To be really narked at M&S

[Bathsheba]

M&S had HORRIBLE girls clothes for a long time, and our local store had hardly any anyway..

However recently they have really turned themselves round and most of DD2's autumn and winter wardrobe has just been purchased from there.

There was 1 item that I couldn't get in my store in her size (they had 12-18 and 2-3 but I needed 3-4). This was in the new autumn/winter range, so a brand new item in the stores. No problem thought I, I can order the right size in, merrily took the dress up to the ordering desk and asked for it in a 3-4 to be ordered in for me.

Assistant taps on the computer, "Sorry, we only have it to order in 12-18 months".

I thought the whole point of the ordering system was that, if your store didn't have it in the size you were wanting, then they would get it in for you in that size. Apparently not now - they share the ordering system with internet ordering, and if its not available in that warehouse, they can't get it.

So can I get it sent in from another store - No, we can't do that, you can ring other stores and get them to reserve it for you,a nd get a friend or family member to go in and collect it for you...

Can I order it now so its sent when its back in stock - No, we can't back order it for you, you'll just need to keep trying every few days until its back in stock for you to order...

That SO did not used to be the system - the ordering process was put in place because they would find it in your size and get it for you, not have you, your friends and family running around the country or checking their ordering system every couple of days....

I was told that they can order 98% of things in, in the size you want for store collection....however as I was trying to order this dress for DD2, my Mum was at the next assistant trying to order a skirt for herself, and getting exactly the same conversation..."None in your size, keep trying every few days... or get someone to go into another store for it...."...

So not 98% of things in our very small sample of 2...0% of things....and the woman behind us had exactly the same (she told us on the escalator)...so 0% of 3 things available.

I'm pg, I'm emotional, so this had me absolutely fizzing...!!!

I'm so narked at them - the whole point of M&S is they have quality things and great service and you pay extra for it...now they had quality things, but no great serivce at all - I can get that type of service at Primark..

YANBU. M&S could update their computer system so it allowed you to find a garment whether it was in a warehouse or another store. And they'd presumably sell more things that way!

I'm still to angry about my M&S rant this week to be able to write down coherently. Unfortunately I was so maddened I was quite rude to the woman on the end of the phone. Mind you, that was only after she had been the smuggest woman on the planet.

I've received a reply...they have pointed me to my next neighbouring store to see if I can recerve the item there.

I advised them by reply that a round trip of 150 miles (as it is from Aberdeen to Dundee) is hardly in line with their environmental policies, especially when under the old ordering system it would not have been necessary.

They also advised that the item should be back in stock within 14 days and that I can continue to check for stock - again I advised as to why I couldn't back order the item as you can with their competitors, and I have to check back until it is in stock rather than them taking the order and fulfilling it when they have the stock.