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Another no-good shop..

26 replies

cornflakecrunchie · 08/11/2025 19:39

Where on EARTH are people shopping for Christmas this year? I've already warned about the shops-that-used-to-be - Debenhams, Dorothy Perkins & the like. Terrible reviews.
I've recently ordered lots of little Christmas bits & books from The Works. Had lots of stuff in the past & it's been great, so I didn't bother checking Trustpilot. Silly me. I've waited & waited & despite promises, nothing's turned up. Here's the truspilot review. You've been warned. :-(

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.theworks.co.uk

The Works Stores Limited is rated "Poor" with 1.8 / 5 on Trustpilot

Do you agree with The Works Stores Limited's TrustScore? Voice your opinion today and hear what 1,280 customers have already said.

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.theworks.co.uk

OP posts:
Needmorelego · 08/11/2025 23:50

The Works have apparently moved their warehouse or got a new system or something so deliveries can take up to ten days where before it could be 3 days.
It says this on their website.
How long have you been waiting?

Needmorelego · 09/11/2025 00:00

This is what the website says.

Another no-good shop..
Mum2twoandacockapoo · 09/11/2025 00:15

I wouldn’t be trusting online deliveries over the Christmas period , there’s going to be a LOT of stuff going missing . Delivery people are leaving parcels anywhere they can , I certainly wouldn’t be buying anything that you’re relying on for Christmas delivery.

Needmorelego · 09/11/2025 00:16

@cornflakecrunchie unless you live miles from a branch wouldn't it be easier to just go to the shop?

Puskiesauce · 09/11/2025 01:17

Debenhams used to be great, lovely clothes and good customer service.

Not any more, sadly.

However, would highly recommend Live Unlimited, their stuff is great quality.

Beeinalily · 09/11/2025 03:31

I ordered a gift from Menkind (standard delivery) on Thursday, it arrived yesterday.

cornflakecrunchie · 09/11/2025 11:58

Been waiting about 15 days.
@Needmorelego I tried going instore to Sports Direct, to try on a coat. They didn't have those coats, needed to get them online. You couldn't make it up.

OP posts:
BelatrixLestrange · 09/11/2025 12:03

Amazon. Used it for years. No issues.

Needmorelego · 09/11/2025 14:00

cornflakecrunchie · 09/11/2025 11:58

Been waiting about 15 days.
@Needmorelego I tried going instore to Sports Direct, to try on a coat. They didn't have those coats, needed to get them online. You couldn't make it up.

That is unusual for The Works (I use them a lot).
Any delays are usually because of the courier or royal mail.
I have noticed a lot of retailers now have a lot of "online only" for items on their websites.
I would agree that's annoying.

cornflakecrunchie · 09/11/2025 14:07

@Needmorelego I agree, it never entered my head to check out The Works on Trustpilot initially, as I've used them so much in the past & they've been great. It was only when nothing arrived & I got in touch with them, they just ask what's missing from the order - I keep telling different people there the same thing, & have now told them to cancel my order, which they seem to be ignoring.
I couldn't believe how BAD the Trustpilot review was!

OP posts:
TidyCyan · 09/11/2025 14:07

Frasers Group (who owns Sports Direct) have approx 500 stores in the UK and sells many items across the same "retailer". If they were to stock a coat with say 3 smalls, 4 mediums and 3 largest in every store they'd need 5000 coats and never sell them all. They'd also need to pay to ship them out to each store. Driver wages, fuel etc.

I cannot explain to you how much retail stores eat into profits. I would wager they sell the same number of those coats if they just buy 2000, pay once to get them from China or wherever into a warehouse and the buyer pays the shipping.

cornflakecrunchie · 09/11/2025 14:15

@TidyCyan I worked in retail so do understand, but just one in each store for shoppers to examine would help. Some stores charge a fortune for orders & returns, so I was trying to avoid that.

