Cotton Traders Ltd reviews

Entire system not fit for purpose.

I have ordered from Cotton Traders on three occasions over the last year. Once I ordered ten pairs of trousers- all the same style- two pairs were a sixe tto small even thought they were siad to be the right size on the label. A second order for shorts for a holiday took over two weeks to arive by which time I was on the ebach! The third time I ordered from stock a Blazer, a pair of trousers and a shirt. The shirt was out of stock even though the website had siad there were plenty available and the Blazer was still missing a week later so that i did not have it for the funeral I was planning to attend. Their complaints system is also not fit for purpose- requiring complaints to be in writing only; when I did get through to head office on the phone I was assured that I would be called back by customer services but this took four days before I was able to request a re-despatch by 24 hour courier which they refused. They suggested that I should have ordered earlier and I apologised for the fact that my relative had not died earlier to allow time for their delivery system.

SLOW, RUDE, INCOMPETENT, USELESS. DO NOT USE THEM IF YOU WANT QUICK AND COURTEOUS SERVICE.

Carolyn McV found this review useful

CINDERELLA, DON'T SHOP HERE!

The wife sent off for a size 5 walking shoe, and when said item arrived, she was stunned to find they were more like a six. Now I'm a bloke who takes a size 7, and even I could squeeze into them! When we queried this weird situation on the phone, the guy replied " I think you''ll find they're made on the generous side sir" Sent them back for a size 4, which fitted perfectly. The annoying thing was we paid £5. 60 return postage.Like I said, if Cinders fetched up at Cotton Traders looking for a glass slipper to fit, she'd have a struggle!

John Shepherd and Carolyn McV found this review useful

Sizes - Beware

Ordered a size 12 jacket, too small and so I've had to pay £3.50 to return it and then ring them up to arrange for the next size to be sent to me, they then refund on the returned item. Seems a strange way to go about it, why not have options on the returns slip for replacement, refund etc or would this be too easy. All of my clothes are 10 or 12 so I would say beware of this as I found this jacket a very small 12 and cant believe I have ordered my first size 14! Time they also got into the 21st century and offered either free returns so you can order more than one size or do like M&M direct do and offer you the chance to purchase a returns label at £1.49 (superb idea). I've written my complaints down to them but I dont expect to get anywhere, I have also asked that they close my account and stop sending me books as I wont be ordering again, cant afford postage on clothing sizes like that.

Carolyn McV found this review useful

Beware of sizing

I have ordered twice from Cotton Traders and both times have fell foul of wrong sizing.
Cord jeans ordered as a size 16 (which I am) were far too big and had to be returned. I ordered a top recently described as 26.5 inches long that was over 30 inches long, as I am only 5'2" I could have worn it as a dress! Another return. I E.mailed that I was unhappy with this and just received a standard reply on their returns policy. There was information on enclosing a letter but as there are only 7 days to return goods this came in too late for me to do this. Beware, returns are at your expense unless the good are faulty. Am very unlikley to order from them again

Carolyn McV found this review useful

lies & more lies

I ordered some shirts several weeks before Christmas. Just before Christmas they decided to tell me they weren't in stock. There followed weeks of me trying to get these delivered while their staff lied to me every which way. Then they offered me a £5(!) gift voucher for my trouble. When I wrote a letter of complaint I too got the "new warehouse" story and no reference at all to the lies I'd been told which was the main focus of my letter. I'm trying to write to Mr Cotton - if nothing happens as a result of this I'm finished with them.

Carolyn McV found this review useful

terrific shopping experience!!!

have been a "cotton trader" customer for years and am now enjoying "on line shopping". have always been more than happy with clothes, but would like to see free returns as this is what i enjoy with "marks & spencer"

great value, good wear, very comfortable

Regularly buy a range of clothing from cotton traders online. Have found them to be excellent value! They last a long time and wash well. I only wish they would make more suits!!

Delivery excellent goods A1

From order to delivery is usually 2/3 days and the goods are always up to expectation

no fuss shopping

love Cotton Traders clothing and there no fuss on line shopping

Never had a problem

The clothes are great, comfortable and hardwearing and they wash and wear well. The service is excellent and the returns process is easy to use (on the rare occasion something doesn't fit). I've always had great service and am happy to recommend Cotton Traders to anyone.

