Mutterings for the Minority

After reading the BBC’s article online about “retailers suffer after M&S slump“, I couldn’t help but chuckle given the recent experience I had at the hands of the Marks and Spencers sale.

Here we were on Christmas Day (yes sad I know) shelling out almost £300 in the M&S sale only to find days later an email arrive from M&S stating …

Dear Customer,

Thanks for your recent order.

We experience extremely high levels of demand during the M&S SALE and occasionally items sell out as other orders for them are in the process of being placed – orders are confirmed on a first come first served basis. As a result we’re sorry to tell you that since your order was placed, one or more of the items you ordered are out of stock. These items have now been cancelled from your order and will not be visible in your online account.

Obviously you have not been charged for any of these out of stock items. Please check your online account to view any remaining items that will be sent to you.

We apologise for any disappointment this may cause. If you have any questions about your order, please feel free to call us on 0845 609 0200. If you are calling from overseas please call us on +44 1925 672 317.

Kind regards

Customer Services

Eventually I got my order, but the value had shrunk to under £200!

If we take a cynical view of this episode, surely M&S must have some idea of their stock levels PRE-SALE? And as a result you’d expect that their website (which is driven by Amazon I hasten to add) is capable of keeping tabs on stock levels. A quick google around finds that I’m not the only one who’s suffered this fate.

I mean the Christmas season does come around the same time year in year out doesn’t it? So you’d expect them to be stocked up to the hilt. Or maybe I’m just expecting too much *sigh*

I know the BBC article refers to the high street in particular and that the M&S online effort was indeed up on previous years. BUT for me profit and sales to any business are it’s bread and butter regardless of the channel (high street, web, phone, whatever) used surely?

Little wonder then with retailers being unable to fulfill orders online (or not) that they’ll lose money.

I’m glad to report that DDWT Junior’s first day back in school went without a hitch – thankfully! He even managed to be the first one there which was a surprise.

Perhaps what was more surprising however was that at least six new classmates joined today – taking the number in attendance up to around 20. A number – in my opinion – which is quite small even if the class is only a nursery one. Not that I’m complaining of course

It’s quite weird actually that as first time parents we often think is it only us who has a child that perhaps (delete as appropriate)…. doesn’t sleep through, won’t eat fruit, doesn’t like vegetables, has tantrums, etc, etc.

Then, as I have today, you strike up a conversation with work colleagues about said topic and guess what – yes indeed, they have exactly the same problems as us. Will we ever remember that when we’re faced with the same dilemma next time? I doubt it. Human nature eh.

Those lovely guys and gals at Firebox.com – which incidentally is the best place to find the very latest high quality gadgets, games and boys´ toys – are having a sale. The Firebox sale is not just any old sale either, it’s an up to 50% off sale.

I’ve treated myself to a remote control aeroplane! But what are you going to treat yourself to in the Firebox.com sale?

… and the Swans could be at wembley. Yes it’s true, tonight’s 1 nil victory over Brighton means we’re into the Southern area final of that illustrious cup competition they call the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Quite simply, if we beat Paul Ince’s MK Dons over the 2 leg final we’re at the NEW wembley – how cool would that be. Just to make matters all the more intriguing a certain Willy Gueret now plays for the Dons. I’d sacrifice it all for a place in the Championship next season though.

I still can’t get back into the routine of work. I know it’s only been two days, but it feels like I’ve undergone a lifestyle change!! Hopefully my body clock will have re-adjusted by next week, ‘cos at the moment I feel like a zombie and quite possibly look like one too.

With DDWT Junior returning to school tomorrow, I just hope he doesn’t suffer from the same effects as me. We have tried to get into the school routine over the last few days though to try and help the process, so we’ll see if it’s worked in the morning. Here’s hoping

Today is my first day back in work after my 2 week festive holiday and unsurprisingly I’ve been faced with a deluge of email and voicemail. Typically this usually means I can kiss goodbye to the best part of the day as I trawl through what I’ve been sent. This process usually reveals that 70% of the stuff is crap and I can either simply delete or ignore it. It begs the question I guess of how did we manage before the advent of email, etc. Ah yes I remember, a mound of scribbled notes on my desk

And what with no lunchtime training to look forward to for a few weeks, the days ahead are going to feel rather long and increasingly frustrating no doubt. Just what you need before a nice slow commute home via Oystermouth Road – which just happens to be at the centre of 13 weeks of roadworks commencing today I hasten to add! Now, where did I leave my bike…

I’m currently wasting the bandwidth (LOL) of work’s internet connection listening to Radio 5 Live in readiness for the FA Cup 4th round draw. Hopefully the Swans will get a decent draw and then go on and paste the cloggers from Havant & Waterlooville in their 3rd round replay on January 16th. Let’s hope that Stuart Atwell isn’t reffing that game shall we!