Page 29 | Toasties hoping for a sale while sailing into Christmas

BrontëParsonage · 17/11/2023 20:59

cashmereandcosysocks · 17/11/2023 19:41

Why the long drawn out explanation and the subsequent back tracking?!?I think the above posts were spot on - nothing personal, just factual.

The prolific purchasing and posting order details and pictures (and subsequent numerous returns) means it’s incredibly easy to identify customers on here.

Come on, it’s just naive to think otherwise 🙈

I actually emailed Toast at the time to ask why they are shilling on Mumsnet and why they magically decided to make a winner a highly active poster on this thread - they of course denied all knowledge of this, but I brought it up in a London store when I picked up some glove and was met with a smile and the words ‘no comment’ - fair enough, but let’s not pretend. It matters not whether the recipient knew not of what they did!!

Anyway I love reading these threads - used to be a massive Toast purchaser, but realising the cuts did me no favours, knitwear bobbles like a bitch and beautiful high quality items could be found on sale on par with the non - prices. Mid - end of eg Matches / NAP sales actually often match Toast sale prices.

I did make a fantastic profit unloading much of my wardrobe on eBay over the last few years and what struck me was why so many people resell. There are gazillions of Toast items on every platform going - almost like buyers remorse, or after one or two wears it’s decided that actually the item perhaps does not quite work. I found that since I’ve moved away from the brand I no longer have such a huge and consistent wardrobe rotation, which gave me food for thought.
Even Toast themselves are doing it - question is why on earth people are giving clothes back for free (it’s clear many are historic and recent circle items) and why anyone would repurchase paying a company x times over to sell the same goods - crazy.

There are so many sumptuous brands out there I do sometimes read this thread and wish you all would perhaps compare / scout out other brands. Toast is a mid range (quality) brand where the cost is really not on par with the quality and has slowly gone downhill over the years. I do think items are overpriced now.

dyed garments should not be staining my skin and soft furnishings
knitwear should not look like a cheap bobbled rag after a handful of wears - this I found to be a consistent issue
sizing should be consistent (I honestly cannot understand why this is deemed charming) this is so detrimental to the environment and the merry go round of multi purchase / returns has clearly had a knock on affect on Toast’s balance sheet to the extent that there have been issues with PayPal refunds at one point - outrageous.
shirts and dresses should not need to be pinned as a default due to poor cut / inability to design for women who have normal proportions
Can you imagine spending ££££ and receiving items scrumpled up like rags in a paper bag from any other brand? If people did not steam / iron and instead swiftly returned, Toast would soon sort this nonsense out.

I could go on and on and on ….

I still have a few items from past past past seasons that didn’t make the cull - a beautiful wool cotton seersucker check dress, wool and cotton Alix pants, a couple of Gabi pants, a beautiful heavy weight cotton dress, a couple of shirts, an old pair of shearling mittens which are very warm, oh and their very old cashmere comb which is wonderful.

I think everybody should relax. 1st world problems discussing clothes should never be taken any way other than lightly (and with a sprinkle of light humour). This is - whether you agree with it or not - a 'great' marketing thread for Toast and it’s absolutely fine to acknowledge this.

I like these threads, everyone is very sweet to each other which is quite charming 🤩

@cashmereandcosysocks I’m sticking my head above the parapet to say that I agree that Toast is not following laws etc re: its prize draws. I like to deal with brands with integrity and the whole prize draw situation leaves a sour taste. So, this week, we have a US Fulbright Scholar who has relocated to Wales and a young Conservatoire standard musician. I haven’t even checked out the third. Come on, that’s a massively convenient coincidence Laska it’s not personal, and Toast and we owe you a huge debt of gratitude for starting these threads which we all enjoy so hugely, but public life is increasingly being called into account for accountability and integrity; while I like shopping at Toast, I do not agree with being part of a gaslighting operation. It’s just shopping and just clothes, after all. And we are all incredibly easy to identify online because we all leave massive footprints. @Laska2Meryls just to be clear, no one here is accusing you of anything untoward.

Stoic123 · 17/11/2023 21:05

@BrontëParsonage - agree with everthing you have written.

Laska2Meryls · 17/11/2023 21:15

Oh really? , well thanks for that ..
Seriously? Not 'accused' of anything it seems, but insinuated against? For winning a fking open competition ?

I actually thought that if I was ever in this position (as I have seen others to be on MN ) that I'd be above having the last word ...

I'd like to think that I am better than that.. But somehow..

Well , good luck all.....

BrontëParsonage · 17/11/2023 21:24

@Laska2Meryls YOU have done nothing wrong.

redfacebigdisgrace · 17/11/2023 21:30

I’m just a lurker in the main but I love these threads. Please stay @Laska2Meryls .

MiracleToast · 17/11/2023 21:46

Oh my gosh, no guys—I just came in here and it’s imploding. Toast, you’re going to need to give us all prizes now so we can resume our lovely thread again. I’m not being sarcastic. Sending love to everyone, it makes me sad to see people hurting, this was one place where it felt different. ♥️

Stravaig · 17/11/2023 22:33

My entire attention is between the river and the sea, but I've skimmed a few times to try and distract my brain long enough to get a few hours sleep; thank you for this important service.

Appreciate the heads up about the prize draws, which I've been entering with everything crossed. Hoping the things on my Saved list are included, or can be swapped for the ones I really want if I do win (such optimism).

For those speculating about the random 20% discount code. I'm a Toast customer of some 20 years; I've been highly critical of most everything since the change in management; my spend has declined dramatically; and, thanks to long-Covid-induced poverty, now to zero. The last item I bought and kept was over 2 years ago, and I was de-Kindreded sometime last year. For the first time ever, I received a 20% discount code. Just to upset the figurings so far!

It's a unique code, or I'd offer it on-thread; it's only valid for 10 days, which means infinitesimal chance of me being able to use it in time. 80% of a dress or pair of boots is still waaay more than I have. So many thank yous to Toast, sort of :) Perhaps a few months expiry next (life)time? Expires 26th: possible sale thereafter?

Wading into the wee stooshie - as I recall, there was scepticism about the draws last year too, for reasons; and then Laska had the good fortune to win, which she made vicarously lovely for all of us with copious photos. Both can be true; there's no slight to you personally Laska.

With love and perspective xxx

Stravaig · 17/11/2023 22:44

Oh, and someone made a fantastic pair of trousers a while back! V impressed.

Snowyowl78 · 17/11/2023 23:01

Oh dear I am sad that @Laska2Meryls has been made to feel bad for her big wins

@Laska2Meryls i for one don’t believe there was anything sinister in your selection :)

Noodle421 · 17/11/2023 23:38

cashmereandcosysocks · 17/11/2023 19:41

Why the long drawn out explanation and the subsequent back tracking?!?I think the above posts were spot on - nothing personal, just factual.

The prolific purchasing and posting order details and pictures (and subsequent numerous returns) means it’s incredibly easy to identify customers on here.

Come on, it’s just naive to think otherwise 🙈

I actually emailed Toast at the time to ask why they are shilling on Mumsnet and why they magically decided to make a winner a highly active poster on this thread - they of course denied all knowledge of this, but I brought it up in a London store when I picked up some glove and was met with a smile and the words ‘no comment’ - fair enough, but let’s not pretend. It matters not whether the recipient knew not of what they did!!

Anyway I love reading these threads - used to be a massive Toast purchaser, but realising the cuts did me no favours, knitwear bobbles like a bitch and beautiful high quality items could be found on sale on par with the non - prices. Mid - end of eg Matches / NAP sales actually often match Toast sale prices.

I did make a fantastic profit unloading much of my wardrobe on eBay over the last few years and what struck me was why so many people resell. There are gazillions of Toast items on every platform going - almost like buyers remorse, or after one or two wears it’s decided that actually the item perhaps does not quite work. I found that since I’ve moved away from the brand I no longer have such a huge and consistent wardrobe rotation, which gave me food for thought.
Even Toast themselves are doing it - question is why on earth people are giving clothes back for free (it’s clear many are historic and recent circle items) and why anyone would repurchase paying a company x times over to sell the same goods - crazy.

There are so many sumptuous brands out there I do sometimes read this thread and wish you all would perhaps compare / scout out other brands. Toast is a mid range (quality) brand where the cost is really not on par with the quality and has slowly gone downhill over the years. I do think items are overpriced now.

dyed garments should not be staining my skin and soft furnishings
knitwear should not look like a cheap bobbled rag after a handful of wears - this I found to be a consistent issue
sizing should be consistent (I honestly cannot understand why this is deemed charming) this is so detrimental to the environment and the merry go round of multi purchase / returns has clearly had a knock on affect on Toast’s balance sheet to the extent that there have been issues with PayPal refunds at one point - outrageous.
shirts and dresses should not need to be pinned as a default due to poor cut / inability to design for women who have normal proportions
Can you imagine spending ££££ and receiving items scrumpled up like rags in a paper bag from any other brand? If people did not steam / iron and instead swiftly returned, Toast would soon sort this nonsense out.

