I've been away for ages but I'm back with avengence!
I've been away for ages but I'm back with avengence!
Member since:30.11.2005
Reviews:220
Members who trust:50
I went into the GlasgowHouse of Fraser this weekend after being given £100 worth of vouchers. I had been into the store on a couple of previous occassions but each time, I had the feeling that I wasn't good enough to shop there and that I didn't belong. When you start to worry that a bouncer won't admit you because you aren't wearing the right shoes or if your hair isn't combed just right, or god forbid your toddler isn't wearing clearly visible designer labels, you know it isn't going to be an enjoyable shopping experience.
I decided to have a look for some shorts and t-shirt for my son since the sun was shining (Being Glasgow I hadn't anticipated the heat wave we had). I thought I had missed the Children's section as their was only a tiny corridor worth of clothing for children from 0-14 years. I saw a cute little t-shirt but quickly decided it wasn't so cute when I saw the price tag - £35 for a 2 year old's t-shirt!!! Obviously, they are meant for 2 yera olds who are much cleaner than mine is or who aren't allowed to play at all.!I struggled to find anything with the limited selection and ridiculous prices.
I then opted for bedding. I managed to find a duvet set in the equvelant of a "bargain bucket". It had been further reduced from £102 to £52. Now, let me explain, £102 does not buy you Egyptian Cotton or even 100% Cotton but simply a 50/50% blend of cotton and polyseter, no different from a set you can buy for £25 at any number of high street stores.
The towels were no better - Bath towels started at £28 for one towel (not set) and went up quickly from there. Too rich for me!
On top of the poor choice and outrageous prices was the issue of service. During my entire visit I felt the eyes of the staff looking me up and down. The lady who helped me with the sheets was a confirmed "sheet snob" and was obviously appauled that I would consider and 50/50 blend. Her nose turned up and the corners of her mouth turned down even further when I produced the vouchers with which to pay. Her sentiment was echoed in all the other sales people I dealt with that day. What did strike me as odd, is that as sales people, I would have expected they would struggle even more than I do to pay those kinds of prices.
As I had my son and a pushchair with me, I found the layout quite difficult to navigate. The aisles were wuite thin and winding and I was in danger of taking rack after rack of expensive designer clothing with me as I tried to manouver the buggie past them.
In defence of House of Fraser, they do have a great coffee bar which was very child friendly. However, it is worth pointing out, this is contracted out to Cafe Nero and isn't really anything to do with House of Fraser.
In conclusion, if labels and designer names are important to you, and if you can afford them, perhaps House of Fraser could be like a second home to you. If you are like me, a working mother with three kids to look after who tries to be responsible with her money and who believes no one should be made to feel like a second class citizen, then I wouldn't bother venturing into this store.
Good review. I used to feel like that in Debenhams. If people didn't pay these prices the store would have to change its policies
Katieshaz 17.06.2006 13:35
LOL don't worry what the staff think, they only work in a shop after all, I'm not sure why they feel the need to be so stuck up! Working retail is a bit dire so maybe it's the only way they get their kicks!
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Advantages: Big variety of shops, easily accessible on public transport Disadvantages: Grubby pavements stuck with chewing gum, can get very busy, expensive parking fees
![Treat Her Personal Shopping At House Of Fraser [VGNpersonalshopping]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/76230854.jpg "Treat Her Personal Shopping At House Of Fraser [VGNpersonalshopping]")
Jun 12th, 2006
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