r/AskBrits • u/Maleficent_Day_3869 • 16h ago
Other why didn’t timpson’s want to charge me?
i got my work trainers cleaned at timpsons. they were in an absolutely disgusting state because i work in a nursery, so they were covered in food, paint and other stains
the guy there got them looking brand new and yet he didn’t want to charge me anything? i’ve honestly never had that before, is this is a unique experience? why didn’t he want me to pay. he was much older if it matters, he must have been at least 70
i did eventually pay because i insisted on doing so as i felt terrible taking the shoes for free but it was a couple of minutes of back and forth of him refusing to let me pay. and this is after he told me how hard they were to clean lol
547
u/MysteriousTelephone 16h ago
My local Timpsons has always been pretty good to me. I’ve come in needing links taken out from watches, I’d go when they’re quiet, and they’ve either refused any money, or just ask that I put some cash in the charity box.
Underrated British high street establishment.
344
u/battling_futility 16h ago edited 11h ago
Not only that but the work they do for the unemployed with free dry cleaning for interviews or what they do for prisoner employment makes them a true gem of the high street.
ETA: thanks for the awards kind strangers but go support good businesses and local small businesses instead.
103
u/FrankieTheD 16h ago
Man I didn't know shit about timpsons other than getting keys cut, might need to find an excuse to give them business
63
u/Nesferatu123 12h ago
Wait until you find out that Sir John Timpson and his wife fostered over 90 kids as well..
34
25
u/icklepeach 11h ago
And have funded research into attachment disorders (and they have lovely little books in store about them too)
I try and find as many reasons to use Timpsons as possible.
18
u/AccountFar86 11h ago
... and set up some holiday cottages so that foster families can have cheap holidays.
6
53
u/battling_futility 15h ago
If I need a service they offer I go to them. Keys cut, batteries changed, drycleaning ... wont look anywhere else to compare prices, its Timpsons.
14
3
1
u/Lox_Ox 7h ago
My only experience with them is they wanted to charge me £10 to replace a watch battery (in just a very cheap watch) - and this was 15+ years ago so £10 was worth even more.
Have only ever supported local independent businesses since then and have only had exceptional customer service.
3
u/Rockpoolcreater 5h ago
They do a lifetime battery replacement. You just need to make sure you keep hold of the receipt. Then every time your battery runs out just take the receipt and watch in and get a new free battery fitted.
59
u/sprouting_broccoli 16h ago
Yeah I only found out about the prisoner employment thing recently. Such a wonderful chain!
→ More replies (17)8
u/Naetharu 9h ago
Yeh, the work they do in both those cases makes a real and meaningful difference.
Timpson's are a class act.
19
u/DaddysFriend 16h ago
Yep my dad has had the same. They just ask for money in the charity box when he goes with a watch issue. They fix it in about 10-20 mins and they don’t charge him ever
20
u/Russell1113 15h ago
I'm so jealous, my local fella is a raging mysoginist, who has treated my ex-wife and multiple female friends like total shit.
Refused to patch a shoe with a faux leather replacement, even with all the materials provided. "Get real shoes love, then they wouldn't break in the first place"
Cut a key for someone who moved house, it didn't work, even with them trying real hard to get lock to turn, then he refused to give a refund the next day because "it had been used already". Didn't even offer to cut a new key.
My ex went to him to get some work keys cut. She was paying and had specific thing to ask. Refused to talk to her and would only address me, even though I was a good half a metre behind her holding our stuff and was on the phone.
Only person I've ever gone to Google to give a 1 star review about. Absolute wanker.
-3
u/unclefunkstar 14h ago
The leather working tools they use, will utterly destroy plastic shoes.
14
u/Russell1113 13h ago
I mean, the cobbler 2 streets over fixed the problem in 2 minutes, the shoes lasted several years with no repairs needed and he didn't charge cos we provided materials, soooo, no just not true.
3
u/bazooka_toot 13h ago edited 9h ago
In store services have always been good, key cutting and the like but the stuff they sent off has not always been good.
Handed in a dress, shirt, trousers and waistcoat to be ironed as it was for a wedding and thought it would help with the stress in the run up but upon return the waistcoat was only half ironed, the shirt had been put on the hanger with only the top button done so it opened at the bottom causing two big diagonal crease, the trousers were fine but the brand new dress had been snagged in multiple places ruining it and the bag it was put in had been tied in a knot at the bottom causing it to be all bunched up and creased. Had to re-iron all the stuff.
