What can I say about Argos that hasn’t been said before? It is this nations (well, the UK’s) shopping institution, but for those who live in faraway lands or are visiting from the planet Zorg here is a brief rundown of what Argos means to the lives of many in this ‘ere nation. (Who are incidentally going to win both the Eurovision Song Contest and the World Cup - in Subuteo, of course).
THE ARGOS VISIONIn the 80’s, long before surfing only referred to beach bums in Newquay, a strange phenomenon emerged on the shopping high streets in the UK. These shops were open-fronted, but only seemed to display an inferior range of products inside and a lowly sales desk at the back.
On closer investigation, Argos was a new-fangled idea combined with a traditional one, which brought together high street and catalogue shopping: the idea was borne and here emerged the ‘catalogue shop’.The idea was ingenious. Customers could pick up a store catalogue or browse the catalogue in the shop, chose what they wanted, pay for it and it would be surreptitiously delivered to you within a few minutes from ‘Upstairs’. Unlike normal shopping catalogues, there was no waiting for 28 days or more for your order to arrive, and what was totally amazing was that the range to chose from was better than good old fashioned Woolworths or most small-sized department stores. And Argos was cheap!
Today, the Argos ethos is exactly the same. Stores can be found in most towns and cities selling items ranging from toys, kitchen equipment, furniture, white electrical goods, televisions and DIY equipment. Items are bought and brought to consumers in exactly the same way as they did in the beginning, but with a greater choice in the range of products plus more convenient delivery and ordering options.
THE CATALOGUES
There are now two catalogues available which both have two editions a year (Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter). The original Argos catalogue
sells the same range of products that it always has. The second catalogue, Argos Additions, sells mainly clothes, both top-branded and the more obscure and cheaper brands. It also sells an additional range of furniture, home textiles and white electrical goods.Both catalogues are easy to follow with departmental content overviews at the front and a more detailed index section at the back.
All products are given fairly detailed descriptions, with sizes where appropriate; clear photographs are given for every item and prices are well displayed.But why do they insist on repeating some products in both catalogues? You will notice when browsing through the Argos Additions catalogue that there are in fact many items that appear in the original Argos catalogue. The sense of which, I can’t really fathom. And I do find it a particular annoyance that when looking for particular items, such as curtains, that I have to open both catalogues to browse the different selections, including duplicates.
ORDERING AND DELIVERYThere are now three ways to order from the Argos and Argos Additions catalogues: The traditional way of going into a store, filling in a slip of paper with the items number, paying at the till and then collecting your item from one of the Collection Points. The second method of ordering is over the telephone where goods can either be delivered direct to your home or can be collected by yourself at your nearest store. Thirdly, the all-important internet shopping. Goods for both Argos and Argos Additions can be ordered online at their website, which is very user friendly.
I have used the online ordering method on two occasions. Once for delivery to my home and once for goods to picked up from my local store.When goods are to be picked up from the store itself, it is the responsibility of the staff at the store to phone customers once the item has arrived at the store. There is a problem with this. Will all staff at all stores be bothered to phone customers? I was telephoned by my local store once my item was ready to be collected. However, I still find this a dubious method and would prefer an email to be sent via the website, as I had shopped via this method. I do know someone, who ordered in exactly the same way at another store, and was not contacted by a member of staff once her item was ready to be collected. Therefore, this method clearly doesn’t quite work, and it makes me wonder whether items are tracked throughout the whole process of the order.
There are some items that are Home Delivery Only and cannot be collected from the store – but this mainly applies to large or bulky items. Orders over £100, either from the Argos or Argos Additions catalogues, are delivered free of charge, however items ordered from different catalogues are treated separately as two different orders. For orders under £100, a £3.95 delivery charge is applicable. Most items are delivered or available for collection within 48 hours of the order being placed, however Argos recommend that 14 days should be allowed for Home Delivery Only items as these normally come directly from the manufacturer.On previous form, I have found Argos delivery particularly good and they have stuck to the day and timeslots quoted.
THE EXTRASAs well as a store credit card, Argos have their own loyalty scheme, Premier Points which can be collected either by using their credit card or through their partners i.e. BP, Choice Hotels, Family Hampers and some utility companies.
Full refunds can be made on any products bought, as long as they are returned within 16 days of purchase. Argos also offer a Wedding Gift service and extra insurance cover for jewellery, domestic and electrical items.
THE CONSUMERYea, that’s me.
Over the years I have bought countless goods from Argos, and most recently on their website.In recent months I’ve been buying bits and pieces for my flat, and have had mixed experiences.
Firstly, my last purchase was a window blind for £12.99. Good value and the description was promising. “Easily trimmed to size…Complete with fittings and instructions”. What it failed to mention was that the fittings were plastic, the draw cord was a plastic beaded contraption that came apart and was also too short for my window, despite the blind having ample length. A disappointing buy, which was incidentally one that’s delivered direct from the manufacturer.Another purchase was a Canvas Effect Wardrobe costing only £29.99. Basically a wooden frame with a canvas ‘effect’ cover which protects the contents of the wardrobe from dust. This was a flat-packed little gem which was not only difficult to put together, but the wood was cheap and split and quite frankly doesn’t look to stable when it’s put together. Another ‘direct from the manufacturer disaster.
One of the good buys I’ve received from Argos was a Daewoo 21-inch television. After hunting around online, Argos actually provided the best TV for the best price and delivery was free. Delivered, directly to my parents, it was delivered on the correct day and within the timeslot quoted.And, I hasten to add, there have been many more great things that I’ve bought from Argos.
THE VERDICTOk, so you’ve got this far. You’ve read the facts and figures, but how does Argos really shape up in comparison to their competitors and the expectations of consumers?
In recent years, Argos has had to really struggle to keep hold of their consumer base. Similar to Marks & Spencer, Argos products were once considered dowdy and old fashioned. The competitive market increased with the emergence of Index in the catalogue shopping sector; IKEA in the cheap but fashionable furniture and homewares sector and Wilkinson’s dominating most towns and cities with it’s all-round cheap home and garden goods. Suddenly, everything wasn’t looking as rosy in the Argos garden.So now they have a telephone and online ordering. Two things that many of their competitors still don’t have (IKEA being one). They have also become fashionable, with a range of homewares and textiles that will appeal to most tastes and a range of furniture designed by Lawrence Llewlyn Bowen.
The only problem I have experienced is the quality of some of the non-branded goods – those that come from obscure manufacturers. Beware of these, and beware of goods that appear too cheap. However, the reassurance is that you can always return anything that doesn’t match up to your expectations within 16 days of your purchasing it, as long as it complete of course.
Maybe the future is looking brighter for Argos…
14.05.2003 13:20
A really good and through verdict on Argos.
17.06.2002 18:49
Thanks for the op. I think I would still prefer the online shopping rather than the 'catalogue' shop. Surely the point of a shop is so you are able to touch and feel etc. the product you are buying. Good review, I enjoyed the read!
17.06.2002 18:48
Thanks for the op. I think I would still prefer the online shopping rather than the 'catalogue' shop. Surely the point of a shop is so you are able to touch and feel etc. the product you are buying.