Debenhams

[seriouslynotserious]

Today I went to buy a coat in Debenhams and I was stopped by a sales staff saying I can't try it on and I must buy it first and try it ON at home and then return it within 28 days if I don't like it. You've probably come across loads of threads like this but I was taken aback by this. I said to the sales staff that I'll take my £100 elsewhere and spend it there and no wonder your store is always on the news about Debenhams is on a brink of collapse. So I went to a different high st store and asked if I could try on their coats first this time round and the sales staff there said of course I could, it's just their changing rooms are closed which I understand. Wearing a coat is different to trying on some tight jeans as the coat is less contaminated to ones skin than a pair of jeans which sticks to ones skin and rubs against people's genitals etc or trying shoes without socks. I spent my £100 there and got a much better coat in the end. My argument here is that, why the hell is a company that is doing so badly before covid (financially) making it worse by putting off customers with policies like this? Me wearing that coat isn't going to spread coronavirus more than me picking it up and taking it to the till paying for it and brining it back a couple of days later after it being exposed to all sorts in my home. There's studies suggesting that it could live for 28 days or more. I sanitised my hands, had my mask on and I'm fully clothed when I wanted to try that coat on. I just wanted to a little rant as I found it a bit ridiculous. I've been to many stores and they would tell me upfront I'm not allowed to this and that but could try on costs only or try on shoes but must have my socks on and wear extra socks the staff provides. I just found Debenhams doing anything they could to put customers off from coming in. The whole mask situation is annoying enough as well as all of these arrows and one way systems but to shout at customers in the middle store that they can't try on coats takes the piss. Rant over sorry :)

Of everything you've said OP I am not at all concerned about the fact you couldn't try on a coat. Policy is policy.

But I am, as I see are a few others somewhat concerned that when you try on jeans you rub them against your genitals.

I feel like that may be more of an issue than a covid-y coat.

No need to be rude to the shop assistant, they did not make up the rules and will only be following them.

if you confront me as if you're telling me off in front of other customers I will snap back at you. I'm not at school

Should probably have mentioned her attitude In the OP...rather than just saying what your response was...which was unpleasant To be honest

Might have got different replies

fred

Im never buying anything from Debenhams again either, due to a refund issue

I’ve tried things on in my car and in public loos before, just to avoid having to bring them back! It’s mad isn’t it?
I think Debenhams have been on their last legs for months if not years, and Covid will hasten their demise. I feel sorry for the staff though.

This is why I am not buying clothes at the moment. I don't want to take it home to try it on and to then have to drive back to return it. Waste of my time. Why can't they allow trying on and then quarantine the items, that is what they are doing when stuff is returned anyway. It's actually probably better to be tried on in-store because then it's only been touched by you, not been put down at your house or touched by someone else.

Lots of the shops are doing that round my area too and it makes no sense. Far likely to pick more germs up once it's left the shop and it's not like they are really going to quarantine all clothes once return. It's absolutely bonkers.

Has anyone ever actually caught Covid from trying on an item of clothing or pair of shoes?

Yeah, you sure showed her who was boss.

op she won't lose her job for enforcing policy....they will be audited on covid safety as most retailers are

you were choosing to ignore store policy so of course she pulled you up on that. not like its a new policy or anything, most stores have them. you went on in your op to moan about arrows, one way systems and masks!

i think those working in retail have your measure!

For all those bleating you got told off in a shop for trying on clothes, try opening your eyes and actually reading the signs that say Please don't try on clothes.... Then you won't need "telling off" eg. Staff just doing their job

Still, if it makes you feel better flouncing off, go ahead.... One less pain in the ass for us to put up with.....

You tried on a coat in front of everyone on the shop floor then got mad because they told you off in front of everyone? What did you expect them to do, if you nearly had the coat on they had to stop you there and then?

Nice touch goading her about losing her job as well, how would you feel if someone did that to you just because you were embarrassed at being told not to try something on?

Sounds like you were dickish to the assistant. Funny how you only mention they ‘confronted’ you when people called you out on nasty behaviour to people who are only doing their job.

I’m sure they don’t give a shiny shit about your £100, hardly breaking the bank is it.

Am sticking to Next and M&S atm for clothes. Not tried anything on in the shop but no one tells you off for touching the merch. The independent boutiques near me have changing rooms open with enhanced cleaning. Not that I'm buying in there atm as just gone back to work, but that policy is working fine, have a close family member working in that area and no one's ill.

It's the same in a lot of places actually. Just try it on outside the shop and return it straight away if necessary...

@Jakobabear I've tried coats on in other stores and not been told off. I never knew it was a thing until today. No signs, no warnings nothing. Again, I am aware changing rooms are closed and you are not allowed to try on shoes without socks but trying a coat on? Come on ffs. As pp have mentioned, they are on the last leg and financially in trouble and the last thing a company should want is to push customers away. This is what my whole rant is about. Why are Debenhams pushing customers away with over the top restrictions?

Also, you must buy it and then return it is ridiculous especially over coats. Coats aren't cheap compared to other clothes. Basically, I have to buy two coats (size 10 and 12 for me) which would cost me £200 and god forbid I want to try on a different style and again I must purchase the size 10 and 12 and again another £200 which totals to £400. Then it will mean I will take 4 coats home try them on and be out of pocket until I return them just to keep one. It's just not possible.

@Yesterdayforgotten

It's the same in a lot of places actually. Just try it on outside the shop and return it straight away if necessary...

Is this really a thing? Don't they check receipts for dates 🤦‍♀️

they aren't over the top restrictions!!

other stores allowing it and turning a blind eye are the ones who you should be shaming!! not exactly covid safe are they?

@WhiteChocTwix

Am sticking to Next and M&S atm for clothes. Not tried anything on in the shop but no one tells you off for touching the merch. The independent boutiques near me have changing rooms open with enhanced cleaning. Not that I'm buying in there atm as just gone back to work, but that policy is working fine, have a close family member working in that area and no one's ill.

We don't tell customers off for touching the merchandise. Don't be ridiculous. It's trying it on that isn't allowed. And we don't make the rules either.

OP there is nothing stopping you returning on the same day you bought it. With the circumstances at the moment it is even more expected. They will checked the receipt for a date yes but just to make sure it is within their policy time limit.

check*

Op, I really don't get your annoyance.
Why are you not taking this up with store management, instead of complaining here?!?!

Of course you can buy it, take it outside or even the toilets, try it on and return it if you want.
Of course it's daft, but the sales staff don't make the rules. Most of us don't understand them either and we don't really care either way.
And if you don't like it, ask for management, you know, the ones paid to deal with your complaint, not the woman at the till or tidying a rack of clothes on 9 quid an hour.
OK?

@Spinakker

Try TK maxx. I got mine from there and tried it on there x

A staff member in TK maxx told a lady off When I was in there last week.

I’m surprised so many people defending this nonsensical rule. So you really would spend hundreds of pounds on different size coats just to try them on in the street then return them within minutes?

Why not just have a quarantine rack where customers can deposit any outerwear that they’ve tried on? This is what Waterstones does with books that people have perused in store.