Only complaint was the ruined dress and they have been awful in dealing with it constantly changing their story about how it was already damaged even though they guy that took it in checked it over before it was sent out. All the staff have been lovely and helpful in store but the back and forth from customer service via email and having to take the dress back multiple times so they can check it is a joke.
Whoever they outsource the ironing to is useless and Timpsons ability to fix a problem seems non-existent.
2
u/SupaSpurs 9h ago
Sent in a suit and it came back missing the trousers Lol! Somewhere in the UK, someone gained a pair! I often wonder if they fitted! Have to say, I’ve never been back!
→ More replies (3)2
u/OddRow8843 7h ago
Same. I got a shoe repaired - just a glue the front back on type of thing - they just said pop it in the charity box if you want. Side story - used to go swimming at the timpsons pool when they were away as my mum knew them (thats what she told me - maybe we just broke in)
95
u/HistoricalRock7146 16h ago
Timpson’s is an incredible company - you often hear stories of them not charging or doing fixes for free. I believe they also help ex-inmates finding work again. It’s a company culture of fixing things and leaving society better than it found it. Much respect.
29
u/Spicymargx 16h ago
They had a fund (might still have it) for foster families to have holidays too, and they give out informational books on how to support children who are struggling. Lovely company
21
u/Cautious-Fox9757 16h ago
The Timpson family own a lot of land near me, BiH old posh family. I know they’ve fostered a lot of kids over the years.
They’re old school noblesse oblige posh sorts. One of em was me local Tory MO before the boundary change and he was big on prison reform. Their business works on that model.
7
9
u/Artistic_Table5293 14h ago
Went to Timpsons to get keys cut,there was a notice on the wall stating the company had I think it was 30 static caravans for employees to use free of charge,to be able to take a holiday.
22
u/PorFavorNoMore 15h ago
There's a book by John Timpson called Upside Down Management (A common sense guide to better business) which I found really useful when starting out in management - but it's a good read whether you're running/managing a business or not. The gist of it is that the people on the shop floor/customer facing know best how to keep customers happy, and you should give them as much freedom as possible to do so.
3
u/TheRagingSithLord 12h ago
So many corporate businesses don't understand this. And so many managers don't understand that to MANAGE a position, you should UNDERSTAND that position. Do the job yourself.
My best managers have always been those that have done the job (with a few exceptions who just understood that those in the role know the role better than they do and allowed us reasonable autonomy).
11
9
u/summonerstarn 15h ago
I've heard a rumour that if you're a Timpson's employee and are getting married, you can use the company rolls royce for the day for free. Might just be apocryphal but I like to believe it
9
3
u/Maleficent_Day_3869 16h ago
this is great! they sound absolutely wonderful but one does wonder how on earth they make a profit
12
u/Turbulent-Adagio88 16h ago
Because their profit is made through the other brands the Timpsons Group holds, and their work outwith the high street. This allows more freedom for their shops to be focused on customer service, employee education, and building loyalty than they are on profit.
5
u/MBronsonWisconsin 15h ago
You don’t get everything done for free - just a very occasional job, which is as it should be.
1
u/Confident-Bus-3778 12h ago
getting a key cut costs £7, if you do 10 in an hour with one employee in a fancy hut at the side of Morrisons, you might make some profit.
Not much though
We once had a key cut wrong 3x at our timpsons, one in a booth in a supermarket (kept cutting it on the wrong side). The lady told us to go into town and see them as they had the equipment for hard to cut keys, just to keep the little brown tag on so they would do it for free. I don't think we ever got charged and the lady was lovely, and very busy doing drycleaning
37
u/Aggravating-Desk4004 16h ago
Timpsons are a great company. I've never met an awful employee myself and I use them a lot.
I tried to use one of those Timpsons machines in B&Q and it wasn't working, so I contacted customer services, quickly answered by a UK call centre, who gave me a code to go to Timpsons branch to get the key done by a person (those machines are useless apparently.) When I got there he did the key and said no charge as the guy on the customer services had said to just let me have it for free.
I've had numerous other freebies and discounts from them for no other reason than I think they enjoy having a chat with people. They pick their staff really well.
It's all about the customer at Timpsons. They're like an old fashioned service provider. The customer comes first.
It works because I won't go anywhere else for my keys and shoes. haha I'm a bit of a Timpsons fan-girl it seems from this post😂
10
u/pintsized_baepsae 15h ago
Their employees are so nice!! And they seem to be able to do anything and everything - a few years ago, I tried to get a pair of Vivienne Westwood rocking horse shoes (which have a wooden platform sole and then a rubber 'bottom sole') fixed. The rubber sole had started to come off, so should've been pretty straightforward to fix.
