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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be happy that the boxing Day sales will probably be cancelled?

91 replies

TheSpiritofSalem · 28/10/2020 22:32

I used to work in M&S. In the year before I left, my store started opening on Boxing Day.

None of us, even the managers, wanted to work the (completely unnecessary) Boxing Day shift (which began at 7am!!!)

Even worse, 90% of the customers were miserable and complaining about the fact that we were open!

-"I can't believe you're open today. You should be getting the day off like the rest of us..."

  • "In my day, the sales started in January."
  • "Companies like yours are just greedy opening on a day like this."

and on and on and on...

I no longer work in retail, but I'm hoping that with lockdown looming, the sales will be moved back a few days this year, giving retail staff a much needed festive break.

Who's with me?

OP posts:
Thepilotlightsgoneout · 29/10/2020 08:44

I’ve always thought Boxing Day sales were unnecessary but what I REALLY don’t get is why they have to start at 6am/7am.... what’s wrong with Sunday/bank holiday trading hours, 10am-4pm or whatever?

Mrsfussypants1 · 29/10/2020 08:46

Plus with COVID i couldn't think of a worse place to be than boxing day sales. Ques, crowds, and everything being touched and replaced multiple times. And at the time people are more likey to have winter sniffles and the likehood people have mixed with family and friends (allowed or not) its a prime time to pick up more than a bargain!

Ylvamoon · 29/10/2020 08:48

I never go shopping on boxing day.

The best way to support retail staff is to make it unprofitable by staying away!

So yes, I hope its cancelled and everyone can have a boozy late night Christmas if they wish so!

thecatsthecats · 29/10/2020 08:55

@Killerqueen2244

Next are advertising temporary Christmas jobs with being required to work till 6pm on Christmas Eve then start again at 6am on Boxing Day. Hmm

Will be interesting to see how they manage the sale this year and if people will still be willing to queue for potentially hours for a half price viscose top...

Eww.

For the life of me, I can't work out why Boxing Day sales couldn't start at 11am, say.

And any bellend who doesn't have their Christmas shopping completed by 12pm on Christmas Eve should have a calendar stapled to their forehead on NYD.

(yes, I'm one of those twats who's almost finished their Christmas shopping already... but seriously, 12pm cut off would allow retail workers to travel easily to enjoy Christmas Eve with their families)

nicerbeing · 29/10/2020 09:04

@DisgruntledGuineaPig

Online sales dont need to be processed that day though. That's the only reason you would need staff working boxing day.

They do t need to be no, but we all know they would be. If people want to support retail staff on Boxing Day they should refrain from buying both in store and online.

DreamingofGinoclock · 29/10/2020 09:13

@TheSpiritofSalem

I used to work in M&S. In the year before I left, my store started opening on Boxing Day.

None of us, even the managers, wanted to work the (completely unnecessary) Boxing Day shift (which began at 7am!!!)

Even worse, 90% of the customers were miserable and complaining about the fact that we were open!

-"I can't believe you're open today. You should be getting the day off like the rest of us..."

  • "In my day, the sales started in January."
  • "Companies like yours are just greedy opening on a day like this."

and on and on and on...

I no longer work in retail, but I'm hoping that with lockdown looming, the sales will be moved back a few days this year, giving retail staff a much needed festive break.

Who's with me?

Hi OP are you my mum hahaha (although I doubt she is on mumsnet) ....this sounds exactly like my my she retired last year from M&S and says the exact same thing.

She used to hate those customers that would come in saying "why are you open" ...Well because customers like you turn up (obviously said in her head not to the customer haha)

I've never understood people going to boxing day sales ....in my opinion boxing day is a second Christmas day and should either be spent visiting family or slobing around in PJs eating leftovers Grin

Mrsfussypants1 · 29/10/2020 09:14

Our grown up DD was made redundant this summer and has taken on a retail job until she finds something in her field. Her employer has announced they will be closed boxing day this year, they are all over the moon (a retailer that is doing well i must add so they can afford it) Just like Christmas day it will be a paid holiday. They didn't do any extra pay for working Christmas day, same just above minimum wage. Im really pleased she will get to spend the day with her DH & DD.

Mrsfussypants1 · 29/10/2020 09:16

working Boxing day should say.

cologne4711 · 29/10/2020 09:16

And any bellend who doesn't have their Christmas shopping completed by 12pm on Christmas Eve should have a calendar stapled to their forehead on NYD. (yes, I'm one of those twats who's almost finished their Christmas shopping already... but seriously, 12pm cut off would allow retail workers to travel easily to enjoy Christmas Eve with their families

I agree. I was really cross when my county council decided to keep certain libraries open until 4pm on Christmas Eve. I mean, really?

middleager · 29/10/2020 09:25

Those of you in retail seem happier not to be working on Boxing Day, which I completely get. Can I just ask if you get paid extra on holidays or is this a myth? Would there be some staff relying on additional money/shifts?

My mother was a bar maid. She worked every Xmas Day and over Christmas/New Year and relied on the tips.
As a child though, I desperately wanted her home, but we needed the money.

Whatwouldscullydo · 29/10/2020 09:30

For the life of me, I can't work out why Boxing Day sales couldn't start at 11am, say

Yes it ruins Xmas when you have to be up early the next day . Can't have much to drink either if you are driving. And you get the added pleasure of watching everyone else chill in the pub with their friends/family whike you sit/stand there in your shop.

I mean if you haven't bought that jumper the other 363 days you were open including wmthe three times it made the sale rail , why on earth do you suddenly need it at 8 o clock boxing day morning ?

Black Friday puzzles me too i mean one minute you are busy being thankful for what you have the next you are stampeding target for a 60 in TV.

How shit were all your Xmas present you need to go buy more stuff thr next day.

