is with the whole glammed up to go shopping thing? (Penny drops as to why I have been regarded with such disdain......)

It's always the same. If you would have gone in there skint there would have been loads of nice stuff that you couldn't buy!

YANBU.
I've never managed to buy ANYTHING in my local Debenham's. Oh hang on, maybe a duvet, once.

Try another day when there might be different staff members?

I think debenhams is really hit and miss. It even varies store to store. Sometimes I go and think everything is horrible and sometimes I go a find several nice things.
What about something from the beauty or fragrance department? They have a lot of nice beauty type products, I often get make up from debenhams. Or the jewellery? They sometimes have nice jewellery.
Hope you find something nice!

I have used the adjective 'nice' a bit too often in one post I fear.

I have to add that I wanted eight some Easter eggs from Sainbo's today, one of which had to be dairy free. There were none on the Free From shelves and nothing there to do with Easter (such as a chocolate Easter rabbit). I marched to Customer Services to demand enquire about a dairy free Easter egg and the assistant was extremely helpful, will make enquiries and will telephone me tomorrow. I was told that I could put my name on one in the next delivery and collect it with no argument.

So far, I've had no problem with my local Sainsbo's. Hmmm. Is it the way a customer asks for things?

The fragrance department is far too scary for me to tackle!
Huh.
Might go and have a look at the duvets.

Have always detested Debenham's. YANBU.If I have to go to a department store give me John Lewis any day.

Do you have the wrong thread RuleBrittania?!

RuleBrittania, sometimes it's in how a customer asks for things, and sometimes it's down to the attitudes of snotty sales assistants. I am always polite.

YANBU - Debenhams is horrible. The Birmingham branch always looks like a jumble sale, the changing rooms are often closed - and when they are open they are filthy.

The only thing in their favour is that they sell nice cushions.

Agree - it is hit and miss at Debenhams. I would save the voucher and go back in six weeks or so. I haven't been in ours since before Xmas and have never been impressed with their bags or their lingerie tbh. I do like their linens though - duvet covers and such like and sometimes the kitcheny stuff is OK. Make-up is the same everywhere and a really nice bottle of perfume could tempt me. They also did a fantastic teenish range a couple of years ago although now dd is actually a teenager she thinks it's naff. She was big at 10!

Go look at the kitchen stuff - it's all branded so you might find something there?

Haven't you a sufficient number of duvets? Don't spend your voucher on something you don't really want. Have you tried a Debenhams website. That might show things for sale that are not available your local Debenhams. I haven't look at one myself but perhaps you could order something and have it delivered to your local one. Does nayone out there know if that's possible? Even if it's something small like a couple of plates.

How much is your gift voucher for? Don't answer if you prefer not to. Talking about money is vulgar but, strictly speaking, a voucher is not money

Actually I did manage to buy some curtains there once. The packet said "machine washable" and had washing instructions. When I got them home the curtains themselves said "dry clean only" so I schlepped the 20 miles back again to check/point out the disparity. They said that what was on the curtains was what counted. Hard luck madam. Dry clean it is. And no we aren't going to remove them from sale/ change the packaging. Never bought anything there since.

selks I used to find it intimidating too. Now I say 'I'm fine thank you' before the scary shop assistants have chance to say much and keep reminding myself that I have just as much right to be there as anymore else. Even if I am the palest and in the worst clothes!

WTFlike

No. This is the right thread. We are talking about shop assistants dealing with customers.

Sounds like you are having a bit of a crappy day....I am sending a hug your way.

Yes, why do people get all tarted up to just go shopping?! Do they think they're going to a shopping centre to be in a fashion show? Some women are in bloody 5 inch platform heels! It's mental...

I've got Debenhams vouchers and am struggling to find anything to spend them on, even though we need loads of things for the house. I could always stock up on Givenchy mascara (only decent thing they sell as far as I can tell), but would really much rather spend them on stuff we need. Why can they not have one decent duvet cover that's not polycotton ? Or non-naff curtains? Or a decent floor lamp? I feel your pain, OP.

I know a couple of Debenhamses (?) which are fine. Wouldn't be too happy if it was like you described in the OP though. Have some

I managed to acquire £90 yes that's right £90 of vouchers over Christmas for Debenhams. I feel your pain.

I used to absolutely love Debenhams when I worked in central London and used the Oxford St store. It was one of my favourite shops. Since I stopped working there and have moved a bit further out, I hardly ever get the chance to go into town. Went in a local ish one before xmas and was very disappointed, like a totally different shop. OP might be worth waiting another month and go again end March/early April. They will have a lot more spring/summer stuff then.