AIBU to think that shopping is now a cumbersome and alienating experience?

[HauntedBungalow]

I appreciate it may just be me as I've never been one for leisure shopping - I mean I've never seen it as being a hobby or pastime, more a means to an end.

But obviously at Xmas I have to do quite a lot of it, to get presents for people, and my goodness this year it's really felt like work.

Go online - well that's just wading through pages of shit, drop boxes, pop-ups and complex return and postage policies.

In person homewares - half the time the item isn't in the shop - back to online, as above, with no real idea about what the thing looks like (it would be a cold day in hell before I drop £2k on a sofa based on nothing more than a fucking photograph). Or it's broken/no one knows what the price is etc.

In person clothing - most sizes aren't there, and even if you do manage to find something you have to scan it and bag it yourself, regardless of if you're spending a fiver or £500. Piss take.

Supermarkets - don't even get me started. Find your stuff, scan your stuff, pack your stuff into your own bags (or pay £1 for each) with not a staff member in sight ... that's a warehouse, not a shop. And, most times the shelf tickets aren't accurate, the offers don't go through, the self scan tills are dirty, the shelves are dirty, everything is in the wrong place, loads of things are missing and the entire place is freezing cold. (Why are they so cold?) It's fucking garbage.

Is this just what late stage capitalism looks like? Where everything is dowdy and crap, and you have a constant background feeling of being slightly mugged and you'll never get what you want but will spend loads of money regardless?

With rotting fruit and veg, just take it back for a refund. We do and the customer service counter will refund it without too much fuss if you've a receipt showing you bought it within the last few days. The more it hits them in the till, the more likely they are to change their ways and do proper stock rotation.

Like you, I don't enjoy going shopping. I do almost all of my Christmas shopping on Amazon and the odd bit elsewhere online or in a physical shop. I don't find it too bad at all tbh.

Supermarket- I go to Aldi because it's cheaper, smaller and takes less time at the checkout. I pop next door to Booths for extra nice bits.

We bought a car last week. Searched on local dealerships' website, identified one we fancied, went to the dealership, test-drove that one and bought it. Pretty much the same process as last time we bought one!

I've never been to a clothes shop where you have to scan and bag it yourself - is that really a common thing?!

I live in NW England, if that makes a difference, and I very rarely go into a big city centre.

Re: the paper bags. I got pulled aside in M&S recently as I didn't realise you had to pay for them (I'd been taking one everytime I went in for months, as I'd then use it at home to put my recycling in!)

I was so surprised and genuinely shocked we have to pay for paper that they let me on my way without charging me. I'm happy to pay for plastic, I am happy to bring my own but 30p for a fucking paper bag. Fuck that!!

The only pleasure I really get from shopping anymore is charity and vintage shops. Clothing quality is shite on new stuff and I can’t afford high end.

Really? We’ve saved up over 15 years buy a 3 yo car and drive it until it dies. We’ve found this cost effective compared to alternatives. It’s not a BMW or a Porsche 🙄

I'm the same except I don't think I have ever shopped as a leisure pursuit. Clothes and shoes from a few retailers, where I can actually ring up and ask questions or even pay, plus some things off eBay from the same retailers, generally. I know my size from them.

Food shopping from Sainsbury's and Lidl, plus local butcher and farm shop if I am out and about.

I deplore the move to unstaffed checkouts; it's destroyed any of the pleasure in shopping because the self checkouts are so temperamental. I definitely buy less than I did, sticking to my list, as I dread the checkout.

Unfortunately, it isn't.

Oh, come on.
Why a stealth boast?
How about a TT RS?
😂

Marks and Spencer is scan and bag yourself.
Matalan and H&M are too.
Also Decathlon

I'm not starting that.

Our M&S hasn't started the diy yet, either in the cafe or clothes sections

Yeah, I definitely don't need more than one type of tinned tomatoes. I just don't care enough about the differences.

I won't use supermarkets that don't have hand scanners. The worst part of shopping for me is putting items on the checkout then trying to pack them. Hate it!

Yeah we're in Newcastle, I prefer our little Lidl and a quick Sainsbury's trip for extras. Clothing shops have limited sizes and never the full range. I order online from Next and M&S etc and pick up in store. Also use Amazon on prime for loads rather than trawl through shops. Time is better used than spending ages looking.

I agree. If retailers force us all to use apps I will simply stop buying - I have enough clothes already to last me for years! I will either shop in physical stores, or if they go completely too I will only buy something if I really, really, need it.

I'm in NZ, and while a lot of shops have closed there are still plenty to shop in, and mostly they still seem to be well stocked, and the customer service pretty good - well, in my area anyway.

I've never been to a clothes shop where you have to scan and bag it yourself - is that really a common thing?!

Primark. V dystopian feeling

Go to Duesseldorf. I've never seen so many shops. And Cologne is just down the road, too.

Marks and Sparks too. It's horrible.

I went to Dusseldorf and Cologne to visit their wonderful Christmas markets 10 years ago. Didn't notice the actual shops, but I'll take your word for it!

Cannot agree MORE!!

I used to love clothes shopping now I hate it. I don't feel inspired when I walk in, hard to find anything in your size. Shit quality material.

I used to walk into Karen Millen and be like I want to buy half the store and yes it was pricey but worth it now it's owned by boohoo urgh the designs are tacky and the material is cheap but the price is the same!

That's so true

I used to love Richard shops. It reeked quality and I loved the classical music which was instantly soothing

I loved Richards! I had so many things from there, including a pair of boots which a woman once literally chased me down the street over, to ask where they were from! I also remember a fabulous purple miniskirt from there and a cow print suede midi skirt!

I had two beautiful suits from Richards when I started my first job. I think I probably still have them somewhere.

Yep! Then there's the websites that essentially 'punish' you for daring to zoom in on a product you've spotted and launches you back to the top of the list you've just spent 10 mins scrolling through.....! (TK Maxx being one of these!!)