John Lewis

We gave up when we went to our local JL to replace our dead oven . They just didn't want to sell us one. When eventually an assistant deigned to respond to our request for help his attitude was so take it or leave it that we left it and went instead to a local independent shop where they were most helpful and we got a better oven than any of the few available in JL for a better price and they delivered, fitted and removed the old one in two days

However, I did pause to look at a new Dyson on the way out of JL (our old one was getting a bit past it) and that assistant was really on the ball and sold me one one under five minutes!

I agree about those special offers. I receive discount offers from Waitrose but the small print says I have to spend £40. As I live alone and don't do a huge weekly shop, I rarely, if ever, spend that much, so discounts don't apply to me.

Three weeks ago, we had a new washing machine from JL service was great. Delivered and installed by two excellent polite members of staff, they took the old machine away. Delighted by service, I do however believe standard in Cafeteria area and quality of cakes have deteriated, whilst prices have gradually increased.
But these lowering of standards in caterating are not just problems for JL, the same goes for Debenham and others . Their cafeteria prices are also climbimg out of reach of many older clients.

I strongly support the comments about the lack of thought by Marketing, not only at JL but wider in the industry in the way they tend to discriminate against those individuals buying for one person, those are the ones so often on a low income. A minimum of spending 40 POUNDS is not what we should expect from so called caring retailers, often the multiple purchase are also aimed in favour of family rather than pensioners. 2 for 1 are OK, but multiple packs such as 12 for 8 hardly help those on a low weekly income.

Hi Nvella,
I faced this problem too . Once I ordered for 2 pairs of cotton shirts, but I received my requirement in damaged condition. I called John Lewis Customer Service here qwikfix.co.uk/john-lewis-customer-service/. But their response was quite unfriendly. I brought this fact before the manager and he listened me carefully. Thereafter he told me to send the defective shirts back. I did accordingly and received my fresh lot with in two days as such I have no grudges in their services.

The best loyalty cards are agreed to be Boots', Witzend. I have a 'My Waitrose' card and get 'offers' of a certain percentage off my next shop, but the smallish print tells me I have to spend £40 to get this discount. As a single 'oldie', living alone, I very rarely spend that much and, I'm afraid, now that Aldi has opened a store here, I am even less likely to do so. Sorry, Waitrose.

I went mad and treated myself to a Dyson cordless (£100 off!) last week, to keep upstairs, and it was delivered bang on time - along with 2 garden chairs I had ordered from the Telegraph shop, for dd! But that's the only thing I've ordered in ages.

We have a JL locally and I buy a lot of small things there, e.g birthday cards. They invariably ask whether I have JL card, which I have , but can't be bothered to use. What is the point of it? They used to give you free coffee and cake for two once a month, but have now very stingily reduced that to one. Now, if they gave you points, like Boots - I use my Boots card all the time. Even bought a pushchair (couldn't stand dd's big cumbersome one) and got about a million points.

DD was ordering something from JL last week. She rang the store and had a long chat with the girl about whether to wait till they had it back in stock, or check the stock in another branch, or to order on line for click and collect. In the end she decided on the latter but she said the girl couldn't have been more helpful.

I love click and collect - order in the evening and pick it up from Waitrose the following afternoon.

A mini cab ????

You seem to have had a good experience unlike some of us. I'll certainly be avoiding JL in future.

I always find John Lewis services best. Last week I ordered for dining table with 6 chairs set. They told me to deliver within 4 days. On the fourth day I received phone call from their representative that I will be receiving delivery at 2.00 pm. At correct time, there was a bell and delivery boy was standing outside withe mini cab having dining table loaded in it. They unloaded it and I get it placed at my dining room. Everything was in good packing. But later on I find that 1 chair's left leg was somewhat damaged. I contacted their customer service officials from www.qwiknumbers.com/john-lewis-customer-service and apprise them the position. Their behavior was cordial and they told me that they will replace damaged chair with new. Next day I received the fresh chair and they also compensated me for my loss.

I'm having a serious case of shop envy here. My nearest JL is a half hour motorway trip away.

Exactly Annsixty. Me to a T

The last parcel I had from John Lewis was delivered by Hermes. Standards do seem to be slipping.

That reminds me of Hyacinth Bucket when she bought a 3 piece suite " just like the one the Queen has at Sandringham" and instead of being in a Harrod's van it was delivered In some decrepit vehicle the original one having broken down.

We have had two deliveries of furniture in the last few months from John Lewis. Both came in tatty white vans, though the delivery men were quite pleasant.

Alea yes there is a nice view from some of the tables in the cafe but its such a horrible place to be (think motorway service station) that I'd rather go elsewhere and there's a great choice of places locally.

As Lilygran has said, our John Lewis was, and will always be, Cole Brothers. It is our go-to for large electrical and techno goods and we've always been very pleased with their in store and after sales service. I have never noticed a drop in the standard of their customer service. It's a lovely place to shop. I suspect, though I sincerely hope not, that our John Lewis is living on borrowed time. There have been various plans to expand it, all of which have come to nought due to the bungling efforts of our local council to put a plan in place for revamping the city centre. My fear is that they will get fed up and give up on the city. We are to have (fingers crossed) a new out of town IKEA store here and JL were foremost in their opposition to it when it was in the planning stage. I can't imagine how they would see IKEA as a threat (their Nottingham store is only 35 minutes down the road and they don't seem to be unduly concerned about that). It comes down to quality.

I still love JL but friends are having a dreadful time. They bought a kitchen from the Sloane Sq branch to be fitted etc. So not talking a small amount of cash. It has been a catalogue of disaster... and not helped by poor communication from JL. All sub contracted out but JL trying to pass the buck..the reason people use JL is for the guarantee of service and in this case it is awful!

But am I not right in thinking the restaurant has the most wonderful views down to the Forth? That makes up for shopping in a windowless box(blame the planners!)
Unless of course you are talking about a different JL.
Customer service is another matter, I would take it up with them.
I once lost it in a Waitrose when the lack of eye contact and the checkout assistant's off hand manner got to me . When I got home I emailed them and asked if staff policy on eye contact had changed recently. I got a charming response and felt so guilty, poor woman might have been having the day from hell.

My most recent experience of JL was awful. Past its sell by date chocolates (as previously posted about) were replaced with very poor grace, no apology or compensation.
Actually shopping in our local JL is horrible:its a windowless, soulless box. The staff at the 'service' points don't even look at you as they take your money after you've stood in a long queue. The cafe is dirty and noisy. You have to clear your own table. I don't understand why anyone would want to shop in our local branch at all. Satisfied customer? Not me!

They have excellent customer service. I ordered 1 sofa set. Delivery was on time . Packing of one single sofa was somewhat dismantled and I called customer service at www.qwiknumbers.com/john-lewis-customer-service. They apologized ordered a replacement and sent a £20 voucher as compensation. When you feel their unhelpful attitude, at that time it was your duty to bring the fact before their senior.

We have one bus weekly to the nearest town with a John Lewis. I'm afraid to go as there's only one bus back. I do love Waitrose, their levels of helpfulness, politeness and friendliness have never wavered. And they call me Madam and I get my Guardians and coffee free.

anno do you remember the under the road walkway that linked the basement of the 2 Kendal buildings on either side of Deansgate? When we first moved here in 1967 I went into KM and took a pair of stockings to the counter and the very supercilious saleswoman said "just the one pair Madam? We usually sell them in dozens" I was mortified , I wouldn't be now!!

As a young mum I used to curse Jessops in Nottingham for keeping their lovely glass and china so close to toddler level, but we managed not to have any accidents. In Manchester, the much loved Kendal Milne, shrank its name to Kendal's and is now the very bland House of Frazer. It's still a remarkable landmark building on Deansgate and nothing to do with John Lewis.

In Newcastle, near where I spent my early years, it was Bainbridges. When they first moved from Grainger St. to Eldon Square it was still Bainbridges, but now John Lewis. Still my favourite store when I go up there, but no family left there now