MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
outofbreath - MemberAre SD seriously the only firm that search their warehouse staff?
No but most employers seem to understand that it's part of the job, rather than being an unpaid bonus that you do (slowly and with too few staff) once you've stopped paying them, which means you end up paying less than minimum wage. Agree that they just happen to be the whipping boy of the day but that doesn't mean they're not shitebags.
There's a risk that when you boycott one known shitebag you end up accidentally shopping at an unknown shitebag but the worst that happens is you're shopping with a shitebag... and there's a chance that you don't- so it's not a very compelling reason to shop with a known shitebag.
Re Next, tbh they're doing exactly what the government's "apprentice" scheme is designed for, it's a way to pay people less not to train them. It's fair to criticise them for that but the source of the problem is elsewhere.
TurnerGuy - MemberWaitrose ?
What's wrong with them ?
They make sexist calendars which exploit and objectify women...
[img] 
[/img]
😉
outofbreath - Member"So the argument now offered by some appears to be that Sports Direct are no worse than other retailers".
Well, just give some examples of practices that only SD do that make them significantly worse than their competitors. As yet I've heard nothing to support the contrary assertion.
Why didn't you carry on reading to the second sentence of my post? It seems a little strange.
I simply have a boycott SD due to what the owner is doing to Newcastle United.
Really - but it's the only reason I do spend any money in there. 🙂
Are SD seriously the only firm that search their warehouse staff?
No but most employers seem to understand that it's part of the job, rather than being an unpaid bonus that you do (slowly and with too few staff) once you've stopped paying them,
Nope, I worked Saturday's for a Supermarket in the 90's - all staff searches were done after your shift as you left.
They said on the BBC the SD had already addressed the 'too few search staff' problem.
Agree that they just happen to be the whipping boy of the day but that doesn't mean they're not shitebags.
AFAIK nobody's saying they're not. Merely that the OP was not unreasonable to point out the current SD offers since, as you acknowledge, they may be the current press target but nobody has come up with things they do significantly worse than their competition.
ot the fact that SD are or aren't any worse than other retailers more the seemingly random way that it's not cool to buy from them but it is from others according to the great and good of STWshire that rankles.
Hey straw mand and ad hom...well played
Nope, I worked Saturday's for a Supermarket in the 90's - all staff searches were done after your shift as you left.
OK has anyone got an example form this millenia?
Hey straw mand and ad hom...well played
It's neither.
People *are* criticizing the OP for making these offers public and I can't see any personal attack at all.
they may be the current press target but nobody has come up with things they do significantly worse than their competition.
It seems strange in that case that the Institute of Directors said last week that Sports Direct was “a scar on British business”.
Can you explain that ..... why would the Institute of Directors claim that Sports Direct was “a scar on British business”?
Example from 2014: Blacks / JD sport / Millets
People *are* criticizing the OP for making these offers public and I can't see any personal attack at all
So great and good will be a compliment then and no one else has said there are others companies they also avoid
I stand corrected - granted its pretty tame complaint from me
It seems strange in that case that the Institute of Directors said last week that Sports Direct was “a scar on British business”.
If they haven't provided some examples of *why* SD are “a scar on British business” (or rather significantly more of a scar than their competitors), then yes . Very strange.
People *are* criticizing the OP for making these offers public and I can't see any personal attack at all.
Are people criticising the OP? Thought this was one case where the messenger wasn't being shot.
Sports Direct
Maxxis
Tesco
Nestle
Waitrose
Marks and Spencer
Starbucks
Amazon
Next
Ryanair
If they haven't provided some examples of *why* SD are “a scar on British business” (or rather significantly more of a scar than their competitors), then yes . Very strange.
So you think the reasons why the Institute of Directors has claimed that Sports Direct is “a scar on British business” are completely unfathomable?
You obviously don't think that the Institute of Directors comment is based on any evidence?
Fair enough.
However I'm tilting towards believing the Institute of Directors rather than you as I suspect your motive is primarily to justify shopping in Sports Direct and saving a couple of quid, while I suspect that the Institute of Directors motive for calling Sports Direct “a scar on British business” is primarily because there is an element of truth in the comment.
[quote=ernie_lynch ]However I'm tilting towards believing the Institute of DirectorsWorth saving this quote I think.
Be my guest scotroutes.
I always consider the likely motives for why people say what they say. It helps me to decide whether to believe them or not.
Are people criticising the OP? Thought this was one case where the messenger wasn't being shot.
I thought so, he thought so, others thought so. I felt the need to defend him, maybe there was none.
So you think the reasons why the Institute of Directors has claimed that Sports Direct is “a scar on British business” are completely unfathomable?
