On my daughter's recommendation, I went to Debenhams to buy a bra, preferably two.
I made a special trip into Belfast from Antrim, and arrived at the Castlecourt branch at 10.00 a.m. as the shutters were being rolled up. Firstly I was astonished that a retail store would open so late, but that's not the point.
Complaint No. 1:
I went up the escalator to Lingerie; at the top, the sign points to the right, which led me into the children's department. I stood for a minute or two, slowly scanning all around for a sign to lead me on. Nothing. I then found a lady in black, who pointed to the back of the shop.
I arrived to a massive display of the fanciest bras I have ever seen: as far as the eye could see were huge G-cup padded things in black, scarlet, pink, lace, check, spot, you name it, everything except simple, unadorned white/skin-coloured, unpadded, reasonably-priced underwear for a lady in her sixties.
Complaint No. 2:
There were two staff members - one at the small desk where the cash register was, fiddling with what looked like red price tags spread all over the desk; the other, to all appearance more senior, judging by her power suit and general demeanour, ambling around in the vicinity. Maybe I didn't see them look at me and decide I looked too shabby to afford their wares? Who knows?
Bear in mind that I was the only customer, and I stood for some ten minutes, looking around, walking from one display to the next, gazing around, clearly someone searching for something I wasn't finding. Almost the entire time I was in full view of both ladies (the senior lady had then joined the one at the desk), and at times within ten feet of them.
Both of them ignored me totally and utterly. They would have taken more notice of a fly on the wall.
I got so fed up I decided to leave, but on my way out passed a smaller display, close to the floor, of what I was looking for. As these bras were cheaper than any others I'd seen, I assume Debenhams hopes one won't spot them until it's too late.
There's a room leading off the lingerie department that seems to be something to do with weddings - ladies in there told me where the dressing rooms were.
After trying one size and having to go back out and choose another, I decided on one two-pack, and took it to the cash desk.
Eyebrows raised in surprise - Oh! You want to buy that? Senior lady then took me to the children's dept cash desk to pay, I assume because they hadn't bothered to open the lingerie till yet, and then there were no small carrier bags.
She vaguely waved a huge carrier bag around, obviously reluctant to use it, so I offered the EE bag I'd been given earlier while in their shop, and she quickly tossed the two bras into it, helter-skelter.
She then murmured something about a Debenham's card and 10% off, but I said no, I didn't think I'd ever be using it! So I paid and left, never to return. read more