AIBU to cut off my nose to spite my face?!

[MarmeladeKing]

I can't help it but am quite miffed - just logged into my Next account to order some last minute christmas presents for my children and was faced with a banner to book a slot for the Next Sale - having logged in, I clicked on Book Slot and was advised that I'm not one of their selected customers and therefore am not invited to shop in the sale...I mean..I'm a next unlimited customer and have ordered hundreds of pounds of clothes over the year (also returned plenty when the photos didnt match the item sent which is another irritation) ...so what constitues a valued customer???
WIBU to potentially risk not receiving the clothes in time for Christmas just so I can take my customer to somewhere that I might be more valued?! Grrrr. first world problem and all that, but why advertise my lack of value right in my face!!!

That's so sad. Can't believe mainstream companies haven't stopped selling real fire years ago. Awful. My children would be horrified to wear real fur .. they have been taught very well about environmental conscientiousness.

At school I mean.. they are now teaching me...

It’s Next for Gods sake not Rolex.

It’s just a marketing thing to try and create a feeling of exclusivity. Just email and they’ll add you, or don’t if it really annoys you.

I'd check your marketing permissions on your account. If they're not switched to 'allowed' then you don't get an invite.

I've never understood the appeal of Next. I remember a neighbour used to get up middle of night on boxing day to cue for the sale doors to open. Its stuff is very middle of the road. I just don't get it. And they're It so poor they're trying to make it a thing to be invited? Just shop elsewhere

@PussyCatEatingPigsInBlankets

So you can't just buy stuff in the sale? You have to be "invited"?

Bugger that.

What a load of hyped up shit

No thanks

I've ordered twice from next online. Shit customer service so have never ordered again.

I prefer the clothes from Zara, Mango and H&M anyway.

Could also be because you return too many items. I’ve had an account for years and always get a slot - I booked mine yesterday morning, but they’ve always had a strict criteria for the slots.

Not sure if it’s still the same now but the original criteria years ago was -

• You must receive the paper catalogue (don’t think they do these anymore though!)
• You must have at least £250 available credit on your account
• You must return less than 1/3 of goods ordered
• You must opt in to marketing emails

Sounds like if your ordering a lot that you’ve exceeded the percentage of returns allowed for a slot.

@NandorTheRelentless the sale is open to the public from Boxing Day. The VIP slots open on Tuesday.

If you have one of the first slots you can get a lot of branded goods for really good discounts - last sale I had a £250 Radley bag for £80.

They also do Joules, Cath Kidston, Seasalt and Fat Face which is where I buy most of my clothes from, so it’s worth the bother to me!

I wouldn’t sweat it. I’ve been a VIP customer for 10+years and occasionally book on to it. I never actually get anything because the sizes they put on sale are so random and everything else is shit! Don’t waste a precious bank holiday on it

@EveLe

Could also be because you return too many items. I’ve had an account for years and always get a slot - I booked mine yesterday morning, but they’ve always had a strict criteria for the slots.

Not sure if it’s still the same now but the original criteria years ago was -

• You must receive the paper catalogue (don’t think they do these anymore though!)
• You must have at least £250 available credit on your account
• You must return less than 1/3 of goods ordered
• You must opt in to marketing emails

Sounds like if your ordering a lot that you’ve exceeded the percentage of returns allowed for a slot.

I think it must be the returns then. Oh well, nevermind. Haven't got much from the sales in recent years anyway as all the good stuff is gone by the time my slot comes around - it's just galling to be told that they have a sale and you're not invited! Think I'll just let her pick some tops in the sales after Christmas. She'd probably prefer that anyway..

@Ifyoudontlaughyouwillcry

I wouldn’t sweat it. I’ve been a VIP customer for 10+years and occasionally book on to it. I never actually get anything because the sizes they put on sale are so random and everything else is shit! Don’t waste a precious bank holiday on it

This is true - I used to get one of the first slots years ago when the stuff in it was worthwhile and it would be so stressful logging on as it used to fall on my daughters birthday, but more recently I've bought practically nothing from it. My life will be happier for the lack of invitation really. Need to focus on that! Thank you!

I reckon if you buy a lot at full price, they don’t invite you as they know you’ll shop there at non-sale prices. I only get invited if I’ve bought very little! Remember the sale is not really a reward for your loyalty - it’s purely their way to shift unsold stock at half price!

^^ or maybe everyone else gets slots and I’m not valued either

If you're returning a lot of stuff that's probably why - even though returning stuff is free to you, it actually costs the company a fair amount, so you're probably classed as a 'serial returner' and aren't the kind of customer they want to encourage.

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=amp.theguardian.com/fashion/shortcuts/2019/may/15/trying-it-on-retailers-versus-serial-returners&ved=2ahUKEwi-xLO73PD0AhXTQkEAHeHKDugQFnoECCgQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1hBIyt8q96f7roZf38nY10" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=amp.theguardian.com/fashion/shortcuts/2019/may/15/trying-it-on-retailers-versus-serial-returners&ved=2ahUKEwi-xLO73PD0AhXTQkEAHeHKDugQFnoECCgQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1hBIyt8q96f7roZf38nY10

It’s in the FAQ what the criteria is for getting a VIP slot. I can’t remember off the top of my head but something like you must hold an account, have a certain amount of available credit, have ordered a certain amount and not returned over a certain percentage.