Just been to Currys at Meadowhall retail park to buy a small chest freezer. Thought that all I would have to do is pay for it and load it into my car. I was told they hadn't any in stock but that I could collect one from their distribution centre on Shepcote Lane rather than pay £14 delivery.
As I wanted the item today I paid for it and drove to Shepcote Lane, pressed buzzer on intercom and had to wait 5/6 mins to be let into reception. Waited another 5 mins till someone came to see me. Another 5 min wait for my freezer to show up. Guy wheeled it out on trolly to reception. After holding doors open for him he wheeled it to my car.
I was then told that Currys dont keep stock at their shops anymore and that all customers would have to collect goods in this way. If this is true then its a lot of messing around and I will shop elswhere in future. I then noticed on my receipt that they had charged me 1 pence for the pleasure of collecting it. Cheeky b******s!:mad:

Perhaps it was a line which they don't sell many of?

Don't forget, they only have limited space in store to keep stock, and they'll keep things in which they sell regularly.

Surely it's better to have an option to collect it, rather than not be able to buy it at all?

Originally posted by rarstar
Surely it's better to have an option to collect it, rather than not be able to buy it at all?
Indeed... or be given no option than to spend £14 on delivery.

I bought a 32" TV from Curry's in July which cost me a grand. They then told me I had to pay for delivery! What a rip-off! I told them to stick their delivery and I'd take it in my car (a Punto at the time) but had to go all the way to Shepcote lane to pick it up as they had none in stock.

you can if you wish ask for the one thats on display and they have to sell it you,i have on a couple of occaisons done this.
however,give it a good look over as there are no comebacks if you get it home and its scratched or damaged,it has to work tho.

also you can sometimes bag a discount if you take a display model,but as i understand it ,if they are advertising it it has to be available at the point of sale or they must clearly state that large items are not available in store.

Points taken. But the impression I got from their distribution centre was that the stores dont intend to carry stocks. Instead they will expect customers to make their own collections. That means a journey to the store to purchase, and then another journey to the distribution centre to collect. I hope im wrong as this seems a strange way to do business.

we recently bought a tv from them. this tv we have now was actually the 4th one we chose!! the other 3 had none in stock and we cant order them cuz they dunno when they're gonna get them! i'm telling u, their service is really bad, if they cant sell the tv, they should at least put up a notice! or dont put the tv on display! another time we went there to buy a dvd player, but none of their sales ppl know what NTSC is! i mean if they work there they should at least know something about their products!! even the argos catalogue says if the dvd player are NTSC compatible or not (yeah we end up buying one from argos). i understand they dont want to serve us if we arent buying, but waiting at the cashier to pay for stuff is just unacceptable! 3 staff were serving 2 ppl at the customer service desk, the guy who didnt know what NTSC is was no where to be seen. we end up having to wait 15mins! it didnt do any good when the lady said we were impatient when we were waiting for her to give us our change. hilarious.

Useful info thanks.

Next time go in for anything will grab nearest person working there and ask if i buy e.g. tv today will you have one here for me to take. If no will go elsewhere.

What a stupid way to try and get people to buy your stuff, have a shop and stock elsewhere. Pathetic. Will not be my first choice next time i need owt.:loopy:

Originally posted by Bluelunar
we recently bought a tv from them. this tv we have now was actually the 4th one we chose!! the other 3 had none in stock and we cant order them cuz they dunno when they're gonna get them! i'm telling u, their service is really bad, if they cant sell the tv, they should at least put up a notice! or dont put the tv on display! another time we went there to buy a dvd player, but none of their sales ppl know what NTSC is! i mean if they work there they should at least know something about their products!! even the argos catalogue says if the dvd player are NTSC compatible or not (yeah we end up buying one from argos). i understand they dont want to serve us if we arent buying, but waiting at the cashier to pay for stuff is just unacceptable! 3 staff were serving 2 ppl at the customer service desk, the guy who didnt know what NTSC is was no where to be seen. we end up having to wait 15mins! it didnt do any good when the lady said we were impatient when we were waiting for her to give us our change. hilarious.

they have some really good ones at the old yeb showroom oppostite tjhughes they are slimline and silver and play all sorts vcd,svcd,copied dvds,mp3s BARGAIN eh at 29.99!!Just in case anyone wanted one!

