Debenhams Dubai | ExpatWoman.com
 

Debenhams Dubai

4423
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 14 April 2013 - 12:20

I just want to share / warn others about Debenhams.

As this is a British store, I suppose I was expecting the same kind of customer service, and the same returns policy as the other stores in Dubai. How wrong was I.

You can not get a CASH refund, even if you return the goods in less than 24 hours! I does state this on the receipt, but this is AFTER you have bought the goods and asked if you can get a refund and they say YES!

YES is not right, instead you get something called an Al Shaya card, with your refund on this card. This card can apparently be spent all over, but I wanted MY money back, not to be kept in their bank balance!

So every annoyed, I buy VERY little from Debenhams here, and I will from now on, be being even less.

Disgusting Customer Service.

4393
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 15 April 2013 - 13:38
Spinneys give cash refunds for household items. I bought a few light bulbs, which looked the right size in the shop, got them home and they were too big. Left them in the car for a few weeks, as I kept on forgetting to take them back into the shop with me, but as I still had the receipt they were only too pleased to refund the amount off my purchase. I need to add that the bulbs were actually bought using a credit card and they refunded me on a cash purchase. That is true, however they would prefer you do bought more shopping with your return! I was making another purchase at the time, but they would have been quite happy to give me my cash back as I asked before getting to the tills.
4423
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 15 April 2013 - 13:36
Spinneys give cash refunds for household items. I bought a few light bulbs, which looked the right size in the shop, got them home and they were too big. Left them in the car for a few weeks, as I kept on forgetting to take them back into the shop with me, but as I still had the receipt they were only too pleased to refund the amount off my purchase. I need to add that the bulbs were actually bought using a credit card and they refunded me on a cash purchase. That is true, however they would prefer you do bought more shopping with your return!
4393
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 15 April 2013 - 13:26
Spinneys give cash refunds for household items. I bought a few light bulbs, which looked the right size in the shop, got them home and they were too big. Left them in the car for a few weeks, as I kept on forgetting to take them back into the shop with me, but as I still had the receipt they were only too pleased to refund the amount off my purchase. I need to add that the bulbs were actually bought using a credit card and they refunded me on a cash purchase.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 April 2013 - 13:23
It's the law that retailers only need to give a cash refund if the goods are faulty, or not fit for purpose, and are returned in the time period set. They are only obliged to give an exchange or credit note. Having said that vero moda give cash refunds for returns of any reason, though its the only store I have found so far that do....
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EW GURU
Latest post on 15 April 2013 - 13:01
I never manage to get OH to go clothes shopping with me, and I like a 2nd opinion! I like to know he likes what he sees, so maybe yes it is my fault! But it is MY right to return if unsuitable, too small, damaged, etc .... MY right! MY right as well that I should get my money refunded. I agree it is NOT just Debenhams, had the same issue at Party Zone who gave me a credit note, for 6 months! Might as well throw it away, first time I've been there in 5 years, and not likely to need anything in the next 5 months! It is about principles! There was a conference recently, last week I think, on CS here in Dubai, clearly it has not made a dot of difference! Some companies could learn so much! actually, you are only entitled to cash refunds if the items are faulty - both here and in the UK http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/consumer-rights-refunds-exchange
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 April 2013 - 12:59
Also Im sadly intimidated by hovering salespeople who badger me into buying things or distract me while Im needing to concentrate on the purchase in hand. In Victorias secret I went in to try a bra and had a saleslady try to push her way into the change room with me(with measuring tape!) I had to challenge her and shut her insistent donkey out(not kidding) I mean, honestly... if I need help deciding on my personal dimensions -and I have been this shape for at least 25 years- I will ASK for it. Needless to say I was too upset to decide on anything and took off like a scalded cat and had to find underwear elsewhere- at a later date. I would hate to return something there- they probably would insist on seeing you in it to be sure it didnt fit! I'm also fed up with sales assistants "attacking" you as soon as stepping into a shop. I just end up buying nothing as I can't concentrate on looking at things with one or more people breathing down your neck whilst you're browsing. And if I have any questions the shop assistants tend to be totally useless anyway. I don't understand why they don't more pride in their work and learn more about the products they are selling. If I'm not left alone I walk out quickly. Well, once I stormed off when DH and I were looking at phones and discussing pros and cons and three assistants kept on interrupting our conversion with pointless inputs. The final drop for me was when one of the started drumming impatiently on the shelf. Good to know about Victoria's secret. I won't bother then as I will not have a stranger barging into the cubicle when I'm half dressed/half naked.
