I wonder... Derby house

Have they not still got the little shop in parbold. We used to go there when I was on ponies and I loved it. A little shop and knew most of the girls that worked there. It's so sad to hear how down hill it's gone :(
 
stick it on twitter!!!

i did that "is derby house in trouble and closing down?"


they replied in a couple of hours to say "nope etc but if your fed up of emails let us know and we will take you off our list"....


i didnt believe them :D
 
I used to like DH as they do have some good stuff before they become the "superstore" and sell the usual stuff. That's why I haven't bought from them for ages.

I am annoyed by the amount of emails they sent. However, I don't think the high frequency is indicative of them in trouble. Other companies do that too. I received tons of emails from Blacks, Craghoppers, Abercrombie...
 
Gloi said:
They used to be great until they moved from Parbold to that massive new place in Wrightington. It's all been downhill since then.
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It was only really the name that moved, that old shop had different owners who sold up IIRC.

I went to the big store in Wrightington last week for the first time in ages. There isn't so much in the way of labelled clothes ranges as there was for a while. The middle section with all the useful yard stuff was well stocked though. I actually thought it was better, not so much expensive fashion and more stuff I would have bought (had I not been totally skint and only there trying to buy solution for feet which apparently nobody stocks :p ).
 
I placed an order at the start of November. It took a month to get anything then I got 1 item both the following weeks then nothing til yesterday when I got a back order of kids magic gloves (2 months to get magic gloves...IMO they must be on stop with their suppliers!!). I'm still waiting for 1 item. Maybe I should just cancel it so I don't lose my money (cos u have to pay up front!) if they go under.
 
I waited over a month (even though site said in stock) to receive boots I ordered well before Christmas. I believe, like mentioned, that they were waiting for a large order to be placed. However boots were bloody cheap and do the job, and was expecting a delay (from reputation on here) so not fussed. I wouldn't pay anything over the £20 cheapy boots though.

Don't think emails relate - everyone is finding it tougher and Jan is the month of Christmas returns. I'm getting almost daily emails from most companies atm (Chrimbo, Jan sales, Snow Sales, Valentines). It's not a tactic I like though and have blatted a couple of shops I like because bombarding me with it all annoys the hell out of me and is one quick way to lose my custom.
 
Waited 3 weeks for a pair of gloves, also ordered chaps but cancelled the order in the end as there was just no chance of them showing up after waiting just too long i went and got them from the local tack shop instead
 
EKW said:
On the odd occassion that I do order from them I ring them up instead of doing it online so you can check stock levels.
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I phoned after placing my order and have to say that the customer service that end was fantastic. Phoned again to chase delivery time and again happy with the service. Delay was a pita but expected, however phone was picked up instantly both times and very helpful even though I was cranky first call and changed my boots size last minute on the second.
 
I received great service from them recently. My OH bought a coat for me for Christmas, unfortunately it was too big. I returned it together with an alternative purchase choice. My new choice was out of stock, so they called my OH and refunded him in full immediately :)
 
I am fed up with them to be honest, they are about the only company I know of who take you're order when something is out of stock and you may not receive it for about six weeks! I'm also certain that most of their rugs are sale buys, worth £60, on sale for £120 for 21 days (think that's the minimum legal timeframe but could be wrong) then advertised at half price! I have bought some rugs from them at half price and definitely weren't worth a penny more than what I paid. Have always found customer services helpful when chasing a late order but it shouldn't be late and shouldn't have to chase in the first place imo!
 
I go past their Wrightington store every day going to the yard, It's close by and convenient... the only problem is, they NEVER have anything in. They have very limited stock. I called in last Friday for 4 items...

Salt lick - None in stock
Garlic Powder - None in stock
Mite shampoo - None in Stock
glucosamine - None in stock

Did they know when they would actually be in stock.. Errr No!

So I went to trusty Robinsons at Ashton... and walked out of the store with my four items and I may add... with change in my pocket :D
 
I dont really have anything bad to say about them other than that they sent all the items I ordered seperatley! I found that a bit strange as I had only ordered a martingale, stirrup treads and a horslyx.
Emails are a bit annoying, they always seem a bit desperate. Dont show you many offers on the emails either usually just a banner saying sale and a pic of a rug. Anyway, will be a shame if they do go as had no bad exleriences but probably wont order again due to lack of cash! :)
 
lea840 said:
I go past their Wrightington store every day going to the yard, It's close by and convenient... the only problem is, they NEVER have anything in. They have very limited stock. I called in last Friday for 4 items...

