Just back from Fuerteventura and have to report my son's Primark sunglasses broke for no reason on holiday - they just cracked and split while he was wearing them. I'd bought him two pairs (in case he sat on them, or lost them) and both pairs suffered the same problem. OK, so they were only a couple of quid but by the end of the first week he had no sunglasses and I had to go and negotiate a reasonable price for some "Oakley" ones at the market (I hate haggling with leery locals)
Not sure why they broke, they weren't too small for his head, and he was careful with them, particularly with the second pair - we think the heat of the sun may have cracked them.
I also had a brown bikini with gold print stripes and the gold has 'worn off' after only wearing it twice and I was only in the pool for a few minutes
Anyway, it won't put me off my favourite shop - I'm going back next week to get some more cheap sunglasses as replacements in case he loses or breaks his genuine 10€ "Oakley" ones, and I'll look for another bikini, but I'll leave the metallic-print ones on the rail this time

Well I've just come back from a rather harrowing look around. I didn't buy anything

The shop hadn't opened when I arrived and I couldn't believe the amount of people queuing, it was like the Next sale morning at 5am!!!!!
When the shutters opened people made a mad dash, knocking little kiddies over in the process, some people ducking in before they were open properly. (this store has been open over a year now)
When I eventually got in, stuff had been knocked onto the floor and was getting trampled on, security guards were standing in a little group discussing one shoppers ample bosoms!!!
Well my £1 vests that I saw last week are now £1.50 and the 8/10 are too little and the 12/14 are too big " We don't do 10/12....sorry" and everything I tried on was like that. Trousers, size 12 too big size 10 too little. Women were screaming at kids in buggies or hubbies were shouting at wives, did my head in

After an hour I gave up and went back to my safe zone of Debenhams, Next and River Island............that's my finish with Primark.

Cazz thats a perfect description of Primark!!!
Well the one in Birmingham anyway! Everything piled on the floor, people everywhere going mad, queues longer than the Nile, Bored kids getting smacked or playing on the escilators! Queues of dads waiting outside for their wives! 10 pushchairs blocking every way out of the shop!

Still if it'll save a few quid, I'm in!

Chivas,
I had to laugh, I thought it was just the Metro centre. Is it because it's summer gear as I don't recall it was like that at Christmas.
Anyway, just got loads of stuff at Matalan, eg vests and shorts and it only came to £26 as some things were buy one get another half price or free etc. That's me kitted out through the day, just another few items for the evening and I can start checking my lists for packing

I was in Primark in Harlow last week and gave up trying to buy anything as none of the clothes or shoes matched the sizes shown on the hangers. That was the goods on the rails. I didn't bother checking the stuff on the floor!

I did have a hunt round the floor and I happened to find a new way into Narnia!

from Chivas69

I did have a hunt round the floor and I happened to find a new way into Narnia!

LMFAO

just to let you know, i went into the oxford street primark this afternoon downstairs is womens lingerie, swimwear and clothing. upstairs is mens clothing, childrens clothing, shoes, bags and household goods.
it is vast
I filled a basket right up with bits for my daughter for our holiday and stuff for my husband and still only spent £40.
The big downside is their lovely trendy brown paper bags they put all your goodies in, as i came out it was raining and the bag was a bit soggy by the time I got my train
still was nice to see primark again and my daughter is delighted with her goodies.
hugs la x

Went in Primark today (Manchester), just to get some more cheap sunglasses to replace the ones which were lost and/or broken in Fuerte this Easter. Finished up coming out with 3 bags of stuff - honestly I'm lethal in there
I finally gave in to this strange trend for "maternity smocks" which everyone seems to be wearing, wasn't keen on them for a while, but they're in every shop window and every fashion magazine so I thought I'd better invest while it's hot, especially as I have quite a "bump" after 2 weeks of all-inclusive over-indulgence in Fuerteventura The store assistants brought out a couple of lovely new styles while I was there and it was like watching zoo animals at feeding time...
Also got some nice ¾ pants and boob tubes, but forgot to look at strapless bras to go with the boob tubes - ah well, I'll just have to go back next week
Lots of new bikini styles which weren't there a few weeks ago, the ones I bought 3-4 weeks ago have now sold out. Lots more colourful beachwear too. There were some lovely little skirts, great for on the beach, but for some reason they weren't with the beachwear - good job I spotted them, too nice to miss. They still had a few funky patterned suitcases left, I considered getting one to put all my shopping in but I would have felt daft on the bus with it.

