The Next Best Thing (next.co.uk)

Member Name: BestMum

Product:	next.co.uk
Date:	11/06/02 (460 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The childrens clothing range, Next day delivery, You can pay monthly rather than in one go

Disadvantages: Prices can be a little steep, depending on what youre used to!, The directory (catalogue) to accompany the site costs £3

My husband loves catalogues. He can spend hours on end looking at the gadgets and mens clothing sections, although I know what he is really up to. Oh yes, I have him sussed. He is actually drooling over the semi naked ladies in the lingerie section! Am I just not good enough anymore??! Oh well, we have been married for six years - I suppose its to be expected!

In one of my many insane moments whilst shopping at my local Next store in Manchester I actually listened to what the sales assistant was telling me. She asked me if I was interested in receiving a complimentary copy of the new seasons Next Directory. Well hey, I am not one to turn my nose up at a freebie so I hastily filled out the form whilst I could see the glint in her eye as she realised she had just earned another 10p in commission.

A couple of weeks later as I stepped outside my front door, I noticed a cardboard box waiting for me on the step. I opened it with mucho gusto, I love getting packages! And waiting inside, in all its glory was the new Next Directory. Oh yes, my dreams had come true, I could spend a fortune without my husband ever having to know (that is until the bailiffs knock at the door to drag him away!). As I had become a full time mum I no longer had to confront him, guilt ridden, as he picked me up at the train station with my arms laden with Next shopping bags. I could now have them delivered under the cover of daytime and he would be none the wiser. Super.

Now you may wonder why I am talking about the catalogue when this category is clearly about the website. Well, you see the catalogue and the website go hand in hand really. You could just visit the website and search online for your bits and bobs but I personally prefer the glossy pages of the directory to study the items before I go to the website. The quality of picture is better, and larger of course. So now you know. Also, the website is just a duplicate of the directory anyway.


So after opening the package I finally get to have a good luck at my new best friend and partner in crime. It has a hard cover, which is great because I usually have to throw my catalogues over the back of the chair when my little one or big one walks in. The little one because she wants to rip the darn thing to shreds, destructive child. The big one, because I am on a mission that he must not know about; a mission to spend all his hard earned cash. So, the hard cover protects it when its been cunningly hidden. As it then usually resides at the back of the chair or sofa until I can safely remove it again, it helps keep its shape too if its fallen awkwardly. VERY important!!

~~~SO WHAT CAN YOU BUY? ~~~

Absolutely everything, well nearly anyway. From womens clothes and accessories, mens clothes and accessories, childrens clothes and accessories, to garden furniture, sofas and wallpaper.

These are the different sections, broken down into subsections. Obviously this covers both catalogue and website, as the website is a duplicate of the catalogue:

Womens:

This section takes precedence at the front of the catalogue and at the head of the website - as it should be! It includes:
Tailoring, Smart Casual, Casual Wear, Petites, Lingerie, Shoes, Accessories, Maternity, Swimwear

Some of these subsections are further broken down into brights/pastels/neutrals

Menswear:

Formalwear, Smart Casualwear, Summer Casual, Underwear, Accessories, Shoes

These are all the broken down again into subsections, ie: Formalwear has a choice of suits, coats, shorts and ties, and trousers.

Childrens:

Newborn, Girls 3 months to 16 years, Girls shoes and accessories, Girls swimwear and underwear, Boys 3 months to 16 years, Boys shoes and accessories, Boys swimwear and underwear, Schoolwear

Homeware:

Bedroom, Childrens Room, Bathroom, Lounge and Dining, Curtains a
nd Blinds, Rugs and Throws, Decorating, Storage, Home Office, Lighting, Accessories, Kitchen, Summer

~~~Arent Next Rather Expensive Though?~~~

Well, yes and no really. They are if you are comparing them to other mail order companies but the quality of the clothing, and indeed the homeware is far superior. You can expect to pay £40 for a pair of tailored trousers; this is a standard price throughout the catalogue/website. £25 for a smart shirt.

~~~Does it take 3wks for the items to be delivered?~~~

Delivery costs £2.95 per order, so its worth saving your orders and then bulk ordering. You can choose from a variety of dates to have the goods delivered and the thing that impresses me most about Next.co.uk is that they can be delivered as early as the next day; subject to stock of course. I have placed an order as late as 4pm and I have still had next day delivery. Great for those urgent orders if you have just realised you have nothing to wear for the weekend.

~~~How do I order?~~~

You can click on a chosen item on the website and it will be added to your basket. Or alternatively you can use the 'Quick Shopper'. This enables you to type in the product number from the directory to save time looking for the same item on the website.

Overview of the ordering process:

Once you have chosen your goods you can view your basket. This then shows a summary of those goods. You can now confirm the sizes you require or delete the product if you so wish. The screen will now confirm the individual prices and grand total (excl. delivery), as well as giving you the option to change the quantity.

Next is 'Check Stock'. It will take a couple of minutes to check the system before bringing you back to your shopping basket and confirming stock availability. If it is in stock it will be shown in green, otherwise it will be displayed in red.

'Arrange Delivery'.
After it has checked the system for the earliest day of delivery the screen will change to give you options for your delivery. This includes a next day delivery or one later in the week ? you choose.

'Select Time'. Either before 1pm, after 1pm, or anytime. In my experience the courier is mostly on time but obviously this may vary depending on the area you live.

'Select Instructions'. This includes leaving the item with the neighbour or leaving in the shed, etc. Once you have confirmed this, your order is complete. You can also abandon the order at any time throughout this process, if you suddenly develop a guilty conscience; I must admit though this has not yet happened to me!

Items are delivered well packaged in blue Next polythene bags (suits and trousers on hangers with a long cover to protect), via courier. We actually have a local lady that delivers our goods and she always puts a sticker on the front of the parcel with her mobile number if we want to send anything back. She comes and collects next day. I am pretty sure that this is standard practice. All returns are free and must be sent back within 14 days to be credited to your account.

~~~What about if I want to pay my bill or change my address details?~~~

When you first signup for the home shopping service you will have a credit agreement sent through the post, which to my knowledge is standard practice with mail order companies. This is because you will be paying monthly rather than having to pay for the goods outright. There is the option of paying for the goods online via credit/debit card if you so wish, rather than adding them to your account.

Every month a bill will be posted to you. Payment options include taking the bill to the post office or bank, paying by cheque, or paying online via the website to name a few. There is now also a number to call if you wish to pay your bill over the telephone via credit/de
bit card.

Your account can be managed online so you can view your statement and see how much you have spent, or you can pay your bill, or change your address details or email address.

~~~Any fresh blooms available?~~~

I have not actually ordered flowers online from Next, but they do have quite a good choice with something for every occasion. If you order before 5pm, you can usually have next day delivery. Please note though that flowers are sent via courier in a box and not hand-delivered like Interflora. You still have to add £2.95 for delivery, and you can personalise your order by adding an extra gift and a card with a message of your choice. Prices start from £15 and go up to £30. On the website there is also a handy set of instructions on how to care for your cut flowers.

~~~Any bad points?~~~

I find it difficult to see the same choice on the website as I do in the directory, which is why I prefer to look at the latter before visiting them online. You can order a copy of the directory online from the website. Bear in mind the charge for the directory is £3, which is added to your statement. I thought this expensive at first, but the charge kind of gets lost amongst all the orders that I place.

The Next Directory and access to Next Online is something you have just got to have access to on those rainy days, and lets hope there are lots of them! (Although not really, I want the chance to actually wear the summer clothes, not keep them hanging in the wardrobe).

~~~Summary~~~

Although they are more expensive than my local high street shops I know that I am going to get good quality goods that are going to last and last. This is especially true with the baby clothes, although the fit is quite 'skinny'. The arms and legs I find to be quite narrow, which is no good if you have a little chubby angel like mine!

The website is nice and easy to use, very clear and straig
htforward and I have found the service second to none.

You can always be guaranteed to find something to send your partner to bankruptcy each time you look, but its soooo worth it! (Phew, its a good job I type at 90 words per min!!)

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