I could go on and on and on ….

I still have a few items from past past past seasons that didn’t make the cull - a beautiful wool cotton seersucker check dress, wool and cotton Alix pants, a couple of Gabi pants, a beautiful heavy weight cotton dress, a couple of shirts, an old pair of shearling mittens which are very warm, oh and their very old cashmere comb which is wonderful.

I think everybody should relax. 1st world problems discussing clothes should never be taken any way other than lightly (and with a sprinkle of light humour). This is - whether you agree with it or not - a 'great' marketing thread for Toast and it’s absolutely fine to acknowledge this.

I like these threads, everyone is very sweet to each other which is quite charming 🤩

How do you know that we are not comparing /scouting other ‘sumptuous brands’ just not sharing on this thread ???

cashmereandcosysocks · 18/11/2023 00:22

Oh well was not expecting the above.

I just drafted a long reply of where I've been buying really lovely pure silk. cashmere and alpaca items for the last few years at amazing prices on sale - a blanket cashmere scarf for 140€ from Arch4 for example. That I thought would be nice to share for alternatives.

I am obviously getting on people's tits so will be off with my dickish self

Getinbitches · 18/11/2023 04:01

I have been name-changed for this to reference Mean Girls, as I feel like this is where this thread has suddenly degenerated to. I have been following this thread for ages because I know @Laska2Meryls and @ilovecherries from the Hush threads, and have been friends IRL for years also. The only reason I haven’t joined this group is because the cost of Toast is prohibitive in Australia where I live, but I am inspired by the styling and quality of the clothing.

Not only am I going to remind you that these women are genuinely lovely IRL, you have benefited from their generosity - sharing any info they have, starting fb selling groups, styling ideas and of course starting threads that many of you claim to be too incompetent to begin while accusing these two of “controlling” the same threads.

I am also going to suggest that some of you have a lot to learn about making genuine, heartfelt apologies…. “I’m sorry if you….” and “I’m sorry that you” are non-apologies that take no responsibility for the damage your accusations have made. These women have a lot going on in their lives that you will never know about, and you have sucked the enjoyment out of this thread for themselves and for me.

No1Mousie · 18/11/2023 07:46

Goodness! If TOAST is somehow less than transparent in how they are selecting prize winners, then TOAST is the problem, not the winners. They’re just individuals going about their lives, dealing with the usual crap we all deal with. @Laska2Meryls and the other prize winners shouldn’t feel rubbish because something nice happened to them.

Sure there’s issues with TOAST; there is lots of it on resale sites, and all the other points that @cashmereandcosysocks took the time to list do have some truth to them, but the same could said of pretty much any other brand in the same bracket. It’s easy to be cynical, and critical of other people’s choices, but why, and to what end? Am I naive and foolish for liking and buying from TOAST? Nah, don’t think so.

I really enjoy these Toastie threads. They’re informative and helpful, funny sometimes, and focussed on TOAST, which is the point, isn’t it?

AFingerofFudge · 18/11/2023 08:14

Morning all! I have been absent from this thread for a variety of reasons:

trying to lose a bit of weight and not feeling the best about how I look
no interesting sales lately so a quiet period of not buying anything
too busy!!

But I have been reading everything and it is my favourite (and one of only a few) threads that I look at. And although I've never met you in real life, some of you I feel I have known for a long time (another one from the Hush threads)
Anyhoo - I am hoping we can get back to the loveliness and still be able to challenge the negativity that crops up here on an odd occasion.

In other news- I am off to Cheltenham today which would normally mean I get to try some Toast clothes (it's my nearest but not actually near) however they had a flood a few weeks ago and are closed for the forseeable (I think months rather than weeks) which I am really sad about. @mizu I think it is your closest store too isn't it?

Original poster

Countmeout · 18/11/2023 08:15

So I’m going to push a virtual reset button.

my normal modus operandi (in my real life) is to stick my head in the sand until it all goes away but I want to continue to enjoy this space. People seem to have got a little annoyed by the 20% or not and the blooming draw. Things have been said that possibly shouldn’t have been said.

