Ideal Home Show - worth it?

Stompa

I managed to get a couple of free tickets to the Ideal Home Show. Now the last time I went was about 40 years ago as a kid, is it worth a visit?

Thanks

consultant31

Stompa wrote: »

I managed to get a couple of free tickets to the Ideal Home Show. Now the last time I went was about 40 years ago as a kid, is it worth a visit?

Thanks

I love the Ideal Homes Show, but always spend a small fortune, so perhaps if you're not loaded at the mo, it'd be better to give it a miss

poe.tuesday

I loved it the first time I went but to be honest with you I think it has gone rapidly down hill, I went last year and the houses (only 2 of them from what I recall) were misserable with big queues to get in, there were massive amounts of places selling hot tubs and very expensive gazebos, all of which looked the same and the stuff upstairs was baisclaly a glorified market.

I did not see anything innotive or wow

basically I had a misserable time and I was disappointed with it

Stompa

Thanks folks, that's 1 for and 1 against then!

Lemmy_Caution

The Ideal Home Show has had its day. If you have to travel any distance, and pay fares to get there - don't bother. There are better ways to spend your money, and use your time.
The whole thing has become more of a sales show, and it has gone cold.

Girl_least_likely_to

I think if you've got free tickets, don't have to travel far and go with low expectations then I'm sure you'll have a nice time

Moomin

I went for the first time ever, last week - and am glad I didn't have to pay the full entrance fee. I agree with Poe.Tuesday, and I too was quite disappointed.

The Main room, from what I could see, was designer bathroom fixtures + fittings (lovely big showers - definitely out of my price range!), windows + double glazing, saunas and some kitchens, plus your usual Harveys, Sharpes, Moben etc stands.

I think there were 3 houses being demo-ed. They were OK I guess.

The 2nd main room , consisted of massive hot tubs and gazebos. And then you had loads of stalls totally unrelated to the theme of the show - Nail manicures, Sweet stalls, Cosmetics, Cheese, lots of wine stands, shoes, scarves and hats, MP3 stalls, handbags etc etc. You get the impression. More of an indoor market. There was a french market at the back too (I think they are only there on certain days) with only a few stalls here - chocolate, pastries and sweets, groceries....

And then upstairs: it was the kind of stuff you see on QVC. Lots of juicers, and cleaning implements. Didn't really see anything innovative up here either that I haven't seen before - other than the Dutch guy selling the little garlic puree-ing plates.

I don't think I will ever go again. And if you do go, give the npower reps a very wide berth. We got loads of unwanted hassle off them trying to get us to switch our energy provider. And the reps seemed to be everywhere.

lottyxx

Moomin wrote: »

I went for the first time ever, last week - and am glad I didn't have to pay the full entrance fee. I agree with Poe.Tuesday, and I too was quite disappointed.

The Main room, from what I could see, was designer bathroom fixtures + fittings (lovely big showers - definitely out of my price range!), windows + double glazing, saunas and some kitchens, plus your usual Harveys, Sharpes, Moben etc stands.

I think there were 3 houses being demo-ed. They were OK I guess.

The 2nd main room , consisted of massive hot tubs and gazebos. And then you had loads of stalls totally unrelated to the theme of the show - Nail manicures, Sweet stalls, Cosmetics, Cheese, lots of wine stands, shoes, scarves and hats, MP3 stalls, handbags etc etc. You get the impression. More of an indoor market. There was a french market at the back too (I think they are only there on certain days) with only a few stalls here - chocolate, pastries and sweets, groceries....

And then upstairs: it was the kind of stuff you see on QVC. Lots of juicers, and cleaning implements. Didn't really see anything innovative up here either that I haven't seen before - other than the Dutch guy selling the little garlic puree-ing plates.

I don't think I will ever go again. And if you do go, give the npower reps a very wide berth. We got loads of unwanted hassle off them trying to get us to switch our energy provider. And the reps seemed to be everywhere.

i went today,i liked it,it could have been better but it was ok,i totally agree with the n power people they drove me mad, they had about 4 stalls and asked everyone if they wanted to switch ,for god sake leave me alone !

slonik

I went for the first time this year as had a free ticket. Was a bit disappointed - there are some tasters of cheese and things to be had in the food/market bit, but otherwise no freebies. There were lots of people demonstrating things, from veg peelers to clever stain removers etc. I think it would be quite good if you wanted to inspiration for your house, or were looking to buy housey stuff. But otherwise I probably wouldn't bother, even with free tickets. In the past, I've had more fun at the Vitality Show (LOTS of free yoghurt) and the Dolce Vita (lots of free Italian food and wine to try, think it's London only).

thomas100_2

Apparently one of my friends who went on the first day of the show said that they were giving away free Dishwasher tablets (also said by poster: vellum100). However, on the day I went, there were just none at all - actually hardly any freebies at all. For the past two years they have ALWAYS given freebies throughout the show but this time they seem to be so much more cheekier. Oh well atleast I managed to get free tickets because of poster: shazam?? But if anyone is going mostly for freebies, I also wouldnt recommend it.

mummymania

I went 20 years ago and then I went again last Tuesday and was really disappointed. I got 2 'free' tickets by buying the Homes magazine. But train fare on top was £66, plus lunch, so overall it was over £100.

I'm going to the Vitality show next week so hopefully that will be better!