Always good quality and reasonably priced.

Have always been completely satisfied with everything I have ordered, mainly online, but when I have had to speak to one of your staff they have been extremely helpful.
Good quality products and value for money

I enjoy shopping with Fran Cotton as quality the best and the products meet the test

I find the service very efficient , the sizing correct which can be a problem with some companies. The prices are good value and I really like the clothes and look forward to the new seasons clothes.

Coton Traders lead the way tocustomer happiness.

I have bought many items over the years and always, always I have been totally satisfied with the quality, styling, longevity and delivery service.
I realised recently that Coton Traders have taken the place of M&S in providing me with good quality everyday clothes for each season and I look forward to each new catalogue because there is always something to tempt me.

Free post & Packing for valued customers

Excellent clothes, great value, wear well and wash well. Sizes are good. Instead of small amounts of money off for priority club members, which have a short life, why not give free P&P for valued customers, much better incentive to shop.

VALUE FOR MONEY

I love buying clothes from cotton traders always keep there shape when washed value for money the suede slip on are so comfortable .

Poor company does not look after loyal customers

I feel disappointed with this company and the attitude of some of the managers. May account is still in my husbands name yet you can send me emails.

Perhaps you could sort this before asking my opinion

Carolyn McV found this review useful

Lost loyalty!

I have always extolled the virtues of Cotton Traders clothes especially with regard to their generous sizes coming from a "larger" family. However my latest order has completely reversed my opinion. I ordered a number of items for my mother in a size we she is wearing and none of them fit showing that the clothes were not of the same usual standard. I was then left with a large bill to return them. The saving grace was a really helpful telephone assistant who arranged for a courier to collect them once I had explained. Sorry but will not be ordering again in a hurry. Not until I know I can trust their sizes.

Carolyn McV found this review useful

Great!!!

I love shopping with Cotton Traders the clothing is always of great quality and well priced. They are usually my first port of call.

Why go anywhere else?

I've bought quite a few things from CT over the past five years and have been pleased with the quality of the items for their cost. Deals are frequent so you can get even better bargains.

Sometimes when you buy multiple versions of the same item in various colours you find that one colour is a complete size different from the others, their basic sweatshirts being an example. Most are a nice comfortable fit, but one will be slim fit.

Occasionally, if you don't pay attention to the photograph, some shoes can have an idiosyncratic tongue that doesn't pull back far enough to allow one's foot easy access, a problem if one has a weakness of hand - or foot. Returns can be expensive.

Overall, I'll continue buying. They're simply a handy shop!

Cotton on to the best of Cotton Traders

I have been a regular customer of Cotton Traders for several years and never been disappointed. The quality of the goods never falters and the service is faultless.

good products

I've shopped with Cotton Traders for many years I like their clothing range and shoes. I'm very pleased with what they have to offer

Cotton On to Good Value

I have always found Cotton Traders to be good value for money
and like the selection of the type of goods that suit me and my wife. The delivery service is excellent and very prompt. Loyalty to the company has paid dividends with various rewards being made to us. Very worthwhile.

First class hassle free service

Great quality clothes.
Web site that is easy to use
Orders delivered quickly to the door.

A loyal fan, is loosing the faith!

A decline in product quality, and the range of garments offered especially with your fleece and piquet basic products in my opinion cheapening your brand profile. People will always pay for quality garment if thay can trust the comfort, warmth,and general hardwearing structure of a garment. You had a good product, at good price. now you have an inferior product at a retained price.

Your seasonal range designers need a wake up call. theres no wow factor with the new designs, but plenty of same as, blah blah!

Carolyn McV found this review useful

wonderful service and clothes

I enjoy shopping at cotton traders because of the wonderful service and clothes. The length of leg in the trousers is wonderful as I am tall.
Thank you

Fast efficient service, thank you

Each time I place an order the process is simple and delivery within a very short time, easier than visiting a shopping centre.
All clothing quality is always to a high standard and exchange easy.

