Frightful visit to Zaks for school uniform - is this the only shop????? am I a mug for going there? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Frightful visit to Zaks for school uniform - is this the only shop????? am I a mug for going there?

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 September 2011 - 03:38

Had a frightful visit to Zaks on Salwa Road - that beat up, churned up. chewed up road - to buy school uniform for Newton International...

what a shocking shop, I'm speechless at how it is organised and run... is this what I've got to look forward to every time I want to replace an item of uniform?

Yes, going in 3 days before start of term is perhaps not a good time but since places weren't completely confirmed until earlier this week, I really didn't have a choice!

items were strewn around on the floor and some were placed in the wrong shelves, Newton International stuff was jobbed together with Newton British ... very confusing....

My DD's tartan skort - bought - arrived from the manufacturer without a zip..... when I queried the lack I was told the there was nothing he - the salesman - could do because he "doesn't know anything about skorts... err what? does he wear trousers without a zip and puts a flap over the gap?

Do skorts not come with a zip?

I'm just venting!!! :\:

it was like the twilight zone... everything that I thought I knew about buying uniforms and shops... phftt.... gone!

what is the alternative, where else can I get uniforms?

}}} breathe {{{

331
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 September 2011 - 17:57
Thanks so much! I knew I could rely on someone on this forum to let me know!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 September 2011 - 22:45
CSH: There's a map for Zaks here http://www.asd.edu.qa/page.cfm?p=420
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 September 2011 - 17:01
Can u give me exact directions to Zaks please. I haven't been there in ages and someone new was asking. Thanks! Sympathies to all those who have to buy school uniform. Don't get me started on shoes!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 September 2011 - 00:57
ok lack of a zip kind of makes sense now ... however had my DDs not worn skorts with zippers for a previous school I would have accepted it as a design detail.... @mariav... I hear ya, my gals don't use the buttons either! the elastication makes it easy to wear... the design just seemed unfinished some how... anyhoo roll on the christmas holidays!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 September 2011 - 14:56
There is no zipper on the skorts, it struck me as being odd as well until I realized that they use the same design for the boys shorts just add the flap for the girls. You'll notice that the tags are at the front of the skort!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 September 2011 - 14:30
Re: zippers in skorts Our skorts (from Zaks) also do not have a zipper. I have to agree with CornishGirl that there is no need for a zipper (the "skirt"covers the entire front on the "shorts") and I think the addition of one would also make them difficult to press. My girls don't even unbutton them. With the elastic waistband, the skorts are easily pulled up or down.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 September 2011 - 11:57
@ladyluna - I have just looked at the skorts I bought from the DESS uniform shop (DESS don't use Zaks) and they don't have zips either. I dont really think they need zips as the front skirt overlap covers everything up. Of course it depends on the individual design, but I think that a zip on the ones we have would make it awkward to take them off. Katie
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 September 2011 - 10:58
Oh I agree! Your first time shopping in Doha for school uniform is quite an experience! When I arrived here 6 years ago, we had to buy uniform from VIK (Very Important Kids, what a cheesy name - should have been a warning....) which is a TINY little shop in that weird Town Centre mall opposite Al Ahli. OMG! What a culture shock that was. It seemed to be the only uniform shop in Doha and it supplied ALL the uniforms for ALL the schools, including local ones. How can I put this without sounding nasty...............that was my first experience of being elbowed and pushed out of the way and generally treated like a second class citizen by certain individuals. You know who I mean? It was hideous. Now I go to the uniform shop (as Raimah suggested) before summer holidays when the place is virtually dead. But of course, if you've only just had school places confirmed, that's not an option. Next year though. And believe me, once you've been living here as long as I have, you won't take any nonsense from anyone. Sharpen your elbows and get in there!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 September 2011 - 21:48
umm pps don't skorts in Doha have a zip?
48
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 September 2011 - 21:46
thanks for supportive stories, I really thought going postal on the forum would get my wrists slapped by moderators but it seems everyone has some horror story to tell.... as soon as I'm mobile I'm goin' huntin' and get me some fabric and a tailor.... ps have still to buy PE stuff so dun dun dun daaaaaa :) feelin happy already.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 September 2011 - 14:30
I agree LadyLuna, going to Zaks is a painful experience - I've been twice over the last month to try & get a vital piece of my son's DC uniform, which they still don't have stock of, so I'll have to go [i'>again[/i'> in a week or so......ugh. <em>edited by kimmc2 on 09/09/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 September 2011 - 11:17
@ ladyluna, I totally agree that getting to zaks through that underconstruction road is a royal pain! But like u said going just three days before school starts doesn't really help. My LO goes to compass and we have been going since last year but we make it a point of going at least a week before school starts if not earlier, At which point I've come across really courteous staff and well stocked uniforms. I've always had a pleasant experience. I know of friends who actually stock up on uniforms before going on their summer break and that is such a wise thing to do rather than wait till the last minute. I used to go to zaks in Dubai when my lo was attending jps and never had reason to complain either for quality or stocks.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 September 2011 - 08:30
Sorry Ladyluna, that is indeed IT! At least you're done for this year?? Don't worry it does get better I went in last week and it was chockers with stuff everywhere (perhaps I saw you!) but the next day it was a lot more organised with barely anyone there. Another Doha challenge. At least you made it through :)