Argos Catalogue

Overview

The Argos catalog is first and foremost a doorstop, then second of all a catalog. Since as long as I can remember as a child, Christmas just wasn't Christmas without it. In the days before the internet, writing a Christmas list to Father Christmas began with the Argos catalog. About 3 times a year, they change the catalog (must cost a fortune for printing) so you can have your own version at home. The catalog is free.

What has it got inside?

The book is literally jam packed full of everything you could ever think of. It has jewellery, household items, garden items, toys, furniture, exercise equipment and tools to name just a few of the ranges the catalog shows. Each page is made of super thin paper and typically there are around 800 pages in each catalog.

How to order

You go into an Argos store either armed with the product numbers, or you get the fun of routing through the laminated catalogs instore. More recently there are electronic panels where you can check the product number to see if they have any of the item in store. You get a special order form, a special shrunken Argos pen and write down your order number. You can either pay at the cashier desk or now they have touch screen panels where you can pay and process the order yourself.

The internet

For me, the Argos catalog is an institution, but has been superseded by the internet. Instead of leafing through the catalog, I can now just go to Argos.co.uk and search for the item I want. I can reserve it there and then so I can just glide into an Argos store to pick it up knowing they will have it in stock, cutting out the need for a catalog and shrunken pen.

Overall

The website is much easier than the catalog to use. It's time is numbered. It is perhaps back to being a doorstop for my friend the Argos catalog?