No annoying sales people in this shop! (Argos)

Member Name: Claribella

Product:	Argos
Date:	10/02/09 (85 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A unique way to shop.

Disadvantages: Can get really busy.

I am a huge fan of Argos and have used them ever since I can remember. I remember loving the fact that I could go into one shop and get all of my Christmas presents in one place.

What do they sell?
If you are looking for something to buy and can't think which shop will stock it then I can guarantee Argos will have it. They sell just about everything that you can imagine from furniture to lamps and toys to bags, from jewellery to beauty product and novelty gifts to sport equipment. You name it, they have it! The prices are really reasonable too and tend to have a range of prices that will suit everyone.

How does it work?
If you've never been into an Argos shop then here's a basic run down of the experience. Basically the shop is full of little desks with a big, thick catalogue on it, a pot of pens, a little machine that looks like a calculator and a piece of paper with little boxes on it. You look through the book and find what you would like to purchase then write the code that is next to your product in the boxes on the piece of paper. You can also type the code into the machine to see if they have any in stock. The next thing you need to do is go to the check out and pay for the thing that you want and the person at the check out will give you a receipt with a collection point, a number and an estimated waiting time on it. Normally down the end of the shop there are collection points A, B, C and D. You go to whichever one is says on your receipt but wait until your number appears on the computer screens above you. You pick up your item and they stamp your receipt to say that you have received your product.

If you are buying Jewellery or watches then there is another desk to go to and you can forget everything that happens above. This part is like a normal shop where you try the item on, pay and receive your item there and then.

Ups.

This shop is such an easy experience if it goes right.

1) The estimated time on the receipt is normally spot on so if you have someone else with you that needs to go off and do something then you can let them know how long you are going to be there. I find that really useful because if the wait is only five minutes then it's not worth my hubby going off but if its fifteen minutes then he has sometimes nipped to the bank and paid a bill whilst I wait.

2) I find that Argos are always good on returns and I have never had any problems with it. They are fast and efficient and will always do everything they can to sort out your problem. They generally seem to be very helpful and friendly too.

Downs.

1) It can get really busy especially around Christmas time. Everyone seems to have the same idea of going there to get there presents and it becomes ram packed with a wait of at least half an hour sometimes. Sometimes you even have to wait for a catalogue to become free which is annoying.

2) Quite a few times in the past the product has looked really good in the picture but when I've actually received it, it's about half the size of what I imagined it to be. It does put the sizes of things in the descriptions but what can I say? I'm a woman..The other thing is colours on certain things may vary slightly which can be a pain if you're expecting a blue and green beanbag and it comes out pink!

Verdict.
Over all I love the shopping experience at Argos. You don't get any pushy sales people hanging over your shoulder offering advice and being annoying and you can just get on with your ordering. It's a bit robotic but compared to the earlier days they've definitely realised what works and what doesn't and have really improved there service. A great, unique way to shop!

Summary: An easy way to shop if it goes right.