How not to run a business: Vent only

giraffe69

I wouldn't go to PC World or Curry's if I needed advice. I went to look at a new laptop knowing almost what I wanted and when I had looked at the possible alternatives and rejected them I sought to buy it. The first assistant was from CarPhone Warehouse, the second from Knowhow (ironic title I'm sure), the third from the warehouse. In short I couldn't give my money to them. I'd have gone to John Lewis but they were out of stock. I tried reserving it online and picking it up the next day. When I went that took 63 minutes. The last 15 minutes (actually paying) were quite painful. Can I offer you Office 365(at £37 more than Amazon, £20 more than Microsoft)? No? Can I offer you some AV software, McAfee? No thank you. If I wanted some that would be the last I'd choose. Can I just pay and leave? "I'd be in trouble if I didn't offer these things to you." Not with me you wouldn't!
It was a masterclass in incompetence and "reserving online" means nothing at all. The person in front of me in the queue had done so and guess what.......

Anyway, I hope I've finally learned my lesson.

Leo2020

I'm surprised it took you so long, I have walked in picked up a reserved laptop, paid and left within probs 10 mins top. I wouldn't go looking for advice in PC World/Currys, I do my research online however I can't blame them for offering the extras, although it might have bothered you the employee would have probably been in bigger trouble if they hadn't have offered them you.

Fosterdog

What a shock, you went into a shop at the busiest time of year for retail and had to wait to be served. Wouldn't it have been easier if you just bought it online after you had viewed the model you wanted in store? You wouldn't have to queue and nobody would try to sell you add ons you don't want or need.

Reserving an item doesn't mean you get served quicker, it just means the item you want is held for you and not sold to anyone else. You still have to be served by a member of staff and if it happens to be busy you have to wait for that.

I've had to wait for ages for a reserved item in Argos on a busy day. I paid on the self service machine but the shop was so busy it was just over 40 minutes until I left with my item, it was annoying but that's just how it is at this time of year. Next time I have to choose whether to get the best price or wait until a quieter time when the item may be more expensive or out of stock.

giraffe69

What a shock, you went into a shop at the busiest time of year for retail and had to wait to be served.

It wasn't especially busy (bank holidays over). There were two people serving those who had come to pick up goods reserved online. There were 4 people in front of me in the queue. In two of the cases there was a significant delay because the reserved goods could not be found because the stock system was not up to the mark. I would think
a. reserve goods
b. they are put aside
c. go in, pay and leave

would be a good business model.

Wouldn't it have been easier if you just bought it online after you had viewed the model you wanted in store?

I did! It was picking it up that caused the delay. In retrospect having it delivered would have been a better option and so would standing on the shop floor on the second day where the only throng was assistants talking amongst themselves.

duchy

How very odd
Whenever I've clicked and collected with Currys I've had no issues whatsoever.

The week after Christmas is always very busy however and I'd have made sure I'd gone early in the day as I know I'd have not just those looking for sale prices to contend with but also those returning unwanted gifts.

I feel really sorry for retail staff many of whom only got Christmas day off having to contend with impatient shoppers who expect empty stores and don't realize they aren't the only ones off between Christmas and New Year.

Takeaway_Addict

Actually all in all they must run a fairly decent business, considering they survived the internet boom and were one of the very few to do so in that industry.

You, unfortunately just had a bad visit which I am sure they should and could improve on.