When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Go Shopping…read more So it's been one of those limbo days, that started on a massive high, but has actually ended up going nowhere fast. When things get challenging or just plain weird, the tough do what only the true hard nuts can do and that is....go shopping. My favourite cut price haven is Primark or Primarche as I like to call it. I'll admit I am addicted to the rails upon rails of cut price clothes and accessories, and don't get me started on their lingerie and swimwear, where I regularly unearth hidden treasures. Yes Primarche rocks, but you will need to know what the rules of engagement are for a relatively pain free visit, especially if you go to the Croydon store! 1) Pick your visiting time wisely - Too early and you'll miss new stock. Too late and you will get caught up in the mother of all queues. 2) The clothing sizes vary by alarming proportions - Alternating between coming up too small or too big, so make sure you try everything on. If they don't have your size, you can more than likely to be able to get away with the next size up. 3) Customer service - If you are a customer service freak, check your expectations at the door, Primark is like taking a walk on the wild side - do so at your own risk ! The general sales assistant tone varies between complete indifference to my personal favourite not knowing the stock e.g. harem pants have never and are unlikely to be "Sorta like leggings",as suggested by my hapless assistant. 4) Queuing is a way of life - I have never, ever walked into Primarche and not had to queue. Their customer base is about as diverse as it gets, due to their low prices.This popularity means the store is nearly always busy. If you are a serial sigher, or a whinger, take something along to distract you like an ipod, a friend, a magazine or a packet of Haribo ! 5) In light of points 1-4 why would you want to set foot in Primarche ? Simple fast, disposable fashion trends turned around in record time, for you to buy. Their clothes quality can be variable, but their bags and accessories are not to be sniffed at. That's why I keep going back !

Limited budget but love clothes, then Primark is the place to shop. Shopping here on the weekends…read morecan chaotic and down right frustrating. The best times I've found is mid week during the day. You won't find the best quality some things are made better than others. Primark is known for their disposal wears but I feel like they may have gotten a bad rap. But then again when a pair of jeans is only £6 you can't expect them to last ten years. For me, my entire wardrobe would not be comprised of Primark garments but it's great for things you just do not want to pay more for or if you're re-entering the work force. Today I scored today and best of all it wasn't I really busy. I got 5 pairs of jeans different styles and colors, 2 pairs of jeggings , a pair of leggings, two bottles of nail polish, 8 pairs of cushioned socks, 3 pairs of 100% cotton underwear a cardigan and a blouse all for £67 or $108 CDN. That's approximately $4.69 per item!! I love a deal! Primark also sells make up, make up brushes and tools, purses, shoes, children clothes and lots of accessories. They cover it all. No be warned that various locations may have less a selection depending on the size of the store.

My mother recently visited the store to buy some shoes. The service was terrible. The sales…read moreassistant girl practically threw the shoes down in front of her and then she had to ask for a shoehorn. She went to get it and then practically threw it on the seat next to her. She did nothing to help her try the shoes on. My mother is in her 90s! And a regular shopper in Banstead. Small boutiques like this need good service to survive. The service at Fluke women's store Banstead was appalling.

Went to Lucindas for a wedding outfit for my sister. The…read morehard sell was scary trying to ply you with wine in the hope of you buying something. My sister ended up buying a dress for £199 , when she got home she looked at the website and the dress was on there in the sale for £140 she called them to say they had made a mistake with the price in store but they refused to give her a refund of the difference stating that the extra was for lighting staff etc free wine . Well call me old fashioned but if you sell an item online it should be the same price in store . The hard sell is appalling and charging £60 more in my opinion is dishonest. Avoid if you can possibly help it. I didn't think stores like this existed anymore. Prepare to go into battle when you go in there as you wont be coming out alive if you don't buy something.

If you want hard sell, fake compliments, pushy staff and expensive clothes which don't actually fit…read moreand look gastly shop here! They just want you out the door once you've parted with your credit card and beware they never give refunds!!!

Looking for this shop My sister bought a wedding dress, she…read morewas beautiful, I would like to order a cocktail dress but no way to count the shop Beautiful dresses expensive but very good price on sales

I was looking for a nice evening wear and could not shake the thought of this shop out of my head…read more Everytime I passed by, there was a new array of beautiful evening wear. To get those designer celebrity dresses, it will not cost you a fortune in this shop as they are at high street prices. The fancy chandeliers inside and the hint of red add more glamour to the whole atmosphere. They have shoes by Sanda House, Uze by Shalimar plus other labels. You can also have alterations on the gowns so that it is a perfect bit to flatter your figure. Jovani, Talash and Terani are among the international labels they have. There is only one of its kind in London and its worth the experience. Hurry now as they have massive sales clearance to usher in a new stock.

fantastic boutique with excellent service and amazing clothes!read more

The staff were extremely friendly and helpful. The store had a great ambiance and was really…read morepleasant to shop in.

I have been going through some former QYPE Reviews and checking if the places they saw were still…read moretrading, firstly on line ,then with the B T on line Directory, lastly the Company register. This one did come up and had a web sit but not under own name.

This shop is amazing, It's a Aladdin cave of treasure…read more.... If you haven't master the skills of this shop yet!! soooooo...! i am going to tell you a few of my skills.. just a few!! 1.) when you go in get a basket or trolley (it always best to put everything you find in there) 2.) Get there early!! (You are more likely to get a few treasure.) You find every thing you want here top designer range of scented candles, details cushions, luggage, tops and dresses, retro furniture and more.. Don't be to scary and confused it's not so bad.... Baby step. happy shopping ;-)

Although it's very big, this TK Maxx is very hit-and-miss…read more I always like to pop in if I'm going to the adjacent HobbyCraft as often TK Maxx has some of the same or similar scrapbooking items that I might be looking for.

Every time I go shopping in Croydon I park in Central car park! It's not the cheapest car park but…read moreI feel safe leaving my car here for long hours and it's central to Croydon shops. So the two main shops I visit here is house of fraiser and debenhams, they are multi floor stores and I tend to buy my luxury items here like underwear makeup perfume and dresses. The other Beaty of these stores is that they have a personal shopper if you have limited time, though book in advance they can get busy!

Lots of shops which we all know along side some smaller "tat" selling ones. Don't get me wrong some…read moreof the tat selling ones actually have some useful stuff in. Since the demise of Alders there have been a few more empty shops within the area. With the development of the Croydon "Westfield" soon to begin I guess there will be lots of new shops coming to town. The variety of shops is still good and you can get almost everything you want. Prices vary but that is to be expected, the price of parking is something of an issue as you have to pay £2:50 for anything under two hours parking. So if you only want to go to one shop thing about where you will park to get best value.

I would describe this mall as a bigger better version of Kingsgate Mall. The have everything you'd…read moreneed but not anything like a high street. All the major shops are located here. They have New Look clothing store, Boots, M&S, so you could make this a one stop shopping deal. The mall is well laid out and very clean. Seems like the central place to meet in Croydon.

Now by now everyone has heard that Whitgift would soon be transformed into the new Westfield…read moreshopping mall! It is currently very hard to believe given that half the shops in this place now sit vacant and those that remain have a certain tacky vibe about it with a handful of bargain stores (don't get me wrong! You can find some real gems in these places) and because of how the lack of shops have driven many visitors away and the Westfield plans have been delayed in like forever, I hope that the new Westfield would bring back customers and visitors in droves. It's such a shame that the Westfield plans have been delayed as many businesses have moved out too soon in anticipation for it. Still, nothing beats walking down north end reminiscing about the good olden days because when Westfield finally arrives, gone would be the brown and beige floor tiles and the 90s feel that makes this Croydon shopping centre so unique. #LiveLifeLikeLDN

Great charity shop with lots of vintage clothing at really good prices. All nicely displayed and it…read moredoesn't feel cramped and dingy like other charity shops I go to. The only thing I would suggest is for a bigger men's section as there isn't that much!