UK Back In Recession In Xmas Quarter-Are You Too Scared To Spend?

GeorgeHowell

grizzly1911 wrote: »

It used to bug me at the time.

I had a charge card which then moved onto a credit card, then eventually they started to take most credit cards.

That is correct information. But it's been ages now since they've accepted all major cards. They have limbered up their insular inward-looking approach in recent years -- like stocking brands other than their own in food and electrical goods. But they are still arguably too cautious and set in their ways. Nevertheless at least Philip Green wasn't able to get his hands on it and ruin it completely.

JanCee

BertieUK wrote: »

Thank's for your post...I think that it was around the mid 1990's grizzly, cannot be sure but someone will remember this occasion and say thay it certainly was not nonsense.

My apologies, I hadn't realized you were referring to 15-20 years ago. I suppose the reference to Princess Di should have given it away

DecentLivingWage

Many shoppers are too scared to spend on their credit cards or even with cash at the moment - there are signs that Osborne may ditch his anti-inflation policy - and allow it to rise....

YoungBusinessman

I am definitely going to reign in the spends especially as pay could drop short term this year as I go for a lifestyle change and chance lower income until it takes off then the income should end up higher. Essential spending ly so I won't be helping hmv, blockbusters etc

BertieUK

JanCee wrote: »

My apologies, I hadn't realized you were referring to 15-20 years ago. I suppose the reference to Princess Di should have given it away

Apols accepted..:)

Yes time passes so quickly when you are enjoying yourself.

Our family used M&S for all of our clothing needs because their style and prices suited our pocket.

As was said they are too set in their ways so we have never been back and many of our friends feel the same way. In this day and age you have to move with the times and look ahead, because an old family saying of...

'if you are not serving the customer you should be working for someone who is'

...applies more in this day and age more than ever before.

DecentLivingWage

YoungBusinessman wrote: »

I am definitely going to reign in the spends especially as pay could drop short term this year as I go for a lifestyle change and chance lower income until it takes off then the income should end up higher. Essential spending ly so I won't be helping hmv, blockbusters etc

Yes lots of people are worried about a drop in pay, and also many feel their job may be next to go - when you add up comet,jessops,hmv, blockbusters,armed forces, council cuts workers all stopping spending - its easy to see the vicious circle spiralling downwards out of control putting even more people out of work.

Generali

BertieUK wrote: »

'if you are not serving the customer you should be working for someone who is'

Spot on.

These days there are very few factories making many products. One of the few differentiators left is customer service.

BobQ

grizzly1911 wrote: »

It wasn't.

Depends how long ago the poster is referring to.

They wouldn't take credit cards only their own charge card (payable in full) at one time.

As I recall M&S pursued this policy for over a decade. At one point the only alternative to cash and their charge card was a cheque. They then accepted debit cards.

DecentLivingWage

im pretty sure M & S were one of first to do 'order and collect in store' even before the bright young days of the internet? So why did they not stay ahead of the game? Kuenessberg said some pretty big and shocking names on her 'at risk' list of 144! I think 'discretionary spending' is now non existent for many families like ours tho - batten the hatches and essentials only!