Derby House Closing- what do you think?

magichorse said:
It would seem that I'm in the minority, but my experiences with them are all good. Bought some long leather boots half price from their website. They arrived 2 days later (free delivery) and were too small. I took them to the store and they were exchanged no problem. I go to the Lancashire store and have always found the staff to be helpful. Is this the store that is staying open? I hope so!
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Yes it is. For now!
 
If DH online had any sense at all, they'd bin the KP range, but no it's still there lurking in the bargain bins for women and kids (shudder) at HUGELY reduced prices. Now I wonder why ??

Get a grip DH, get rid !!!

Just had a nosey on the KP website, and every single item is on sale vastly reduced. Oh dear.
 
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Bigginge said:
I can't say Im surprised, they've let me down with their online service repeatedly promising stock that never arrives and I find them overpriced. I've been to the shop a couple of times and again I've found it overpriced, not well stocked and hard to find what I'm looking for, and usually go away disappointed.

My local independent saddlery, Crewe and Alsager, on the other hand are fantastic. They have a range of brands at fantastic prices, their shop is friendly and well stocked, I love having a root round. If they don't have what you need then they will happily order for you, I have been using them for 20 years and I honestly don't thunk they can be beaten (and no I don't work for them!)
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I agree. Crewe and Alsager are fab.
 
Misinterpreted said:
Oh no.. I wonder what will happen to Olney Saddlery now. I hope someone else takes it on, and that gorgeous oak panelled, 4 storey shop, in the Market Square remains as a saddlery. I love that shop. I was sad when DH took over Olney Saddlery, but the DH Olney shop was actually still OK with plenty of stock, and as the DH brand was pretty good value, the shop always seemed busy whenever I went.
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I love that shop building and it needs to be a saddlers, it was meant to be one PLEASE someone buy it and turn it back to a good old saddlers!
 
Janette said:
Katie Price on the cover of the catalogue turned me off DH. Posing like page three girl on a catalogue that kids could look at....... Gave the impression of DH being tacky and 'cheap'.

I can't see that KP is soley responsible for the downturn of DH's fortunes, but she sure as hell didn't help either.
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I think that was simply the point of no return.
Given the way the woman markets herself and is recived(or not) by the country they must have known it would turn a LOT of people off.
Shame,I remember drooling over DH things that I would never get as a child,but if the quality has been dropping off for as long time.

I don't expect robinsons own brand to last as well as branded,but think the quality is at or above what I would expect for the money asked and it does normally wear quite well.
Have had one horrendous experiance with their mail order (lack of) service and would not use it again -thankfully my Mother lives near one so is often sent on sale runs for me :D although when it is faster and cheaper for Royal Mail to send on your goods there is a slight probelm with the "mail" part of your service ;)


For me,the local tack shop is still the best,but there are often items they can't get from them so have to go elsewhere.
 
We refuse to buy Derby House items because as nice as it all looks in the packaging it inevitably breaks. Usually on the first wear. That is of course should they choose to actually give you the items they said were in stock when you placed the order. Failing that they take your money and/or send you something completely different. Ho hum.
 
Very interesting comments by all, i wonder if any mangement are reviewing comments??? Doubt it they all come across as so arrogant at Wrightingon!! Pity Polly retired, much better at Newburgh!

Spent too much time supporting/promoting friends by way of named products and in the catalogue etc . Seems we could all seee this coming!!
 
My local saddlery closed last year and although I miss it hugely, they just can't compete. So many people keep their horses on a budget and don't buy any unnecessary things. Beyond feed, shoes and fly spray there is nothing I need on a regular basis so I never used it that much. Whenever I needed something horsey I would always go there but when I can get a better choice of rugs at half the price online I was hardly going to buy them there. I feel guilty for not having bought from them more often but I don't have the spare cash to buy more expensive, unnecessary goods just to keep a business going.

Sorry for the slight ramble but personally I feel that saddleries are expensive to run and even in horsey areas with few saddleries they struggle. It makes more business sense to concentrate on the online store. However, it is very sad as the number of places where you can try on jodhpurs, get hats fitted etc are in decline.
 
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