I am not amused! (Argos)

Member Name: Cattycat

Product:	Argos
Date:	21/07/01 (336 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots of stores, Reasonable prices

Disadvantages: Poor quality goods, Poor customer service

I have used Argos for years, in fact, the majority of my Christmas shopping came from Argos and most of the presents I received were from there too! I grew up in a small Cornish town where Argos was considered the best thing since sliced bread, and it was basically the only shop to buy from unless you ventured to Truro, or even further to Plymouth (a "long way", as my dad used to believe!).

Then I moved to Nottingham in 1997 - home of a multitude of Argos shops!!

I continued to purchase the occasional item from them including curtain poles, personal stereo, a sports bag - pretty mundane stuff. Then I bought my last item from them - and after my experience I doubt if I will buy from them again! The service I got was apalling. Here is my story!

My partner was away for 2 weeks, and I decided to get a cordless phone to make me feel safe at home when in bed, as the only phone we had was a corded version downstairs. I browsed through the trusty Argos catalogue and picked a Cable & Wireless one, filled in my slip and ventured to my local Argos shop to pick it up. No problems there - 1 in stock. I got home and was at first very happy with it, after a couple of days it wasn't charging up properly. I played about with it, but came to the conclusion that the phone was faulty and took it back to my local Argos shop.

They did not have any more in stock, which was inconvenient as I was about to start a long run of night shifts and wouldn't be able to return again to the shop for at least 7 days. The lady looked at her computer and said that there was 1 in stock in Nottingham city centre (15 min by bus), so I reserved it and trundled off into the city centre. I went straight to Argos, picked it up and went home.

When I opened the bag it was clear that something was wrong - the box looked like it had already been opened and was sealed with ordinary sellotape. Once I removed the phone itself I was horrified to find the
aerial totally missing and all the warranty leaflets and instructions missing too!! I was furious!

I didn't have time to return to the city centre, so I stormed off to my local store to calmly explain the problem - I just wanted a refund and an apology. Then I could try elsewhere for a cordless phone.

I explained to the shop assistant my problem, and all she said is "Have you tried it out? Doesn't it work?". I admit I am not brain of Britain .... but I know that if a phone is minus it's aerial it is pretty doubtful if it will work!! So, I asked for a refund, received my money, and went home!! I didn't once here the word "Sorry"!!!

I am totally disappointed in Argos after this incident, and if I do buy from them again I would check the goods prior to leaving the store. As for the customer service, I think a "sorry" could make a huge difference. I had wasted a whole morning running around for absolutely nothing.

Summary: