Blogging from Greece...

This series has been a bit of a rollercoaster, almost as much fun to watch as it was to make and I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone for watching, writing in, commenting and talking about the show every week - you never fail to make me laugh..

I will try to comment during this final episode while sunning myself in Greece - my tech team back home assure me everything will be fine.

In the mean time, take a look at my new blog 'What's in Mary's Head' which was set up today and therefore a little sparse for the time being.  Now that I'm off air for a while, this will be the place to keep up with me daily.

And don't forget - Denny & Dazzle will be popping up at my Living & Giving shop on Westbourne Grove this weekend.

Mary

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Hi Mary, Brought a ladder from B&Q last week. Got home, couldn't open it - involved too much faffing about and there was a fault with the flap thing. Went to return it the next day without the filthy packaging, to be told at customer services that 20% (£14!) would be taken off the sale price (£70) because of that. I wasn't having any of it. 45 minutes of arguing with the clueless 'supervisor' a guy from the 'garden' department came to test the ladder. He spent 10 minutes himself trying to open it. I told him to give-up or else he'd be there all day. So almost an hour later, the garden guys tells the 'supervisor' to authorise the refund! The thing is this. These DIY stores are very good at positioning their products and merchandising and the rest, but useless at accepting that there's something wrong with the actual product when you go to return it. They are happy to make you - the customer - wait and argue over it. And 20% charge for packaging!!! Don't even get me started on where that figure was plucked from! Once i had finished and turned round to leave with my money, there was a queue out the door! So there is a clear problem with the major players Most small DIY stores I go to in my area provide a much better customer service and this is a unique feature that's going to give the big guys a run for their money. Shame on B&Q!!! Tony, make sure your customer service is second to none and goes beyond the expectation of customers - you'll have a leg-up on most the big-boys. Just thought i'd share- sorry for the rant. Enjoying the show so far. Good luck. Regards, Sushil Raniga

PS. Hope your enjoying Greece and yeah, Monday's are going to dull!!

Great series Mary, have fun in the sun, KMM

A great send off last night, Mary, if rather frustrating that Tony didn’t embrace all of your ideas but like you said, you tried your best (as always). Loved the Woolrich parka! It’s been one of the best TV shows for quite some time and I see on the BARB website that the viewing figures have been consistently high. Thanks to Optomen, the participants and especially to you Mary for your humour, style, confidence, passion and for being very, very inspiring. Enjoy the rest of your break.

Mary,

I thought the last episode was really very interesting... it's just a shame that he wouldn't keep an open mind for longer after you left and snuck the cards back in and the bits and pieces outside the shop front.

The most inspiring was your work with the girls, who stuck in their original way had no sparkle until you brough them to life with your drive, accessible nature and enthusiasm for retail as a whole.

I loved Jane getting all salesy!!

I'd be very keen to work with you as I'm in a similar business and I have run a successful Sales & Marketing consultancy for a number of years with experience in everything from IT, to Finance to House of Fraser and Harrods.

Do give me a call on 07799 050303 and perhaps we can chat over a coffee when you're back in the UK.

Regards,

Thomas

For those of us in need of a Special in-between series, any chance of trying your hand at England's oldest Ironmonger's in the centre of Oxford (said to be nearly 500 years old)..?

Unfortunately Gill's is otherwise scheduled to close at the end of August. In fact Oxford is losing many of its last remaining independent shops at an alarming rate so your latest series is very timely.

Laura x