To think that Rigby & Peller should have mentioned the store being ripped apart when I booked my appointment?

[Flame]

I booked an appointment a few weeks back, explained that I was travelling from Bournemouth for it etc.

We get there to find they are doing a refit, the bras are still there, but it is a mess of boxes and building stuff. Not the calm "experience" kind of thing that I had last year.

The staff seemed in a rush and not impressed to have customers.

I bought a bra, based on last year's experience being fabulous I took the tags off to wear it this morning... have worn it for an hour and it doesn't feel like it is fitting properly, I am falling out over the top, and where I have taken the tags off (based on a) it seeming a good fit when I wore it for 2 mins yesterday, b) having such a good fitter last year c) their reputation at getting it right), I now can't return it (can I??) so I have spent a small fortune on a poorly fitting bra

Generally pissed off. This was a once a year birthday trip. They knew how far I was travelling. The refit would have been planned ages ago, would it really be that hard to say "We'll be having work done, you can still come here, but you could do Knightsbridge if you would prefer"??? They told us to go to Knightsbridge after our fittings if it was a problem We had other plans for the rest of the afternoon, not traipsing over London.

Ring them up, or if you don't quite have the nerve, write them a letter, explaining how far you had travelled and that you considered it a treat. Explain that you felt rushed and bought a bra that seemed ok, but when you have actually come to wear it, it doesn't fit properly after all.

Ask them nicely if you can return it by post for a full refund.

I am fairly sure they will agree to this.

If not, threaten to contact the press - this is horrendously bad service from somewhere you would expect superbly good service.

Good luck.

Sorry your day didn't go to plan.

Far be it from me to say that I told you last year that I have always found the staff rude and unhelpful, and their fitting not as good as their reputation suggests.

Ah but last year I had fabulous service with lovely staff who found me perfectly fitting bras CSWS

Thank you Squonk - I will do that

oh dear, I used to work for them yrs ago, and the staff were always very kind, not rude etc...

The owners are arses tho.

Seeing as you have only put it on for a couple hours, and well, the fact its uncomfortable, ring them and say you are returning it. Also put a letter in with it, saying how your trip was ruined. They do tend to think that most of the customers are in zone 2.

let us know how you get on. I had a quick look at their web-site and for that price, you really want to be getting something super special (mind you I tend to make do with the Tesco Value underwear and squish my body to fit the bra, rather than the other way round, so I may not be the best person to give advice )

I've never tried R&P but always get myself measured and fitted at Bravissimo. They have a shop in Oxford Circus and one in Covent Garden and various others round the country so there may be one closer to you than London. I've always found them very helpful and competent. They do stock some R&P and other 'luxury' underwear but also lots at a more reasonable price. Think they are D cup and over only. www.bravissimo.com

I recently bought 4 (two of each model) bras at Marks and Spencer with the advice of a fitter, who told me at the time that I shouldn't worry if they don't feel right, as they will when my skin warms up the material . After a couple of hours' wear, they were so uncomfortable, I had no choice but to return them by post. (I didn't have time to schlep back to the shop). Customer Services couldn't have been more helpful: I had a receipt, but no packaging (trying to be 'green', i left it in the shop). Almost by return of post I had a full refund in the form of a giftcard. So, R&P surely MUST refund you!

It is the gift card thing that is bothering me... The bra is as new to look and feel, just that the tag is off. I am too tired and rargh to phone them today, I will either shout or cry, neither will be productive!!

I'm going to call them tomorrow and ask what i should do about it all

R&P are the only people who've ever fitted me correctly - Bravissimo wasn't up to much, and M&S told me I was a 34B when I was 32DD (used to be VERY hard to get cup sizes like that a decade ago). 4 cup sizes out by the time the rib measurement's factored in. So I share your rage at them doing that to you - the prices you pay should mean they damn well get it right.

Obviously a gift card is only of use with a shop like M&S where it can be used on other stuff (and they're branches everywhere). Stand firm on your rights - they shouldn't fob you off with a gift card at R&P if you don't want to shop there again or indeed cannot get there!