Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel uncomfortable in Harrod’s?

360 replies

Chocolattay · 08/03/2022 20:05

I went in with my mum and baby recently on a day trip to London. I obviously knew I wouldn’t get very far with my measly £200 spends but I thought I could at least get earrings or something for baby.

Goodness me, I was very quickly humbled. I immediately felt insecure. Staff buzzing around me constantly and when I said “Oh I’m just looking around” they stared me down and walked off.

I just felt very unwelcome and inadequate the whole time. We did have a meal in one of the restaurants which was nice but I couldn’t get away quick enough afterwards. It didn’t help that we ended up getting lost for half an hour trying to find the exit, and the area with the escalators etc made me claustrophobic.

I breathed a sigh of relief when we got out. Then I went and spent my money in the nearby Zara instead.

All my friends say they love snooping around Harrods but I hated it. Anybody else?

OP posts:
Glaciferous · 08/03/2022 20:28

Harrods isn't even a very nice shop, apart from the food hall. Next time go to Liberty or Selfridges!

Fernandina · 08/03/2022 20:28

I've sauntered round Harrods a few times when I've been at a loose end, and I don't think I've ever been badgered by sales staff. Maybe I look too poor. Grin

SpikeySmooth · 08/03/2022 20:31

I live in London & I hate Harrods/Selfridges/Harvey Nichols etc because of tbeir unfriendly, snooty service. I prefer to go to individual or independent shops.

godmum56 · 08/03/2022 20:31

I used to go to Harrods regularly when I lived in London and never had any problems with the staff.... I do think though that its possible sometimes to project your own feelings onto other people. having said that.....baby earrings???????

SpikeySmooth · 08/03/2022 20:32

Liberty is horrible too.

DorothyZbornakIsAQueen · 08/03/2022 20:33

having said that.....baby earrings???????

OP DIDN'T SAY BABY EARRINGS FFS 😂😂

Original poster
Chocolattay · 08/03/2022 20:34

I looked quite scruffy tbh. Hair was brushed but wasn’t straightened. I was just in a bog standard green coat with a plain un-ironed white top and black jeans!

Yet the staff were all over me.

I wonder if I looked like one of them rich messy eccentrics lol

OP posts:
ChocolateCakeYum · 08/03/2022 20:34

I hate shopping full stop.

That said I love the Harrods food Hall and always pop in when I’m passing for a stuffed croissant and a brownie. Delish! 🤤

jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey · 08/03/2022 20:35

Love a Christmas decoration from Harrods and Liberty

TheVanguardSix · 08/03/2022 20:35

They don’t call it Horrid’s for nothing!
I worked there for a few months around 2000-2001. Soul destroying.

Nutsohazelnuts · 08/03/2022 20:35

YANBU. Harrods has been crap but also up itself for years. Just for tourists, nowadays. The only good thing about it in living memory was the hilarious Dodi and Diana statue, but I think that’s been removed now.

The last time I went in there - admittedly ages ago - I was also given the cold stare by the staff for looking scruffy. Luckily I don’t care.

Repeat after me: it’s a shop, it’s a crap shop, they work in a crap shop…

StarsAndSugarlumps · 08/03/2022 20:35

Can’t stand Harrods.

Gardeningdream · 08/03/2022 20:37

To be fair I also did a double take as thought it said she was looking to buy earrings or something else for the baby.

Anyways, I don’t get the issue, harrods is jist another department store. This sounds more like an anxiety thing and I can always find something to blow a couple of hundred quid on in there if I wished to. 😂

WrongWayApricot · 08/03/2022 20:38

This thread is going to have so many people wound up about baby earrings 🤦‍♀️ 😂

They do a nice hot chocolate, or at least they used to. I think I got a coin purse there too once, someone else bought it for me though.

Try to not pay the staff any mind, I'm sorry it was so overwhelming for you OP. If you ever go again just think of it as something to see, like Big Ben, less pressure maybe.

Christinatherabbit · 08/03/2022 20:38

@godmum56

I used to go to Harrods regularly when I lived in London and never had any problems with the staff.... I do think though that its possible sometimes to project your own feelings onto other people. having said that.....baby earrings???????
Who said anything about earrings for babies? She wanted earrings....or....something for the baby? Even if she wanted earrings for her baby, wind your neck in, really would not be anyone's buisness regardless 🤦‍♀️
LondonWolf · 08/03/2022 20:38

Goodness me, I was very quickly humbled. I immediately felt insecure. Staff buzzing around me constantly and when I said “Oh I’m just looking around” they stared me down and walked off.

I go to Harrods weekly. I often pass it when out and about and nip in for a sandwich or a bottle of water. I'm not rich, I am usually wearing muddy dog walking clothes or scruffy running gear. I've never once been treated snottily or "stared down". I'm surprised to hear of these negative experiences of the staff - I have never known them be anything but smiley and helpful. They pride themselves on their customer service, even to the plebs Grin

NameChangeCity123 · 08/03/2022 20:38

@Chocolattay

I went in with my mum and baby recently on a day trip to London. I obviously knew I wouldn’t get very far with my measly £200 spends but I thought I could at least get earrings or something for baby.

Goodness me, I was very quickly humbled. I immediately felt insecure. Staff buzzing around me constantly and when I said “Oh I’m just looking around” they stared me down and walked off.

I just felt very unwelcome and inadequate the whole time. We did have a meal in one of the restaurants which was nice but I couldn’t get away quick enough afterwards. It didn’t help that we ended up getting lost for half an hour trying to find the exit, and the area with the escalators etc made me claustrophobic.

I breathed a sigh of relief when we got out. Then I went and spent my money in the nearby Zara instead.

All my friends say they love snooping around Harrods but I hated it. Anybody else?

Have never been to Harrods but just searched the aforementioned Princess Di statue. Oh my ConfusedConfusedConfusedConfused gutted I missed the real thing, I feel the phots may not have done it justice 😂
bonfireheart · 08/03/2022 20:38

It's over rated and depressing tbh, same with Liberty's.

elbea · 08/03/2022 20:39

I second going to Liberty’s instead, it’s lovely and the staff are so welcoming!

Original poster
Chocolattay · 08/03/2022 20:39

At first they hovered and when I said I was just looking they just…stared and then walked off as if I didn’t exist. An “Okay, enjoy!” wouldn’t have gone amiss.

OP posts:
Fuckitydoodah · 08/03/2022 20:39

@RewildingAmbridge

Round of applause OP £200 to spend on baby earrings in Harrods....
Was there any need? Also, read what's written properly before being snippy.

I've never been to Harrods but sounds like I'm not missing anything. Try not to give it any more thought OP. It was them, not you.

Badnightguaranteed · 08/03/2022 20:41

Very snooty in liberty. Disappointing.
It used to be amazing

Davros · 08/03/2022 20:41

It's not Harrods, it's you.
It's an amazing building, on the ground floor especially. I can't believe the staff give a shiny shit how you're dressed or how you sound etc. It's not Pretty Woman fgs.
I'm devastated to hear that the Diana memorial has been removed. It was the height of tackiness. The sphinxes have Mohammed Al Fayed's face.

cuno · 08/03/2022 20:42

I've never been in Harrods, although I've been to Selfridges multiple times and quite like it to have a nose around. I assumed Harrods is similar to that but a lot pricier.

PandoraP · 08/03/2022 20:42

Oh noooo they have removed the Diana memorial?? I loved it. So so tacky Grin