Past Times - 50% off!

*Jelly_Tots*

I absolutely hate being 'greeted' in shops (I don't mean the poor staff who are forced to do the greeting) - I mean I find the whole thing fake and very american. I always try to sneak in behind another customer so I can avoid the 'greet'. And it's even worse when you are greeted about 4 times by 4 different staff. It must help sales or else I suppose they wouldn't do it, but I really hate it. I remember years ago, seeing my first 'greeter' - when GAP arrived in our town centre and it was a big novelty seeing this woman wearing a headset in the doorway saying 'Hi !', 'Hi !', 'Hi !' etc. etc. to everyone going in. Urgh.

ConnYank

*Jelly_Tots* wrote: »

I absolutely hate being 'greeted' in shops (I don't mean the poor staff who are forced to do the greeting) - I mean I find the whole thing fake and very american. I always try to sneak in behind another customer so I can avoid the 'greet'.

You are SO spot on! Most Americans hate the 'greet' as well, believe me. The corporate offices of most of these stores have no clue as to how obnoxious their pushy sales policies are. I worked for a major shoe retailer in the U.S., and we were constantly graded on how much conversation we engaged in with the customers, as well as how many items per customer were sold. We weren't on commission, either. I loved the work, my colleagues and the customers, but the stress of forcing sales on people (many of whom probably couldn't afford it, anyway) became too much. I'm so sorry to hear that type of sales model is put into practice over here, too.

That said... it's a pity Past Times is on its way out. It was one of my favourite gift shops. After reading the comments here, I don't think I'll attempt ordering online, though. Thanks to everyone for that. :T

loobylou232

I also hate with a passion being greeted in shops. In fact, I frequently walk straight back out again if I find staff pushy. I think this is one of the reasons I like to internet shop and also why I would rather shop in a department store or even a supermarket as there is much less of the 'can I help you?' from several different members of staff. Why do shops think we like it? It's beyond me.

Shame about past times. Like their stuff but rarely shop there. It was always guaranteed to have something for everyone though.

chunky_teddy

Received my order today, very happy with it.
Good luck anyone else who decided to make an order.

lm07

Still waiting for my order to arrive (fingers crossed!) but have been emailed to feedback on the quality of the delivery and the products! Have noticed the website is now at least 20% off, alot of my order products cost more now, plus the p&p has gone up. Maybe the sale not going as well as they would have liked?

pinkteapot

There's something I want that was still fairly expensive at 50% so I was waiting to see if the discount got any bigger. Now they've increased the price by changing it to 20% off! How bizarre if they're trying to get rid of stock.

Unless they've found somewhere else to sell it on to...

dorajar

Just come back from Past Times at Trentham Gardens and all stock is £1 including jewellery. Got some lovely necklaces and mugs and some gromit slippers. Gorgeous really lovely quality wrapping paper at 10p a sheet. The best thing I got was a pure cotton dressing gown for £1. Sad to see it go but some lovely bargains.

Ellie2758

very sad, they were selling off fixtures and fittings at the Outlet branch last week.

blah11

i was in the outlet at livingston today. they still had loads left and the whole store was 50% or more off. They had huge gorgeous cushions for £3 each, mugs for £2 each and I bought a few christmas presents for my daughter for next year - a pop gun for 50p, a huge wild animal magnet set the scene thing and my first paddington bear dominos for £3 each.