Why are M&S so rubbish?

[stringbean]

I know this thread has been done before, but just had to mention this one. Went to my local M&S yesterday (it's one of the big out of town ones, and is REALLY big) to look for something for SIL's new baby (don't get me started on the kids' clothes...). Inside the door were several mannequins, a couple of which were wearing a v nice beige belted trench coat. (It's this one - looks much nicer in RL; looks a bit shiny and slightly pink in the picture, which it isn't). No price visible though.

I must have walked around the shop three times looking for it. Finally asked an assistant who showed me what she thought was the coat (which it wasn't - it was a different style) but then I spotted a few of said coat hiding behind some revolting chartreuse macs. And, surprise surprise - all they had was size 8 and size 20.

Why, M&S, WHY???? This is a lovely classic item - it was lined and everything - that you should be stocking lots of IN YOUR SHOPS. SO WE CAN TRY THEM ON!! Yes, I know they're on the website, but that means ordering it and paying for it first. I want to see and try things in your shops. You do stock the odd gem - this is one of them - but why are they so sodding hard to find???

You have too much stuff. There is too much stuff on your website. For goodness sake, pare it down and stick to classics and basics. Believe me, you'll do much better.

There. Rant over.

ps Someone from M&S should come on here and see what their customers have to say!

I have bought some fab boyswear for DS 6 yo this season. Lovely knitted top with a lion on it, summer showproof coat, trousers with a ribbed waist and they've got some lovely bright colours like oranges and bright blues. I love it.

I am also a recent convert to their sculpt jeans which are a very good fit on me.

And their thermal tights in winter colours have been great.

Their christmas decorations and cards were lovely too.

And their school uniform has always been brilliant.

Their boys toddler wear has been brilliant for DS - lovely dungaree outfits that have worn beautifully. Now he's in age 2-3, they have less for him. I wish the baby/toddler crossover range went up to bigger sizes.

When the hosiery goes, it's a bad sign. I'm in the process of returning the worst pair of hold-ups I've ever seen in my life: a pair of fishnets that were so long in Medium that went beyond mid-thigh, and would have carried on to my waist if my crotch hadn't got in the way. I am five feet EIGHT. The 'band' wouldn't have held them up even if I'd had thighs like an England front row.

Oh, M&S, don't you care any more?! [wails] You're letting me down, you're letting the school down, but most of all, you're letting yourselves down.

Agree there's just too much stuff. I want a "smart trouser" section and a "woollens" section and so on - instead you have the equivalent of a jumble sale to contend with. And if I wanted a jumble sale, I'd go to TX Maxx.

Please don't start me/DD1 on tights.

Ok there are those who argue that sher black tights are an abonination, but sher blak get past the uniform police and bearly black, look grey enough to be questioned.

Surely DD isn't the only school girl eith this problem.

They run out of tbere sensibly price nude ones too.

Their

Sorry phone flat, kindle spell checking either too bossy, or not bossy enough.

There stock control is terrible been waiting months for them to stock a pair of trousers I like in my size. First rule of business: if you don't stock it a customer can't buy it