We have shopped at Boundary Mill Store for many years, long before it moved to the new location, and have usually found it an excellent business to deal with, which makes our experience today all the more disturbing. Being privileged customers, we have spent many thousands of pounds over the years in all of the locations, including Bannies, the Marks and Spencer's concession, and all of the in-store concessions.
One area we have had concerns about in the past, has been the very confusing pricing system which is applied in the main store. M&S is always very clear, Bannies usually so, but the Boundary Mill pricing can often look like a jumble sale. Today we noted several items which had up to five different prices on them.
The shoes we bought had a red sticker on them, and were part of a large display of similar products on a freestanding rack. On top of this display was/is a large notice stating "UP TO 50%OFF" There were three different stickers inside the shoes we bought, a white one which was mostly obliterated by a red one over it which said £22.00 (we thought) as this was again mostly obscured by yet another red sticker over that which stated £16.00. We thought these were a bargain, and made several other purchases including shoes reduced from £45.00 to £30.00 and other kitchen utensils.
When we came to pay for the shoes they came up at £16.00 and not at roughly £8.00 as we thought they would be at 50% off. Clearly we are not quibbling about the price of the item, but expressing deep concern about the confusing pricing display. The Assistant said if we didn't want them ok, but as we were both confused and embarrassed about the discrepancy we expressed our concern. The Assistant the went to the display and pointed out it said 50% off. She then pointed out that in 'very small print' "off the mmrp" We didn't have a clue what this meant! Off £22? Off £16. No, it meant off the manufacturers recommended retail price! Eh? What and where was this? It turns out it was on a very small white label which had mmrp £32.00 on it. This was COMPLETELY COVERED BY THE FIRST RED STICKER, which was itself covered by another. I am aware that pricing is only an invitation to trade, but this was/is at best very confusing and a worst a con. Such ambiguity does Boundary Mill no credit. Check and check again on the price you will actually pay as regrettably in this place, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is!!! read more
