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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to ask what, exactly, is the problem with Primark?

233 replies

waltermittymissus · 31/08/2012 21:41

Seems that it's a dirty word on mumsnet lately.

In Ireland it's called Penneys and people love it (I think!)

Anway, just wondered if you think it's awful why is it awful?

OP posts:

hawaiiWave · 01/09/2012 14:29

Primark quality is horrible in my experience, clothes become misshapen very quickly.

Give me m and s any day, a bit more expensive but clothes last ages.

Kayano · 01/09/2012 15:00

I love primark! ASDA too ;D

NowThenWreck · 01/09/2012 15:47

In my extensive charity shop trawling, I realised I can actually pick out a George/Primark item of clothing at twenty paces.
The chazzas are beginning to be full of them, unfortunately, and they make themselves known by their naff take on the latest trends which usually just misses hideous by way of being dull, and their awful fabrics and finish.

And I also agree with the Big Jessie and hackmum. It is so lazy to just assume "oh they are all the same and you have to shop somewhere".
They aren't. Do some research.
I am also fairly shocked that, on a parenting website, so many people are blase about the abuses of women and children by these unscrupulous companies.
A T-shirt shouldn't cost 3 quid. Sorry, but it shouldn't.

confusedpixie · 01/09/2012 18:21

A lot of it falls apart or gets ruined easily, which is the only reason I don't like it. I buy some basics in there because it's cheap and they have a large selection of block colour clothes, which a lot of shops don't seem to stock, and those types of things are handy for work (I am a nanny).

I've ruined three shirts in as many months at work but don't worry as I can keep them for scraps or messy days or something as they were cheap.

On the few occasions I've bought nicer clothes in Primark they've been unwearable within a few washes, one particular shirt got washed once and faded so much and became so bobbly that it had to be binned, so I don't buy anything for nicer occasions in there!

I buy most of my clothes in charity shops though these days, it does make me laugh when there are primark clothes in there, usually more expensive!

confusedpixie · 01/09/2012 18:23

Oh, like everyone else though, my primark jeans last for ever. Only the jeans though and they do get some rough treatment!

MrsKeithRichards · 01/09/2012 18:52

It doesn't cost 3 quid

2.50

horsey01 · 01/09/2012 18:53

I rarely shop in Primark but I haven't been impressed when I have had primark stuff.
I got some kids underwaear which survived a couple of washes and some brought for ds lost their colour.
However, I love Penneys when I go to Ireland. Quality seems better.

fuzzpig · 01/09/2012 18:56

I had been avoiding getting jeans in there but I might have a look now as lots of people have said they last well. Everywhere seems to mainly stock skinnies these days and there's no way I can get away with those...

fuzzpig · 01/09/2012 18:58

DD's knickers and tights didn't last well at all but DS's and DH's boxers are brilliant.

ByTheWay1 · 01/09/2012 19:10

£2 for flip flops - stitched and beaded - £2 - someone is being paid nothing much to make those, the factory take their cut, the transport, the taxes, the shop etc and for me that is why I do not shop there

TheBigJessie · 01/09/2012 19:11

I have thought of an improved analogy, based solely on an MNer's friend's anecdote in this thread.

Monsoon and faceface factories may have "shit" working conditions. However, as the MN Poo Troll can tell you, there are different kinds of faeces. Some are healthier to produce than others.

I'd link to the Bristol Stool Chart here, but I don't want to get reported for being the Poo Troll.

GlassofRose · 01/09/2012 19:14

Theres a factory in Japan where Prada, Paul Smith and River Island mens shoes are made...

Don't be fooled that paying more means better workmanship or that the company is more ethical.

The finishing on Primark clothes is usually very simple... but so is the finishing on many high street brand clothing. Sometimes the Fabric is cheaper... but you will usually find identical items in Arcadia group stores.

GlassofRose · 01/09/2012 19:17

It is so lazy to just assume "oh they are all the same and you have to shop somewhere".

I disagree, a lot of shops are the same and do use the same factories even when they charge more than Primark...

SoleSource · 01/09/2012 19:19

I like Primark. Jist been in and most of tne Ladies clothing is awful. Bought t shirt, jogging bottoms, pj's for DS. A purple throw for a fiver reduced from £15.

NowThenWreck · 01/09/2012 19:25

Er...Japan generally has pretty good working conditions!

LesleyPumpshaft · 01/09/2012 19:39

Who and what is the poo troll?

I never said you should shop anywhere because they are all the same, but all large companies are unethical to an extent. If people reall want to be ethical they can make do and mend and buy second hand imo.

Not that I always do this, and if people need something and can't afford high end ethical clothing they actually do have to shop somehwere. I just think that most high street shops ethical policy is a token gesture and a marketing ploy. I am a cynic though.

TheBigJessie · 01/09/2012 20:14

There is a weirdo out there, who makes thread on MN about being constipated. In great detail.

There have also been MNers who posted genuinely, and were falsely accused of being the Poo Troll. So you have to be careful when you shout ?Poo Troll?.

SoleSource · 01/09/2012 20:25

Oh! jessie I always wondered what it meant. Ta.

TheBigJessie · 01/09/2012 20:36

This thread shall now take a diversion left, to Poo Troll Reminiscences village.

JazzAnnNonMouse · 01/09/2012 20:37

Yabu yanbu - cant be either of those

Original poster

waltermittymissus · 01/09/2012 20:46

OP is NOT the poo troll! :)

I think because I'm in Penneys land I couldn't understand the hatred. But now I know it's because Penneys is far, far superior! smug

OP posts:

TheBigJessie · 01/09/2012 22:31

I'll reserve judgment for a few more posts, until I'm sure you're not going to post any pseudo-medical Harry Draco slash!

Socknickingpixie · 01/09/2012 22:36

my dd loves it.

i hardly ever go there because its a bit of a treck to the nearest one but friends often grab me vest tops when they go.

im a bit about the ethical shops ever since that expose on m&s a few years ago when even the made in uk labels were filmed being made by tiny kids,i think they all lie lots.

on a different note i cant ever buy anything from ebay if its listed as new because most of that stuff is sourced by shop lifters.

GlassofRose · 02/09/2012 11:11

NowThenWreck Sat 01-Sep-12 19:25:24
Er...Japan generally has pretty good working conditions!

^^ Japan was reference to quality. My friends husband is Japanese and worked for River Island; his RI shoes were made in the same factory as Prada and Paul Smith.

Don't assume high prices mean ethical or good quality. Not all Primark clothes are commissioned and made by Primark factories. In fact some of Primark clothing is sourced and purchased from other companies hence why lately they've had branded merchandise like the David Bowie top mentioned up thread.

McHappyPants2012 · 02/09/2012 11:19

i don't shop there as the clothes are rubbish and after a few wears in goes out of shape or has shrunk.

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