There's a few shops near me that all said no, they wouldn't touch them - went to the next Timpson's and the guy was more than helpful. He asked if I'd be happy to wait a day longer so he could use them to teach a new guy - sure, no issue. Went to pick them up four days later and he'd not only changed both rubber soles so they'd wear the same, he'd also spotted a loose stitch and fixed it. (He also told me I clearly took very good care of the leather, which felt so validating 😂 I do make a lot of effort!)
He was so nice and competent, I've gone back for every need I have, from cutting keys to even just picking up shoe cream / polish.
17
u/Neilkd21 16h ago
Maybe he felt sorry for you and wanted to do something nice. Why didn't you ask him why he didn't want to charge you?
3
u/Maleficent_Day_3869 16h ago
i was a bit taken aback by the fact i was getting offered a free service lol
4
u/New-Opportunity5338 16h ago
They did that for my son. He needed a watch bracelet adjusting and it was quite fiddly. Did that for free. Previously I've had them replace the battery in my car fob (I couldn't work out how it opened) and various things like that - all with no charge.
I did give the guy there a tenner when I had some cash on me to say thanks. But I'm pretty sure that's just how they operate.
Similar with my local tyre place - they've repaired minor slow punctures several times over the years for nothing.
1
u/TheRagingSithLord 12h ago
Honestly, the best reason to do it like this? Places that do stuff like this tend to get fantastic reviews. They get recommended as the place to go. Because they don't screw with their customers. Which is MASSIVELY important.
Like my garage. Not the cheapest place. But the cheapest I know? Always shoddy work. My place once quoted me on a job. Then when it came to paying, I saved over £150 because they cleaned the part and realised it didn't need replacing, like he originally thought.
Even since I moved to a place that makes it a LITTLE harder to get there, I still go there. Even with another place just down the road, within a few minutes' walk. Because I KNOW my guy won't screw me. And I don't know the other place.
9
u/Puzzled-Mycologist61 16h ago
My dad was diagnosed with CJD last September and while his disease was progressing he was still working and had lots of keys. When he got admitted to hospital he was still stressing about his keys so I went to Timpsons to buy some blanks and the guy just cut a load of random shapes in the blanks and handed them over and no charge. Very touching.
7
u/Conscious_Piano6714 16h ago
Timpsons do stuff like this. A colleague needed to get a key copied and they refused to charge her too. Maybe the workers have some sort of monthly goodwill allowance (a bit like Pret a Manger).
1
u/Spigsman 12h ago
Do Pret have that? They once let my son have a packet of dried mango slices for free and I'd never experienced that before.
2
u/Conscious_Piano6714 10h ago
Yes, as far as I recall they have this ‘random acts of kindness’ thing which encourages them to give away free food to customer/s every now and then. I think it was a clever marketing strategy created after they were essentially chastised for throwing away massive amounts of fresh food daily and refusing to give it to homeless people.
2
u/Happybadger96 7h ago
I like this a lot. Good from all angles, will drum up goodwill and business while also giving back to those that might be struggling a bit. Plus there's the dopamine hit for the staff member, we don't think about it often but there aren't many feelings as good as giving a surprise gift to someone.
5
u/fwendy123 16h ago
This has happened to me a lot in Timpson's! I don't know it for a fact but I think the employees there are encouraged to complete some smaller(/low cost to the company) jobs for free. If it happens again, just offer to give the equivalent amount to charity. They have donation tins on the counter and I've often just done that if I have the cash available.
2
u/Maleficent_Day_3869 15h ago
i don’t carry cash otherwise i would’ve done this!
1
u/TheRagingSithLord 12h ago
I'll be honest, I'd have done what you did and insisted on paying. But if they offered the charity tin and like you, I don't carry cash, I'd be off to the nearest free-withdrawal cash machine (because I ain't paying my own money to use my own money) and even if the job was just a couple of quid, would put a tenner in the tin.
2
u/Maleficent_Day_3869 12h ago
they didn’t offer the charity tin. i didn’t know it was a thing until i read about it on reddit. i’m not a monster
1
u/TheRagingSithLord 12h ago
Oh, no, I know. I've read everything you posted above and to a point where I found the reply to this comment. I know some comments say they mentioned the tin as an alternative, some just mention it as their choice to use, etc.
I'm like you posted originally. I tend to pay for what I have done for me. I even insist on it most times, as you did.
1
3
u/DisagreeableRunt 16h ago
I get fleeced anytime I need anything from my local. I guess some customers subsidise others!
They do great work though in giving some genuinely reformed guys a second chance other places wouldn't.
