Primark - No Sharks but Not Fab Either (Primark)

Member Name: Ice Princess

Product:	Primark
Date:	25/10/08 (209 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: great for kids/baby clothes, homewear and nightwear etc

Disadvantages: Tatty, cheap very *on-trend* clothes which date easily

PRIMARK

GENERAL VIEWPOINT

I never used to go into Primark apart from a big one in Bromley occasionally and the one time I *did* go there the queue for the changing room was massive, I dropped some pretty earrings which were part of an earring/necklace set and was put off by the number of teens in the changing rooms.

However, a year ago, I started work at a new job where an older woman colleague of mine worked, she LOVED the Primark in Marble Arch and we could, get this, do a shop sweep, pay and get out in 30 minutes minimum (half our lunchbreak) which was great, then.

Primark is one of those places I find, it is almost a drug like experience - you get inside, see lots of gorgeous clothes, the smaller sizes are often sold out, the accessories are gorgeous etc... But I have to say, that sadly a few things I have bought, when I get home, they seem shoddy, badly made, cheap looking and totally worth the £8 or less price mark. Often I find that t-shirts don't have enough coverage say in the underarm area or that a button on a shirt doesn't look very good quality.

CASH DESKS/STAFF/CHECK-OUT QUEUES

Sometimes, queues can be horrendous, in some stores (Croydon) I have noticed how 1 quieter check-out desk area has been changed completely and got rid of, and replaced with, yes, clothes. I guess that makes sense but not on a jam packed Saturday when all you want is a quick queue. Staff are very friendly and polite though, I have to say this, always they are really nice, other shops could do well to learn from their example. Always they fold the clothes well, take them off hangers, let you keep hangers if you want to do this. And though sometimes a debit card transaction takes more time than in other shops, I have never noticed mistakes on the receipts.

THE RETURN/REFUND EXPERIENCE

Don't talk to me about the queues for return/refund! Horrendous, especially on an evening/weekend, though I have to say this, they refund or exchange, no quibbles, which is good.

CLOTHES

Generally, nightwear (especially the flannel PJs) are great, great value and comfy to wear. The underwear I have to say I find cheap looking, fine for a teenager but not for me of more advanced years! Also they don't do my bra size, 32D. Swimwear/bikinis I found was hard to size too but cheap and quite nice. Tunic tops/dresses - these can either be great - a nice printed cotton which is cheap and can be dressed up or down, or a pretty polka dot nylon which is great on the hanger but once home you think why did I bother?! I have 2 nice woollen cardigan shrugs from Primark but really on seeing the price, you'd pay the same in New Look. The belts are great, really unique and my friend's teen daughter loves them. I also like their makeup, bath ranges and bedding/curtains. Their taffeta curtains (in a range of colours) are really nice and dark and look pretty. Their bedding is also nice, good quality and nicely designed. Shoes - I bought some sandals last year from Primark that though they looked nice (and I tried them on) once I wore them out I just couldn't walk more than 10 minutes in them. Primark I must admit are also great for socks, tights and the like - bedsocks etc! Dirt cheap, nice designs and they really last! Kids PJs the same - nice flannel, nice designs, you can't go wrong. also Maternity wear looks great too or their larger tops, plus if I had kids I would buy kids/baby clothes from there as kids/babies grow so fast!

My work colleague loved Primark as she is very on-trend and likes new clothes every week if she could. However, I have to say, I agree with another friend. Once you buy, and you get home you realise why you don't buy there quite so much. Lesson learned.

Upshot - sorry Primark - for general clothes you don't cut it for me - but there are some hidden gems if you can look!

Summary: Primark is great - for what it is.