AIBU not to mourn the demise of Clintons Cards?

[grovel]

I'm sad for the employees of course but these stores were peddlers of expensive tat.

8000 potential job losses.

Seeing as the large majority of Clintons stock comes from American Greetings, I'd hazard a guess that they'll be back before long, trading as 'American Greetings Card Store'. Maybe something a bit more catchy

I work for UK greetings I was slightly worried as we supply a lot of the cards in Clintons. However from what I understand, American Greetings have bought it, called in the debts which understandably they couldn't pay (they were having no problem paying them back) in order to force administration. This is aparently an agressive American type thing to do in order to minimise their loss and also to stop a competitor from taking over (probably Hallmark)

from The Guardian which explains it better than me

its the fact that another staple of the British high street that's gone (and the job losses obviously). Its is so easy and cheaper now to get things online that more and more shops are disappearing. HMV is the only chain music store still trading and even DP who is well into his music will go and browse, then buy cheaper online, likewise with Waterstones. Its only a matter of time and that is very sad.

Poor staff, another gaping hole on the high street. Cards and wrap ridiculous prices though, I bought a small, sympathy card for £4.99! the other day. felt too tight to take it back when I got to the till. DD almost cried, the blue nose toys they alone sell are a real fad for her age group.

It is sad to see another go. I much prefer their range of cards than Card Factory. Not all their cards are expensive - their Simply Clinton range is reasonable. I have also bought lots of bargains in their Christmas sale.

The blue nosed toys are made by carte blanche which is not owned by clintons. You can buy some of their stuff in WHsmiths and I imagine that if clintons goes from the high street they'll be available elsewhere

Moonpig are a bit crap.

Are they based in Jersey or something? Why does it take 3 or 4 days for a first class card to get to someone?

I'm not in the UK anymore, but I've used them a couple of times when I've realised way too late that it's somebody's birthday and being on the other side of the world won't get the card there fast enough. And actually, it seem to be about the same to send a card from here than via Moonpig...

RobinSparkles

Yes, you're right. I always go to Card Factory. Clinton's was too dear and that's why they are failing. Pity they couldn't see it for themselves.

I am sad for them and it is a good shop, I did use it, but generally Card Factory is much cheaper and when people are on a budget the cheaper bargain shops will win. So many places sell cards now; supermarkets etc than seperate card shops are used less as well as online places.

I'm always sad for the people that will lose their jobs but you don't have to think about it for long to see why they failed. You can get nicer cards in Sainsbury's for about 60% of the price. Add pressure from Moonpig etc. I sit down every 6 months and do a Phoenix order off a friend of mine. Supermarket gets ad hoc business - would have to be an emergency for me to enter Clintons.

I never never went in Clintons. They were one of those invisible shops to me.

Also WHSmith - how they keep going completely baffles me. On the rare occasion I do go in it'll just be for a paper if I'm passing. Why do they bother to sell cd's? They choice on offer is beyond a joke and who trots off to Smiths to buy music anyway these days? And the books are too £

YABU, it's quite easy to avoid overpriced tat simply by not entering the shop. It's quite hard for 8000 people to find work when there are already circa 2.5 million jobless. You should mourn the loss of any jobs because it makes life that little bit harder for people who are already struggling.

I feel sorry for the staff. But the cards were so expensive. Even if I needed a card desperately I wouldn't go in. And all that other tatty stuff.

YANBU. It's sad for the staff - but such a dated, naff shop.

I went in there recently for some helium number balloons for ds and was shocked at how dated it all was.

My mum might be a bit lost without it though.

Can't stand card shops - I hate cards. What are you supposed to do with them except say thanks & whang them in re-cycling?

On the rare occasions when I really need to buy one, there are cheaper & not so naff places to go.

Agree it's crap for the staff.

I used to work in Clintons as a student so not mourning it at all. However why has the high street and the internet not merged? A bit like Argos?

You could take something away there and then or just look at it and buy it online in store for a bit less. I love going into town but it needs shops not just coffee bars and estate agents.

Best go and get ds card ASAP as they alway stock nice cards for kids Be sad to see it go

I think it's a shame as obviously people will be out of their jobs.

However, I think Clintons is old fashioned and full of overpriced items. I haven't bought anything in my local one for years as it's easy to pick up a card for 50p or o elsewhere.

The price was too high and on top of that always massive ques. If I want to buy over priced cards cos I am in a rush and dont have time to shop around then I dont have time to stand in massive ques. So end up going else where. Expensive shop but their customer service was low price shop style I felt.

No! The cards were overpriced (M&S are lovely at half the price) and the rest of the stuff is expensive tat.

And they fired me from my first ever job.

Funnily enough, I went into Clintons today, first time in absolutely ages.

I was looking for something tacky/jokey for a particular colleague, and the range in WHSmith down the road was far too tasteful.

Thank goodness it wasn't me paying - it was about £3!

I think the cost of postage will sound the death knell for the card industry, and the shops who haven't kept up with changing tastes will be first to go.