Is it me or is it tense in here? - Raylon stationers

[Selma]

I think the place is horrid. Wanted to purchase a paper but asked nicely if I can feel the thickness (had clean hands). Was told I had to purchased if first.

[Nero]

I was stuck for something to do tomorrow. Think I might go in and peruse. Nero

[JoeChuff]

Muttley Wrote:

If another

> stationer moves in, it will probably be a chain.

> Goodbye Ralon, hello Rymans? I hope not.

I find this attitude a trifle confusing. I'm definitely pro-local trader, anti-chain if the local trader is offering something extra that a chain can't - even if that is just a unique atmosphere. But when it comes to buying paper, I am really quite happy with bland uniformity - in fact it's kind of what one looks for in stationary! If they are selling a generic product with terrible service, let them fold.

[snorky]

JoeChuff Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Muttley Wrote:

> If another

> > stationer moves in, it will probably be a chain.

>

> > Goodbye Ralon, hello Rymans? I hope not.

>

> I find this attitude a trifle confusing. I'm

> definitely pro-local trader, anti-chain if the

> local trader is offering something extra that a

> chain can't - even if that is just a unique

> atmosphere. But when it comes to buying paper, I

> am really quite happy with bland uniformity - in

> fact it's kind of what one looks for in

> stationary! If they are selling a generic product

> with terrible service, let them fold.

Paper : Fold

Isd this a puin my dear fellow ?

[Bellenden Belle]

I had a surreal experience while waiting for the colour photocopier to warm up. I was made to sit on a rather high chair for what seemed like an age; and quizzed on my work, husband, and life. I thought the man was rather lonely - but, short of making me a cup of tea, he couldn't have been nicer.

However I nearly fell off the chair when I realised how much the colour photocopy was!

[Marmora Man]

I've always found them helpful and polite. Certainly so when I had frgotten the code for my desired printer cartridge hey went ou of their way to help me identify which one I needed.

[Ultraconsultancy]

This thread is so odd I'm beginning to think the man in question either has multiple personality disorder , or it's twins with radically different characters!

UC

[Frisco]

_However I nearly fell off the chair when I realised how much the colour photocopy was!_

How much was it? I needed to print off a couple of copies of a very large official document last week, and one of the options was to print off one copy on my domestic printer and have it copied there. I went the the library instead and paid them to print it off on their laser printer.

[jane7]

I think the owner is a bully, I've never liked going in there.

[Bellenden Belle]

One pound sixty for one single a4 copy. Ouch!

[Frisco]

"One pound sixty for one single a4 copy. Ouch!"

Ouch indeed!

Unless they do big discounts for larger runs, that would have made my printing bill nearly ?70!

[Muttley]

JoeChuff Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Muttley Wrote:

> If another

> > stationer moves in, it will probably be a chain.

>

> > Goodbye Ralon, hello Rymans? I hope not.

>

> I find this attitude a trifle confusing. I'm

> definitely pro-local trader, anti-chain if the

> local trader is offering something extra that a

> chain can't - even if that is just a unique

> atmosphere. But when it comes to buying paper, I

> am really quite happy with bland uniformity - in

> fact it's kind of what one looks for in

> stationary! If they are selling a generic product

> with terrible service, let them fold.

Why would I prefer Ralon to Rymans? Not so much the products on offer, more the fact that it's independent trader versus part of a chain. The trouble I have with chains is that the people running a branch are answerable to management who have no emotional ties to East Dulwich or its community. I like the fact that the person running a shop is in it for the long run, not some trainee who's here today, gone to Clapham branch tomorrow.

[nancysmum]

Anybody fancy setting up a rival stationers? I lose the will to live everytime i go in there. It seems that colour photocopying requires a PHD...oh and has anyone experienced the "you can't pay by credit card" thing? You can, depending on who you get to serve you...but the league-of-gentlemen-chap likes hard lucre!

[macroban]

"Mr Ralon" has always been helpful to me.

Whenever possible I pay local retailers by cash to save them the penal commission on credit/debit card transactions.

[JoeChuff]

Muttley Wrote:

>

I like the fact that the person

> running a shop is in it for the long run, not some

> trainee who's here today, gone to Clapham branch

> tomorrow.

fair enough.

[Ultraconsultancy]

I've been doing a bit of work for someone who does art supplies and stationery, more on a 'family' than 'business' or 'professional' service model.

Anyone think it might be a runner?

Ultraconsultancy

[Domitianus]

I think I may have mentioned my attempts to buy one of those filing spikes in there before and the extraordinary lengths the nutter with the glasses and grey hair went to to sell me one. Personally I find the whole place bizarre in the extreme - sometimes quite pleasant, sometimes patronising or bordering on the surreal. I do recall however the arguement he had with a customer when he refused to refund a dodgy printer cartridge. He said the customer should take it up with the manufacturer. Customer said, quite correctly, that his contract was with the shop and demanded a refund which he just didn't get. If I was in his shoes I would have had Trading Standards down there to slap the old boy into shape. Nothing annoys me more than people who ignore consumer law and leave customers high and dry because they think they can get away with it (nothing except irresponsible parents, of course...and loud churches...and absentee MPs...etc etc).

[ChavWivaLawDegree]

Don't you think strange people like this add to life. I hate boring sameness and would rather be surrounded by wierdos anyday.

[DiD]

Similar experience as others -- wanted to check the weight of some drawing paper and he told me not to. He actually said that he wasn't here to offer customer service -- if that's what I wanted then I should go to WHSmith! Can't we get a useful stationer/art supply locally? Any entrepreneurs out there? Bellenden Road seems to have a few empty shop fronts and the rents may be cheaper than Lordship lane....

[nugget.]

I went in there once and was looking through some card sets. I took one of the packs off the rack, looked at it and put it back, in as far as I could tell, the same place. Immediatley I was shouted at for putting it in the 'wrong' place as if I'd gone out to sabotage his shop. I found it extremely rude and patronising and I havent been in since.

[Tea girl]

I have always found it a bit like going in to the "Adam's Family" home. The older man, I guess he's the owner once told me he was dyingbwhen I asked him casually how he was. Obviosly no joking matter if he is actually very ill. Went in yesterday, and he was bright and cheerful, and made coochy coo noises to my baby,very odd... but brilliant 'local' service.

[lilolil]

mmmm.....>:D< my hubby is barred from there. The man behind the counter is no match for my crosss between Alf Garnet and Victor Meldrew...LOL

[Shu.Kurimu.Sensei]

His wife ran away. And if he likes you he can be incredibly kind. The attitude of a lot of "newcomers" really gets his goat up. I used to buy matchbox cars there when the owner was different about 30 years ago...

[luddite]

his asian wife or sheila his english wife but .......im not allowed to say that am i ?

[Shu.Kurimu.Sensei]

Hah! Seems he likes his coffee and cream then :))