Uniforms for back to school

babyemily

I have three kids all at senior school and all requiring a huge amount of money to get them back to school. I have done my best money saving where I can but two of my children attend a school where the uniform can only be purchased from an internet company. By uniform I mean their sweatshirts and polo shirts. One of them is moving up to year 11 and requires a completely different uniform. So I bought and paid for it on the 30th Aug. I paid extra for guaranteed delivery within 3 days. No uniform! No replies to emails and after finally finding their phone number (not listed on their website) I rang them. Unfortunately it rings out to answer phone. Now, I know I should have ordered it earlier but a) I didnt have the money and b) parents who did order weeks ago are still waiting too - Also they are having the same problems getting any contact from them. I know all I can do is wait on it but its annoying and its not the first time. Last year it actually took 5 weeks to deliver the uniform. Again they took the money straight away, they took the extra for guaranteed quick delivery but they never gave it back then so I dont suppose I will get it this time. Sorry for the long post its just frustrating

Browntoa

what web site is it , we can do some digging to see what we can find ?

babyemily

Hi Thank you for the reply, the company is called Trutex.

biscit

babyemily wrote: »

Hi Thank you for the reply, the company is called Trutex.

Name is familiar...

babyemily

Well not much of an update as I have heard absolutely nothing :mad: No replies to either my phone calls or emails. No sign of the uniform. Thankfully he is not the only one without uniform. There are a lot of unhappy parents but the school refuse to accept there is a problem. Any suggestions as to what I should do next? Thank you.

bromleymum

I ordered a jumper and a cardigan from Yourschooluniform.com (the only supplier I can use) on the 5th of August.

I got the cardigan at 1pm yesterday and the jumper is still showing as "Awaiting Stock". That means I'm unlikely to see it for at least another couple of weeks.

The website is full of the usual messages to avoid ordering at peak times (surely they know by now) and to allow 15-20 working day for delivery. But this is taking the biscuit now.

And the weather's decided to turn Autumnal now!

Jumty

Maybe Trutex are in financial trouble again. They went into administration a few years ago and when it has happened once it can always happen again. After all their main customers are the specialist retailers and they are being slaughtered by the supermarkets.

Same for yourschooluniform.com. The company was owned by the Freeman's catalogue people but they sold-up a to new owners a couple of months ago because they were losing so much money.

TechnoBadger

There's another current thread on MSE about uniform:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3455025

As I've said over there, now is the time for parents / PTAs / schools, particularly of primary age children, to sort out their own uniform and save money in the process.

Here's two companies who will probably supply schools / PTAs / parent groups directly and cost effectively. I believe they can sort out the embroidery, too:

http://www.zecoschoolwear.com/

http://www.innovation-trading.co.uk/

There are others, too, but here is decent enough quality uniform at low prices.

Once you've found a supplier start by sending out an order form - google find examples http://lmgtfy.com/?q=school+uniform+order+form

Make sure there's a small mark-up otherwise you'll lose money, but please don't use the school's uniform supply to raise funds!

Be careful and good luck!

babyemily

Oh Bromleymum I know exactly how it feels. Fingers crossed it turns up soon for you.
Jumpty I didnt know that about Trutex!! They do seem to be a very shoddy company but I have to buy his uniform there as its the only place allowed to sell it.

As for the uniform I ordered from Trutex.....well I still havent heard a thing. Not a phone call/email/pigeon ..................nothing and no sign of the uniform. I am a tad peed off. So, 10 days later having paid for guaranteed delivery for an item thats showing still as in stock, and still no uniform.
I really want to take this up with the school, any ideas what I could put in the letter plaese? Thank you

danieltomlinson_2

Hi I am the marketing manager at Trutex and have just come across this thread. If you still have an issue with your uniform, please give me a call on 01200 421 200, asking for Daniel Tomlinson and I will look in to your order right away.

In response to Jumty, the business is in a very stong position and in fact we have just had our best ever August. In addition we are constantly working to provide the best possible service and have taken on additional staff to cope with the demand.

TechnoBadger

How are school uniform shops going to cope now - in my county there's no longer an intake of new infants' school children in December, they all started in September this year. So no decent trading opportunities until next summer. How many will just give up the ghost and close, it must hardly be worthwhile opening 6 days a week for 8 or 9 months for next to no business? And if they're still there next summer, how much will parents have to pay to make up for this hiatus?