At a glance you'd be forgiven for thinking that Wilko was a cheap, nasty discount store that sold naff products and staff who think excellent customer service is talking to you like crap. You'd be wrong then.
Next time your passing go on in, if you haven't already. They are rapidly expanding their stores nationwaide so if you don't have one in your area now you soon will. They are basically a housewares store come D.I.Y chain and seel own branded and well known branded products at quite low prices. It's one of those shops which is hard to go in and come out without having spent a fortune on products you think are "too good value not to buy".
Household products are aplenty and extremely good value. They sell bleach to washing powder, clothes pegs to disinfectant and batteries to polishes. It's well worth buying all your household products from here as it could save you a bit of dosh.
They have a great pets section which sells foods, bedding, accesories, cat litter and much more. The sell items for all popular pets like cats, dogs, hamsters, rabbits, fish, birds and Guinea piggies. I get all my supplies from here and again it saves me loads compared to supermarkets.
There D.I.Y section is also impressive. It has all the products you need if you're doing up your home like paint brushes, paint, wallpaper, borders, white spirit and paste etc. They haven't got a section as grand as say Homebase but there is plenty to choose from, so go here before venturing anywhere else.
They also sell garden accesories, kithenware, pictures & paintings, candles, batteries, bins, mats, lighting and basically anything else you can think of for your home. And also, they have a fantastic pic n mix selection which works out miles cheaper then going to woolies. They sell all sorts of other snack foods such as crisps & chocolate bars (to be avoided if on a diet) canned drinks, soda stream accesories and various other items.
Like all supermarkets and stores Wilko also have the unbeatable offers like B.O.G.O.F's and 3 for 2's. A great deal they have on at the moment is an 8 pack of Energizer batteries at £3.87 on a buy one get one free basis! Stock up for christmas toys parents!! They also have products at half price and various other discount levels.
So all the above departments have both branded and no branded items that will save you a fortune but what is the store and staff like i hear you cry? Well the staff are obviously better trained than other discount stores as they actually amile for a start. But they also greet you and speak to you like a human. Another good point about customer care is the fact that they have a customer service desk for an quieries you have. One gripe i would have about the store is that they always seem to have huuuge queues, especially at lunch times. Soon as they've sorted out their staffing problems, they'll be sorted.
The store itself is clean and well presented with products stocked in strategic place and not placed anywhere and everywhere like some other stores. Products are usually always in stock and if they are not then they will be more than happy to order it in for you. Stores tend to be quite large so only pop in if you have some spare time.
So with all this in mind Wilko seem to have hit upon a winning combination of having great products at low prices, having decent staff and having their stores well presented so it doesn't look like so many of the other discount stores around at the moment. If you haven't been in one - you must. If you have been in one i'm sure you'll agree with me in saying that they are a well-worthwhile store.
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I am a huge fan of Wilkinsons too. I agree with everything you say. Perhaps the only criticism I have of the Wilkos stores I've been in is the way they put those 'special offer baskets' in the middle of an aisle. Space is quite limited between the aisles, espcially at busy times, without these being in the way. Great op. Ali.
holly3 06.09.2001 11:55
My nearest store is 20 miles, but I stock up once a month, otherwise I have to BOGOF at tescos. Thanks for the tip on sweets and crisps, I am on a diet and have lost two stone!
Well written op, and you seem to have covered most of the products.
tange 04.09.2001 18:50
A good op....I love wilkos..cheap and good stuff too...couldn't believe it when they started selling clothes too!
Advantages: It sells everything, and at very reasonable prices. Disadvantages: In my local store the Security Guard is of undefined gender, and scares me ;)
Fuschia 30.03.2001 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Wilkinson (Shop)
Aug 31st, 2001
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