@BelatrixLestrange & @TidyCyan If I shop with Amazon (which I do) I'll check with Temu too, as such a lot is on the Chinese sites but cheaper!
Tbh I'm trusting the Chinese suppliers more than the British ones, these days. I NEVER thought I would say that. :-(

OP posts:
MoominMai · 09/11/2025 14:48

Mum2twoandacockapoo · 09/11/2025 00:15

I wouldn’t be trusting online deliveries over the Christmas period , there’s going to be a LOT of stuff going missing . Delivery people are leaving parcels anywhere they can , I certainly wouldn’t be buying anything that you’re relying on for Christmas delivery.

💯

I try to get any essential online orders in by end of first work December at latest precisely for this reason.

LakieLady · 09/11/2025 14:55

Puskiesauce · 09/11/2025 01:17

Debenhams used to be great, lovely clothes and good customer service.

Not any more, sadly.

However, would highly recommend Live Unlimited, their stuff is great quality.

I really miss Debenhams. I used to get all my bras in there, from their own range, and the sizing was incredibly consistent. Their kitchenware and bedlinen was good, too.

I did almost all my Christmas shopping in there one year, all in one go.

My nearest department store now is a John Lewis nearly 20 miles away.

workingcocker · 09/11/2025 14:59

The problem with review sites is that people who have zero issues very rarely go and make a review.

They only get the negative side.

So, IMO total waste of time.

MadameCestMaintenant · 09/11/2025 15:00

I live in France in a very small town with few shops apart from supermarkets. Over the years I have loved shopping in the UK, but on our last visit we were horrified to discover that these days it's mainly on line .....but due to bloody Brexit we can't buy stuff from the UK online any more.

Mama2many73 · 09/11/2025 15:14

Temu etc may have better deliveries but the lack of safety/quality checks on nearly ALL aspects of the items production make them significantly more dangerous to the consumer than items bought in uk.
From dangerous/banned dyes in clothing, fabric items etc, to high levels of dangerous /toxic elements etc ie lead, in paint/on toys which children then handle, to downright illegal electrical items with no standardised /safety checks, the safety totally outweighs the thought of ordering from them.
And thats not even taking taking into consideration the state of the lives of those people, adults AND children, who are 'paid' to produce the items.

purpleme12 · 09/11/2025 15:18

workingcocker · 09/11/2025 14:59

The problem with review sites is that people who have zero issues very rarely go and make a review.

They only get the negative side.

So, IMO total waste of time.

Strongly agree with this

cornflakecrunchie · 09/11/2025 20:02

@workingcocker I usually try to thank companies who do a good job.. but did you check the Works Trustpilot review? It's abysmal..
@Mama2many73 Yes, you have to be wary of what you buy - I wouldn't buy toys from Temu.It's all the same on Amazon etc though!
@LakieLady All the British shops that have gone.. :-(
@MoominMai Yes, all my 'big' online shopping is ordered & delivered, thank goodness..

OP posts:
cornflakecrunchie · 11/11/2025 19:49

Update - The Works are refunding me. I'll check my bank..

OP posts:
TheBestBear · 11/11/2025 20:09

You may have more joy delivering your order to your local The Works store.

:-)

RedRiverShore5 · 11/11/2025 20:14

I shop at John Lewis, Next and M&S, all deliver next day to store which is much more reliable. I also shop on Amazon which is very reliable

AllJoyAndNoFun · 11/11/2025 20:20

I think we must have the one good Evri and DPD driver in the country as I always seem to get my stuff ok. I buy a lot online but admittedly most is from smaller retailers so if you’re looking for one stop shops it’s not v helpful for you to know where I bought candles and niche calendars 🤣. For mass shops I find Next is consistently reliable and Amazon so long as Amazon is the seller.

cornflakecrunchie · 11/11/2025 23:22

I'm done with the Works!
I've warned everyone, & shown their trustpilot review.. I can't do any more if people don't believe me.
I never do deliver to store, that's the worst of both worlds, still having to go & collect, might as well have it delivered to home. Our Evri delivery guy is great, but he can only deliver what he gets.. if The Works don't send, he can't deliver!

OP posts:
sweeneytoddsrazor · 12/11/2025 00:19

I had a delivery from theWorks 2 days ago, a few bits and bobs as stocking fillers. Only took a couple of days no problems