Brilliant Helpful Shop! (BHS British Home Stores)

Member Name: ~*pink-pilgrim*~

Product:	BHS British Home Stores
Date:	23/11/08 (275 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: So helpful and kind really helped me with the wedding!

Disadvantages: Some of the clothes are a little too 'old style' for my liking.

BHS stands for British Home Stores and they sell a variety of items from clothes to home items. The first store was opened in 1928 in Brixton. They have stores all over the UK and are quite popular with men, women and children alike.

In the past I have passed BHS off as a shop for the older women with often 'styleless' clothes and boring home stuff. It wasn't until February when I started planning my wedding and moved out of my family home that I started shopping in BHS.

BHS stores tend to be tidy, bright and well organised shops. I used to be dragged around BHS with my mum and hate shopping in there but now I have grown up a little I can see why the stores are so useful and pleasant to shop in.

Last Christmas I bought a few items in BHS and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I went shopping with my mum and we managed to find several presents for family members and the prices were very reasonable. The quality of the items was high and on Christmas day everyone loved their gifts.

In the January sales I decided to browse the store for some bargains. I was amazed to see that they had a rather large section for wedding items such as bridesmaid dresses, mens suits, jewellery and stationary. I picked up a booklet and went home to show my mum.

When I moved house in February my mum came shopping to look for bed covers, curtains and ornaments. We had a lovely time browsing through the home section and bought some lovely quality items for my new house.

We also shopped around for some new clothes for work and I was very impressive with the quality. I found it so easy looking for the items I needed the escalators were labelled so well to point me in direction of the items I required. The store although set out over two floors is easily accessible for wheelchair users. There is a café downstairs and escalators and lifts to the home and childrens section upstairs.

After about 30 minutes of browsing we stated to look at the wedding department. The bridesmaid dresses were perfect. They looked quite expensive but were reasonably priced. The jewellery and stationary was also reasonably priced and the mens suits looked so nice we thought they could have been sold in one of the expensive mens outfitters.

Over a few weeks we had bought my dads waistcoat, my bridesmaids dresses and tiaras. The staff were very helpful while we 'ummed' and 'ahhed' for over 45 minutes and they were very kind with advising us on trying the clothes on and getting a 'true fit'.

We have been to BHS a few times to buy new clothes for my job and although they sell clothes in all sizes from 6 - 22 I still stand by my original opinion that the clothes rae aimed more at the middle age - older lady and I have been unable to buy clothes in the store that will suit me.

BHS however do sell amazing shoes, jewellery and night clothes that I do occasionally pop in to buy. I do love the underwear BHS stock and the bras are very comfortable. The staff are very helpful with helping find the right size bra and if you cannot find something you would like they will go out of their way to help.

My partner has recently started to buy clothes in BHS for interviews and to wear around the house and he has been very impressed with the quality of the clothes. The clothes are comfortable to wear and last a very long time.

As mentioned previously BHS have a restaurant on the bottom level. My mum and I decided last time we went shopping to have a Panini and hot chocolate in here. The food was very tasty and the hot chocolate had cream and marshmallows on top...my favourite. The food was also reasonably priced. It was very nice to be able to sit down and rest our feet after an hour of two shopping in the store.

I have purchased a few bridal items that have not fitted or matched the colour scheme and the staff have been able to help by allowing an exchange or by giving me my money back. On one occasion I did get a credit note to use in store but I knew I had to buy more items in store so this didn't bother me.

BHS is one of my favourite stores and has been a great help whilst planning my wedding. Most items have been purchased in store and with the excellent staff support I have enjoyed every minute of it. Why should I pay more money for a posh bridal store when I can get as good if not better at a high street store like BHS.

Summary: They've been around for so long but still providing a fabulous service!