8965
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 15 April 2013 - 12:48
I never manage to get OH to go clothes shopping with me, and I like a 2nd opinion! I like to know he likes what he sees, so maybe yes it is my fault! But it is MY right to return if unsuitable, too small, damaged, etc .... MY right! MY right as well that I should get my money refunded. I agree it is NOT just Debenhams, had the same issue at Party Zone who gave me a credit note, for 6 months! Might as well throw it away, first time I've been there in 5 years, and not likely to need anything in the next 5 months! It is about principles! There was a conference recently, last week I think, on CS here in Dubai, clearly it has not made a dot of difference! Some companies could learn so much! I couldn't agree more!
4423
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 15 April 2013 - 12:30
I never manage to get OH to go clothes shopping with me, and I like a 2nd opinion! I like to know he likes what he sees, so maybe yes it is my fault! But it is MY right to return if unsuitable, too small, damaged, etc .... MY right! MY right as well that I should get my money refunded. I agree it is NOT just Debenhams, had the same issue at Party Zone who gave me a credit note, for 6 months! Might as well throw it away, first time I've been there in 5 years, and not likely to need anything in the next 5 months! It is about principles! There was a conference recently, last week I think, on CS here in Dubai, clearly it has not made a dot of difference! Some companies could learn so much!
214
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 April 2013 - 11:52
I shop in Debenhams all the time especially during the sales as the mark up here can be totally rediculous. I try on loads of items and the fitting rooms are never busy. The staff couldnt care less if I buy or not so are not pushy at all which suits me. I do not have an unlimited supply of cash for clothes or time for returning them so with this in mind I wouldn't buy something I didn't like. If I need a top to wear with a specific trousers I would bring that in and try them on together. I wouldn't buy without a tag on the item as then I can't prove that it is unworn. I do agree that it can be disconserting if you are the only person who canoot understand what is being said but that is the harsh reality of living here. I will admit though that it takes for ages at the till and they usually forget to take off a security tag so I have that whole criminal feeling when I try to leave. Its what i normally do when i have time, but for that specific day, i was in a rush and honestly didn't care about the tag being missing! I thought i can refund it the same way i bought it, especially that the cashier didn't tell me it will be a problem if i will refund/return an item with a missing tag. In the perfect scenario, yes, I should have brought the trousers with me and tried there. but we learn from our mistakes!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 April 2013 - 11:46
sorry but I just don't get the whole return thing... how hard is it to make sure you buy the right thing in the first place ? If you have the option to return an item, given its not been used/worn, why not use it to your advantage and try the clothes at your house? or if you buy them for your kids when they are at school?
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EW GURU
Latest post on 15 April 2013 - 11:30
sorry but I just don't get the whole return thing... how hard is it to make sure you buy the right thing in the first place ?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 April 2013 - 11:27
I shop in Debenhams all the time especially during the sales as the mark up here can be totally rediculous. I try on loads of items and the fitting rooms are never busy. The staff couldnt care less if I buy or not so are not pushy at all which suits me. I do not have an unlimited supply of cash for clothes or time for returning them so with this in mind I wouldn't buy something I didn't like. If I need a top to wear with a specific trousers I would bring that in and try them on together. I wouldn't buy without a tag on the item as then I can't prove that it is unworn. I do agree that it can be disconserting if you are the only person who canoot understand what is being said but that is the harsh reality of living here. I will admit though that it takes for ages at the till and they usually forget to take off a security tag so I have that whole criminal feeling when I try to leave.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 April 2013 - 11:22
I will NEVER buy again from Debenhams! which branch ? deira city center
926
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EW GURU
Latest post on 15 April 2013 - 11:17
worst customer service in Debenhams! I once bought a blouse without trying it in store, knowing the refund policy and agreeing to Alshaye refund card, but i had to buy it as i needed to try it on a trousers in my house. figured out if i needed to refund, will get the money back on that blue card I tried the blouse home and it didn't match. took the blouse next day to Debenhams cc, and the fun began! they refused to refund me the value, and their claim is that the blouse was worn. I told them i did try it but never wore it. the tag was off when i bough the blouse and they did a number scan when i paid the day before. so was not my fault the tag was not attached. I bought it that way! then another lady showed up, start sniffing the shirt, and said no its been worn! Then a third lady came and a fourth one, and they all started talking in their language, sniffing and laughing! I was furious and was very humiliated! they all ganged up on me and after talking to each other in their langue, agreeing that its been worn I never wore the blouse and i kept telling that i just tried it home, just like i would try it in the store! I spoke to the store manager, complained on the phone to al shaye customer service, wasted 1 hour of my life trying to refund the blouse , but got no where and I don't wear perfume as i am allergic and i take showers twice a day! eventually i left the blouse there and stormed out! I lost my money and my blouse! my blood pressure was up the roof because of the bad customer service and how humiliated i felt. wrote an email to Alshaye, and i got no reply.. I will NEVER buy again from Debenhams! which branch ?
214
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 April 2013 - 10:45
worst customer service in Debenhams! I once bought a blouse without trying it in store, knowing the refund policy and agreeing to Alshaye refund card, but i had to buy it as i needed to try it on a trousers in my house. figured out if i needed to refund, will get the money back on that blue card I tried the blouse home and it didn't match. took the blouse next day to Debenhams cc, and the fun began! they refused to refund me the value, and their claim is that the blouse was worn. I told them i did try it but never wore it. the tag was off when i bough the blouse and they did a number scan when i paid the day before. so was not my fault the tag was not attached. I bought it that way! then another lady showed up, start sniffing the shirt, and said no its been worn! Then a third lady came and a fourth one, and they all started talking in their language, sniffing and laughing! I was furious and was very humiliated! they all ganged up on me and after talking to each other in their langue, agreeing that its been worn I never wore the blouse and i kept telling that i just tried it home, just like i would try it in the store! I spoke to the store manager, complained on the phone to al shaye customer service, wasted 1 hour of my life trying to refund the blouse , but got no where and I don't wear perfume as i am allergic and i take showers twice a day! eventually i left the blouse there and stormed out! I lost my money and my blouse! my blood pressure was up the roof because of the bad customer service and how humiliated i felt. wrote an email to Alshaye, and i got no reply.. I will NEVER buy again from Debenhams!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 April 2013 - 10:00
I cant name specific shops right now, but have always been able to get refunds at quite a few shops in Festival City. Not so at lots of other malls. Albeit within a certain amount of days, but at least it's in the form of my original payment. I've learned to always ask before I purchase here.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 April 2013 - 08:38
It seems as if you are all returning items on a regular basis? Why? Just think twice before you buy it. Saves you a lot of frustration, as well as having to drive back there (on these apparently dangerous Dubai roads) in the first place. I will admit that I am often in a hurry, cant bear the queues or cant face changing rooms.I will buy clothes that look like they will fit/look nice and run (to whatever scary social occasion warranted an outfit I dont already have- at the last minute) This doesnt always work. Sometimes things look better on the hanger- Im not hanger shaped but I keep hoping. Other times things are mis- packaged or labelled- or damaged and I dont find this out until too late. Also Im sadly intimidated by hovering salespeople who badger me into buying things or distract me while Im needing to concentrate on the purchase in hand. In Victorias secret I went in to try a bra and had a saleslady try to push her way into the change room with me(with measuring tape!) I had to challenge her and shut her insistent donkey out(not kidding) I mean, honestly... if I need help deciding on my personal dimensions -and I have been this shape for at least 25 years- I will ASK for it. Needless to say I was too upset to decide on anything and took off like a scalded cat and had to find underwear elsewhere- at a later date. I would hate to return something there- they probably would insist on seeing you in it to be sure it didnt fit!