You tell me specifically what they are, and I'll tell you what I think of them.
I always consider the likely motives for why people say what they say. It helps me to decide whether to believe them or not.
I prefer to assess the evidence for myself rather than guess a motive.
Well you do things your way outofbreath and I'll do things my way.
That at least is something which I'm sure we can agree on.
A while ago I saw a program on the telly about SD. Due to the use of zero hours contracts, they can stop employing you because they feel like it. But, to make it fair, they had a points system and scoring points reduced your chances of working for them. Points could be earned for such heinous crimes as being late, being off sick, being in the bottom 6 pickers of the day, wearing branded clothing. I'd say that was enough to stop me shopping at SD, but it wasn't, it was the place being such an utter shithole full of shit that had already stopped me.
And as for this
you need to learn the difference between "cheap" and "good value". £20 and falls apart after two washes is not better value than £50 and lasts years. Unless you're the kind of person who doesn't wash things very often, in which case SD is probably your kind of placeBut theres plenty of good value waterproofs, shells, bottoms, etc
Are people criticising the OP? Thought this was one case where the messenger wasn't being shot.
Unless you're the kind of person who doesn't wash things very often, in which case SD is probably your kind of place
Typical leftie bullshit from the Institute of Directors. Why don't they go and live in North Korea if they like it so much?
I think whataboutery is a perfectly reasonable defense if people are telling you you're a **** for mentioning an offer from one store whilst they happily shop at stores with similar practices.
And who is doing that? Because your argument looks like a straw man.
I have a son who plays sports. Rugby boots, football boots, trainers, kit - all stuff we have to buy and he grows out of every 6 months. Damn right i use Sports Direct. Can't afford not to!
I have a son who plays sports. Rugby boots, football boots, trainers, kit - all stuff we have to buy and he grows out of every 6 months. Damn right i use Sports Direct. Can't afford not to!
Whilst no doubt negatives, this is an important positive, no company does more to make sport affordable than SD.
you need to learn the difference between "cheap" and "good value". £20 and falls apart after two washes is not better value than £50 and lasts years. Unless you're the kind of person who doesn't wash things very often, in which case SD is probably your kind of place
Harsh. If you have the good fortune to be able to make purchasing decisions based on considerations other than cost then it's a fair argument and I think everyone that is able to should consider where they spend their money but that's not the case for everyone. For a lot of people even if they are able to see the additional value of a hypothetically superior product, spending £50 over spending £20 is just not a realistic option.
I have a son who plays sports. Rugby boots, football boots, trainers, kit - all stuff we have to buy and he grows out of every 6 months. Damn right i use Sports Direct. Can't afford not to!
But if you were an affluent middle-class consumer with plenty of disposable income (sorry hear about you financial predicament btw) would you still shop in Sports Direct?
I maintain a personal boycott of Israeli produce such as avocados, red peppers, etc, but I'm only able to do that because I'm not hungry and unable to afford alternative food sources.
I think I would still use them. Something about my working class background means I always want the best for my money. I would definitely buy wellies from SD rather than the poncey middle class thing of paying £90odd for a pair of rubber boots!
I think I would still use them.
Ah, so it's got bugger all to do with not being able to afford not to shop there, as you claimed.
Makes your comment pretty pointless then, don't you think?
Btw what with me being actually working-class (since you brought it up) I feel a natural urge to consider ways to apply pressure in the pursuit of social and economic justice.
Well thats me told. 😆
So the argument now offered by some appears to be that Sports Direct are no worse than other retailers.
Sports Direct - 90% of employees on zero hour contracts.
Big Four supermarkets — Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons — do not use the contracts.
Well thats me told.
So in answer to my question you agree that it does make your comment about only shopping in Sports Direct because you can't afford not pretty pointless, since you would still shop there whatever your circumstances.
Jolly good.
Yep.
I wondered why I never see any working class people in Sports Direct. They all must be exercising their social and economic right to boycott the shop.
Is it really that bad in the shops? Can't say I've ever been in one...
I wondered why I never see any working class people in Sports Direct.
It's fair to assume that many working-class people shop in Sports Direct because of financial pressure to do so, it's not exactly rocket science.
Although in your case you have helpfully pointed out that financial pressure isn't necessarily the primary reason - apparently you don't like poncey shops.
.
Big Four supermarkets — Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons — do not use the contracts.
They might not do zero hour contracts but I think you'll find that do 8 or even 3 hours a week contracts with "possible overtime".
The reality is that the whole retail sector has a tendency to treat its employees in a shabby and reprehensive manner. This does not of course mean that consumer boycotts of the worse offenders shouldn't be encouraged.