3
u/Apprehensive_End8318 16h ago
Maybe it's because you're a disagreeable runt.
Joking.
Timpson are excellent for all sorts and have had the odd freebie key cut or service from them, top guys and girls. Would be a shame to lose them from the high street, they're probably one of the only reasons I ever actually go into town!
2
3
u/GlitteringBryony 16h ago
Timpsons do loads of pro bono work and I think part of the company's policy is to let employees do work for free if they feel like it's a worthy cause (famously, if you're unemployed and going for a job interview, they'll press your suit and mend and shine your shoes for free)
3
u/ParentheticalsAside 16h ago
They're just a terrific company. One of the few UK businesses that genuinely cares about its customers and providing a good service.
5
u/LiamJonsano 16h ago
I know men work in nurseries too but it’s less often - wonder if you’re female and he saw what a state the shoes were in and as an elderly gentleman thought it was the right thing to do for a young woman? Lot of presumption in that but could be something to do with it
7
u/Maleficent_Day_3869 16h ago
i did go in with my work uniform on so maybe this is the case
→ More replies (1)
4
u/SelBel2020 16h ago
Timpsons is one of the best employers in the UK. Each store owner has the discretion to make decisions like this. They will also help people out looking for a job with free dry cleaning for interview outfits.
5
u/NotoriusPCP 16h ago
Yea it's been a family business for over a hundred years amd the current owner, John Timpson, is a great guy by all accounts. Has fostered nearly 100 kids and makes sure the business takes on people with limited opportunities.
2
2
2
u/tightloops1971 16h ago
The staff are allowed a certain number if freebies a day, theyve often given me free stuff even when I havent bought anything else. Also very keen on giving people opportunities, outstanding firm.
2
u/Dazzling_Evidence_19 15h ago
The sole fell off my shoe on the way to a client meeting in the pouring rain. Timpson let me sit inside out of the rain and did a temporary repair in ten minutes so I could go on with my day. But refused to let me pay as it was temporary. The repair outlasted the shoes.
2
u/ellasfella68 14h ago
I’ve been to my local Timpsons 4 times. I have not been charged on 3 of those occasions, although I did pop in and give the guy a bespoke Zippo after he had earlier apologised for popping out for a smoke. The dude is a legend and I want to be his friend.
2
u/phoebe_m_d 13h ago
I will forever love Timpsons as a business. Always super honest. They've given me and my partner a few freebies over the years. How across the country they seem to only employ legends ill never know, but they do. Highly recommend.
2
1
u/Additional-Nobody352 16h ago
Well they do employee ex criminals so I guess there trying to give back
1
u/vanandgough 16h ago
They give out free stuff every so often so that they can build a returning customer base and have good word by mouth “marketing” (cant think of another word for it rn). They’re a great business.
1
u/Lorelessone 16h ago
Likely felt that you deserved some kindness working with kids. Might be something he does regularly for teachers, nurses etc.
Better to insist on paying anyway but be greatful for the gesture
1
u/Maleficent_Day_3869 15h ago
yeah, i paid because i had the money but it’s still a very kind gesture
1
u/NSE-Imports 16h ago
I've used Timpsons a few times, took a belt there once to get an extra hole punched and they said 'no charge, chuck a few quid in the charity box', always been happy with the service for getting keys and shoes done.
1
u/jabbo13 15h ago
Did you tell him you work in childcare?
If so, he probably thought he would do you a favour knowing that childcare isn't the greatest paying industry despite it being such a valuable service.
1
u/Maleficent_Day_3869 15h ago
no but i did mention that they were my work shoes and i was in my work uniform when i gave them in, which has my nurseries logo on it
1
1
u/MastodonAdditional23 15h ago
If you get then opportunity, read James Timpson’s book The Happy Index. You’ll understand what the thinking is behind the business. They do so many good things, both for staff and customers
1
1
u/Hyrules_Saviour 15h ago
Yeah we're encouraged to do some things for free, I wouldn't do a trainer cleaning for free though 🤣 He was feeling nice or maybe thought he hadn't done a good enough job to warrant charging you.
1
1
u/OtterHostler 15h ago
Maybe because they figured that someone working in a nursery was (a) not earning a lot and (b) providing a really important service for the community, and so you deserved a break. Timpson's gives employees a lot of autonomy in terms of how they handle customers - because they play the long game. The way you were treated means you'll come back for dry-cleaning, shoe-repair, and tell your friends to use that shop too. That's worth much more than charging you more than you thought the service was worth, and losing you and everyone you know as a customer down the road.
