Don’t give up the day job (Argos)

Member Name: robinlawrie

Product:	Argos
Date:	05/10/01 (116 review reads)
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One of my favourite high street shops is without doubt Argos. The reason is plain to see, as it is simplicity itself to compare prices and the range and quality of products available is second to none. As far as value goes, nine times out of ten, I usually end up buying from Argos after a price comparison has been made. It is true that to a large extent the choice is made by catalogue, with the actual item unseen, but on the rare occasion that I have been unhappy with my selection, Argos has replaced the item or refunded my cash with no trouble whatsoever.

As in many homes, we have the latest catalogue to hand, and before any major purchase is made, the cry of “have you checked Argos” is always heard. A telephone call to the shop confirms that the item is in stock, and a reservation can be placed on it for payment and collection. Arrangement for delivery of large items can also be made, and payment by card over the phone makes it possible to complete the purchase and delivery without leaving your home. The obvious next step is to have the entire Argos experience brought right up to date and place the store online.

The site is at www.argos.co.uk and at first glance looks like one of their colourful catalogues. Many of the opinions that I have read on this site, express concern over its speed, and I must admit that I agree entirely. The entire website’s design appears to be based on the idea that glitz is better than speed. As anyone will tell you, speed in the navigation of a website is paramount and Argos would be well advised to change their designers and have the entire website revamped.

Basically the site allows you to:
•Browse through the latest catalogue.
•Find a product by name or by catalogue number.
•Reserve an item.
•Buy an item.

Browsing through the catalogue takes an absolute age and quite honestly you would be better served by looking at the
catalogue itself. If you don’t have a copy, pick one up at your store and save yourself time.

Finding a product by name is probably the best method to search. It allows search by genre or manufacturers name and is much faster than searching through the entire catalogue. Finding the product by catalogue number is the fastest method, but suggests that you have a catalogue in front of you at the time, which appears to defeat the object of the exercise.

Reserving an item here is exactly the same as reserving by telephone. It is called “Click and Collect”. It allows you to reserve the item online, then pay and collect it at your local store. As far as I can see there is no difference to this, than completing the same transaction over the telephone.

Buying an item is identical to most other online shops. There is however the added security of possibly the best secure server available looking after your transaction.

Deliveries on items over £100 are free, and the excellent returns policy of Argos covers any purchases you make. This policy is:

“Return the item within 16 days of delivery, unused in its original packaging together with the receipt, to any Argos store. Argos will exchange it or offer you a full refund”

All in all the website is a disappointment to me, but for anyone not fortunate to have an Argos store handy, it is a boon. To the vast majority of us it is a victim of its own success in that the formulae that Argos has adopted in its stores, is about as user friendly as it is possible to be.

I see that Argos are one of the few places where I have seen the new Dyson washing machine…..£999…..Not a lot of people rushing out ops on it I see. I wonder if the price has anything to do with it?

My message to Argos is simple…..Don’t give up the day job.

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