They might not do zero hour contracts but I think you'll find that do 8 or even 3 hours a week contracts
This - I'm pretty sure my M-in-L has a 4 hour contract with one of those four. I'm not sure how many hours you have to commit to before your job is considered acceptable by the self appointed contract hour police.
The reality is that the whole retail sector has a tendency to treat its employees in a shabby and reprehensive manner. This does not of course mean that consumer boycotts of the worse offenders shouldn't be encouraged.
Indeed, but it does mean it's a bit rich to criticize someone who mentions current offers at a retailer on a forum. Which was the point that kicked all this off.
Don't think the OP was critised, it was just questioned whether we should be shopping there...
[quote=zilog6128 ]Not saying SD can't be good value, but the RRPs & alleged discounts are totally made up. Not really sure how they get away with it!On One and Planet X have been getting away with it for years.
Indeed, but it does mean it's a bit rich to criticize someone who mentions current offers at a retailer on a forum. Which was the point that kicked all this off.
I've just felt compelled to scroll down the entire first page and I could not find a single word criticising the OP.
I think you're making stuff up.
Oh do tell - where is this poncey shop selling all the aforementioned children's sports kit? Haven't seen one local to me.
You tell me. Presumably it's where they sell all those poncey middle-class wellies that you were telling me about.
EDIT : Btw I think all wellies are poncey, not just your middle-class ones. The only boots I wear are steel toe capped ones on site. And the steel toe caps are on the outside - not hidden under leather. That's how hard I am.
I think most of us buy goods without thinking who makes it, mines it, supplies it, under what conditions.
I suspect what Sports Direct are accused of is no different to most large factories pumping out goods for us at good prices. I would place a bet that the conditions we are objecting UK workers to at Sports Direct are a lot better than workers for (for example) Samsung. See Apple/Gap/M&S/H&M who have all been caught out with this, to name but a few.
Even Patagonia and similar 'sustainable' brands run into issues from time to time.
Sports Direct
Maxxis
Tesco
Nestle
Waitrose
Marks and Spencer
Starbucks
Amazon
Next
Ryanair
Samsung
Apple
Gap
H&M
Patagonia
I've just felt compelled to scroll down the entire first page and I could not find a single word criticising the OP.
I think you're making stuff up
Other than the suggestion that he might be the sort of person that doesn't bother washing his clothes and as such would fit right in as a sports direct customer.
(You should have scrolled a bit further)
You mean scrolled onto the next page surely?
If you have to go to page 2 before you find a single word of criticism of the OP then it exposes outofbreath's claim [i]"Which was the point that kicked all this off"[/i] as nonsense.
...If you have to go to page 2 before you find....etc
Ok.
I'll remember in future, that personal digs/criticism don't count, unless they happen on page one.
Cheers.
Oh nearly forgot. This is page 4. 🙂
Bellend.
Well obviously the outrageous slur suggesting that the OP doesn't wash his clothes very often on page 2 does count, but it doesn't back up the claim that's when it 'all kicked off'.
How did it manage to get to page 2 without any criticism of the OP?
Btw I liked your use of the term "bellend", it makes your point of playing the ball not the man very well.
Thanks OP just got some new shorts for gym and swimming at 80% off
Btw I liked your use of the term "bellend", it makes your point of playing the ball not the man very well.
I've just felt compelled to scroll down the entire first page and I could not find a single use of the word "bellend"
I think you're making stuff up
Oh that's so good. You've really crushed me there. Well done.
Yep! If you have sporty kids you get good at making the 20min smash and grab SD mission.Whilst no doubt negatives, this is an important positive, no company does more to make sport affordable than SD.
They are also about the only place that has stock of kids football boots, baselayers, etc in any variety too.
Interesting people are against shopping there because of employee conditions, and and telling others about it via an electronic device. I wonder what conditions the employees at Foxconn et.al have.. Oh wait... They must they must be using hardware from companies that source thier components from that ethical electronics conglomerate.. What's it called.. The name escapes me 😉
Yep! If you have sporty kids you get good at making the 20min smash and grab SD mission.
It not just kids, after god know how many years I was invited to play in a casual cricket game. Not having any whites, I was about to decline until £20 spent in SD sorted me out. This led to one thing and another and I was playing again regularly last summer - with the addition of some boots (£18), I can come in off the full run for two balls!
So anyway, my karrimor shoes are 2 years old, I wear them every day for work & they are great, cost less than £30 too
I bought some cheap lonsdale shorts from SD two years ago - still good. The 80 quid Howie's jeans didn't last that long...
Don't forget Aldi.
Wellies from sports direct!?