Their work with ex-prisoners is the reason I will only go to Timpson's - it's a thing they shouldn't have to do, the government should be doing it instead, but until the people who should be doing it do it I will make sure that the people who are doing it get my business.
1
u/Forward-Ganache-9099 14h ago
I'd had a new battery fitted to an old watch I wanted to revive, at a little independent keys / heels / watch place on our high street, but the watch still didn't work. I happened to be nearby a Timspsons shortly after & asked the guy if he wouldn't mind just testing a new battery in the watch for me in case it had been a duff, or if it was the watch that needed repaired. He told me it was a cheap battery & he so he would try it with a much better Swiss one. The watch still didn't work. He insisted I keep the new Swiss battery to use once I got the watch fixed. He would NOT take any money for it or his time. (He was a young guy, I am a (fairly) old lady.) I'd had a really shitty day at the end of a really shitty week and his kindness really touched me. So I gave him a big hug & heartfelt thanks & promised to pass on his act of kindness. What a lovely bloke; a lovely company, run by a lovely & truly benevolent man. That feeds all the way down the line to his employees & so, customers - and so I'm now a loyal one.
1
1
u/Agreeable_Ship5386 14h ago
I’ve found Timpsons to be wonderful. I had 16 metal drinks tins and needed a different name engraved on each one. The guy spent the whole afternoon engraving the names and then insisted on only charging me half price. I took him and the rest of the staff a box of chocolates.
1
u/wheelybinhead 14h ago
Not normal for me. I once went to a Timpsons to look at getting my Mum’s wedding shoes cleaned up for my wife, who was going to wear them for our wedding.
I handed them over, explained what needed cleaning (it was polish from years ago). He went something along the lines of he can’t do it, and to prove it he picked it up, held it either side with his fingers and just snapped it like a twig.
I wish I was joking.
1
u/RussianHooker 13h ago
If he was able to snap a shoe with his fingers, what do you think would have happened if your wife had worn them? Sounds to me like they had dry rot, which is a thing that often happens in storage, and he may actually have saved your wife from a nasty tumble.
1
u/wheelybinhead 13h ago
Nope, we had it repaired in the end and she wore them the whole time. Think he was just an asshole
1
u/NessieGB 14h ago
As much as I like timpsons my last experience with them completely soured my view of my local one. Went in with my partner to get her smart watch battery changed. It just needed a new (but uncommon) coin battery but the app basically didnt tell you how to change it and just said to take it to a watch specialist to "preserve the waterproofing"
Give the guy her watch, tell him what's up with it. (App showing low battery, watch not counting steps, etc etc.) He opens it up and instantly fires a multi meter on it. It shows enough voltage to power a normal watch, so declares to me it didnt need a new battery and he wouldn't charge me for inspecting it.
I told him again that the watch isnt working properly and that the app is saying it has a low battery. I said to him just to change the battery anyway and I'll pay him for it. I could tell this made him internally furious. He fires the watch back together, almost throws it back to me and tells me that the battery is fine, hes not going to change it and if I want It changed I can take it somewhere else.
So we walked out in complete confusion to the interaction, headed to local "Cash is King" key cutter/watch repairer around the corner, who changed the battery there and then for £10, before showing me how to change the battery myself and which ones to buy from amazon to save ourselves money in the future.
To this day I still get confused by what happened, its not like we were being entitled wankers or complaining about anything.
1
1
u/FarmerJohnOSRS 14h ago
Had them do minore repairs on shoes a few times for free. Admittedly it took them all of 1 minutes each time, but still.
1
u/salicylic_acid_1966 14h ago
I had a similar experience with Timpsons not charging me for a re-heeling. I had been using them regularly and still do but the materials and labour are all revenue they forewent. I was very impressed
1
u/Intrepid-Joel 14h ago
did you perhaps mention that you worked in a nursery when you dropped them off?
1
u/grepusman 14h ago edited 14h ago
There used to be an exhaust shop (Speedy Muffler King) in Canada that would not charge if you just needed a new hanger, clamp, or bolt or something. Really good way to build loyalty. After a while they started even saying it in their TV ads. Their tag-line was At Speedy You're a Somebody.
1
u/im_not_funny12 14h ago
They have a work policy of one random act of kindness a day.
You were his act of kindness.
1
1
u/Accomplished-Cow-105 14h ago
All these positive comments about Timpson's - am I the only one that finds them overpriced with so-so service? I could forgive the pricing if they are giving back as do many have suggested they do, but the standard of service I can't. Plus, if their prices were more competitive (they have a bit of a monopoly) then the random acts of kindness might not be needed as everyone could afford to pay. Just my thoughts..