Halliehallie9828 · 29/10/2020 09:38

I like Boxing Day sales, I’d prefer them to be open. We have to collect my step daughter at 10-11am so we always have a look around before then collect her.
Pick up a few bargains and then go back home and enjoy our day.

Halliehallie9828 · 29/10/2020 09:40

@middleager

Those of you in retail seem happier not to be working on Boxing Day, which I completely get. Can I just ask if you get paid extra on holidays or is this a myth? Would there be some staff relying on additional money/shifts?

My mother was a bar maid. She worked every Xmas Day and over Christmas/New Year and relied on the tips.
As a child though, I desperately wanted her home, but we needed the money.

BoxIng day is double time at retailer a friend works in.
Thimbleberries · 29/10/2020 09:45

I kind of see why people might complain that the shops were open, even while they were shopping - if they really wanted/needed something that was going to be on sale, and limited stock, then they have to show up at the time the sale starts, whether that's Boxing Day, 6am, or whatever. (Not saying I think this is a good idea, but just their logic. It might be the only way someone could afford something in particular, to get it in the sale, and so they will go if that's when it's available - but would prefer it to start later/another day).

I wouldn't care if online sales didn't get processed the same day, as long as the items were kept reserved in the order of the people who ordered them - if companies had good inventory systems that showed what was available or out of stock, that would help, if the main reason for someone going to the sales at the very start is to try to get hold of limited stock items.

Mrsfussypants1 · 29/10/2020 09:47

I think the extra pay for boxing day isn't very common nowdays, i have several retail friends (big companies) non of whom get extra for such days. One friend had for the last couple of years been given £10 for lunch for boxing day by her employers. Most get an extra day added on to their holidays. Our daughter will be off boxing day bit will be paid a days holiday.

LonelyFromCorona · 29/10/2020 09:48

Its our human right to be able to go to sales on boxing day if we choose to!

Mrsfussypants1 · 29/10/2020 09:53

Im not sure which human right shopping comes under?

Rosebel · 29/10/2020 10:25

I do agree with the customers that all shops should be closed boxing day but then I don't go out unless I'm working.
I work in retail (supermarket) so they'll be open anyway. Should go back to the shops being shut for a week IMO.
Still reckon the sales, will happen on boxing day though because so many shops are struggling.

Wexone · 29/10/2020 10:35

Live in Ireland it has only crept in the past few years that's shops open on st Stephen's day (Boxing day) when I was younger I would admit I would have been one of those who would have queued 1st thing in the morning however now as older and with online I think they should shut. Covid has changed the way i shop and also realize I don't need half as much, I hope this has happened to a lot of people. Spending time with family etc is my priorities now. I understand the high street is under sever pressure however I hope that they do shut to give the retail staff a break - many of whom have been working all along through this pandemic. However it is up to the consumer aswell, if they don't go into the shops then they shops will realize they don't need to open. Also I see now a lot of shops are being asked about Black Friday discounts all ready, here in Ireland shops are closed, apart from what is deemed essential as we are in Level 5 until 1st December, Its is very unfair to ask shops that are all ready struggling and have had a terrible to year to be put under pressure to have sales and discounts. It all boils down to the consumer

CakeRequired · 29/10/2020 10:36

Wait, how exactly do you think online orders are processed and sent out to your home? Do you really think I was talking about tech staff when I mentioned the unseen manpower Involved in online sales? Really?

And why do you NEED something delivered the very next day anyway? If you've managed to go the whole year without bothering to order something, and only want your TV or whatever for a lower price, you can wait a couple of extra days to get it delivered. Just cancel next day delivery and say it will take a bit longer. Not hard.

CakeRequired · 29/10/2020 10:38

Its our human right to be able to go to sales on boxing day if we choose to!

So you want people in shops just incase you want to get up and go shopping?

I'm sure you're being sarcastic, but sadly there are sad people like this who just want the option and likely won't even go, or if they do they complain.

If all you lot that want the shops open and to go shopping, why don't you volunteer to do the work that day and as a perk, you can shop for an hour before it opens? No? 🙂

Keep1984fiction · 29/10/2020 10:53

There are plenty of people who do not celebrate Christmas or are lonely or estranged from family who would be OK with working
I am happy to work on Eid or Hanukkah so my colleagues can celebrate with their family and friends.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 29/10/2020 10:54

I am sure Corona was just joking about the human rights😁

Someonesayroadtrip · 29/10/2020 11:00

@LonelyFromCorona

Its our human right to be able to go to sales on boxing day if we choose to!
Ummm 🤔 which heading is that under again?
To be happy that the boxing Day sales will probably be cancelled?
Orcus · 29/10/2020 11:01

@Keep1984fiction

There are plenty of people who do not celebrate Christmas or are lonely or estranged from family who would be OK with working I am happy to work on Eid or Hanukkah so my colleagues can celebrate with their family and friends.
There are also plenty of people who don't celebrate Christmas (or Hanukkah, which can occur at the same time as Christmas) who aren't ok with working then. Because it's when their children are off school, so that's the best opportunity they have to spend time with them and is also a day when childcare options are limited. Or because transportation is difficult. You can be a Hindu who wants nothing to do with Christmas who nonetheless isn't able to access nursery or the bus when it's happening and therefore practically can't do it. There are also people who don't celebrate Christmas who nonetheless choose the time to see loved ones because it's when the highest number of people are likely to be off.

I too have always been happy to cover for colleagues over Eid, Rosh Hashanah, Diwali and the like, but it's not equivalent because not one of those is celebrated to the same extent as Christmas is in the UK. Me being fine with covering Eid doesn't require me trying to commute or find childcare on days when the usual options are either unavailable or severely limited. Nor does Eid usually occur on a day when my loved ones are also not likely to be working and thus a prime choice for family get togethers.