A Bargain Hunters Nightmare (Primark)

Member Name: nilo0901

Product:	Primark
Date:	21/10/09 (18 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap clothes, good locations

Disadvantages: Everything else, bad quality clothing, rude people, messy, inept staff

I used to live in Hammersmith where I believe Primark had their first 'flagship' store, in London at least anyway. They have now opened stores everywhere with I believe 170 nationwide... and counting. I have been to the Oxford St store in London on a few occasions so it will be this store that my review will mostly be based (although I have been to others).

Primark is always an entertaining experience... or perhaps harrowing would be more apt. It is bargain hunters paradise. I would usually class myself in this category but just can't get into this store.

Everything seems right: it has the chaotic jumble sale feel that bargain hunters love, that slight stench of BO, unhelpful staff, rude patrons and most importantly... cheap produce. Yet I can't stand it.

I think the main problem is that it is just too chaotic to be remotely enjoyable. I find myself with heart palpitations every time I enter one of their outlets and it may not surprise you that this occurs most frequently at the Oxford Street branch.

There is some switch that goes off in peoples heads that means when they enter they are obliged to become rude and obdurate. Nothing will stand in the way of them and that £3 top, especially not a fellow human being. I have been barged, shoved, tutted and even shouted out. I have left terrified out of my wits and wondered where humanity had gone.

The checkout queues are extraordinarily long and again, people lose themselves in a consumer red mist and will stop at nothing to get to the front more quickly. I have witnessed numerous queue jumping accusations breakout into a slanging match and evening a little playground push and shove as security stand by suppressing giggles. On one occasion there was a hold up because an elderlyish lady walked straight to the checkout without queuing only to say that she couldn't queue because she had problems with her legs and couldn't walk. ??????

So, to the produce itself. Yes, it's ludicrously cheap but for me it feels cheap too. Everything feels grotesquely synthetic and gracelessly constructed. Yes, items are sturdy but cuts are generally geometric with little thought or consideration. And yes, I am a man, and yes, this sort of thing does bother me.

Like many bargain stores, nothing is in order and the place is a total mess. This is something I'll happily endure if I know I'm going to get quality (such as in TK Maxx where many of the same problems are prevalent but the produce is so good it doesn't matter - see my review on that if you wish) but you just don't here.

All in all, I can't recommend. This place is my idea of hell... and I like shopping!

Summary: If you like rudeness, things uncomfortable, badly made and cheap, you'll love this.