Can we just move forward ?

OP posts:

Original poster

Countmeout · 18/11/2023 08:16

And in that spirit my reworn dress hasn’t reached Swansea yet. What about yours @Snowyowl78 ?

OP posts:

MrsRadichio · 18/11/2023 08:54

@AFingerofFudge thank you so much for popping on and mentioning the closure of the Cheltenham store! I am at a loose end today and planned to visit - would have been a long journey to find the shop shut. Really pleased I read this in time.

Sad also to see the implosion of this thread and agree @Countmeout a reset is best.

Firesideknitting · 18/11/2023 09:11

Goodness that’s been some reading … in the hours we’ve been absent things have got prickly ….

we’ve finally got home from hospital and things haven’t gone to plan, he was having. A planned minor surgery early last week, for some reason he had a reaction to the anaesthetic and had a very small bleed into his brain, didn’t come wake up well and needed a lot of medical support. Limped to get to new treatment day, for him to have an allergic reaction to the infusion! We’re at last home with a couple of very small
side effects to sleep off… needless to say, I went back and read and it wasn’t the most pleasant thing I’ve read. But when emotions get heightened people can lash out.

downside of being away from home for so long, I took some of the wide toast trousers( I forget what ones). I’ve a sewing pile as there’s alterations that need doing !! just far too much fabric in the dropped crotch … so I shall spend much of next week working through the clothing I need to adjust..

on the up for today my dressing gown should arrive today

im not sure if photos would be welcome ??

ScottishMouse · 18/11/2023 09:15

Oh @Firesideknitting , that sounds awful. So glad you are home and hope things improve quickly for your ds.

Original poster

Countmeout · 18/11/2023 09:16

I am so sorry to hear things were so difficult @Firesideknitting that must have been very scary.

I would be glad to get back to our usual routine of posting photos where people wish to.

OP posts:

Firesideknitting · 18/11/2023 09:23

It’s not been my favourite experience. Thankfully our older daughter is a nurse she was with us every day, just so he wasn’t left if I needed to step out for a moment or two. He’s well enough to be home, will just take a tiny bit of time for things to pass.. I have to say, sheffield children’s hospital are amazing. So so busy but goodness when it’s needed to work it really does… we’re very thankful to some wonderful people who work in nhs

applecatchers36 · 18/11/2023 09:26

fireside knitting sorry to hear what you have been through and hope your DS makes a good recovery that sounds pretty frightening.

Yes please post pictures would love to see the dressing gown.

We have had a few leftfield posts before but managed to get back to being the cosy, funny and kind thread it normally is

MiracleToast · 18/11/2023 09:36

@Firesideknitting hope the gown brings some joy to you today, would absolutely love to see photos please 💕

Its a drizzly grey here in the highlands, I’m finally getting round to washing and putting away summer linens. Grateful for the moth reminder which has spurred me into action. A day for lots of milky coffees and I am rather pleased I gathered my pine cones to dry in front of the fire yesterday before the rain resumed. That’s quite toastie isn’t it?

Firesideknitting · 18/11/2023 09:39

MiracleToast · 18/11/2023 09:36

@Firesideknitting hope the gown brings some joy to you today, would absolutely love to see photos please 💕

Its a drizzly grey here in the highlands, I’m finally getting round to washing and putting away summer linens. Grateful for the moth reminder which has spurred me into action. A day for lots of milky coffees and I am rather pleased I gathered my pine cones to dry in front of the fire yesterday before the rain resumed. That’s quite toastie isn’t it?

Dried pine cones sound wonderful, actually spurred me to go out and have a bit of a rainy forage this afternoon, we need a bit of fresh air after the clinical weeks we’ve had. See what we can find .. Thankyou for the inspiration

mizu · 18/11/2023 09:39

@Firesideknitting sounds horribly stressful and hope you are getting rest too?

@AFingerofFudge yes! I walked past the TOAST shop in Cheltenham a few weeks ago and peered in to see two rather glum ladies who work there sitting on chairs in the middle of a very bare space. Little note on the front to say there had been a flood of some sort.

Didn't realise that it would be some time before they reopened! Christmas too!

I too hope that @Laska2Meryls returns and that the thread gets back to what it started as; a sharing of TOAST (and other) purchases, sizing and lovely chat.