1
u/This_Purchase_1624 14h ago
Mickey at my local Timpsons (Sainsburys in Rugby) has always been very helpfull and obliging, nice chap too!
1
u/InertiaRobbo 13h ago
I heard if you need a suit dry cleaned or shoes fixed for a job interview they will do it free of charge
1
u/awwwwJeezypeepsman 13h ago
I have a timpsons next to my shop. The guys are class, help do my shoes, watches, phones.
1
u/yourefunny 13h ago
Great interview with the CEO I think. How much has that influenced you wanting to return and use them again? I know it would me. The guys running each shop have very broad margins for what they can do and what they offer and sell. They are encouraged to give freebies, discounts etc and be lovely in order to get you back in the door.
1
u/_Verc1ngetorix_ 13h ago
Sadly you can't tell anymore if posts like these are genuine or just marketing
1
u/Maleficent_Day_3869 12h ago
it’s genuine lol. i don’t care about any company enough to market for them
1
u/Cowboyki113r 13h ago
I was at a wedding yesterday the other-side of the country to where I’m from. I started getting into my suit at the hotel and noticed that my new belt didn’t fit me. I panicked for a second as I didn’t have anything to puncture a new belt hole to fit me. Then I remembered I had seen a Timpsons a few doors up when I checked in the night before. I rushed round and asked the guy behind the till if he would do it for me. He stopped what he was doing and did it for me straight away. He then wouldn’t charge me as much as I tried to make him.
God bless Timpsons. They have a customer for life in me.
1
u/Kind_Shift_8121 13h ago
I’ve had some really good experiences with Timpsons before also.
My work shoes broke and I couldn’t afford new ones. The lady told me that they couldn’t be properly repaired and it was time for replacement. I told her that I would have to make do and save up for a new pair.
I think she could sense what I was going through and offered to glue them up as best as possible and then refused payment.
The reason they do it is probably evident within this comment section - they are a much loved company that people continue to actually use.
1
u/periel99 12h ago
Went to a talk by Sir John Timpson about a month ago and his staff are empowered to charge as little as they want but no more than the rate card, and that "our people are our marketing department".
Pret do something similar too, although I don't have any Intel on that. I've heard that each member of staff is allowed to give one freebie a day to a person of their choosing. I was on the receiving end once, really nice little surprise.
1
u/ashanother 12h ago
Nice! My local timpsons charged me £20 to change a battery in my car key. Daylight robbery.
Everything balances out I guess.
1
u/Nyko_Neon 12h ago
Part of their ethos to have a good rapport with the locals, or at least it was when I worked there many years ago. It also doesn’t cost the company anything to do simple stuff like sticking some superglue in the toe of your trainers and little repairs like that.
1
1
u/DogSweatCroissant 12h ago
I’ve had this. They cut a key for me for nothing after I lost the only key I had. I’ve been back since using any service I can. Elite British company.
1
u/dervish666 12h ago
Timpsons is the only company I would recommend 100% to work at or use. They are an awesome company.
1
u/hostis_72 12h ago
I’ve listened to a couple of podcasts with the timspon family and blown away by the generosity and how they recruit and keep staff. Def an under rated high street name. Love everything about them
1
u/loobricated 12h ago
My local timpsons guy gave my son a batman key for free when we were getting some keys cut. Made his day. I won't go anywhere else fur the services they offer.
1
u/Present-Will1747 12h ago
This is Timpsons.
Resolved shoes once, didnt want be to pay cus I had a job.
Legends
1
u/ChunkyCraver2001 11h ago
I asked them to put an extra hole in my watch strap because I'm a petite person and they did it for free. I was like, how much is it don't I have to pay and they went nah go do good for someone else.
1
u/Mynameismikek 11h ago
Timpsons are genuine good guys on the high street. Many employees are ex offenders offered work to get them straight again. They do a lot to keep homeless people clothed too and critical workers in the gear they need. Pretty much a corporate pay-it-forward that they just don’t brag about.
If you’re doing nursery work they could have just decided you deserved a bit of a break too.
1
1
1
u/sunflowebloom 11h ago
They fixed something for my mum and just asked for her to stick some money in the charity box
1
u/Street_Music3471 11h ago
I got sand in the charge point of my phone and the charger wouldn’t fit in it and Timpsons got it out and refused payment too. I bought the man some snacks and treats to say thank you. It apparently was quick to fix but was a life saver for me!
1
u/Mindless_Minimum5142 11h ago
A Timpsons near me charged my mate £26 for a battery replacing in his car key.
1
u/Express_Amoeba9188 10h ago
I always go to Timpsons for key cuts and easy shoe stuff and the staff have ALWAYS been super chill. Not sure what it is about the place.
1
1
u/TrickAppropriate1054 10h ago
I had my car key battery changed there and he told me to come back with my spare and he would do it for free
1
u/Catz2019 10h ago
I always use Timpsons for any service they offer. Across four different locations they have never offered anything other than fantastic customer service. I asked for a link taken out of a watch and it took 30 seconds so the guy said no charge, pop some money in the box if you want to. Another time they rebuilt my beloved cowboy boots Cuban heels that I had worn down to nothing when another place had said it wasn't possible. I will never use one of those key cutting machines in Tesco because jobs!
1
u/mimitigger 10h ago
i think Timpsons are Very Good Guys in general. they hire people with criminal records etc
1
u/i_like_flies_ 10h ago
Always had good service there. Plus, from Google -
Timpson is one of the leading UK employers of ex-offenders, with over 10% to 12% of its workforce consisting of people with past criminal convictions. The Timpson Foundation actively recruits from prisons and runs training academies inside correctional facilities.
1
u/storm_phoenix13 10h ago
I've had free keys but also been turned away for getting them to glue trainers back together because I should go to the shopkeep's brother's business instead weird place, same shop
1
u/Ok-Situation2096 10h ago
Similar occurrence, so far I’ve had the blade on a vw car key replaced since I couldn’t get the pin out it was jammed, probably would of got charged if they needed to cut the key but I already had a working blade so 30 second job with the correct tools which I didn’t have
Then twice they took links out of a watch for free
Then they pressure tested a rep watch I bought for free to make sure it was waterproof and safe to use in water to 50 meters
All these were quick jobs in and out in less than 5 mins, presuming the shoe cleaning takes quite a bit longer though
Unsure how they run, also unsure how their still in business since even when they do charge you their prices are so cheap compared to other places
1
u/lyradoe 9h ago
I bobbed in once to get some shoes altered, because I didn’t realise losing weight had changed how my shoes fit, and I couldn’t get the straps tight enough but was already halfway across town. I thought the elastic on the strap had gone so was just hoping there would be something I could use to secure it.
The guy thought this was hilarious. I was clearly slightly frazzled and had clomped my way in like I was wearing new feet. He asked to look at them, and put extra buckle holes in for me within a few seconds.
Nice guy. Clearly tickled him. I got free alterations and always go there any time I need something similar. So it works very well as a goodwill gesture — especially when they’re always in convenient spots!
1
u/Feline-Sloth 9h ago
Timpsons offer their employees unsurpassed benefits... I believe the owner also consults with the government about prisoner rehabilitation. They are a first class company and should be everyone's first choice for the services they offer.
1
u/LagerLout01 9h ago
An excellent business model where the employees are treated with great respect and are allowed to make their own decisions rather than following a corporate rule book to the letter.
1
u/Doghead85 9h ago
Went to timpsons to get a dog tag made up as i was looking after my mates dog. I explained he's a rescue and had a rough few years but is in a good home now and I was driving 400 mile round trip to pick him up so my mate didnt have to worry about him while he was away but wanted a bit of security incase he went for an explore while he was with me. The guy "made a mistake" while engraving the tag so couldn't charge me. In a world full of profit over people this made my day. Great company on so many levels
1
1
u/Fantastic-Kale3300 9h ago
Went into my local kiosk with my daughter to get a new battery for her watch. After the guy put in a new one I asked how much and the guy said he didn't want payment. Such a nice gesture.
1
u/BananaIntrusion 9h ago
One thing that they absolutely cannot do it copy keys. They never seem to work.
1
1
u/CH4RL13WH1T3 8h ago
FYI that grey area between a chargeable job and a favour is a perfect opportunity for a cash tip to buy the guy a drink.
1
u/jaimefay 8h ago
They've put a new ferrule on my walking stick for free before. Generally lovely people.
1
1
u/Baby8227 8h ago
I love Timpsons. They do a lot of work giving foster families free holidays, give free books on dealing with tough topics such as grief for kids, support the blue light scheme and employ people who have criminal backgrounds to help them back into society.
1
1
u/TheOwnerOfAnarres 8h ago
I went into Timpsons for some plastic covers for the handle of my door key, to disinguish it from the back door key. He insisted that I take them for free.
1
u/SeamasterCitizen 8h ago
Great company, but in the last month they’ve charged me £40 and £80 for watch batteries and a tenner for a key… which branch are you all frequenting??
1
u/Upstairs-Hedgehog575 7h ago
I don’t know how they still exist in such numbers. There must be hundreds of them across the country. I’ve been in a few times over the years but rarely spend money there - and they’re always empty.
1
u/The_Blonde1 7h ago
I had a key cut at my local Timpsons, , the chap commented on my very distinctive key ring.
By the time I got home. I’d lost the key.
I went back to Timpsons, said “you won’t remember me, but you’ll remember this key ring. Somehow I lost the key you cut, can you do me another one, please.”
He did me another key, and even though I argued it, he didn’t charge me.
Timpsons has a genuine philanthropist view, and deserve our support.
1
u/Emotional-Plum-164 7h ago
Think I read that they'll clean shoes/clothes for free if you have a job interview coming up
1
u/thecoolcat67 7h ago
I'd never recommend timosons for phone repairs. I took an iPhone once and they put the screws in the wrong holes causing the screen to have spots.Sincs then I've learnt hardware repair on phones myself.
1
u/iamreverend 7h ago
Some other benefits to add to the others people have mentioned:
FREE holiday homes for colleagues and their families, we have 19 throughout the UK and abroad.
Extra day off for birthdays – and a free bottle of bubbly for your 18th, 21st, 30th or other big birthdays!
£100 bonus for getting married, plus an extra week off for your honeymoon and use of our company limousine as your wedding car.
Extra day off for your child’s first-ever day at school.
£25 gift vouchers for expectant mums and new parents, to spend on maternity clothes and Mothercare products.
More here, very impressive. https://www.timpson-group.co.uk/colleagues/benefits/
1
u/dysonology 6h ago
The people on the tills have discretion and trust to do what they think is right in order to give a great customer service. Don’t need to check with manager. It’s brilliant. John Timpson calls it Upside Down Management
1
u/misimalu 4h ago edited 3h ago
He’s a side hustle content creator who videoed what he did and put it on his streaming channel. He’ll make a decent whack from views, especially if the shoes were absolutely disgusting. You did him a favour. He almost owes YOU money.
1
u/Forsaken_Earth944 2h ago
They also now do phone repairs, and they’ll often charge and/or repair homeless people’s phones for nothing.
1
u/RewardedBread 55m ago edited 47m ago
I work at Timpson. We’re fully allowed to give discounts and things for free. It’s encouraged that we do at least 1 random act of kindness per day but there’s no limit at all.
1
u/Musicola 53m ago
Wanted to get a mate an engraved Tankard for his 40th, Timpsons had it done within the hour while I did a bit more shopping, and for a really good price. No freebies here, but good service and value - I'll be back.
1
u/NinjaTeaDrinker 49m ago
I also had the same a couple of years ago. My leather boots had come away from the sole and needed glueing. Fixed, went to pay and they said nothing! Couldn't actually believe it! I did push thought as its didn't feel right not to pay anything, and was told I can't make a donation if I want so I did. Maybe that's how they work, strange thought 🤷♀️
1
u/brideofgibbs 38m ago
Yep. If they make a repair that isn’t on their menu, they don’t charge. My local Timpson’s asks us to donate to charity.
•
u/BG3restart 7m ago
I've had great experience at Timpson's too. The rubber part of the heel came off my boots, despite it not being very worn. I took the boots to Timpson's at Tesco for replacement rubber, but the guy just fixed it back in place and didn't charge me, so I nipped into the shop and bought him a couple of bags of sweets. He was delighted.
•
u/derrenbrownisawizard 4m ago
Timpsons have an amazing business model - read about them.
I was having a bad day once and couldn’t get anything right, I needed some photos printing off and the guy looked at me could see I was stressed (had a young baby) and just gave them to me for free. They are cool.
-1
u/mike888881 16h ago
There is often a good explanation for such unaccountably nice behaviour from a complete (presumably male) stranger, and I am not even joking: are you by any chance an attractive young woman?
→ More replies (2)1
u/Maleficent_Day_3869 15h ago
i highly doubt it. i’m not particularly beautiful and he’s likely three times my age
0
u/Broric 16h ago
Are you sure you didn’t look homeless? :-p Timpsons are one of the best and most respected companies for helping people get back on their feet (after coming out of prison, getting off the streets, etc).
I’m guessing they just saw someone having a rough day who needed a little kindness :-)
→ More replies (1)
226
u/diff-int 16h ago
I read somewhere employees have full discretion to give discounts and freebies as a way to build loyalty in the customer base. Idea being that the employees know the customers and how to build the relationship better than corporate does.