The York Ghost Merchants — Attraction in Great Britain

Upsetting experiences.

We have a disabled daughter with severe disabilities and we get treated differently to her needs compared to favouritism from the management and staff to other customers who have disabled children/adults.

Many times I've had to leave the shop with my daughter screaming only not to be allowed in because I left to keep her calm., only time this was different was in the Guild Room.

What hurts the most is that we are treated differently, just like the other collectors. I've seen the shop shut down for them & further more adding insult to injury is that it's broadcast all over social media with how well they are treated. Those top collectors who know the merchants have additional requirements which are fulfilled.

We are not the only ones to think this.,

They have the best ghosts, jumping the queue... we like so many others get looked down upon and told to be quiet for speaking out by the staff and others in the queue feel the same.

I hope the ghosts merchants treat their customers on a equal footing without favouritism and each to their needs.

So after much consideration I will not be continuing collecting. If anyone checks on social media you'll realise what I'm saying is true and for people like us that like I collected we get the crumbs of what they decide to sell us.

I know this will resonate with some and others they'll call me Jealous or pedantic but I'm being honest to what I've seen, witnessed and with how my daughter gets treated. She gets treated respectfully but her needs are not met while other needs are met and respected to the highest regard time and time again.

We want everyone to be treated fairly.

I love my daughter.

Edited Review, Original this Review was 1 star and after a more positive experience this ghost week I've decided to add an additional 2 stars.

Our daughter exhibits challenging behaviour with sever neurological impairment. We are not blind to this fact and we understand how this makes others feel uncomfortable.

Now with this being said.

Improvements had quite clearly been made and we would like to thank the professionalism of the merchants and also the pubs we visited.

We understand the merchants can only do so much due to fairness and to keep everyone happy, but also they are extremely busy to the popularity and increasing demand.

We further understand systems can be abused with regards to access appointments, queues which sadly affects genuine collectors but we understand why these policies are in place.

I don't envy the merchants in trying to implement said policies and procedures to remain fair to all and insure everyone as a good experience.

It's our wish for both or children to grow together, learn from each other and have positive experiences not just from each other but those around them... again steps have been made to make this a ghostly experience not just us but for...

The York Ghost Merchants is a peculiar shop and thrives on the collectibles market. I don't even know how I came across them, but I remember seeing some writing about these ghosts and became fascinated, so much so, I had to get one (or five).

On the day, which was midweek, I was surprised to see a queue. I had no idea how popular they are and naively presumed I could stroll in. I was waiting for around 45 minutes and the 'merchants' continued updating the queue on their estimated wait time.

I get the impression the workers may be actors because they did a grand job of setting the scene. When it was time to go in, I was guided by a merchant and encouraged to take my time and use their mini photo prop to capture my ghosts before purchase.

Ultimately, these ghosts are so popular because they don't sell many online. This has created a strange desperation amongst the online folk who can't get to York. They're not that expensive considering their appeal, they're made from a stone substance (waterproof and toxic free) that they can't talk about, and the customer experience was the best I have ever had (this is where the high street shines).

Do remember though, they've made tons of these and they're not as rare as the online world makes them out to be. My advice is to go to the shop, if you can make it, and buy one if you feel drawn to them - I've never collected anything and won't be collecting more of these, I simply found them unusual. I'm so glad I happened across them offline and went to their shop as the occasion felt unforced and natural. I won't be buying more and the the ones I have are a reminder of a special day in York for mine and my mother's birthdays.

Cool, artisanal and one-of-a-kind, but please don't get FOMO. Looking at their Instagram post-purchase, I couldn't believe my eyes! Talk about echo chambers 😆 Anyway, pleased I...

For those people saying ITS A MUST SEE in York...I'm not seeing it myself. I'm a lover of all things spooky and loved the idea of a shop dedicated to ghosties.

I went here in the UK summer holiday and this us probably the busiest time you could go. Every day we walked by the que was snaking down the shambles and round the corner. If you were at the end of the que you can expect an 2.5-3 hour wait.

We were not intending to go until we had a couple hours to kill before our train on our last day. We arrived at 930am and the que was already leaving the shambles. We qued unti just after 11am before we got in.

Staff have patients of a Saint and had fabulous customer service ensuring no que jumping and no council rules were broken.

Finally inside it is a small room that allows around 6 or 8 people in at anyone time. On the left is shelves of unique made large ghosts priced at £17 each. Below these were the smaller ghosts at £9 each. (Special edition ghosts were individually priced in cabinets)

To the right were holes in the walls that you peep through to reveal hidden mysteries. We were glad we looked behind the photo frame on the wall as these had the phantoms in which I immediately wanted to buy £20 each.

All in all...is it worth the 2 or 3 hour wait...probably not unless you absolutelyhave nothing else to do...and when in York theres always plenty to do. Am I glad I bought 1.. or 3..yes.

I do think though that in future if they had a stall elsewhere or a different que for people not bothering going into the shop but just wanting to buy a ghost then this could also be successful. If the ghosts were wrapped up do it was a lucky dip! I think that would ease pressures. I wouldn't revisit if I had to que again. (Popularity due to a viral...