"Trade-In" your old Polo, for something else from our "Mint Collection".

Cotton Traders has been around for some time now, I have been a customer for a considerable part of that time. I think the best way to do this is to give out the Pro's and Con's of my dealings with the Company.

PRO'S :- Customer service is very good, any problems which may occurr are dealt with in a very quickly and efficiently.
Products are generally of good quality! and nobody would be ashamed of wearing the "Cotton Traders" logo.
Website and catalogues are well laid out and very colourful.
"Returns" of an unsuitable item, is dealt with efficiently with no hassle about refunds.
Delivery of goods is generally good, but dependant on "Third Parties".

CON'S:- Some products in the range are, what could be termed "Old Fashioned". Mainly the various types of "Polo" shirts, which have probably been seen as all that Cotton Traders sell. Slight colour changes in the Plaquettes, do not make these garments more modern, than they were when the company started out. People see these items as being what Cotton Traders are all about.
Some of the newer, more modern items are making inroads, but really require to be augmented with other modern products, to increase the scope of sales.
I think a bit more sofistication is required in the product range, quite a lot of customers only use the company when they want to change their "Polo Shirts"

Regular customers like me, wait until the "Sales" are on, and there are sufficient reductions to make a purchase worth while. This would indicate to me that prices in the catalogues, are on the expensive side to start with. Who in their right mind would buy a Polo Shirt at some £17:00 plus £03:99 p&p. (£21:00) for a long sleeve Polo Shirt, I don't think so!

The accessories line in every catalogue I've seen, are abysmal!, and that's being Kind. "Nujj Said"

Some more imagination in product selection is needed to modernise the product range, and make it more attractive to a younger clientelle.

Do not discard the old standby Polo Shirts, but feature more modern items such as some of the very nice Mens Shirts that have come into the range recently. Dare I say it, The Company is becoming "Old Fashioned"

As usual, I think with any company using the Postage or Courier Systems for delivery, tend to be too expensive. Some other companies I've used are approaching half the cost of what Cotton Traders Charge for delivery.
Then again on "Returns" some other companies have appointed shops in areas, where returns can be taken and collected by Couriers, "Free Of Charge". With Cotton Traders, you also have to pay for returns, a really big "Turn-Off" to ordering items, in the first place, if you know that you have to pay, not only for delivery, but also "Returns".

Carolyn McV found this review useful

My Trendy Friendly Advice

I have been buying clothes, shoes , accessories, from Cotton Traders for a few years now, hand on heart they have never let me down , my purchases have always been of a quality and style that I have been happy with. I know I can, and will turn to Cotton Traders in the future. "I also love their speedy delivery".

Lovely warm fleecy tops......perfect for winter.

These tops are great. They wash so well and don't need ironing, which is a bonus. Just iron the collar. They keep their shape and my husband loves them as they are lovely and warm and fit perfectly.

Cotton Traders is the Best Way Ahead of the Rest

Thank you Cotton Traders for a Quality and Range of Clothes etc that are well priced and in a brilliant range of colours.You have surpassed yourselves with the fitting of your clothes I come back to you time after time because your clothes actually fit me! It is hard to find trouser lenghts in 3 or 4 lenghts well done.Hope to be shopping with you for many years to come .Thank you

Great Clothing

Good quality clothing and a wide range, extremely quick delivery times also.

Wish they were all like this!

I do a fair amount of internet shopping and find that some companies haven't quite got the right idea about it! Some websites are difficult to use, also seem that they don't really want you to use them and you end up ringing their helpline to find out what you want to know.
The quality of your garments is such that I have some of them for years (although they now are only fit for gardening!)
I like the styles and colours.
I will be buying more in time but in the present fiscal situation it might be a little while before I do.
Keep up the good work!
Cheers
Dorothy

I hate to be negative, but...

never any items of my size available in the sales/promotions - why don't you make more of the larger sizes if they are so popular that they are always sold out !!??
I am more than satisfied with the goods that I do manage to obtain for my 'bulk'

Hit and Miss

Ive been a customer of Cotton Traders for a good few years now and sometimes the items are great, sometimes they are poorly made, sometimes its clear as soon as the item arrives, but not always.

