Hello!
Today I'm not showing off any nail art, I basically just want to rant about my stressful shopping trip (and show you what I eventually bought!!)
So as many of you will know, Barry M have recently released two sets of new polishes. There is the Speedy Quick Dry collection which consists of 9 pastel shades that dry quickly. The bottles look so cute with chequered lids and I was tempted to get a couple when they were released, but after looking at a lot of swatches I decided against it - all the colours were similar to ones I already own, and "quick dry" isn't really something I'd look for in a polish as I always use quick-dry topcoat over my manicures anyway so it doesn't matter if the underneath polish dries quickly or not! I did love the colours though, and the fact they apparently have a wider brush with a curved end, and the lid patterns! I think I have been very good not letting myself have any!
Now onto the second release; three new gelly polishes. I adore the Gelly range and along with Models Own Fruit Pastel it's my favourite range ever! The three new colours released are a pale pink, a sky blue and a white (slightly off-white)? I liked the pink and blue but again, I own very similar colours already. However I was very interested in the white shade, which is called Cotton. I've been looking for a new white since Boots stopped stocking Sinful Colors - their 'Snow Me White' was perfect! I know I get on with the formula of gelly polishes so I knew Cotton would be my new go-to white. I also needed a new bottle of Sugar Apple as mine has run out.
I patiently waited until today (11th Feb) when the new Barry M polishes were supposed to be released in Superdrug. They weren't due to be released in Boots until 18th Feb, but I popped Boots first before I went to Superdrug (better points system!!) and was pleased to see they DID have the new polishes - well, they only seemed to have Cotton from the new gellys, which suited me fine. As a bonus, there was a sign saying it was 2 for £6 on all gelly polishes until the 17th Feb. Perfect, so I thought, and picked up Cotton and Sugar Apple. However, at the till they didn't go through as £6, and the lady tried to charge me £7.98 (full price for both). I queried it, and was told only the polishes in the "top rack" of the Barry M stand were included. I asked which exactly these were, and she pointed at Blueberry, Prickly Pear, Chai & Cotton. Now anyone that knows Barry M knows that Blueberry & Prickly Pear are old shades, Chai is from the Autumn range and Cotton is brand new! I didn't go into all that with the woman but just mumbled that I didn't really understand how it worked, but that I didn't want to pay full price and left empty handed!
I then went to Superdrug to see if I would have more luck there. The main Barry M stand was set up to house the new Speedy Quick Dry but NOT the new gellys. Whaaat? Then further down into the shop, nowhere near the Barry M stand there was a random pop-up stand that was obviously for the new releases. Why it wasn't at the front of the store next to the Barry M stand I don't know - it was right at the back and I nearly didn't notice it at all! Even finding it didn't help as it was practically empty and they had no "Cotton" anyway, AND it was 2 for £7 in Superdrug, so less of a saving.
By this time I'd started to query what I'd been told in Boots, so went back and studied the sign on the Barry M stand again. It definitely said "2 for £6 on all gelly paint" so I found a different assistant and spoke to her about it, pointing out the sign. This lady couldn't have been more understanding and helpful, saying she agreed with me that they all should be included as that's what the sign said, and overrode the till to get me the offer price. Definitely more sensible and reasonable than the first lady I spoke to. Yay!
I've come to the conclusion that "Cotton" wasn't supposed to be out in Boots yet, so wasn't working on the offer. Maybe that's why the offer ends on the 17th, ready for the release of the new shades on the 18th. Except they were already out!
Sorry for the massive rant, it just seemed so overly difficult to buy two nail polishes, and both shops didn't seem to coincide with what Barry M's social media were saying. I don't really get the point of release dates if they're not going to be adhered to, but it's okay because I have my polish now. Phew!! And I also got some other goodies too:
wow, that sounds so stressfull! I would have found myself giving up haha! well done
ReplyDeleteHaha I nearly did! But I'd gone into the town centre purely to get them so I would have been too annoyed at myself if I hadn't got them. I went off for lunch and a coffee and then went back with renewed energy! ;-)
DeleteI've run all over before looking for polish too. glad it all worked out eventually!
ReplyDeleteHaha I'm glad it's not just me! I think the Boots lady thought I was a bit crazy!
DeleteOh dear what a nightmare! I was reading your tweets at the time thinking 'what is she doing?' But now I understand! I'd be just the same tho, I always go back and forth between the two and check the stock and offers. And it is so annoying that the release dates are ignored. I know 'normal' people probably don't care but it's important to polish nerds! Well done on resisting the speeds as well, I don't know if I'd be as strong willed. Even tho I totally agree that the quick dry formula is unintersting I still think the colours are pretty all lined up together that it makes me want them! X
ReplyDeleteHaha I could only get out my frustration via twitter! Boots didn't reply at all when I was ranting, but Superdrug offered to check other stores for stock. Then an hour later when I tweeted again praising the lady that helped me in Boots they replied immediately!
DeleteYeah I always check whether I can get a better deal in Boots or Superdrug. If it's the same I'll always go to Boots to get the points and sometimes use my vouchers.
Yeah I loooove the look of the Speedies, but like you say I'd probably have to buy the whole set to satisfy myself as the colours are so gorgeous and complimentary of each other! When I looked carefully at each individual colour though they weren't too different from what I already have. I think I will stick to the gelly range and the Models Own Fruit Pastel range for pretty spring pastel shades :-) xx
Ooooh I don't like the sound of that, selective twitter responses... Unless they're planning on setting up a separate 'Boots Help' account like some companies have for managing complaints.
DeleteI don't actually have any of the Fruit Pastels, but I do have the Barry M Ice Cream paints and various other pastels. I probably do have most of the colours already but I don't have an 'official' set, so maybe that could be my excuse?!!
Nightmare!!! Hmmm... I'm now in two minds as to whether to set out on a Gelly hunt or not LOL! x
ReplyDeleteLmao, a gelly hunt!!! Haha I think it might be easier to find them next week once the release dates for all stores have come and gone, but I couldn't be patient!!
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