Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Original poster

To think that Marks & Spencers closing their dressing rooms is absurd

181 replies

paulaplumpbottom · 30/12/2009 11:03

I was in Marks & Spencers yestaerday and saw a couple of really cute dresses so I took them to the dressing rooms to try them on. The dressing rooms were closed. The sales assisant then told me that they now close them during the sales. I explained to her that yesterday was a rare day when I didn't have my very young son screaming his head off and that returning it would be a hassle. She rudely refused me even though i'm a really good customer and shop their daily. I don't understand how this policy benefits their customers. I felt really angry. Am I being unreasonable?

OP posts:

BlackYellowRed · 30/12/2009 11:04

How odd! I've never known a shop to do that before!

FabIsGoingToBeFabIn2010 · 30/12/2009 11:05

YABU - if she opened for you she would have other people demanding the same.

All the shops I have been in have closed their dressing rooms over the sale period. It is just too busy to manage when so many people are out shopping and they probably don't have full staff cover.

Original poster

paulaplumpbottom · 30/12/2009 11:06

I know i've never heard of this either but a woman who overheard my conversation with the sales assisant said she had the same problem in River Island

OP posts:

Ivykaty44 · 30/12/2009 11:09

Back in the 1980's M&S never had dressing rooms in their shops - at all.

Consequently people would buy clothes, take home and if they weren't right only 50% of the time return them. So M&S was quids in with dud sales

They didn't take credit or debit cards either - apart from their own until 1994 ish

Original poster

paulaplumpbottom · 30/12/2009 11:09

I understand that its a busy time for them but it only takes one person to staff the dressing rooms. It just doesn't seem right to me to expect people to not be able to try something on before they buy it

OP posts:

FabIsGoingToBeFabIn2010 · 30/12/2009 11:10

It really needs at least 2-3 people to staff them properly. One taking clothes in, one putting them back and one to assist where needed. It is irrelevant you shop their daily - she doens't know whether you really do or not and it is their choice how you run the shop. It may be a nuisance but it is just how it is.

Original poster

paulaplumpbottom · 30/12/2009 11:12

I guess i'm old fashioned. I think that serving your customers should never be a nuissance.

OP posts:

FabIsGoingToBeFabIn2010 · 30/12/2009 11:13

I meant a nuisance for you.

gingernutlover · 30/12/2009 11:15

YANBU to find this annoying it is so stupid, thye may be saving on staff time to not man the changing rooms but surely they are only making more work for their customer service dept when people bring back the things that are wrong.

I also think it's stupid that some shops wont accept returns on certain days after xmas.

but it would be unreasonable to expect them to make an exception just for you.

serenity · 30/12/2009 11:16

YABU. Most places do this. Too many people wanting to try too many clothes. Dressing rooms are wonderful for shoplifters during normal times, it'll be paradise during the busy sale periods.

What were you angry about? The fact they do it, or the fact that the sales assistant (who doesn't know you from Adam) didn't give you preferential treatment? Relax, it's not worth getting stressed about.

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 30/12/2009 11:17

Debenhams do this as well.

I found a corner in the shop and tried the jeans on there. But I have no shame and am not really bothered about a ton of people seeing me in my knickers.

There is a m&s food hall near me that sells the odd item of clothing and has no changing room. I've been known to whip my top off in the middle of the aisle and try a jumper on.

morningpaper · 30/12/2009 11:17

Most places do this

If you layer enough clothes you can undress in the aisle and try stuff on in protest

but I am a bit of an exhibitionist

Bathsheba · 30/12/2009 11:17

If you shop there daily then surely its not actually that much hassle to return things....

lemonadesparkle · 30/12/2009 11:19

YANBU in wanting to try the item on. Its one of the main reasons I would never go sale shopping as I do think it is fairly common practice (at least in the rush of the first sale week). May as well buy it online, try it on in the comfort of your own home and then use the free returns (that most online shops have) if you don't wish to keep the garment.

However, YAB a little U, if you really do shop there everyday. I can't see the problem in trying it at home and returning it on one of your daily visits.

PrincessToadstool · 30/12/2009 11:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

paulaplumpbottom · 30/12/2009 11:24

Angry is probably a stronger word than I meant to use. I was irritated. I was upset that they had the policy in the first place. I suppose most people aren't as restricted with their time but for me to have to return something is a real hassle. I just think inconveniencing your customer isn't a smart move

OP posts:

Original poster

paulaplumpbottom · 30/12/2009 11:26

It is for me, I have a year and a half year old who screams the whole time I am in the grocery store. I know you probably think i'm exaggerating ( I really wish I was) but he pulles hair,bangs his head on the trolley, the lot. Every minute i'm in the store is a nightmare for me.

OP posts:

giraffesCanDanceAtHogmanay · 30/12/2009 11:27

Thats my new years resolution - to get a body so hot that next year in the sales I freely want to try stuff on in the aisles and flash my bra at everyone

Original poster

paulaplumpbottom · 30/12/2009 11:28

Thats funny StripeyKnickers, the sales assisant suggested that I do exactly that! I wish I had your guts , I would have loved to seen the look on her face if I had wipped my dress off.

OP posts:

jellyjelly · 30/12/2009 11:28

They did this last year. Pissed me right off and i have not shopped there since. One rare day off that i could go to town and i couldnt buy anything. Annoying,

Awassailinglookingforanswers · 30/12/2009 11:30

agree with Bathsheba (was going to post the exact same thing )

and if he's such a nightmare when out then don't go there every day

Original poster

paulaplumpbottom · 30/12/2009 11:30

whipped

OP posts:

nancy75 · 30/12/2009 11:31

really suprised by this, have never seen it in my local m&s and tbh i wouldn't be too impressed. to properly staff changing rooms for a large store they probably need to have 6 staff, but paying 6 staff is hardly going to make a dent in the amount of money they make over the sale period. as for debenhams i believe their refund policy states that you cant return stuff that is reduced by more than a certain amount, so to not offer changing rooms is dreadful customer service.

Original poster

paulaplumpbottom · 30/12/2009 11:31

Its easier to pop in every day for 10 minutes than spend an hour once a week

OP posts:

AxisofEvil · 30/12/2009 11:33

I'm confused. Why do you shop there daily, normally with your child in tow, if he screams every time?

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Swipe left for the next trending thread