to be really nice for a change and BIG UP John Lewis plc

[Monkeybird]

I mean FGS they farkin well know how to treat a parent wishing to part with their hard earned cash.

Despite having to avoid the air kissing Ladies Who Lunch (surprisingly still able to manage 3 mwahs despite the botox and solid foundation) and the Merc drivers who believe yellow lines mean 'please park here blocking the way of all pedestrians' JL themselves are BRILLIANT. Can I say that again? Yes? OK, BRILLIANT.

You roll up, sweaty screamy baby in tow to find they not only have a dedicated baby room but... shock! horror! it has a dedicated BF space. With proper BF chairs! And free chilled water. And privacy.

And then they provide free nappies and wipes.

And a push button to open the door so you can get your pushchair out without breaking off your elbow tips. And, I noted, a parent and toddler loo with two toilets in, one big, one little AND room to get a pushchair in...

And then, when you nip off to the cafe to have a spot of lunch, a nice munchkin offers - OFFERS, FGS! - to carry your tray for you cos obv if you're on your own with a pushchair you do, actually, need help to buy their fine food.

And then, when you go to buy your curtain material, the nice lady who looks momentarily aghast at the idea you, YOU?!, might make your own curtains, rather tactfully puts a kind smile on in lightning speed and then proceeds to give you huge amounts of expert advice about fullness widths, blackout lining, whether or not interlining is necessary and exactly what sort of needle you will need, as well as adding up how much fabric you will need, ordering a large sample for you and saying 'I think you've made a lovely choice with that paint colour, dear. Very sophisticated combination'

Someone give me a reason why I should ever shop anywhere else?

I agree with everything you have said but would add in a compliment for the lovely lady who fits my son's shoes.

And they are a co-op too.

Totally with you on this. JL is my sanctuary, bad things do not happen there, they just don't. And when I had to take dd's bunny clock back 5 months after I bought it, no receipt, the lovely lady in the baby department exchanged it for me without so much as a murmur.

John Lewis are brilliant. Really responsive customer service.

I will always buy electrical and white goods there. Once my Hotpoint washing machine broke down. Hotpoint couldn't have cared less. For three weeks I was without a machine and a new baby. Once I'd contacted John Lewis, they put the pressure on Hotpoint and in two days, a brand new machine arrived.

And their internet site is easy to use, and their delivery service prompt, accurate, and good value. And if you in the JL PR dept are reading this, just contact me for my address so you can send me the gift voucher!

All hail John Lewis.

I filled in an online questionnaire for Ocado today (part of JL) and was slightly pissed off that one of their questions was whether your children go to state or private school.

Where else gives you a 5 year guarantee on TV's for free.

I ordered flowers from them for Mothers Day, to arrive on Saturday. Parcelforce didn't deliver them though did they. Contacted John Lewis Customer Services on Sunday (lo and behold someone who is actually open at 10am on a Sunday) and they said I could have my money back or they would do a re-order. I asked for my money back, knowing full well the flowers would turn up. As I suspected they turned up on Monday and therefore cost me nothing!

er, sushi, step aside love; I think you'll find it was me who started this thread

was not fishing, honest, just very impressed

'push button door'? The one I visit has an automatic opening door on the baby room so you don't even need to press!

It is a fab shop but my only ever complaint of them was that they refused to heat baby food in their restaurant - which caused me a slight inconvenience once.

Monkeybird - which JL has all these wonderful things? Our local is great but baby facilities not great - small store, no extra space, baby changing room gets really stinky. Would love to know where this paragon of virtue is x

Washer - I don't think even JL would heat baby food as their insurance wouldn't cover in case of food poisoning etc, but they will always provide hot water to warm/heat jars and bottles - or the plum baby tubs

monkeybird - oh go on then, you can have the vouchers!

No they wouldn't provide us with anything other than tepid water that was good for heating nothing, but I don't hold grudges, no siree! .

The thought they have put into the family friendly features of their stores should be an inspiration to all retailers.

And more importantly they announced that all 'partners' (staff) will get a 20% bonus this year

Hurrah for hardworking DH!!!

Keep shopping and breastfeeding there you lovely people!

mlmonster, did the airkissing and Mercs not give it away then? Cheadle, Cheshire, home of the selfmade thousandaire...

Bluewater has similar to Monkeybird's.

Sheffield is a bit small and baby changing facilities could be better (but still miles better than most stores) but we are getting alovely shiny new JL in the not too distant future

John Lewis Cheadle is my second home

I love John Lewis. I truly do.

sorry mb - not up with the haunts of the bourgeois
Cheadle is hundreds of miles away - but might be worth a special trip, by the sounds. BW a bit closer........

We don't have one down here sniff. But, they did our wedding list and they were fab; it couldn't have been easier. I love their online service too.

I like John Lewis. Like their additonal guarantee on white goods etc. We had a problem with a built in oven which we bought from them. It was a cosmetic fault which we didn't notice until we installed it. And to make matters worse we installed it the night before we went on holiday and so I couldn't let them know about it straight away. It was all sorted out with no problem.

Cristina I got that Ocado survey too. I really can't see what difference it would make to my grocery order whether or not my children attend private school!

Just a thought - maybe if your children do go to private school they deliver the fruit shoots in a plain brown bag