No Deal!

[Emagggie]

Really not sure whether I expected too much here, so look forward to other peoples opinions.
I have been given the task of purchasing the chosen fridge, freezer,tumble dryer, food steamer, iron and food proccesor for daughter no.1 who will be moving in to her own home in 2 weeks. (She has no time to spare). I went to Currys today thinking I could do it all in one hit and get a deal into the bargain. Silly me!
After chasing an assistant round a nearly empty store, I told her what I wanted and she went to see about a discount. The offer was 1/2 the delivery charge which was £19.95 for the first item and £9.95 for each additional item :o
I pointed out that I didn't want to pay any delivery charge (there were no old machines to take away) and I thought they might offer a discount as well, as the total would be in excess of £600.
The final offer was no delivery charge and £10 off one of the smaller items.
I find it hard to believe the manager let me and my money walk out of the store with no further negotiations. Am I being unreasonable?

[Emagggie]

[tricia]

Not at all Emma. I would stay away from the likes of Currys et al. I would be inclined to go to a local dealer who, in the event of breakdown, will give you better service.  A local man would almost certainly give you a good discount for so many items too.

Tricia

[Emagggie]

Ooh yes. Hadn't thought about a small store at all! Will have a flick through Yellow Pages. I know the electrical shop in the village has now closed though. (Probably through no suppport from people like me  :-\)

[cambourne7]

forget it !

You need to get DOM in

http://www.boards.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13130&get=last

I would not accept whatevery they offer you

try John Lewis and Harrods which i find very cheap ( yes i know harrods is supposed to be expensive )
try a couple of local stores to her dont be afraid to trade one off another

You might also want to try some of the online stores

I am also happy to help with the negotiation

What i would aim for is

fridge, freezer,tumble dryer, food steamer, iron and food proccesor  ( at least 15% discount and a free microwave! )

[jennym]

Have a Euronics network shop here ( a network of small dealers) called D.P.Leake, and have found the service to be absolutely excellent over the last 15 years, Would thoroughly recommend them for electrical goods.
http://www.dpleake.co.uk/

[cambourne7]

dont just over on the net though call them or email them and ask what there 'best price is' but call dom as well as they can usualy get loads of money off for you and doms a really cool guy.

[Emagggie]

Never heard of Dom, but have sent an email  ;D Thanks Louise. Also had a look at Tesco, at least I'd get loads of points,not sure about a deal though, but I can try.

[cambourne7]

you probably know who he is but dont recognise the name

http://www.dominiclittlewood.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominic_Littlewood

more on that program http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/entertainment/filmandtv/s/215/215126_dominic_the_deal_maker.html

good luck!

[euronerd]

I wholeheartedy agree with tricia. Why people think that what Currys and the rest offer is called service, I'll never know. Avoid them at all costs. Like jennym, I have a local Euronics and they get my business every time for appliances. Not only do you get personal service from an enthusiast, you get advice, some banter and the best price in town. I've noticed that you can't actually buy anything that's in Currys: they have to send off for one, to be delivered at a time to suit them. For my last fridge I went to my local man, chose my product and he helped me carry it to the car.
Anecdote: I wanted an obscure part for something which nobody could have been expected to keep in stock. I went down to Euronics with my problem and the manager looked in his Little Book, dialled a number, then handed the phone to me. I ordered the part and paid for it, and it was delivered in a couple of days. Can you get better than that?

Geoff.

[ACE]

You anti Currys lot will like this true story.

A mate went into Currys and said he wanted an american styled fridge, picked one out and they said they could deliver next day. I think this item was about £700.

They asked him to go to the  queue at the cash desk and pay, when it got to his turn the till operator went into her usual speil and said for an extra x amount of pounds he could extend the one year warranty

At the top off his voice he said  'no cancel the order, if the rubbish you are selling is only going to last a year I don't want it'.  Then walked out accompanied by applause from the rest of the queue.