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 15 April 2013 - 07:49
It seems as if you are all returning items on a regular basis? Why? Just think twice before you buy it. Saves you a lot of frustration, as well as having to drive back there (on these apparently dangerous Dubai roads) in the first place.
2725
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 15 April 2013 - 00:10
the only franchise I've found that has anything near to the UK returns policy is good old M&S. It's up behind the pay counters in large print too. Just a shame they've nothing worth buying! edited by october on 14/04/2013 I agree, M&S is completely useless, to be honest who would buy some of the stuff they sell, shocking.
2725
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 15 April 2013 - 00:09
Debenham sales are not always what they seem. I bought my DD new underwear in the sale, whilst waiting at check out to pay, I messed around with the sticky price label to find the price had gone up and not down.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 14 April 2013 - 23:57
Drives me insane when I can't get a cash refund! I don't want to spend back at AL shaya... I don't even like starbucks FGS!! GRRRR!! I returned a dress at debenhams and spent allllll the refund money at Boots on La Roche Posay and Skinceuticals. Don't know where I would have spent it otherwise!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 April 2013 - 20:54
Got a cash refund from Matalan in the Arabian Centre today...seems like I was lucky
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 April 2013 - 20:41
M & S even accept items back that have been bought overseas... very impressed.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 14 April 2013 - 20:11
the only franchise I've found that has anything near to the UK returns policy is good old M&S. It's up behind the pay counters in large print too. Just a shame they've nothing worth buying! <em>edited by october on 14/04/2013</em>
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 14 April 2013 - 18:36
Of course you have rights in Dubai as a customer, you just need to know who to call if you feel your rights are not given. Every shop has a sign with the website of Consumer Protection. I had a problem with a travel agent who didn't inform me my ticket was non refundable, which I found out when I was trying to cancel. I got my money back after some arguing and threatening with Dubai Tourism Board (Who took on my case but it already got solved). Really as consumers we need to know our rights, and not allow businesses to get away with cheating us. Just call Consumer Protection and see what they say. Sometimes you don't even need to call them. Twice I have had the problem that the price on the item is different to the amount that comes up on the till. I have the taken my phone from my handbag, asked for the number for Consumer Protection and have instantly been given the price on the item. I didn't even need to dial. Boots does that a lot. Discounted price advertised in shop and then at the cashier the original price is shown and the cashier just shrugs their shoulders. :(
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 April 2013 - 18:33
Drives me insane when I can't get a cash refund! I don't want to spend back at AL shaya... I don't even like starbucks FGS!! GRRRR!!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 14 April 2013 - 17:17
This is hardly unique to Debenhams - I can't name a shop in Dubai that does actual refunds! It really puts me off shopping here. I mainly shop when I go home
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EW GURU
Latest post on 14 April 2013 - 16:44
I threatened to call the police to say they were stealing my money, unbelievably that got me nowhere! LOL !!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 14 April 2013 - 16:43
I stopped shopping there for the same reason..... A customer REFUND is a refund to the customer either by cash or put back on the customers credit card. The way these cards work is that the customer is NOT getting the REFUND either by cash or returned to their credit cards. The amount is sitting in THEIR account!! What you get is a piece of plastic whilst your money is in their account earning interest!! Think of how many customers haven't worked this out yet and how much interest that amounts to.... good for business but not so good for the customers!! The only way a customer would benefit is if you use the card immediately to purchase something else, then the amount goes straight back to you. edited by LDC on 14/04/2013 maybe you could just be more careful that you buy the right thing in the first place !! lol
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EW GURU
Latest post on 14 April 2013 - 16:42
This policy has been in place nearly 2 years now and is more than they are legally obliged to offer..... Yeah so they told me! But they should warn customers, have a noticeable sign on their counters! Not the generic posters saying customerservice. ae have a look there, as this is not a UAE policy it is a Debenhams one! It is not a Debenhams policy but one of the franchise holder! Like I said, the only thing Debenhams has in common with the UK is the name...
 
 

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