What is up with M & S?

I agree about Lands End. Although I do a lot of internet shopping I always ring them up for the pleasure of talking to their lovely sales people.

Oh wow M & S! The most frustrating retail enterprise.

I am 5'6" stock size 12, 36B cup etc etc. I have stood for hours trying to find the tights/bras in the colour and design I want, in my size. My main beef is having to negotiate my way around groups of smug M & S execs with their sodding clipboards, who fail to notice that there are queues of customers waiting at the undermanned pay desks nor that I have got steam coming out of my ears with the frustration.

Dont go there girlies! I shop for all my basics late at night on line or on the phone with Lands'End. Their stuff is great quality and lovely ranges of colours. They have great sales and their swimwear is the best ever. Trouble is, they don't do bras or tights! Never mind, here in France, we've still got C & A!!! WOO HOO!

Have just found out what M&S did with all the Portfolio stock.....its on their 'Outlet' part of the website....have ordered one of the wrapover jersey dresses that were so successful!

My gripe too phoenix and I want a tee shirt that doesn't end an inch below my waist, too. I'd rather pay an extra couple of pounds and have more length on sleeve and body. If Gransnet passed on these comments to M and S they might find their sales go up - we all know exactly what we want from them.

Also, I want to know why I can't get a straight mid-calf length jersey or polyester crepe skirt in various plain colours. If I see another viscose skirt, I'll scream!

My biggest gripe is over their T shirts! I want ones with a longer sleeve length (just above the elbow) to go under business suits. The Portfolio ones were fine, then they stopped them.

A while back when I looked at the website it said that items in the Portfolio range could be found under other ranges. NOT WITH THE BLOODY T SHIRTS THEY CAN'T!

sorry.

I'll fourth it! I think you can buy better quality stuff on a market stall!

I have e- mailed them recently (twice) to say that their reputation is suffering, according to a survey of women in our age range (i.e. GN but didn't mention us by name - felt I shouldn't speak for us all)

I listed the issues, and also reminded them that we are, on the whole, a generation with money (yes, I know, not all of us!) and that our opinions should not be ignored etc. etc. Also mentioned that we had probably helped keep them in business over the years.

Have I heard anything? S** all! So yes, get them on here - please, GNHQ!

Do you think we need to approach HQ, or will they read this and react?

Me

Any one third it?

I'll second that phoenix

Message for Gransnet HQ! How about a live chat with someone from M&S??

I used to find that Gap trousers were cut straight down the outside seam rather than curved which fits few actual shapes. Gap is getting a bit too young though - but if you can find their classic cut, worth a try.

gamzatti I don't know what they've done with their trousers either. I always buy trousers from M&S because they are the only ones I can find in the right length. I have had a gift voucher burning a hole in my pocket so went in on Friday to buy a smartish pair to wear with my blazer. When I managed to find two pairs the right size, and tried them on, they looked like jhodpurs, the side seams on the legs were cut so badly, almost as if they expect people to have bulging thighs that extend down to their knees! I mentioned it to the sales assistant and she said "We've always cut them like that!" Er, no, you haven't - the several pairs I have in my wardrobe are testament to that. I managed to find a pair of skinny jeans to soothe my ruffled feathers. Perhaps all these posts should be printed off and sent off to the buyers at M&S!

marks and spencer have let me down a bit, my dd bought me some lovely Tess Daly body glow for my holidays which was lovely as it gives a nice sheen to sun parched skin. So I thought on my return I would get another pot but lo and behold they have taken it of the shelves till Christmas but surely people go on holidays in the Summer or didn"t m and s realize that hmm

i though I would give dear old M & S another try as the Spring styles should be in. IT WAS AWFUL THE WORST EVER. Not only are the colours horrendous but the quality is the lowest its ever been, thin scratchy materials badly cut, bad shapes and repetitious designs. Worst of all although the shops were fairly quiet yesterday and not too many people in Marks apart form the Food Hall there was only one till on the whole ground floor of Leicester City Centre Store and a queue of 20 people. I put the black cardigan I had found down on the costume jewellery stand and walked out. M & S should stick to food and Homeware or they will go the way of Woolworths and disappear from our high streets. Why arent they listening?

Trousers!!M&S are hopeless. All the trousers that say 'on the waist' actually stop in the widest part of my tummy. I have a waist but immediately below that is a bit of a tummy so a waistband on the widest part makes my tummy even bigger. I have several M&S trousers bought from charity shops years and years ago and the waistband is actually on the waist so there is a much smoother effect over my tummy. But, they are worn out and I have tried loads of pairs on in M&S and nothing looks right. I need 12" from crotch seam to waistband. Can anyone suggest a reasonably priced alternative source of trousers?

Also, I know someone who works at M&S and she told me that sizing on the same garment can vary by up to 2" so if, say, a size 12 doesn't fit you in the garment you want, try another one, exactly the same and it might fit you.

In M&S, "Classic" generally means polyester and elasticated waists! (Mind you, a little elastication here and there can be nice....)

I am finding the waistline either too high or too low.Their medium trousers used to fit me perfectly. Not now.

My M&S problem is with their trousers. I tried 3 pairs on yesterday, which claimed to 'Sit on the waist'. Whose waist? Not mine! The sales assistant told me to look in the Classic,(ie Granny) section. They don't do black denim there, though.

I have some ancient M&S jeans and trousers which do reach my waist, so I think their crotch to waist measurement has changed.

Next clothes are dire - rough and poor quality which falls to bits in the wash - it used to be so nice when it started. new Boden catalogue came through yesterday some lovely things but the prices!!!

I've seen some smart ones in Next recently, though I couldn't be bothered going to try them on. I hate trying on clothes!

I haven't checked recently, but have you tried Lands End, susie?

Against my better judgement I have just looked for smart black trousers on their website having been terrified by the prices in John Lewis and couldnt find any. I want something not too wide that holds a nice crease and is suitable for going out perhaps for a meal or somewhere semi smart. M & S used to do a range called PERFECT and they were a good price, washed well and stayed smart - all gone now! Any recommendations please