[Hyacinth]

Like it ACE  ;D

Anyone want white goods in S.Birmingham, try PG(?) Haynes, Bearwood. Much recommended 8)

[Emagggie]

Louise, I do remember him in Faking it, and he is local to me of course.
Had a look at Peake, Jenny, but I'm a bit too far away. Will keep digging.
Having 'slept on it', as well as the no deal situation,I am annoyed and saddened by the no customer service bit. Whatever happened to the art of selling? Can I help you seems to have been replaced with "You a'right there?" to which the answer from me is always no.
Liked the story Ace. ;D
I feel a letter of complaint coming on............

[Robert_Brenchley]

At the top off his voice he said  'no cancel the order, if the rubbish you are selling is only going to last a year I don't want it'.  Then walked out accompanied by applause from the rest of the queue.

Last time I bought anything at Curry's (a freezer), it broke down just before the one year warranty (I won't waste money on the extended ones) ran out. So I went back and made a fuss. For once, I got an honest guy who told me that the make they'd sold me was rubbish, and pointed me towards a better one, which is still going strong. I got compensation off them for spoilt food as well, and saved almost all the food anyway. But if they'll knowingly sell a crap model, I'm not going back.

[kitten]

Since we moved back 'home' (south lincs) we've been very keen to support the local shops & companies where possible.  We had to purchase a new fridge & freezer when we moved in and although there's a curry's in town we bought from the independent store on our high street.  The prices were lower, service so much better, and free delivery - what more could you want.  And i know that if you were purchasing a whole kitchen's worth of stuff they'll have a sensible conversation with you about discount.

Good luck, i'd love to hear how you get on!

[cornykev]

Like it Ace ;D ;D ;D Every electrical item you buy today seem to have the assistants screaming do you want an extended warranty, the rubbish you buy today don't last 5 minutes, my grandad worked at ' bellings electric' nearly all his working life and had his cooker for over thirty years, my mother had hers for 25 upgrading it not because it was broken. I bought the OH a steam generator iron for Xmas (you girls should like that one) its broken all ready took it back to Argos today got an exchange but should last for years. No wonder they want to sell you  warranty's with the sh it they make today. >:(

[cambourne7]

thats why i look in john lewis and harrods they have a name to keep so quality is above price

most of there white goods ( excluding silly brands ) are much lower in price then the big high street shops who give you low price crap.

[Tulipa]

I can recommend the Euronics chain.  We bought a cooker from them last year and they were so helpful, I would certainly go back again, nothing was too much trouble. 

I have had bad service each time I have been in Currys but have gone over the road to Comet and always been much better but that just may be locally.

[telboy]

It's worthwhile popping in your local library & reading 'Which' reports for item(s) you require.
Armed with info., you can then go out for the best deal.
I agree about Currys, absolutely no training on the 'Service front!

[lorna]

I think Curry's should have staff retraining!! Son-in-la bought an electric razor with a "foil" head. The head broke, Curry's told him that part was not warranted. So I took it back again, got the same story. Pointed out that ALL parts were warranted. Was told they would replace it this time but not if it happened again. My answer was Oh yes you will.
I bought a hoover from Westgate Store (co-op) half price 10 months ago. It packed up this week, rang the help line and was told to return it to the shop. So off I went today. The assistant said that the people on the help line should have arranged for it to be picked up from me and a replacement sent out BUT she went on to say if they had one in stock she would replace it as she wanted a happy customer. One replaced hoover and a very happy customer. Hate to think what would have happened at Curry's.
Lorna.

[rosebud]

Maggie, may i suggest you try Comet, we found them very good but ask for the Manager when you have chosen your goods and ask him.
We shopped there for a washer & fridge, a couple of years ago and i asked if we paid cash would he do a deal, we got free del plus a deep fat fryer a Delongi  i chose it 69-99 so give it a try nothing to loose a lot to gain.  Rosebud.