The big downside is their lovely trendy brown paper bags they put all your goodies in

That must be a posh London thing - here "oop North" we still have the big plastic bags - rainproof and everything

Suitcases?? Smock tops?? I was in Primark (luton) yesterday and didn't see any of either. I was returning some stuff and was hard pushed to find anything I wanted. Must admit I didn't investigate bikini section though.

Now Peacocks that was a different matter ...

I'm off the Oldham Primark tomorrow morning - still trying to get shorts for my hols (leave a week on Sunday to go to Lanzarote - yippeee!!! ) but am planning on being there for 9.00am when it opens otherwise I just hate it - it gets so busy!

I haven't been in since November, so will be nice to see the summer clothes . I'll let you know what I manage to get!

Searched everywhere last week for a decent bathing suit for my hols. Was in debenhams, marksies etc. Most of them were very expensive (but I wouldve paid the money if I hadve gotten one) but they were ridiculously low in the neck, wouldve needed a wonder bra to wear underneath.

So where did I find a perfect one? PRIMARK, £4 ( Bank Buildings Belfast) Also, Croc imitation flip flops ( I did try the real thing but found the sizes no good to me) for £2!! and also a lovely two tiered vanity case with mirror for £3.

Well chuffed.

went tp Primark last week and could of saved a fortune....doing it this weekend instead though. ha ha.

Well I managed to have a good old rummage round Primark at the weekend and bought loads of stuff. But I am one of those people who must wash stuff before it's worn.( I hate that newey/shop smelly aroma) Well how dissapointed am I Out of ten items I bought, only one has retained it's shape and not started fraying so back off to Primark I go armed with receipt for refunds. Sorry if I sound a tad snobbish...........but you only get what you pay for I've had stuff bought at M&S and Next for a few years now and they still look as good as new Looks like they'll be getting another vacation

I happened to be in Manchester last weekend, and ventured into the biggest Primark I have ever seen...............

It was like a cattle market! There was more stuff on the floor than the shelves, and I saw an assistant actually 'sweeping up' goods off the floor (tops, shoes and hangers!).....

That said - i did manage to purchase one or two goodies that they don't have in our smaller branch here in Barnsley.

And I got them in a BROWN PAPER CARRIES BAG!!!!!!!

Jilly - I too purchased a pair of imitation crocs! What superb value hey!

We visited the Birmingham Primark, loads bigger than ours at home and, on three floors. Unfortunately we did not get in there within 1 minute of it opening, so had to check the floor too, for sizes we were after!

Still, we did get some bargains, the 'crocs', a beach bag for £2, some brilliant sandals with transparent soles and tiny white straps, couple of t shirts. Unfortunately, we stood in a queue chatting, not paying attention, and finally got to the check out about 15 minutes later, only to find we were in the Returns queue. ...........they wouldn't let us pay so we had to quickly dash to the correct queue where we paid for our goods and left with them in a BROWN PAPER CARRIER BAG!!!!

I know Primark does sell some rubbish - but equally, it sells some pretty amazing, good quality bargains, specially beach wear !

Elaine

Hi all
I have visited Primark on a few times but have never actually bought anything. What puts me off is the long queues, even if you have one item. Also it reminds me of the January Sales, all the stuff untidy and stacked in heaps where shoppers have gone through them and not bothered to fold them back up. Or lots of things scattered on the floor with footprints or push chair wheel tracks all over them.

Dawnie-Rob

I always forget about Primark. I guess I should make the effort as I know you can get some good stuff.
The two things that put me off are the sizes what's wrong with a true size 10
The second thing is the jumble sale atmosphere I am always shocked how people treat the clothes chucking them all over the place. I find I spend most of my time picking things up off the floor and folding them up.......... bit worrying behavior really, but my excuse is I have 5 children, so have been doing this sort of thing for years

I loved reading your descriptions of the mess you find there

I did find some lovely bikini's in tescos

I'm off to Primark on Tuesday, I'm a woman on a mission!

Off to the Dominican Republic in 3 weeks (whoooo) after going to Tunisia for my 21st 2 weeks ago I've re discovered primark... got a tankini set, and need a matching bikini top, looking for shorts (hate hotpants that seem to be in the shops now, they look like knickers!) skirts and distinctive beach towels plus a beach bag and some shoes I'm also getting some kids clothes ready to take over there for an orphanage, and like to buy new things, so I'm gonna give primark a go for them!

Will report back