Unfortunate but true, you only will get what you pay for.
If you buy the at the cheapest price then don't expect the best service. It's as simple as that!
courtesy costs!
If you don't believe me then talk to a major High St retailer about Audio /Visual and then try the Bang & Olufsen centre and see if you can spot the difference.
You will.
but take along the second mortgage!

PC world (part of the currys / dixons group) at the retail park are a classic example of staff not knowing what they are selling.

iwent to buy a digital camera there and the guy at the camera section hadnt got the first god damn clue about them.

i told him what i wanted and just got a blank look,i told him what type of pc i had and then he knew he was in trouble.

i asked if i could have one that fed its power from the pc instead of a separate power supply and i thought he was going to cry.

the man was clueless.

another trick of theirs is to try and convince you that your pc is out of date and you need a new one. i went there to by a graphics card, and after a breif chat with one of their experts he was trying to tell me the card i wanted would require new memory,pci slots or to save all the messing about get a new pc.

mines only 8 months old and this was his way of saying i cant be bothered to help.
on the plus side i bought a well cool desk from them in the sale,down from £80 to £35

I went to Curry's at Drakehouse at waited 10 mins to get served in the end i walked out.

I ended up going on line and i bought a Samsung Freeview box and a Sony DVD online from Comet, both had £20.00 off for buying on line and free delivery which arrived the next day... Very pleased!

Currys does seem to be one of the worst run chains in the UK! It doesn't matter which city I'm in, whenever I go to a Currys store it's virtually impossible to get any service! It's amazing that some companies seem to be the same nationwide - for example (let's not get side-tracked in here) I always think that Burger King is generally worse run (in terms of staff and speed) than McDonalds.

hmm i never noticed that. but the burger king and KFC at manchester piccadilly station are real slow, but maybe its cuz they are at the train station.

We went to currys one sunday to buy a toaster. What a waste of time, the staff are all on commision I guess, as unless you want to spend a few hundred quid on something they dont want to know. After being ignored for around ten minutes, we left and and I went back in at opening time on the monday, thbinking "it will be quiet and i'll get served straight away". WRONG, they still walked passed me as if I wasn't there. Walked across to argos. filled in a slip, payed my money, got a toaster. result.

Originally posted by unners
I went to Curry's at Drakehouse at waited 10 mins to get served in the end i walked out.


Personally I prefer that to the places that ask if you need help every 15 seconds when you're just browsing - there's a mobile phone shop at Meadowhall (I can't exactly remember which one and don't want ot be libelous) where I stayed about a minute and then stormed out.

Yet it seems I can never get anyones attention when I actually want it.

You have to remember that most chain stores like Curries are manned by effectively temporary staff. Don't expect expert knowledge from them.

Then in order to maximise store display area they won't keep stock...

Whilst previously I found this annoying I now find it laughable. Thanks to the internet I can get the same quality of service (i.e. non-existant) and pay a hell of a lot less.

The only exception to general shopping I make is Jessops, where the staff turnover is slow and the knowledge is good. They actually know the answer to most questions... and if they don't then they tell you rather than bluff it.

I bought a palm computer from Curry's - Drakehouse. When it malfunctioned I tried to take it back to Meadowhall. They refused to help because I hadn't bought it at that store. when I finally went back to Drakehouse, all they did was give me a phone number to ring so that I could talk to the Palm Repair unit (who also were cr*p)

Originally posted by gizmo
you can if you wish ask for the one thats on display and they have to sell it you,i have on a couple of occaisons done this.


Where does it say they have to sell it to you??

They can refuse to sell display items as they have to sell them at a loss, it is after all a display item so therefore legally can not be for sale.

