HMV, charmless model of a music shop (HMV)

Member Name: noomad

Product:	HMV
Date:	03/11/09 (54 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap DVDs

Disadvantages: customrer service, ambience

I think HMV is still good for buying the odd cut orice dvd. Altoguh I remeber when it used to be much better. I started shopping in HMV about 14 years ago, before they had one in absolutely every town in the UK. Back then it was great to get to a HMV because they specialised in providing a good variety of music in all formats. It was also good to use as a student because they gave a 10% discount. Although in recent years since they have become more of a monopoly I have found that they no longer have the niche on music and the service in stores is not as consistent as it once was.

Last time I was in a HMV I made my purchase as quickly as I could and got out because of the god awful 180bpm smurf songs that 15 year chavs belt out through their mobile phones on buses. it was so loud that I could hardly hear the music I actually wanted to listen to on my MP3 player. Maybe the latter is the preferred market. Who knows, but it doesn't make for a pleasant shopping experience, just makes you wish you'd stayed at home and ordered off the internet.

My other main gripe is the effiency with which they handle purchases against the lack of ability and willingness to deal with any kind of problems. They will tell you that there is only one member of staff who is able to deal with it and they will do anything to avoid dealing with the problem.

So all in all I would say that HMV has become the big unfriendly giant that offers an impersonal service and lacks any ability to offer a specialism in any of things it offers, whether it be games, computers, books, or music.

Summary: I would rather buy stuff off than internet than have to go here