My favorite (and not so ) retailers (part one)

So a while ago I told Marcia that I have something to say about Ackermans.The other day she reminded me about it, so I thought I will do you a run-down of my favorite, and not so, retailers. My joys and my frustrations. So here goes, without any prejudice:

Ackermans:
I hate you dear Ackermans because:

1. Your stores smell. I am smell sensitive and I can tell you, they smell. All of them.
2. You are totally overpriced for claiming that you are a budget retailer. I looked for PJ's for the boys this year - you offered one set for R110, cheapest I could find was R99 - gosh, at Woollies I can get two sets for R 160.
3. Your tracksuits make those pesky little balls after one wash only! Kid you not!
4. L's one top's zip broke after 3 uses - not on!
5. Your younger girls range end at age 7 - my Princess, although age 6 wears size 7-8 clothes. Your offering for that age group is rather pathetic, bordering on sexy. Black and studs etc. She wants pink and flowers and Hello Kitty.
6. To return something is like extracting a tooth - and you are always made felt as asking too much to exchange anything.
7. When you return or exchange something or whenever a supervisor is called, they do not greet you, or meet your eyes. They grumpily just talk rather irritated to the cashier, in a language you do nto understand. It's rude. Ok.

My rating for Ackermans: 4/10

Pick 'n Pay:
I love you Pick 'n Pay because:

1. You have Smart shopper cards and give me Vitality points and cash back on my Vitality card.
2. You exchanged and old lady's broken pack of biscuits the other day. I though that was rather cool of you as she as clearly eaten a few already.
3. You have those cute girl dress and pants sets - the Princess love those and they got to age 13!
4. You often have nice budget items for me to buy - I bought a great cardi there the other day and some super comfy R30 slippers this weekend.
5. Your cashiers are often friendly and greet one. Talk to the kids and joke with them.Makes it all a bit more pleasant.
6. Your Pick n Pay choice range is great quality.
7. You give that price/gram or price/item details on your shelves. For that, I love you most.

I hate you Pick n Pay because:

1. It was such a mission to exchange a item of clothing that was too small. In fact I think you more easily replaced the old lady next to me's biscuits.
2. You do not have those nice "car" trolleys in all your shops. I need them - the easiest way for me to shop with 3 kids.
3. Your no name range is really no the cheapest always.

My rating for Pick 'n Pay: 8/10

Edgars:
I actually do not often shop at Edgars, but if I do not find something for the kids at the usual haunts I go there. I also have a cash card where I get points at CNA too and spend at Edgars. For myself, I buy little there because I do not really like the style of their clothes.
I love you Edgars because:

1. You often have something I do not find somewhere else.
2. Your supervisors always greet the customer with a smile and expalin what they do if they need to be called.
3. You exchange without asking questions - you once exchanged a top that shrank in the first wash without a tag or anything. No questions.
4. You stock great perfumes at good prices. 
5. You always stock good standard pants in classic styles.

I hate you Edgars because:

1. It is never fast or easy to use cash back vouchers and a supervisor always have to be called.

My rating for Edgars: 9/10 

PEP:
I hate you PEP because:

1. Your stores also smell. Nauseatingly so.
2. Your tracksuits make those little fur balls after the first wash.
3. The zips on your tops fail - and soon. I am buying nothing with a zip from you ever again.
4. You have nothing for girls 7 and over. And it looks like the same for boys.

I love you PEP because:

1. Your cashiers are friendly.
2. You are truly well priced. 

My rating for PEP: 6/10

Truworths:
I hate you Truworths because:

1. You let your cashiers always try to convince a customer that they need a card. I do not have clothes cards - I do not work that way. I do not always have to defend my position at your tills.
2. You seriously have the most scratchy labels in the entire industry . If I buy something from you I have to unsew the labels and make sure no bit of thread is left. (Ok I am tactle sensitive)
3. You really are overpriced - if I compare you with more boutique like stores you are in the same price category  and really not exclusive at all. 

 I love your Truworths because:

1. You have nice evening style stuff year round - a life saver at times.
2. You have Ginger Mary - although in all honesty the label has gone down-hill. 

My rating for Truworths: 6/10


Woolworths:
I love you Woolworths because:

1.  You never have an issue to exchange anything.
2. Your pretty younger girls clothes go to age 9 in some instances. Yeah!
3. You always have something for me (clothes wise) that I love.
4. You always stock pantihose, and mutlipacks of panties.
5. You always have good, work type stuff for Hunter.
6. Although some of your ranges are more expensive, some of the kids clothes is just as well prices as say, Ackermans, and the quality is far superior.
7. I love those two packs of whatever - PJ's, track suit pants, T-shirts.
8. You always have Disney Princess stuff, and Hello Kitty stuff to fill my Princess' heart with joy.
9. Not all your boys stuff is Ben 10 or Bakugun. There is pretty ordinary stuff too.
10. Your food is always good quality. And you do quality checks all the time.
11. Your lightly smoked snoek must be one of the best kept secrets ever - well priced (same as frozen at Picn N Pay) and never frozen, a great 15 minute meal that everybody loves. 
12.  Your Woolworths shopper card has discounts etc - great guys! 
13. Those dinner for 4 under..... promotions. Great stuff.

I hate you Woolworth because:

1.  It always takes too long to exchange something - long long queues.
2. You do not have 10 items or less, fast tills anymore. So lunch time buys with a few items is not on anymore because you wait so long behind people with trolleys. Get those back and I will be a happy camper. 

My rating for Woolworths: 9,5/10.

I still have lots to say about both Dischem and Clicks - oh yes and Checkers and Spar, but let's just leave that for a part 2 post as the ones above is mostly clothing (and a bit food) orientated.

So what do you think about our retailers and which do you love or hate? Do you agree or disagree with me?