Great service, shame about the clothing quality (Next Directory)

Member Name: alliei80

Product:	Next Directory
Date:	03/02/09 (44 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Quick, efficient, realiable and easy-to-use service

Disadvantages: Quality of clothing, change of Post Office returns process

I have been a loyal Next Directory customer for ten years now and so feel fairly well placed to write up a review of the service.

The Next Directory offers everything you'd find in a Next store plus some (kitchen appliances, carpets, flowers, all sorts!). You can sign up for a catalogue or you can view the range online. I long ago asked them to stop sending me the hardback catalogues - they were good quality but were costing £3.50 to receive and also not so great for the environment. The online version is very user friendly (mostly) and the ordering process very simple. The only time the website isn;t great is during the sale time when you can't see larger images of the sale goods (not great if your eye sight isn't what it used to be!).

The ordering process is pretty simple, add stuff to your basket and you're told instantly if something is out of stock or has a delayed delivery on it. When you've got everything you need you can check out and choose your delivery date (if ordering during working hours then delivery is normally next day as standard). Delivery is charged for but returns are free if you have an account no matter which method you use; you can return items to a Next store, arrange for a collection through the courier that delivered it (you can do this online or via the phone) or you can return through the Post Office (annoyingly you now have to order labels for this, which used to be printed on the back of the invoice).

Now for the goods themselves:

I've always liked Next as the quality was reasonable, not too pricey and they stock longer leg and arm lengths (handy for long-limbed people like myself!). I've ordered thousands of pounds worth of clothes, shoes, gifts and homeware over the years and previously have been pleased with them - particularly liking suits for work!

More recently I have found the quality of clothes has really deteriorated to such a point where I will now not buy any more clothes (although will continue to buy shoes, gifts and homeware). Clothing I have ordered recently have often arrived with poor hemming and finishing, a suit I bought last season and have worn four times has started to bobble and a jersey and chiffon top I bought in the summer has started to disintegrate (the chiffon is tearing away from the jersey material). I think for the quality received currently the goods are very overpriced.

Overall, a good service but with shocking quality clothes at present.

Summary: A good set up let down by the quality of goods