I do see your point of being charged a delivery fee for something they don't have in stock. If you can wait preorder it and have it delivered to store than pick it up. If you go to Mastercare's depot get the store to phone in advance so it is ready for you.

Jubby

Everyone keeps saying becuase a large chain was bad they went to argos.

Have you ever asked about a product in argos or wanted to look at one before you buy.

Product knowledge is the same as the catolouge, ie what is written is what they know.

And if you want to view something you have to buy, wait for it to come down, and then if you don't like get a refund, now that is mad.

No they are not on commision they are on sale related bonus, where it is a total sales per period not per sale, so every sale help unfortanly not every sales person sees that. The bonus is not always cash either but DSG vouchers. I work for DSG btw not at currys, but I do shop there if they offer the best value, don't shop there all the time.

Jubby

Originally posted by jubby
Where does it say they have to sell it to you??

i got that info from trading standards, however they dont HAVE to offer it at a loss but generally do,perhaps its my fault for not making that point clear. but if you enter a store for an item and they say it isnt in stock but there is one on display,you CAN ask to take the display model, and they HAVE to sell it you,but as i said earlier it is entirely at your OWN RISK and you cannot return it unless it fails to perform the function for which it was purchased.

if its scratched or dented etc thats YOUR FAULT and you should have checked before leaving the store,you have no redress on this point.

the discount is up to the manager ,he DOESNT have to offer one,but if you want the item that bad thats the risk you take

Originally posted by gizmo
Originally posted by jubby
Where does it say they have to sell it to you??

i got that info from trading standards, however they dont HAVE to offer it at a loss but generally do,perhaps its my fault for not making that point clear. but if you enter a store for an item and they say it isnt in stock but there is one on display,you CAN ask to take the display model, and they HAVE to sell it you,but as i said earlier it is entirely at your OWN RISK and you cannot return it unless it fails to perform the function for which it was purchased.

if its scratched or dented etc thats YOUR FAULT and you should have checked before leaving the store,you have no redress on this point.

the discount is up to the manager ,he DOESNT have to offer one,but if you want the item that bad thats the risk you take

If they state that display stock is for display purposes only then they don't have to sell it.

A lot of big stores display this somewhere.

Originally posted by jubby

If they state that display stock is for display purposes only then they don't have to sell it.

A lot of big stores display this somewhere.

yes this is true if as you say they display the fact that the item is for display purposes or if it is a dummy model of course

We prefer Comet at Wadsley Bridge but we never buy extra insurance. Nothing has ever broken down within 5 years.


Touch wood.

Originally posted by Indigogo
We prefer Comet at Wadsley Bridge but we never buy extra insurance. Nothing has ever broken down within 5 years.


Touch wood. you've jinxed it now

I used to work for currys, and believe you me all their bothered about is selling you an overpriced warrently called cover plan. they couldn't give a dam about customer service as long as you buy the cover, if you ask a member of staff about their coverplan, they will be able to resite the who policy from back to front, but as for product knowledge you've no chance. next time you visit take note on how quick the salesperson trys to get rid of you soon as you say that you don't want the cover. on a good note if you do normally buy the cover then play hard to get you'll get a discount.

Originally posted by roth ghost
I used to work for currys, and believe you me all their bothered about is selling you an overpriced warrently called cover plan. they couldn't give a dam about customer service as long as you buy the cover, if you ask a member of staff about their coverplan, they will be able to resite the who policy from back to front, but as for product knowledge you've no chance. next time you visit take note on how quick the salesperson trys to get rid of you soon as you say that you don't want the cover. on a good note if you do normally buy the cover then play hard to get you'll get a discount.

The cover plan is better than most other extended warrenties, as it offers a theft insurance on the first 12 months. I'm not saying its good becuase I work for DSG, but a lady called a while back and the price for the product was the same but comet was charging about a third more but offered a lot less, no theft insurance, no software support line and no health checks.

