Thursday, March 06, 2008

Summer is almost here. Apparently.


I bought a pair of gloves from Marks and Spencer in January, but took then back yesterday because the leather had split. I had wanted to exchange them, but they didn’t have any in the shop. When I went to get a refund, there was a sign up that said for refunds you had to go to the refund desk, so I had a look for it and then asked a member of staff and was told that they don’t have any refund desks and you can just go to any till. Right. I don’t know if they always did this, but now if you want a refund they have to call a manager over who inspects the goods and sanctions it. The way the woman spoke to the manager etc just made me feel as though the whole process was about assuming that the customer was lying. Whereas actually I have just thought that their products of late have not been up to their usual standard (and I am also not the sort of person who would try and get a dishonest refund, partly because of honesty but mainly because I would crumble under even the mildest cross-examination. I am rubbish at lying). I then asked if they were going to get any more gloves in and they said no, as they are now getting their summer range in. In March. Just as the temperature is starting to go down again. Now that I have no gloves. Pah.

I was talking to G on the phone last night, who is applying for a new job, and we were discussing whether if you went for an interview and all the candidates had to be naked, whether that would make the process fairer. It would mean that there wouldn’t be the ability to persuade the interviewers by wearing a particularly slick suit etc, but I did point that not everyone looks the same under their clothes, so there would still be a certain amount of difference between candidates anyway. But on balance we decided that unless they thoroughly cleaned the chair between each candidate, it could be a rather unpleasant experience to sit where a previous candidate had been. We concluded that going clothed was therefore preferable. We talk about a lot of very important subject matters.

5 comments:

DAB said...

Hmmmm, very interesting concept.I guess it would only be fair that the interviewers would have to be naked too. TFX

the vicious chicken said...

I'd offer to knit you a pair of gloves, only with my slooooow production rate they wouldn't be finished until next Winter anyway...
VCxx

Random Reflections said...

TF - I think the interviewers would indeed have to be naked. Although they might need a table to put their papers on, which might mean they manage to protect a bit of modesty.

VC - thanks. Well, perhaps I won't rely on you coming up with a pair of gloves for me then. My poor hands will just have to suffer.

Anonymous said...

Between your gloves and Jeremy Paxman's undercrackers the quality at Marks & Spencers would appear to have reached rock-bottom. They should stick to what they do best - delicious food !

Random Reflections said...

LKSN - I know, M&S is not what it was. But I have to agree that their food really make up for it. Lovely.