Next Directory - best for children's clothes. (Next Directory)

Member Name: maria14

Product:	Next Directory
Date:	26/03/09 (158 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great quality, great range, prices are moderate but the clothes last for ages.

Disadvantages: The enormously heavy catalogues

All of a sudden my two eldest children are HUGE. Though only aged ten and eleven, they loll like huge giants around the house, draped over the sofa and towering over the fridge (and me!).

A new baby and lack of sleep doesn't help, but such is their size, that I find it impossible to pick up clothes from the supermarket for them anymore. The sizes are so variable, and I can no longer just by judge by just looking at the item whether it is the right size anymore.

Next Directory has been my saviour. The sizing is consistent - though on the generous size. Even for my two giants, I find that buying clothes for their correct ages still provides for growing room.

The range of clothes and design is excellent, as is the quality. Marks and Spencers range looks like something off a market stall at times. In my view, Next is now the best middle range quality children's clothes retailer. Their stuff is well made, and lasts for ages.

I have previously railed against Next Directory, because they have the cheek to charge me for the privilege of looking through their catalogues - £3.75 at the moment - and they keep sending me copies unsolicited through the post - and then send me a bill! The Directories are huge cumbersome things with hard backs. They weigh a ton.

However since being encumbered with a baby, and also being too short of cash to go shopping round town, the Directory has been a life line. I have used it to order basics - jeans, trousers, sports wear etc - and everything has been of excellent quality.

There is a delivery charge of £3.95 - so it makes sense to think ahead regarding what you will need and then order in bulk - only one delivery charge applies per order.

You order over the phone or on line. I've never ordered on line, but the phone service is very easy. Its open 24 hours and the people manning the lines - who I think are based in India - are very polite and helpful.

You do not pay when you order, but instead wait for your bill, which comes each month. Top tip - pay it off in full. The interest rate if you fail to do so is a whopping 26.9%. There is also a late payment fee if you fail to make the minimum payment. Again, payment can be made on line or by telephone - as well as by post.

Maybe I've been lucky, but both times I've ordered, delivery has been made within 24 hours - the chap coming round about 8am.

If you need to take stuff back, you can send it by post, or take it to one of the stores. I've not needed to do this yet.

I'm not keen on Next adult clothes - but their children's range is excellent, as is the service provided by Next Directory.

No trudging round town, no car park charges, no need to stop in Starbucks and spend a fortune on weak coffee and fattening cakes - its all good.

Summary: It works for me