I wish that postage would be refunded when there is a clear problem with their item, but they dont do that.

Saying that - I have found some clothes and shoes over the years which I have loved. Hence my title.

Fantastic company with great customer service values.

They have quality products and the male range has been consistent for years, rather than changing for the so called latest styles. Also the best customer service I have ever experienced.

23 August 2012

Reply from www.cottontraders.co.uk

Dear Nathan,

Thank you for your wonderful review. It sounds like you have been shopping with Cotton Traders for many years and we are so glad that you are pleased with our trademark quality and value clothing. We are committed to Customer Service and are delighted to read that ours is one of the best you have ever experienced. We look forward to being of continued service in the future and thank you again for your much appreciated praise.

Love their clothes

So many of their clothes are my favorites

24 August 2012

Reply from www.cottontraders.co.uk

Thank you for this John. We are delighted to hear that so many of Cotton Traders clothes are your favourites. We have just launched our Autumn Winter range which now also includes British Classics, Golf and Help for Heroes ranges. We look forward to being of continued service and thank you again for your review

Good for 50+

Have bought from this site and found the good's suitable for the older members of the family , nice stuff though , postage fast and return's are no problem .

24 August 2012

Reply from www.cottontraders.co.uk

Thank you for your excellent review Breandain. We strive to offer fast delivery and are pleased that you and your family have discovered our relaxed. comfortable and stylish range of clothing which as you say suits all ages. If you sign up to receive our e-mails you will receive a promotion code offering 10% off your next order and will then receive regular e-mails offering online exclusive discounts. We want to reward our regular customers and sending frequent promotions is our way of saying thank you.

aweful

The company delivered the wrong goods, and despite numerous conversations have not picked them up or refunded the money. DO NOT EVER use them as a company as their service is probably the worst I have ever seen

24 August 2012

Reply from www.cottontraders.co.uk

Mr Cooke, we are so sorry to hear that you have had a bad experience and we would really welcome the opportunity to investigate your complaint. To allow us to proceed, could you kindly provide your customer details using the following link

http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/contact-us/page/contact/

This will enable us to locate your details on our system and we will then contact you directly. We at Cotton Traders welcome feedback of our customer’s experiences, as this information helps us to improve our service to our valued customers.

Unbelievably bad service and ridiculous system.

I ordered 2 pairs of trousers on line and paid by debit card. I then realised within 3 minutes of placing the oder that one of the trousers had been ordered in the wrong size. I immediately telephoned the help line ( on a premium number very costly ) and explained the situation and was told there is nothing they can do but I can return them once they have been delivered at my cost.

When I challenged him on this in a very polite way he said there is nothing he can do, this is the system and then informed me that the call was being recorded. Why he told me this I have now idea.

This is the second time I have had issues with this rubbish company, the first time i decided never to buy from them again. However a few years later I decided to give them a second chance only for this to happen.

Never ever again. I doubt they will be around for long anyway with systems and customer service such as this.

24 August 2012

Reply from www.cottontraders.co.uk

Dear Stephen

We are truly sorry that you experienced a problem with your last order. We strive to offer the fastest possible delivery as we have found this is what our customers want when ordering online. This does mean that we are unable to intercept an order once it has been sent for delivery but we do try to advise our customers of this. I appreciate that you were less than happy with how your call was dealt with and would welcome the opportunity to respond to you directly. If you are hapoy for me to do so please click on the following link to reach our contact pages. Thank you
http://www.cottontraders.co.uk/contact-us/page/contact/

Poor customer service, a company on the decline?

I used to be a fan - but a while ago I ordered some shoes, they were marked size 9, they would have been difficult for a size 6 or 7 to get into. I sent them back and was told that they had not got a bigger size & would not refund my postage - how arrogant & contrary to Sale of Goods Act is that? I refuse to buy from them now, my wife has bought from them, but the poor delivery time on her last order, coupled with the fact that they send out too many catalogues (seems to be one a fortnight?) has made us both throw in the towel. Great stuff - pity about the team selling it - One wonders if the MD is 'au fait' with what is really going on?