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Original poster

Anyone else lost the art of shopping in real life?

46 replies

MrsCampbellBlack · 12/01/2013 06:26

Don't worry I'm still very good online but had a wander round the shops yesterday and it was awful.

In the smaller more expensive shops the assistants were overly attentive which I found off-putting compounded with comptoir not havng a mirror in the fitting room. And really I do not want to be dragging my post christmas podge out into the shop to look in a mirror.

And Banana Republic - where I never buy anything - well their mirrors are so unflattering - are you seeing a theme here?

Anyway I realised that I just much prefer buying online and getting to try on in the comfort of my own home.

So am I the only one who now does 95% of their clothes shopping online?

OP posts:

BrandyAlexander · 12/01/2013 07:13

Me too! I don't think I went clothes shopping this week for the first time in about 4 years and just wondered around aimlessly. What's happened to me??

littlemissnormal · 12/01/2013 07:15

First name terms with the delivery agent here!

Original poster

MrsCampbellBlack · 12/01/2013 07:15

I suppose its not helped by the shops being full of the sale dregs either but honestly I just so much prefer online now.

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Original poster

MrsCampbellBlack · 12/01/2013 07:22

Littlemiss - yes its when you're giving them a christmas tip that you know you do a lot of online shopping

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merlottits · 12/01/2013 07:24

Me and the delivery guy are on first name terms.
I get EVERYTHING online. With all these local and national store closure I feel really upset and then really guilty because I'm responsible.
I can't see myself ever shopping on the high street again TBH.

bunnymother · 12/01/2013 07:31

I still like a mix of RL and online shopping. Either way, I seem to return about 70% of what I buy. But, my successes come from both ways of shopping. I had a browse, whilst chatting and laughing, in Forever 21 with my sister last night (when the shop was almost empty) and really enjoyed it. And she helped me choose a few things. Lovely. On the other hand, to get stock that isn't damaged and/or confusingly laid out, I would need to order clothes online from most shops and then try it on. I find it a much nicer experience to try on at home, as well as giving me a more accurate idea of what the Sam Hill I actually do look like in it.

Of course, I am under a spending embargo, so this is really academic for now.

rubytutu · 12/01/2013 07:32

I do most of my shopping online now, never get chance to get to the shops for a proper shopping trip, if I do go into town it is for something specific that is sold out online, or to return stuff to somewhere. My local post office is a 10 minute walk and am def on first name terms due to the volume of returned items. Until my youngest is in full time school I can't see how I will have the chance to go shopping again.

Original poster

MrsCampbellBlack · 12/01/2013 07:33

I think for the high street to survive then they need to offer that extra something and for me they're just not doing that really.

There's the odd store where the staff are helfpul without being obtrusive - the Jigsaw at Cribbs Causeway (Bristol) has a fantastic manager and also they have toys in the shop which makes shopping with my youngest a pleasure.

I don't understand why more of those type of shops don't offer the same really as it means you can look around in peace so far more likely to spend money.

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rubytutu · 12/01/2013 07:34

meant to add the downside is that so much stuff is not right, poor fit or just poor quality but its a trade off and no way I could trail round clothes shops with the kids in tow, don't want to go at 8pm as exhausted and weekends are family time with kids doing various activities so no time then.

Original poster

MrsCampbellBlack · 12/01/2013 07:35

I seem to be returning less that i order online now as find it easier to work out if something will suit me when I can see it on the model online - because obviously I look just like a model

The other thing I noticed yesterday were pricining discrepencies - I went into Jack Wills to try on a stripey top someone on here recommended. It was in the sale but was still a few pounds dearer in store than online - what's that all about?

Bunny - yes I think shopping like that is fun if its quiet and its basically a social thing.

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Emo76 · 12/01/2013 07:37

Same here. I certainly don't feel I am partly responsible for the decline of the British high street though. The only nuisance is returning things, need to be organised and have the time to do so. I get tired of the hard sell, constantly having to explain I am just browsing, and the bl**dy weather - that's why it's OK with me for the "British high street" to decline.

QueenCadbury · 12/01/2013 08:00

I still love going shopping in RL. Even if it's just browsing around. I only tend to online order when I know exactly what will fit me as I can't be arsed with the faff of returning things. Or I try things on in store and then wait for discount codes or sales.

mrscb I love going to cribbs in the evening as it's a quiet and pleasurable experience and it gets me out of bedtime duties!

dexter73 · 12/01/2013 08:02

I also like the fact that you can return things if you buy them online. No quibbling with snotty sales assistants or having to get a credit note instead of a refund.

HokeyCokeyPigInAPokey · 12/01/2013 08:06

I haven't brought clothes on the high street for years, i actually can't remember the last time.

I do all my shopping online, much less stressful!

