Shopping Eagle

The Site

The Harrods web-site is quite smart looking using a colour scheme or primarily white, dark green and black. This gives off the classy, sophisticated look that one would expect from Harrods.

Top centre of the each page is the Harrods logo in dark green with the sign-in and search boxes to the right and a home button to the left. Below this is a black bar with links to the various departments within the site. Each department then has sub-departments so if you are browsing or looking for something specific it is easy to use. This as I mentioned is on every page and makes navigation much easier.

Down the left hand side of the home page is set of links to things such as news and history. The history section is short but very interesting and well worth a read if you are looking round the site. There is also a recruitment button here which allows you to learn about working at Harrods, search for jobs and apply online.

The Products

Contrary to popular belief Harrods does not exclusively stock hyper expensive products. They have a large range of items from fridge magnets and biscuits to fabulous handbags to toys to household goods and cosmetics.

Of course you get the truly expensive items for instance around Christmas they were selling a solid platinum golf club, (a putter to be exact), for a startling £15,000. I tend to buy the bears from around the £10 mark to about £30 as special gifts for birthdays, christenings etc as it is not only a lovely gift but a collector’s item too.

The range of alcohol is varied from Harrods own to high prestige brands on offer again from around £10 to many thousands. I love Harrods port and I always get a bottle in at Christmas.

There is a range of Harrods tourist style items such as bags, magnets, umbrellas and tins of biscuits; again these make lovely gifts and keepsakes. Prices start at about £4.95.

The prices for each product are given in pounds sterling, euros, American dollars and yen.

Ordering

When you see a product you wish to buy you simply click on the photo of the item to be taken to a page with more information. You select any applicable options such as colour, size etc and the quantity. You then click and add that item to your basket. To review your basket you simply click on the basket button and then you can choose to checkout.

To check out it asks you to register with the site. This is mainly for the purpose of direct marketing however you may choose not to receive catalogues or emails if you wish. Registration is easy and free; you simply fill in your details and the jobs done.

Then as expected you enter your payment details and they are processed by secure servers. You will then receive a confirmation of your order via email and another when it is dispatched. I really like the despatch emails as they give you an idea of when it will arrive and so you do not have to sit around waiting.

Receiving your Order

I have always received my order within a couple of days and it is always really well packed. The items are individually wrapped in thick brown paper, the spaces inside the box are packed with polystyrene or corn starch chips and it is contained within a brown box printed with the green Harrods logo. The box is very sturdy, (I have used my first box from 2003 to store my Christmas decorations in and after 3 years and 3 moves it is still as sturdy as ever), so your items are sure to arrive in good condition.

I would have expected prettier or more luxurious packaging from Harrods but it isn’t really a problem and does look fairly smart.

Customer Service

I have never had a reason to return anything to Harrods so I do not know how the returns process works and if it is efficient etc but I did once order an item that was advertised at the wrong price due to a web site fault and I received a call the same day advising me that it would cost an extra £3.00 and asking if that was okay. I was really impressed as you’d think Harrods would expect you not even to notice £3.00!

The lady who rang me was very well spoken and polite so I cannot her fault her any way.

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Charles Tyrwhitt (pronounced “Tirit”!) are renowned for making tailored shirts for men (and more recently women).

Their flagship store is in London’s Jermyn Street, off Piccadilly, but they also provide a mail order and internet service.

CT pride themselves on quality and customer service and both these factors are very evident. I originally went to the store to buy a shirt for my brother. At apx £50 a shirt, they are expensive. However, the quality is second to none, and my brother (someone less fussy about his clothes than me) said he was hugely impressed - and that it was the best shirt he’d ever worn. A huge bonus was that the shirt also came with a FREE silk tie (worth £35) - so this made the shirt a worthwhile purchase.

Whilst at the store, I espied the limited range of women’s shirts on offer. I managed to refrain (at £45 a throw) but did add my name to the mailing list.

This was about three years ago. Since then, I have received their season catalogues and spent quite a bit of money! Including Christmas and birthday presents for other members of the family, I must also admit to owning eight CT shirts!

Ordering shirts is simple. Either complete adverts often seen in the broadsheets, log on to the website (www.ctshirts.co.uk) and/or order a catalogue. Delivery is brilliant. Shirts arrive in boxes, tissue wrapped packaging and usually within 72 hours of receiving the order.

The shirts are great quality, fit perfectly and wash and iron up wonderfully. I need to wear suits for work and CT shirts are a perfect compliment.

CT frequently offer reductions on shirt prices, 4 for 3 offers, end of season sales, etc, so don’t be put off by the price straightaway. This is how I have bought most of my purchases.

If you like stylish, classic cut shirts, in cotton, linen or moleskin fabrics - then this is the place for you.

Only this season, CT have revamped their women’s range, and now offer several different styles of shirt, to suit all tastes. I am a little sad, since I had to promise not to buy anymore for a while (!) but having seen the new catalogue, am tempted to go back on my word…

Oh, and of course, their men’s range is exemplary too!!