Debenhams

Its a shop. You buy stuff you need. or don’t need.
Its fine, not sure why people hate this place. But the people who work there are nice enough. Its not fancy schmancy or anything, it is what it is.

This is my most local department store of any kind. I’ve been shopping here for a few years and I’m usually not super impressed. Right now they’re working on renovating the location and the layout inside is making for a much more pleasant shopping experience.
While I’d love to give the place 4 stars based on recent improvements and additions such as a travel money counter, I just can’t quite yet. On my most recent visit, I was walking to the fitting room just as the «we’ll be closing in 15 minutes» announcement came on. I had 3 dresses and was planning on purchasing whichever one fit/​looked the nicest. The second the announcement came on the girl at the door of the fitting room closed it quickly and told me «sorry, the rooms are closed.» I asked if I could please just try the dresses on quickly as I wanted to get one (they had a sale on that was ending that day). Nope. I pointed out that they wouldn’t be making a sale at all then and I left all 3 dresses. She didn’t seem to be bothered by the lost business, which was really too bad for her department and for the store overall, really. The experience just left a bad taste in my mouth.
I’m not discounting the whole store based on that one employee, though. But I hope the overall service improves.

Generally, I like Debenhams. They stock a decent range of stuff and their sales are generous to a fault.
This one, however, annoys me every time I go (it’s my closest so I keep trying in the hope it’ll improve). Two main reasons:
There are NEVER people to help you in cosmetics. I actually WANT to spend a fortune on foundation, but I’m not buying without trying… similarly, I don’t want to loiter for half an hour hoping someone might want to help me out.
The changing rooms are pretty scummy and staffed by people who ignore you and chat to each other really loudly outside, which I’m afraid I find rude.
It just all feels a bit downmarket as a shopping experience.
Meh.

Not good people. Need more staff in the suit department. Maybe go as far as to say needs new manager too. There was only one guy at that department. Me and the mrs was waiting for a very long time. Not even a hello from that guy. On top of that none of the prices online are the same in store. Waste of time not happy

I have no idea why this Debs has got such a bad rep, but saying that I think it must be the location. Before I begin telling you about the evil that resides in Clapham Junction (CJ), let me tell you about Debs (Debs being Debenhams).
As department stores go, I kinda like it. For me it’s a one-​stop shop to pick up my skin care stuff (that reminds me I need to pop in for some), perfumes and other lotions and potions that I don’t need. It’s home to most of the designer makeup brands and generally speaking, it’s good for cosmetics et (some) toiletries.
They often have great offers and sales on, and you can finds some good clothes and shoe designers too. Perhaps not a place to purchase your entire wardrobe, but for staples and basic pieces, Debs hits the spot. Also very good for picking up smalls. Male reader, the next part does not concern you so please skip to the next paragraph, I’m serious I will know if you’ve read it. Plus I’m going to talk about periods and girls things. Ladies, phew, now we’ve got rid of them, read on. In particular Debs is great for bras and for me has fast overtaken my first love M&S. There are few things I dislike more than an ill fitting bra. I have walked the earth to find a store to accommodate my rack, and these days there is no reason to wear the wrong size. Gok has revolutionised ‘banger’ and we should be proud of them! As a side note, if you are feeling down because but boob are not erect have no fear Jo is here! Seriously if you need help I am happy to help — you won’t believe the confidence boost wearing the right bra will give you. Anyway, a great range for all sizes are to be found in this lingure department and they have a very good range aptly name ‘Gorgeous’ for the ‘fuller bust’. Generally, I have had few problems finding appropriate, attractive and ample amounts of what I need, and with smalls to match!
Now, about CJ. If you are shopping alone (everybody say awww), never never never go on a Sunday afternoon. Why? A very good question, because every Sunday an invasion takes place — The Invasion of Coupledom! I kid you not, I felt like a leper not having a man on my arm, I was tempted to grab a manikin out of a shop window and see if anybody notice. It felt like a Zombie movie and I was the only survivor. Eyes shifting their gaze to me, telepathically communicating one word to each other ‘solo solo solo.’ The chanting becoming audible. I duck into Debenhams but there was no refugee to be found, it was too late. They start to close in on me, I run, but there is no where to hide. They were outside, inside everywhere… they are Clapham Junction.

This has to be the worst branch of Debenhams I’ve ever been in. Parts of the store are grubby, dingy and desolate and most of the staff I’ve encountered have been unhelpful and unpersonable.
I had a terrible experience in January trying to return something — I was initially refused because they ‘weren’t doing refunds’, and the staff insisted that there were signs on the doors saying this (I checked afterwards– they weren’t). They were quite rude and patronising about it. As I’d been queuing for a while and there were no signs near the till, I protested this and eventually the staff member phoned the manager and said in front of me, «I’ve got a customer who’s **** off about the returns» and I eventually got a refund, but the whole experience was so upsetting I haven’t forgotten it since. I did email head office about it, who palmed it off onto the store manager, who hasn’t bothered to reply since.
I don’t like being so negative, honestly I don’t — but there’s little to praise there. It’s only the fact that it’s the only department store in Clapham Junction that makes it worth visiting.

While you can get all your designer brand make up and fragrances here along with lots of high street fashion, I find the customer service in this place atrocious. Everytime I try to buy something from the Clinique counter they’ve gone on a break and nobody else can help. Don’t even get me started on the girls who work at Oasis and Warehouse upstairs. I’ve never found this place to be particularly busy and treating customers like an inconvenience won’t do anything to help their business.

A large department store which can be accessed from all sides, including the market place and 2 arcades.
Downstairs is the men’s clothing, perfume, make-​up and high street brands. Followed by women’s clothing, household and finally children’s department, electrical dept and ‘pier’ concession (candles etc.)
There is also a café and restaurant in the store but the café can be uncomfortable as it is placed at the foot of the escalator and is exposed to annoying children running around on occasion –bah humbug! lol
The toilets are a bit rubbish and there seems to be too much stuff in there, making it feel cramped especially at christmas.
Anyway, this is quite a nice store, preferable to the oxford st one.

It was handy having this 5 minutes from my old flat. I used to walk down the road and wander around the perfume, make-​up sections and look at the clothes too.
There’s a Topshop, Miss Selfridge, café and Game in here amongst other clothing /​retail stores… This may all sound great but I’ve never, ever been that excited about this Debenhams at all. It’s really unfortunate. Although there are lots of clothes, you are just better off going to central London as it’s a case of lots of choice but really nothing amazing to choose from really.
The best thing about this place though is the make-​up counters! You can get everything here from Benefit to Chanel. I’d probably stick to these kinds of purchases if you decide to visit Debenhams in Clapham Junction.
This place isn’t the best. More of good Sunday afternoon browse rather than a full-​on shop…

My instincts tell me to loath Debenhams, it used to be an awful, depressing place. However over the last few years, the store has pulled itself up to a more respectable type of establishment selling various in-​store ranges of designer clothing at high street prices. It is now possible to buy really beautifully designed products, made of not so expensive materials at a really good price. My advice, if you are on the small side, is to check out the upper end of the children’s ranges. I find I can fit age 14 or 15 clothing, and you don’t pay VAT on kids stuff.