DonaAna · 12/01/2013 09:37

I think most SAs are in the process of killing their trade.

They very rarely get the level of attention right. Luxury SAs tend to be too schmoozy (you can see them calculating the commission in their head) and then if you go to Zara there is no help to be had.

My favorite way of shopping is online, listening to third party advice (you, MUA, Pin). I find that if the site has item measurements for each size (Outnet excels at this) I can work out whether it will fit and this will reduce the need for returns. Deliveries and returns are painless because we have a doorman.

I almost never go to b&m stores during sales. I recently had a disastrous bra shopping experience in a department store - they had almost nothing in stock, were very snooty about it, tried to push ill-fitting alternatives and I ended up ordering online.

I like people and extroverted, but I rarely enjoy client-SA interactions. The vested interests are conflicting ("Leave me alone so I can look" vs "Buy a lot and go away").

DonaAna · 12/01/2013 09:46

There is one department store I like though. They let you browse, don't push, have a great range of goods and services instore, but are very helpful if there is an issue. I have been a loyal customer for about 25 years, go there regularly and buy a lot - especially items that are difficult to buy blind, such as shoes and makeup.
Their fashion buyers are conservative, so it's a good place for basics and work clothes, but not for cutting-edge fashion.

joliejolie · 12/01/2013 10:33

Sadly we all do the same, which means things sell out online that are sitting in stock in the shops. Went into Joules the other day and all the items that were gone online were all there with further reductions.

monkeysmama · 12/01/2013 10:42

I'm similar to Rubytutu and do all my -prolific shopping on line. I also far prefer returning on line with no questions and snooty assistants. The one difference I do notice when I go to the shops is that I pick up things I'd never look at to order on line.

AmberNectarine · 12/01/2013 10:53

So with you about CdeC. And all French stores to be honest, they all do that damn mirror thing. CdeC are particularly effusive though. Many is the time I have bought a load of stuff, clouded by the assistant's platitudes, then returned it all when I realise it's very average and I don't, in fact, look like Carine Roitfeld.

Original poster

MrsCampbellBlack · 12/01/2013 11:39

Yes CdeC is rubbish quality - viscosetastic.

Actually Amber - I nearly bought a rag and bone jumper in the sale on asos and then checked and it was viscose as remember you saying their viscose knitwear is shocking - so you've saved me £70

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bananamilkshake · 12/01/2013 11:47

i had exactly this yesterday - bought a jacket online from wallis in sale and had to go to store to change it for smaller size as had sold out online.

I noticed that the store sale price was more than I had paid for it and did not reflect the latest price on line - which was even cheaper. When I mentioned this to the manageress she kept going on about "on line promotions" but as a gesture of goodwill would not charge me the extra £10 - but there was no way she was going to match the new price.

Her attitude was appalling & hacked me off so much that I totally lost the mood for shopping and came straight home vowing never to go in there again and sent a nice little email about "my experience" to their feedback site.

No wonder the high streets are struggling and this is a major shopping town!

littlemissnormal · 12/01/2013 11:49

Ahhhh Cribbs...I used to work in Aztec West and spent many a lunch time sauntering round there! Long before DCs!

justasecond · 12/01/2013 11:50

I bought something in Comptoir for the first time yesterday and the SA (french) was very pushy. I felt practically bullied into buying. I would have ordered online but its a ridiculous delivery charge.
One thing that would make online shopping for me better would be if they would put the length of stuff on there. Many a dress and top have been returned because they are too short. Some have started doing this but most don't. It especially annoys me when they say "mid thigh" or "knee length", on who? a 5ft 11 model or the average woman?!

AmberNectarine · 12/01/2013 12:17

I am like the Mumsnet Martin Lewis, MrsCB, buying all the shit so you don't have to. Honestly £145 that thing was and it was pulled and bobbly by the 3rd wear. Maybe it was special American viscose. One of the few times I paid full price for something too. And the sales assistant was pushy - maybe if the clothes were decent they would sell themselves.

Original poster

MrsCampbellBlack · 12/01/2013 12:24

Ah yes - you see if it'd been french it would have been fine Amber.

Cribbs is great for a little wander and doable with child/ren in tow.

I do like a little wander round Harvey Nichols in Bristol where they're not pushy at all but they carry quite old stock as its a 'provincial' store but still sell at full price which is naughty.

Justasecond - you see that's just so silly of that SA as you'll probably return it and won't feel like shopping in there again. Sites like nap are very good for putting the item measurements but yes wish more did and also put what size the model is wearing. Whistles do this but put all the teeny models in size 10's so hard to get an idea of what stuff will look like on a normal person in the right size.

Banana - its rubbish isn't it. Was reading an article about how now people try something on but whilst they're in the fitting room they're googling to find the best price - must confess I've done that myself with jeans as know I can get them a lot cheaper from the US.

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