I want to write a review about a lunch-box, but i'm stuck what catagory to put it under. Help please...
I want to write a review about a lunch-box, but i'm stuck what catagory to put it under. Help please! ?
Member since:11.02.2004
Reviews:228
Members who trust:101
I only came across this shop 3 years ago, when i was walking about in Portsmouth. I went in and had a look around at all the different things they sold Toys, Games, Clockwork toys, Experiments, Musical intruments, Bath items such as ducks & wind up frogs and much more.
Remember them fotune teller fish you used to get from crackers which curl on your hand? Remember a cup with a ball and string attatched to it and you had to get the ball in the cup? This is the ultimate shop to ring back all your childhood memories!
I was looking for work over xmas and decided to apply for a xmas temporary position there. My application was successful and I began work there in Oct. It was a while before I got used to where everything was anc when customers came in the shop asking for specific things I wasn't too sure what they were on about so I had to get someone to help me, but a few weeks later I knew what everything was and where they were. I was on about £5.80 an hour, which i thought was good.
So what do Hawkins Bazaar sell? Its a very large selection of toys, gifts & novelties such as paintball guns, stunt kites, pogo sticks, Games
& puzzles glow in the dark items, art & crafts creative sets, Grown up stuff including your own home brewing kit, Candy bra's, handcuffs and other items. Science & experiment kits, books, clockwork toys, candy grabbers, coin pushers, Wooden toys and items, the list is endless, They also have a great pocket money section which kids love. Prices can start from as little as 30p! They also have a very impressive glow in the dark section which is located in a black painted part of the shop and includes glow stars, glow sheep, glow bracelets & necklaces, glow glasses and head bands, glow skeletons, glow ducks and more!
Working here over christmas was extremely busy, it was non-stop all day and customers were spending as much as £200.00 a time on stocking fillers, gifts and games for christmas parties. I remember looking up at the queue, and there was a queue of at least 25 people which was going right round the shop and to the front door again! It is literally serving and filling up non-stop over xmas, you have to always be on the go! It was very enjoyable whilst i worked there as you get to interact with the customers a lot to help them and you also get to demonstrate products. You get a christmas bonus and you also get staff discount which i think is 30% (but please dont take my word for it), I did work there a while back!
After the christmas rush it does slow down a lot and the days are very slow and quiet, but thats every part of retail! Staff I worked with were friendly and chatty and we all got on very well as a team.
So where can I find a Hawkins Bazaar shop? There's currently over 30 shops across the UK, some areas to name are Basingstoke, Bromley, Cardiff, Exeter, Guildford, Milton Keynes, Reading, Winchester plus other locations.
You can order online from their website as well which is www.hawkin.com there's details about careers with Hawkins bazaar, where shops are located, and you can even fill out details to get their catalogue sent to your home or go to your local store to pick up a copy. Delivery take between 4-5 working times.
What are the quality of the products like? The quality of the products are very good and well made, although you always get a things which come in faulty due to a manufacter's fault and clockwork toys, which dont actually work. If you ever find that you have purchased an item like this you can take it to the store within 15 days with the original receipt for a full refund or exchange.
Overall verdict? This is a brilliant and fun shop to work in, but do be prepared to be very quiet after the xmas rush. Its an enjoyable environment to work in with friendly customers, who always like to chat.
You can find a gift for anyone in this shop, if your browse in this I guarantee you will leave this shop with at least 1 item, whether it's a fortune teller fish (from crackers) or a rubber duck covered in hearts, your guaranteed to buy something! Prices are very reasonable and if things are slightly damaged you can normally get them for a bit cheaper.
One warning though, if you shopping for xmas presents please make sure you order it early before the mad rush! I remember seeing a lot of dissapointed customers because they left it until the last minute to get an item and we were out of stock as well as the website!
If you do want a product staff will go out their way to try and find it for you, and if they haven't got the product in store they will give you a voucher which entitiles you to free P & P, if you ring them up and order the item.
Pictures of Hawkin's Bazaar
Clockwork Crawling baby
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Mar 16th, 2007
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