PC World-My Experience (PC World)

Member Name: vassilis73

Product:	PC World
Date:	27/06/03 (520 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Extensive ranges of PCs, laptops, printers, software

Disadvantages: Quality of service depends on the person who will serve you

PC World is Britain's largest specialist chain of computer superstores. It belongs to Dixons Group (which has under its umbrella companies such as Currys, The Link , Dixons ?of course, and other companies. It also has the 15% of Kotsovolos S.A , the leading electrical retailer of Greece!! Which is a massive company for the Greek reality! I bought my cooker from there when I was living in Greece.)

I am referring to the background of the PC World because that was one of the things that made me to choose them. ( I have to support them as they support the Greek economy?everything is connected you know!!)

I have been in 5-6 of them around the country and they differ only in size. The one that is nearer to me is in Preston. Its a big shop and has everything that you might need. It offers extensive ranges of PCs, laptops, printers, software, peripherals and accessories from the major brands, as well as many PC World labeled products which are not always cheaper I have to say.

Service - Buying my computer
I was going around the shop to find a computer that will cover my needs and after 30 minutes - without no one from the staff being pushy, as they probably realized that I?m a computer man!- I made my decision.

It wasn?t difficult to find someone from the staff to ask some questions on it. I ask some average questions about the computer I choose and he was well aware of it. I ask some Intermediate questions as well and he was very excited to answer them! He even suggested some things that I hadn?t thought of-it happens sometimes-and I found him very helpful. His knowledge gained my trust. I ask for the insurance and maintenance cover that PC World have on all products and he went three times to calculate the price for me and he also did a generous reduction in the price of the plan which I took. He explained me what the cover involves and how I can claim and also told me how to deal with the Help-line that they have if something
happened to the computer . I found it very helpful.

The process
After I have taken my decision, he went to check for availability and there was a problem. The TFT screen I wanted wasn?t in stock. I didn?t really like that at all and I showed it. He quickly came out with the solution to give me the screen that he had on display. He told me that it was brand new and only two days on display and he convinced me! I wasn?t that easy though. I told him to cut something from the price which he refused because it was brand new. I took it in the end as I thought something else to request from him after the close of the deal! Very cheeky I know but I had to defend my money!

The paper work took only 5 minutes which I found it very good and he asked me to have a look around until he has it ready for me.

Around the shop
I had a look around the shop and I noticed it had an in-store business centre who offer local companies face-to-face help and advice to choose the best IT solutions. I reckon that is an excellent service. I haven?t tried it but as an idea is great.
I took a leaflet about PC World and I saw that has 126 stores in the UK and three in the Republic of Ireland (as at 3 May 2003)and Sales in 2001/2002 were £1,278 million (add my £1.300 for the 2003 as well I thought!)

It also has in store PC Clinic. They offer on the spot diagnostic advice and service. My opinion is that the PC Clinic is very expensive.(there is a price list on the wall ie. format disk ,along with installation of an operating system for £29.99 !? Ridiculous. But very helpful for those who don?t know much about computers.

After half an hour my computer was ready to go.

On the till I ask for reduced price because of the screen otherwise? (I took on the look of a disappointed face) and once again he apologized for not being able to do something about it . But this time he went back in the shop and came back with an electric adaptor that
protects the computer in case of low electric power etc, cd?s for my cd-writer and glossy photo paper for my new printer! They worth about £20.So I was happy at the end.

Technical Support - Help Line
I used it only once for a problem with my printer and they were very friendly and they gave solution to my problem very effectively and quick. Really good quality of service.

That was my experience with PC World. I am very satisfied from their services.

I appreciate though that the services that they provide depend on the person who will serve you. There are good salesmen and saleswomen and bad ones in every shop and business. I reckon that they are doing their evaluation from time to time and keep the right staff as I have noticed in the local PC World. I definitely will recommend it to all.

Thanks for reading...

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