Salt lick - None in stock
Garlic Powder - None in stock
Mite shampoo - None in Stock
glucosamine - None in stock

Did they know when they would actually be in stock.. Errr No!

So I went to trusty Robinsons at Ashton... and walked out of the store with my four items and I may add... with change in my pocket :D
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I think perhaps you where unlucky, I went in last night, for superflex and they had this, and all the other supplements seemed to be well stocked including glucosamine and garlic.

I go in most weeks for feed, and other stuff, I really hope it doesn't go under.
 
Pippin79 said:
I am fed up with them to be honest, they are about the only company I know of who take you're order when something is out of stock and you may not receive it for about six weeks! I'm also certain that most of their rugs are sale buys, worth £60, on sale for £120 for 21 days (think that's the minimum legal timeframe but could be wrong) then advertised at half price! I have bought some rugs from them at half price and definitely weren't worth a penny more than what I paid. Have always found customer services helpful when chasing a late order but it shouldn't be late and shouldn't have to chase in the first place imo!
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I agree I ordered the snow boots that should have been £60 and they were really giving them away at £20 so I ordered a pair when they came the quality was £5.99 would I pay £60 never I have ordered a rug which should have been £120 and I have payed £45 so will see what its like the boots wen't back !!
 
I believe that 2 years ago last November DH went into some kind of 'voluntary agreement' regarding their finances. A new CEO was appointed who had come from mothercare and had turned their fortunes around.

I believe that the old CEO had been buying up old failing saddlery stores and re-branding them with as DH, hence the quite rapid expansion some years ago, but this was apparently a badly thought out expansion and thenew CEO immediately closed all stores appart from the wrightington one, and I'm lead to believe they were intending to consolidate the business to focus on online sales. I have been to the wrightington store recently and I have to say it looks like a store that's struggling, the big showcase stands like dubarry etc have gone, the sale racks in the centre of the store are like a jumble sale and there were breeches with the really old DH logo and waist band (red and black old school lettering)- so clearly they were having a clear out of their warehouse! Theres an awful lot of their own brand cheaper stuff - head collars, rugs less of the big brands.

The quality of the rugs has had a marked reduction in the Past two years too Id say, I have a heavy weight from 2 and a bit years ago and it fits perfectly, is fully waterproof and just brilliant - I have bought a couple since and the buckles have snapped off, the fit is poor, the filling has all dropped to the sides and they were shower proof for all of a day!

I also think their customer service is shocking now, their stock control very poor (I bought a girth on 11 November and just relieved it yesterday although they took the money when I placed the order - so it too strikes me they were waiting for enough people to order before ordering stock)

I'm used to love derby house as a kid, it was like aladdins cave and smelt of leather and saddle soap, and it was always considered to be 'fancy' - definitely posher than Robbies down the road!! But now, well I think they have significant changes to make if they want to stay afloat, sort out customer service and stock control, change the delivery company. Perhaps they should concentrate on their own brand items- but they need to improve the quality massively and get back to being a brand that is thought of with respect - not the DFS of saddlerys with their never ending sales and totally rubbish items that break within 5 minutes.

I like supporting local shops and businesses, but with DH my patience has been tested to the limit I think- I have recently bought items from swish-equestrian, snuggy-hoods and furfeathermeds all small uk businesses, not local to me, but without fail I have had absolutely brilliant service and whenever I've had cause to call or contact them their members of staff have been polite, friendly and super helpful - and that goes a long way in ensuring repeat business in my book - I don't mind if there has been a glitch but ring me and tell me, do long as I know what's going on I'm a happy customer and likely to recommend to others.
 
Update on my order!

I am not surprised they are struggling as they pay more in courier/postage costs than their profit.

I ordered 4 items, a yard knife, a feed bucket, some neoprene wellingtons and some Sno boots.

Yard knife came first alone (one postage) then 3 days later the wellingtons turned up via courier (2 postage) then I have had an email 2 days later to say the bucket has been despatched via courie (3 postage) and the Sno boots are to follow if they ever get here before the sun arrives!

So my original order was over 2 weeks ago and still only have 2 items actually here.

Annoying thing is I only put an order in as I wanted the Sno boots and the other items were added just to make up the order as felt guilty I was getting yet more new boots so ordered hubby the wellies to make him not feel left out!
 
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