No one wants my business

murphydog999

We are returning to the UK (yes we know it's not the best place to be at the moment!) and have recently bought a 5 bed house which we need to furnish from scratch, everything from knives and forks, to rugs and a kitchen!
This week, as purchases are imminent, I emailed M & S / Next / Ikea / Debenhams and the like to see if there were any incentives available for such a large spend. Without exception every single one of them said NO! Next were the only people to say speak to the branch manager at the time of purchase.

M & S were the worst, they gave me an automated reply about there being no promotions on at the moment, no human interjection at all!

I can't believe it, is business booming in the UK that much that they can dismiss approx £20K worth of business!!?? Flabbergasted

SarahLou

I would maybe try getting in touch with an individual branch manager of your chosen store - pop in and actually talk to the manager(s) - might be worth a try. As at least that way you're talking to someone in the actual store of your choice - the one you'd actually be buying from rather than just an office bod somewhere in "head office" (whom I presume is most likely to receive emails from their main website). Worth a shot as I'd be surprised if they would turn such an offer down!

keith969

I doubt whether these sort of stores have the procedures in place to go about offering discounts to individuals. I'd have thought you would be better off seeking to do some deals with privately run businesses who will have that sort of discretion. More work I guess but worth a try.

btw I would call in person or at least telephone if you want to negotiate. Email is far too impersonal to get a good deal IMHO.

Googlewhacker

murphydog999 wrote: »

We are returning to the UK (yes we know it's not the best place to be at the moment!) and have recently bought a 5 bed house which we need to furnish from scratch, everything from knives and forks, to rugs and a kitchen!
This week, as purchases are imminent, I emailed M & S / Next / Ikea / Debenhams and the like to see if there were any incentives available for such a large spend. Without exception every single one of them said NO! Next were the only people to say speak to the branch manager at the time of purchase.

M & S were the worst, they gave me an automated reply about there being no promotions on at the moment, no human interjection at all!

I can't believe it, is business booming in the UK that much that they can dismiss approx £20K worth of business!!?? Flabbergasted

Without details they will not just say, yup 15% discount!!!

As has been said just go to where you want and ask the manager, tell them your expected spend and ask if they can do anything on the price

mazinmouse

So why don't you try independent stores for these purchases? They may have more flexibility re doing a deal.

McKneff

Buy through a cash back site, Quidco, Captain Cash etc.
The balance soon mount up.

andrew-b

Deals or not..you'd be better off shopping around for individual items as your money will go much further then. Different places are better for different goods.
I honestly wouldn't expect any sort of deal at large national companies like those other than usual sales. £20k isn't much business for them..they probably sell that much per minute...recession or not.

murphydog999

Yes, you are all probably right, I just thought I'd try and be a bit organised before we got there. I've obviously been away to long!!

inmypocketnottheirs

Out of couriousity where are you relocating from and to?

27col

It's a bit of a sweeping statement to say that they don't want your business. They do want your business, but not on your terms.

Owain_Moneysaver

murphydog999 wrote: »

M & S were the worst, they gave me an automated reply about there being no promotions on at the moment, no human interjection at all!

M&S will give you 2.5% if you buy £20k of gift vouchers.

Argos will give you 5%.