I bought a Creative MuVo MP3 player last night, and was offered coverplan, but as i only had my money for my goods didn't get it, but will be as you can buy it up to a year after buying goods. Now the player cost £80 the coverplan will be £18, I'm off to the states and will be taking the player with me so will be glad of the theft insurance if it gets nicked, no excess, and a like for like replacement. not bad for 18 quid.

i work for Currys ( NO DON'T SHOOT ME YET) and the policy is that with large items such as freezers etc.. that the larger stores may keep 1 or 2 in stock, however, due to the range of goods they sell, from batteries to American Style fridge freezers, the amount of space is limited. The 1p charge you incurred should have been discounted off the price so you only pay the price shown i.e. £199.99. I know we don't always get it right but we do try. But have to say the best Currys to visit in Sheffield for service is the one on Chesterfield road, they have an almost zero rate for complaints,( i know this for a fact).

Originally posted by snoangelxx
i work for Currys ( NO DON'T SHOOT ME YET) and the policy is that with large items such as freezers etc.. that the larger stores may keep 1 or 2 in stock, however, due to the range of goods they sell, from batteries to American Style fridge freezers, the amount of space is limited. The 1p charge you incurred should have been discounted off the price so you only pay the price shown i.e. £199.99. I know we don't always get it right but we do try. But have to say the best Currys to visit in Sheffield for service is the one on Chesterfield road, they have an almost zero rate for complaints,( i know this for a fact).

Learn to paragraph.

Take one idea and then when the idea is done, start another paragraph.

The only exception to this is for comic-effect.


Word count is not that important, but slice your writing into 'bite slice 'pieces.

As an ex-dixons employee. . i could tell you some stories that'd make milk go sour and your toes curl. . . and I aint no disgrutled type . . these are real life scenarios that show that anything to do with dixons should be avoided at all costs. . .

They market to muppets and the muppet mentality (no offence but there are a shed load of mugs and muppets in society), and they use this to their advantage to take the pee . .

Forget Dixons and associated stores exist and you'll life will be more pleasant and fruitfull. . .

If you buy on line from Currys you can very often get a large discount and free delivery. But if it breaksdown then the fun starts, as they are completely flummoxed as to which store to return the item to.
Be prepared for lengthy phone calls on hold,and being shunted around.You must insist on speaking to a supervisor. Eventually one department may deliver and another might collect the faulty item.
Hope my paragraphs and spelling are ok,at least it is not in text message format.
Cheers

Originally posted by jubby
Everyone keeps saying becuase a large chain was bad they went to argos.

Have you ever asked about a product in argos or wanted to look at one before you buy.

Product knowledge is the same as the catolouge, ie what is written is what they know.

And if you want to view something you have to buy, wait for it to come down, and then if you don't like get a refund, now that is mad.

I work for Argos and that is untrue. If you want to view something, you don't have to buy it and then get a refund.

Request a customer view at the tillpoint and this will be arranged. Once you have viewed the product, you have the option to take or leave it. If you want to buy it, you will be pushed to the front of the queue so you don't have to queue again.

I'm honest with customers if i don't know what i'm selling them. The latest Argos catalogue has 4000 new products, there's not a chance in hell I can learn about them all.

Originally posted by gizmo
PC world (part of the currys / dixons group) at the retail park are a classic example of staff not knowing what they are selling.


so so true. i wanted a new email programme and went in there for advice on which to download.

i was told by two blokes who worked there that outlook express was the *only* email programme that existed!!!! not that it was the best, or anything, but that there were no others in the world! (now happily using courier btw)

hmmm!

it's so so bad that they were going to charge you for delivery for an item they didn't have in stock!

a few weeks ago i bought a vegetable rack from index. it only cost £6 or £7 but as they didn't have any in stock they delivered it 2 days later for free.

i do love argos though :) i often find products on amazon to read the reviews, then search a few different sites for prices. it's much easier for me to get bigger things delivered, as i don't have a car, and my health isn't great.

the only problem with argos is returning things :rolleyes:

Originally posted by purplepippa
the only problem with argos is returning things :rolleyes:

Have to say I agree there, returning things isn't the easiest thing to do. But honestly, some of the lame-ass excuses for returning things do make you laugh.

