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

[sprocket]

Has anyone else felt they could cut the atmosphere with an artist's palette knife whilst browsing through the inkjet paper in Raylon? It might be the abundance of hand written warnings: "pens are for writing not for testing, do not touch the paper, ...or toy with the gouache, no buggies" no state school children; etc. Or the 1950's purchasing protocol - order taken by kindly lady, man hovers down from stockroom (having watched every browsing moment) to take cash and then hand over to third (trainee?) assistant who bags up and escorts you off premises. It makes you actually want to try out the pencil sharpeners.

[Keith]

I don't get it! Do you think we're all a bit tense?

[mockney piers]

By here I think sprocket meant Raylon, which I'm assuming is the stationers. I can't say as I've ever set foot in there though.

Lucky escape if his(her) description is anything to go by.

[SeanMacGabhann]

That place is known for it's customer "service"

There's me trying to support local businesses and then go and give it a bad name - bah

[karter]

Sean

Thats great you support local business however Stevens Andrews or Andrew Stevens from Ralon, his supposed name, is probably the most scary and strictest shopkeeper in ED and possibly the south east of london.

[CrystalClear]

I thought he/she meant we were all pluperfect.....

[SeanMacGabhann]

Karter

methinks I gave the wrong impression - the service in quotes was meant to convey the LACK of service

And I missed out a "they" in the last sentence - should have read

"then they go and give it a bad name - bah"

Didn't know the owners name but I can only agree it is one scary place. Thought it was just me the first time but it coincided with a new printer purchase so went back several times - but no more!

[mockney piers]

LOL Crystal!!

[CrystalClear]

*pops head up from parapet*

What, really, no tumbleweed?

*Apologises for veering wildly off topic*

[Ant]

Grammar jokes!?

Whatever next?

[Jockey1]

I've been in Raylon once to buy A2 paper. The owner gave me a long lecture on how paper has to "breathe" and what I wanted it for while his assistant looked on in amusement.

I think I hit a nerve when I told him I could get printer cartriges cheaper from Peckham.

[Fuschia]

It sells useful stuff, that's the main thing as far as I can see! Handy for art projects and kids parties etc. I can't say I've ever felt intimidated. Certainly hope it never gets replaced by another bar or estate agent!

[macroban]

I've always had good service from Raylon over many years.

Also effective advice and speedy special order service for "difficult" non-stock items.

[Huguenot]

I often wondered what led to their 'no test' policy before you buy pens.

Was there a posse that raged through the store daily testing biros to destruction?

Is there a hardcore of idlers that fritter their days away raiding stationers for unproductive testing sessions, destroying stock and laying waste to reams of scrap paper?

Or is there indeed a covert cabal of sand-papery fingered communists who destroy the sell-on value of tested pens by wearing down the rubberised grips?

I think we should be told...

[bawdy-nan]

I once asked the man about the no testing policy. He assured me it was for public health reasons - something to do with the probably passing on of disease

[mockney piers]

Can't be too careful bawdy. I'm forever rubbing down my microbahn bubble with alcohol gels and insecticide.

[MadWorld74]

I went in there once to by a pencil. They wrapped it for me. The guy was very annoyed I had only spent 42p.

[philipwitcomb]

I agree, thank god its not just me !! I am a designer living in Peckham and unless it is term time at Camberwell College and you have a pass to use the college shop then you are a bit stuffed for art materials in this neck of the woods, so having Raylon up the road should be a blessing for emergency purchases...............Mmmmm ...it is such an unpleasant experience shopping there. I went in knowing exactly what brushes I needed to buy and the staff wouldnt even let me look and inspect the sizes of the brushes that I was going to spend alot of money on. The brushes in question were so small and fine that I did need to see them up close so he insisted on taking them out one by one and held on to them for dear life as if I was going to steal them ! wouldnt shop there unless I was really stuck.

[Frisco]

It's always been like that in there. I'm surprised they survive.

[kford]

They've always been fine with me, even when I had to return a printer cartridge. It is slightly League of Gentlemwn though.

[Keef]

We'l have no trouble here!

[TJS]

i think their lease is up for grabs looking a HHP, they seem to have a property very close, no picture yet though (http://www.ukpropertyshop.co.uk/estate-agents/hindwoods-hunter-payne-2462.shtml)

[Muttley]

TJS, if that really is Ralon up for sale (it says 'full vacant possession on completion') then regardless of the uncomfortable service, this would be another worrying trend in the transformation of Lordship Lane from 'useful' everyday shops towards nick-nackery. If another stationer moves in, it will probably be a chain. Goodbye Ralon, hello Rymans? I hope not.

[Cassius]

They are a bit strange in there to say the least (and not the cheapest) but they have a good range of stock.

[mattham]

Yes it is a little old fashioned but what is so wrong with that? I've never found them to be un-friendly. In fact the lady in there was rather kindly. Plus, they sell spray mount and a load of other things you can't get on the high st/in Sainsburys. I dare say you can get cheaper printer cartridges in Peckham ? why not shop there if you're desperate to save 50p? Pretty much everything can be bought cheaper online these days anyway, but I'd rather have the shop to be honest ? a useful addition to Lordship Lane.