Argos

I have shopped at Argos since I can remember. I remember going in with my mum and dad when I was a kid. But even back then, the queue were diabolical!!
Even now, you go into the store, Try to find a parking space, wait ages to get to a catalogue, and then find your items out of stock. Then You get stuck in a mile long queue to pay. Once you pay, you then have to wait for your item. Now they think they are clever with their new waiting system. But they are NOT! You have to sit and wait for your number to be called. But how many times have you been called up, and your item isn't even ready. Either that or everyone else gets theirs, and your still sitting there!!
Then you finally get you item, and you realise it's to big to go in the car, or you have to lug it on the bus. Argos can be a nightmare!!
But if your like me, and even with all those hassles you still can't live without Argos, then this site is the one for you!!

Home page
~~~~~~~~~

As you log onto the site, you go straight to the home page. This can be very confusing, as there is a lot of information on this one page. It is slightly colourful, on the header, and some of the link pictures. But the rest is just on a plain white back ground (Could do better).

What's included in the homepage?

Catalogue category
There is a list of the category , i.e. jewellery, toys, garden etc. You can click on these to go to the section you require.

Sales
There are links to the sales department. This is a good place to look. Especially when the have just had a new catalogue out, as they have a clearance sale of things from the old catalogue, that are not in the new one. You can get great bargains!!

Links to their other services
They have a range of other services, and they have info on them on line. Such as,
Wedding lists, Insurance, Flowers etc So you can look them up on line. And some of them, like the wedding list, you can set up on the website. This is a very handy service. I used this when I got married, and I had to write mine down. This way you can browse and click. It's all very easy to fill in, and easy for family and friends to see what you would like.

Store locator
You can use this to find you local store. You just need to put in your postcode, and it will give you the address of the closest one.

Price and stock checker
This is another handy service. You can enter the catalogue number that you require, and it will double check the price for you. You can then check to see if its in stock. This saves you going all the way to the store, only to find it's out of stock!!

Ease of use
~~~~~~~~~~~

It is quite easy to use. But you may find it can be slightly hard to work your way around. You can just enter the catalogue number of what you require, from the catalogue, as this is the same number as on line. This saves you searching for the item. But if you don't know exactly what you want, then it does sometimes take a bit of searching.

What do they sell?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Argos sell a very wide range of items. But they usually have what you are looking for. They sell jewellery, toys, garden equipment, garden furniture, electrical's, kitchen implements, tents, gifts, baby equipment and much more.

Prices
~~~~~~

Their prices are very reasonable. They are normally cheaper than other shops that sell the same things. So it's very appealing. But be sure to shop around. As I said before, they have a price checker. This is as some of their prices vary as time goes on. Plus they may be reduced or in the sale. You maybe pleasantly surprised.

Have delivered or collect?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You have a choice of the two on this site. Once you have found the item you require, they offer you the choice. You can get it delivered, witch has a delivery charge, or collect it from you local store.

Collection
~~~~~~~~

To collect it you have to make sure it is in stock. If you choose to collect it, you can reserve it. This makes sure they don't sell it before you get there. They give you a reservation number, to quote when you get to the store. The only fault I have with this service, is the fact that it is only reserved until the next day. So if you order on Monday, you have that day, and Tuesday to collect it in. You don't need to give any of your details to do this. You just put in the item/items you require.
I have reserved a lot of items this way. And they are always reserved as promised. This is very handy around Christmas, as popular toys just fly off the shelves, but this way, you can try and get in first. Plus there is nothing more annoying, than getting to the store, and finding what you wanted is already gone!!

Delivery
~~~~~~~

As I stated above, there is a delivery charge. These are as follows:
Within 48 hours £4.95
Next day £7.90
Saturday £7.90
If you spend over £100, delivery is free.

The time it will be delivered in ranges from item to item.
Small items that can be carried by one person, should be delivered within 48 hours.
But larger items that require two delivery men to carry it, could take from 48 hours, up to 28 days. But most of these items give you a date for delivery or a customer services representative will phone to arrange one.

Delivery times are:
Monday - Friday 8am- 6pm
Saturday 8am - 2pm
They can't give you an exact time. So you may find your self stuck in doors all-day, for it to turn up at 6pm.

I have found that they deliver in their stated time. I am very impressed with this and have never had any problems. In fact my last item I ordered from there, was delivered within 24 hours. So I can't complain.

Delivery and connection
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Some of the items you can buy, have delivery and connection included. But the prices for these are quite a bit.
Washing machines , dishwashers etc, - £24.50
Fridge , tumble driers etc - £17.50
Cookers. Gas and duel fuel - £75.00
Electric £64.50

But there are a lot of cans and cant's involved in connection. They can only fit in certain areas, and if things are already discounted etc. So I would advice you read the small print before ordering.

There are some items that you can't order online, and have to get from the shop. These are items such as rings, and personalised jewellery.

Customer services
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There is a whole section on customer services on the web page. This gives you lots of info on things such as, delivery, returns, other services, frequently asked questions, how to contact them, and much more.

Returns
You have 16 days to return you item, if you decide you do not want it. But they do not collect the item. You have to take it back to your local store, even if it was delivered. I'm sure they would collect large items though.

If you have a faulty item, you have 30 days to return it. Once again to your local store.
Returning them is fine. Just take along the paper work from your purchase, and they will happily refund you, or give you a replacement. If they haven't got he item in store, they will order it online again for you.

If you have to return a larger item and wish to find out about returning them, you can contact Argos via Email, or telephone. The info is provided online.

My opinion
~~~~~~~~~

So as you can tell, I absolutely love this site. I would recommend it to anyone. And make the most of the services. They will save you time and make life easier for you.
I'm afraid if you reserve, you will still have to queue and wait, but it saves you getting there, and missing out. Give it a look. You maybe nicely surprised.

Thank you for reading my review.
julie xx