I find it harder to return stuff to Dixons/Currys though, they try every trick in the book to prevent it.

I had to take back an unwanted birthday gift to Currys which was still boxed (unopened) but had been bought 17 days before my birthday.
Although I had the receipt the ROTHERHAM branch customer services employee couldn't have been more 'jobsworthy'.
- Tough, it had gone over the 7 days for refunds :loopy: policy.

So I humped it back home again (it was bloody heavy) & rang The Currys branch at Meadowhall.

I explained the problem again.
Not a problem, bring it in. What a lovely lady!

It was later in the evening I eventually got it there as I'm on 12 hr nights & needed my bed.


I'd just like to thank Joanne (telephone help staff), Hazel & a third staff member whose name I didn't manage to catch at the Sheffield branch for being so nice, helpfull, friendly & interested / interesting!
:clap: What a refreshing change to get service like this. :thumbsup:

Originally posted by dinp
I work for Argos and that is untrue. If you want to view something, you don't have to buy it and then get a refund.

Request a customer view at the tillpoint and this will be arranged. Once you have viewed the product, you have the option to take or leave it. If you want to buy it, you will be pushed to the front of the queue so you don't have to queue again.

I'm honest with customers if i don't know what i'm selling them. The latest Argos catalogue has 4000 new products, there's not a chance in hell I can learn about them all.

dinp

I have purchased items from Argos many,many times have never once had a problem or had a complaint with the service that I have received at Sheffield Angel Street or Meadowhell stores.

Everything I have bough from Curry's / Dixon etc have all broken down for one reason or another. Try getting your money back is like trying to get blood out of a stone. Impossible. Never ever will I go there again, products are rubbish and so are the staff. Waste of time.

Originally posted by The_Bear
Just been to Currys at Meadowhall retail park to buy a small chest freezer. Thought that all I would have to do is pay for it and load it into my car. I was told they hadn't any in stock but that I could collect one from their distribution centre on Shepcote Lane rather than pay £14 delivery.
As I wanted the item today I paid for it and drove to Shepcote Lane, pressed buzzer on intercom and had to wait 5/6 mins to be let into reception. Waited another 5 mins till someone came to see me. Another 5 min wait for my freezer to show up. Guy wheeled it out on trolly to reception. After holding doors open for him he wheeled it to my car.
I was then told that Currys dont keep stock at their shops anymore and that all customers would have to collect goods in this way. If this is true then its a lot of messing around and I will shop elswhere in future. I then noticed on my receipt that they had charged me 1 pence for the pleasure of collecting it. Cheeky b******s!:mad:

The Bear: You'd have been better going onto Ebay you'd have paid alot less and most of the shops on Ebay deliver next day, no hassle, no petrol, and no cheeky B****** :banana:

Quote from Gizmo

“I got that info from trading standards, however they don’t HAVE to offer it at a loss but generally do, perhaps it’s my fault for not making that point clear. but if you enter a store for an item and they say it isn’t in stock but there is one on display, you CAN ask to take the display model, and they HAVE to sell it you, but as I said earlier it is entirely at your OWN RISK and you cannot return it unless it fails to perform the function for which it was purchased.”


Contrary to popular belief a shopkeeper is under no legal obligation to sell you anything.

You cannot make a trader sell anything to you if they don’t want to. In civil law, when goods are displayed in a shop, a catalogue or an advertisement, this is called an ‘invitation to treat’.

This means that that it is an invitation for the consumer to make an offer to the shop to buy the goods, and it is up to the shop whether or not they want to accept that offer.

Therefore the information given to Gizmo by the trading standards representative is incorrect, perhaps they should check out their own website:

HTTP://www.tradingstandards.net/pages/faq.htm