DFW's can you help out my DH?

immoral_angeluk

My DH is going for a promotion at work and wants to do some research before interview so he can go in with some fresh new ideas and I thought this would be the perfect place to get people's honest opinions so the question is.....

What would you want to see change about HMV? (The music/games/video/dvd shop)



Massive thank you's in advance to everyone for their replies from both me and DH.



Mods: please don't delete or move this as this is aimed at helping us as DFW's because if DH gets the jobs it would mean a pay rise of 3k a year which would be very handy considering things are so tight right now! Thanks you!

lynzpower

first off the prices. they just arent competitive when you look at online competitors or even fopp.

however the range in HMV is seriously better than anywhere else Ive been - and I used to spend a bomb in there. However, of course its stopped :A and i listen to online radio now which is free and has more variety than HMV could ever achieve.

I have to say as well, those flicking little storage presentation stands do annoy me especailly over sale time

in sale time, I tihnk it might be fruitful to have things listed by price as fopp do. I only ever look in the £3 section in fopp

Paige

HMV staff are intimitating. They are all young thuggish looking, have multi tatoos and peircings and mostly grunt at you or look at you as if you are from another planet if you want to buy an older CD, DVD. I am in my 40's and have 2 teenage daughters who also refuse to shop in there. I think your OH needs to suggest making it a freindly shopping experience, but realistically we can all buy online for a lot cheaper. Good Luck

immoral_angeluk

Paige wrote:

HMV staff are intimitating. They are all young thuggish looking, have multi tatoos and peircings and mostly grunt at you or look at you as if you are from another planet if you want to buy an older CD, DVD. I am in my 40's and have 2 teenage daughters who also refuse to shop in there. I think your OH needs to suggest making it a freindly shopping experience, but realistically we can all buy online for a lot cheaper. Good Luck

lol that's quite a good comment actually as my Dh has lots of tattoos.... lol! It is a good point though. :P

Fritha_2

I always find the music far too loud! That isn't really what you're looking for tho is it!

Ok thinking cap on:

How about recommendations: if you liked that you'll like that kind of thing.

A board showing when albums/singles/etc are due out

Local gigs (could they sell tickets?)

An easier and better promoted ordering system?

The same as above for imports?

A rare CD/film/etc finding service?


Right, I have no idea if any of those will be useful but they're the best I can come up with! Good luck Mr Immoral :-)

OberonSH

Bigger aisles - it's impossible to get a pram through all the people without Child grabbing passing items. Plus no-one will get out the way so you end up taking displays with you. I no longer go unless I don't have my DD, and that's almost never.

Plus they never have any Weird Al Yankovich.

livinginhope

Hi there IA,good luck to your DH on the job front.
I agree with the intimidating staff,I'm only 35,but made to feel 100 when I go in,which is VERY rare! I find the whole shop overpowering,I get a bit overcome when I go in,no idea what it is that does it,probably all the chrome and shiny boxes.I think as Oberon says wider aisles and also more staff on the shop floor rather than behind the one till that is open.
Haven't been in HMV for about 18 months due to the high prices,but this is from memory.
LIH

Gemmzie

The layout is terrible, that definitely needs a revamp, when it's busy the queues in the stores I've seen go back into the aisles - not very practical.

I use their online a lot and it's brilliant, great offers and fast delivery but avoid the stores.

anniestar

I agree with OP SOME of the staff can have a bit of an attitude. Point in case-Sep 06 First Level 42 new release in 12 1/2 years so VERY big deal to me.I contacted the various stores in the TC (my nearest shops) did this in person. Music zone direct were great but couldn't say for sure if htey would have it in on the Monday(VERY VERY big deal for me) spoke to someone at HMV who assured me they would have it and would reserve me a copy. Didn't want pre payment. Anyway phoned on the Thursda to confirm things still ok, they were. Momday morning as there bright and early at 9.35(they open at 10. 00) Minsding my own business standing outside not getting in anybodys way. Some of the staff seemed to think it was quite funny. Anyway, 10.00 arrives I'm straight in(very excited), straight up to counter,tell them what i have come for- blank looks,Then a grudging "I'll go and have a look" 10minuites pass,girl comes back starts serving someone else, caught her eye she tels me "I couldn't find it" turns to lad on counter"she wants something by someone called what was it level or something think its got a number in it has it?"(me frothing by now) he goes off then comes back "never heard of them to be honest". I AM STILL STANDING THERE! Its now 10.15 and I am UNHAPPY! A slightly older member of staff comes up I repeat everything AGAIN "oh right" goes off, comes back with cd. I told him that I'd ordered it (didn't want them to have one left behind the counter) He said we didnt need to do that! Point is I was getting CD's for other saddos(L42 fans!). Guess where I went for the other CD's ? Well not HMV to be sure. Our money is as good as anyones else, DH needed some DVD's for school we ordered them from Virgin and the CD I got for DH came from Music zone. Untill I feel confident that I am not going to be patronised,humiliated or laughted at I will NOT be returning to HMV. Sorry for rambling SO much. Good luck to your DH I'm sure he will be fantastic.

lynzpower

maybe im- angel

Great point anniestar
you should ask him to ask if theres any mystery shopping done. Im fairly new to mystery shopping but Ive never seen HMV mentioned as a potantial.

My mother hates it in HMV, she always has and as a tennager she wouldnt come in with me. Shes not a music fan as I am though, and she would always buy cds in asdas or somewhere as its not as intimidating.

I like in larger stores theres "specialists" ( jazz & world) but I hate to say sometimes I know who someone is and they dont.

Bargain_Rzl

lynzpower wrote:

I like in larger stores theres "specialists" ( jazz & world) but I hate to say sometimes I know who someone is and they dont.

Yep, it can be the same in Classical :rolleyes: