Buying 'flippin' trousers

[Alex]

I bought these from M & S a few months back £26 they're very comfy as they're stretch material and you can get Short and Extra Short for all the short ***** like me.

[Mups]

I had a look in M & S today on my way home from the Opticians,  and I was shocked.
They haven't half gone down hill since I last looked in there.

I remember years ago when M & S had a bit of a reputation for being more for the older generation,  good quality clothes but a little dearer than the boutiquey type shops.
Not anymore!
Nearly pair of trousers in the whole shop was those with legs about 3ft wide.  I could have worn just the legs as a sort of body stocking!    Awful.   Either that,  or any others were the exact opposite and legs no wider than a drain pipe.    

Loads of the summer tops had peculiar bits added and sown on the bottom edges too.   
Then a lady about my ow n age came over to me out of the blue, and showed me a jumper she almost bought  but then didn't because they had put a load of black lace round the bottom of a jumper!
We began talking about the clothes there this year,  and she agreed with everything I said about the huge trousers,  and peculiar tops,  and she felt so strongly that she said she was going over to have a word with someone about it.
And why is everything made in Bangladesh too?    Doesn't this country make our clothes anymore?

I was fed up with finding nothing at all I would wear,  so wandered along to Primark.   
Again everything is foreign made,  not the best quality,  but a helluva lot cheaper than M&S.
I got two pairs of straight leg trousers with elastic waists there.    
 I've just got to cut about a foot off the length!   

[Raven]

If I'm in Perth I always root around in Matalan, Bonmarsh, and George. I like all the stuff I see in those places. But I buy a lot (too much) from Temu these days.  Bad Roxy, BAD. 

[Mups]

If I'm in Perth I always root around in Matalan, Bonmarsh, and George. I like all the stuff I see in those places. But I buy a lot (too much) from Temu these days.  Bad Roxy, BAD. 

I know this will probably sound really dim,  but what is Temu?
I keep hearing people saying they use it,  but I don't really know what it is.
Is it just another online shop?    Where are they?

[Mups]

I know this will probably sound really dim,  but what is Temu?
I keep hearing people saying they use it,  but I don't really know what it is.
Is it just another online shop?    Where are they?

Oh dear,  I have just googled this,  and this is what came up:


Quote:

Temu is considered safe for transactions in the UK regarding payment security—using SSL encryption and reputable payment providers—but it carries risks regarding product quality, safety standards, and data privacy. While many users receive goods as described, investigations have found dangerous electrical items, toxic heavy metals in items, and poor quality control.

Unquote:

I think that's put me off for a start!

[klondike]

It's a Chinese eBay without sfaik the auctions or private sellers - in other words a marketplace. I've not used it but I do use AliExpress which is an older Chinese marketplace and would doubtless get the same review from wherever you found that one.

These places are amazingly cheap but you do need to be wary. Ali offers decent buyer protection and you will get refunds if stuff doesn't arrive in working order or is complete junk.

I don't advise buying any mains equipment as it probably won't have valid certification to UK/EU standards. Branded items are more likely to be fake than genuine. Claims will be exaggerated. That said a lot of things are absolute bargains.

I assume Temu will be the same  and hopefully others that do use it will comment.

All I'd advise is give it a go but don't risk a lot and be wary on the sort of things you buy. Check sizing carefully if buying clothes. Find things with actual numbers rather than S M L etc.

[GrannyMac]

I agree with Mups about M&S, trying to appeal to the younger buyers, but I think they're failing there as well.  The quality of a lot of their knitwear is poor, going bobbly after a couple of washes.

[klondike]

M&S amused me in the days where there was one near me. All the models on the in store pictures were at most slim 30 somethings while the youngest customers I'd see were 50 somethings. I think they have been trying to attract younger customers for years. They used to offer quality but that slipped when they started using overseas suppliers. Last time I was in one the stuff just looked overpriced.

[Mups]

I agree with Mups about M&S, trying to appeal to the younger buyers, but I think they're failing there as well.  The quality of a lot of their knitwear is poor, going bobbly after a couple of washes.

Yes, 'tis true about the bobbly woolies,  I have found the same, Granny.
I've had to buy one of those little battery de-bobbler gadgets.

Today at 10:12:19 AM

M&S amused me in the days where there was one near me. All the models on the in store pictures were at most slim 30 somethings while the youngest customers I'd see were 50 somethings. I think they have been trying to attract younger customers for years. They used to offer quality but that slipped when they started using overseas suppliers. Last time I was in one the stuff just looked overpriced.

When I get M&S marketing arrive on my computer,  all the models nowadays look about a size Zero, 6ft tall,  and in their 20's!    Nothing like the majority of every day shoppers.
I know I am only small,  but even so, the trousers are still about a foot too long as well.

The tea shirts mostly say S,M,or L,  but I always have a tape measure in my bag,  and if you actually  measure them, these silly S,M,L  sizings can mean anything!   
I'm afraid I still go by actual inches as a proper  size.

[CHF]

The only thing I buy from M&S these days is knickers, cheap 'cotton'
briefs. But then I'm old and never was glamorous.... 
Looking at the clothes online, and I wonder who would buy them.

Which warned against Temu electric kettles. 

[Mups]

The only thing I buy from M&S these days is knickers, cheap 'cotton'
briefs. But then I'm old and never was glamorous....
Looking at the clothes online, and I wonder who would buy them.

Which warned against Temu electric kettles.

Yep,  I agree with you CHF.   I do like their undies too,  but that's about all these days.

That's interesting about the Temu kettle.   

[klondike]

I use a one cup water boiler. Quick and economical. I said elsewhere that I'd steer clear of any Chinese electricals. A CE sticker means nothing. If I bought one it would be a supermarket - probably Tesco as there is big one up the road. Good for clothes when they have a 25% off Clubcard sale on.

[CHF]

What is a one-cup water boiler please? My kettle is heavy.

[klondike]

This is the one I have...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002NGNRHC

The reservoir needs filling but a carer could do that or you could just tip a cup or two in as needed.

[Scrumpy]

My favourite bedding is from Temu..
... and I took a chance on a coat.. love it.. I wouldn't touch any electrical stuff..

The one-cup water boiler looks brilliant.. especially if a regular kettle is too heavy..