One-Stop Bargain Shop! (Debenhams)

Member Name: KathrynPenguin

Product:	Debenhams
Date:	09/02/01 (462 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Variety, lots of sales

Disadvantages: some departments don't give the discounts

I've shopped at Debenhams all my life. Growing up near Romford where the second largest store in the country is located (the largest being the West End store) it's always been somewhere I took for granted and shopped at.

~~~~ The Stores ~~~~
Debenhams stores stock a wide variety of goods, which I will condense into a single paragraph. On the ground floor you always find the cosmetics and perfume counters by the front door, free perfume samples on the way in are second nature to me. The store also sells a variety of different "names" in both male and female fashion. Many of these fashion outlets are brand names who rent floor space from Debenhams. Its like visiting a whole bunch of shops in under one roof and Debenhams own brand merchandise is always worth a look as there are a variety of special offers at any given time. You also find everything for your home in Debenhams, they have a great kitchenware section as well as china, crystal, bed linen, and bathroom accessories again from a variety of manufacturers. There are also departments for electrical goods, computers and games, books, and haberdashery. It's really a fantastic one-stop shopping experience. There is also a restaurant in each store if you feel like a coffee or a snack (they are all non-smoking though which is why I never use them).

~~~~ The Sales ~~~~
The Sales at Debenhams seem to merge into one another, there is barely any time of year when you won't find fantastic sale bargains to be had. They have blue cross days regularly throughout their sales where you find further price reductions across the store. A good tip for all you bargain hunters is to pop in late on the day before the sale as everything will be marked down ready for the Sale Preview Night.

~~~~ Account Cards ~~~~
As with all major stores when you open an account card you get a 10% discount for the first week (only 5% on electrical goods). With Debenhams cards
you get invited to "Sale Preview Nights" and you are given the first go at the sale prices and you get vouchers for money off if you spend certain amounts. Sale Preview nights are absolutely mad in Debenhams, don't expect to pop in quickly as the place is always packed with long queues at the tills. Account card holders also get 10% off weeks from time to time, always during Sales though! One thing to watch with the 10% discounts and money off vouchers is that the small print says "participating departments only". This is because some of the franchises don't want to give the discounts and I was very disgusted one year when Principals were not giving the discount even though they are part of the Burtons group, which owns Debenhams. They lost a good customer that day.

~~~~ Gold Cards ~~~~
If you spend more than £500 in a quarter you get your account card upgraded to a Gold Card. Its easy to spend that much if you buy a large electrical item. You also qualify for a gold card if you put your wedding list with Debenhams (that’s how I got mine). Gold card holders enjoy extra privileges such as free gift wrapping on any purchase. The best bonus you get from a gold card is use of the gold card lounge. Each store has a lounge filled with comfy sofas and a free coffee machine for gold card holders to rest their weary legs in. Some stores also have free lockers in the lounge for you to leave your shopping in. These lounges are generally found by the customer services desk and no-one has ever asked to see my gold card when I'm in one (handy if you don't have one).

~~~~ Wedding Lists ~~~~
This could be an opinion all of its own but here goes. This is Fantastic! When you first visit to make your list you are given a barcode scanner to wander about with (blokes love this). Any item you want added to your list, just scan the barcode. With expensive china crystal etc you won't find any barcodes
to scan but the assistants will print you a list of codes from their till which you hand to the wedding list staff. When starting your list you arrange two delivery dates one before and one after the wedding. They cannot give you a time but I was told if I phoned on the day they could page the driver and get a rough delivery time. Fortunately both my deliveries were on Saturdays and both times the driver got me out of bed. The goods are delivered along with a printout listing who purchased what.

You are given cards to give to your guests with your wedding list number on. When they visit the store, they go to the wedding area and using a touch screen computer, print off an up to date copy of your list (they have to type their name in, and this is printed on the list). When they make their purchase they simply hand the list to the person on the till and they scan the barcode at the top of the list as well as the barcode on the goods and the item is immediately taken off the list. Wedding guests can also purchase by phone or via the Internet. Oh and you can view your wedding list at any time via the website, getting an up to date picture of what has been purchased.

~~~~ The Bottom Line ~~~~
Debenhams is a great store to shop at. You have the convenience of one-stop shopping combined with the bargains of the almost constant sales. There account card is an asset giving you extra discounts and first pick at the sales. I'm a very happy customer!

Summary: