David knows his stuff

I walked into the Sony Centre on Westover Road and was greeted by David.
Explaining that I was looking to upgrade my television, he asked what size I was looking for, and I said 32in.
He showed me sets and he explained the difference between the two was the different styles of cabinets.
He pointed out that the T-Series model (32T3000U), which is a Sony Centre exclusive, had “a better offer on it”.
The T-Series model had £100 off it, while the S-Series set had only £50 off.
David then said: “A lot depends on your budget, but Sony is about to launch a new 32in in the W-Series.”
He went on: “It’ll be about £850, but it will be what’s known as a full 1080 panel, which means it has a higher resolution than the two sets I have just shown you.
“It makes for a sharper image and it’s also fully compatible with next generation technology like Blu-ray and PlayStation.”
David offered to give me a call when the W-Series model was in-stock, and he pointed out that the store would deliver and install the new TV for the price quoted.
Just as I was about to leave the store, David pointed out: “The only other thing you will need to think about it something to put it on, as they don’t come with stands.
“These glass stands seem quite popular – they start at £150.”
I left the store, vowing to return to look at the new model.

Score: 8 out of 10

Focused on good advice

WALKING along Wimborne Road in Winton, I was still on the hunt for a digital SLR camera and went into Castle Cameras, where I was instantly greeted by Toby.
I told Toby that I wanted to upgrade my camera to a digital SLR.
He asked me what I would primarily use a camera for and I explained that I would use it for a combination of business and pleasure.
“Do you know much about digital SLR,” Toby asked.
“No I don’t,” I said.
Toby pointed out that Sony’s new range is “quite nice”, with the image stabilizer built into the body of the camera.
He took the Sony Alpha 350 off the shelf and let me have a play with it, and he also let me have a look at the Canon 40D, which was much heavier in comparison.
I pointed out that I did not want to be carrying around lenses and he suggested that I buy the Alpha 350 body and then buy a lens that would best suit my range of needs.
Toby said the best option for my needs would be the Sony Alpha 350 body (£499) and a Sony 18-200mm lens (£299).
I was keen on the Alpha 350, 18-70 kit (£549), and told Toby that I would go away and think about which combination I wanted to buy.

Score: 8 out of 10

Matt brews up a top sale

On Old Christchurch Road in Bournemouth is the Dingles department store, which is part of the House of Fraser group.
I climbed the stairs to the third floor, where the small appliances are located.
As soon as I arrived on the third floor, Matt greeted me and asked how he could help.
I was looking for a coffee maker and he asked me whether I was looking for a ground coffee or a pod machine.
On saying it was a pod machine I was after, Matt pointed me straight to the Nespresso range of machines as these are “the best pod machines on the market”.
He explained: “They offer more choice of coffee and the machines are small, have a sleeker design and are easy to use.”
He recommended the Nespresso Essenza, which was on special offer at £89.99, a saving of £10 on the usual price.
He explained that the Essenza does not have a milk option, but he pointed out that I could buy the Aeroccino milk jug for £30.
Matt pointed out that there was currently a £30 cash back offer running, which, he said, meant the Aeroccino was “technically free”.
Matt showed me the range of coffees and he explained that the Essenza comes with a sample pack of 12 pods, containing one of each fl avor.
Pods, he said, work out at 24p each.
The £10 offer, he added, would run until the next week and I said I’d go away and think about it.

Score: 8 out of 10

Getting the richer picture

I drove to nearby Boscombe and still on the hunt for a TV, I popped into Richer Sounds on Christchurch Road.
I started browsing the TV displays and was greeted by Ray.
“Are you looking for a particular size,” asked Ray.
I replied: “£32in.”
“Is it for the living room or the bedroom? And will you be using it for TV, DVD or games,” he asked.
He said there were two models he could recommend.
The first, a Sony Bravia (KDL-32P3020), was on sale at £499.95. He handed me a colour photocopy of a fi ve-star review of the TV from What Hi-Fi?.
Ray then showed me his second recommendation.
“This is my personal favourite,” he said, pointing to the Sharp (LC32WIE) model, which was on sale at £515.95.
He said: “The reason I say this is the best TV is that it is 25 per cent quicker than any other 32in TV we have.
“When I say it’s quicker, I mean the response time.
“If you watch a lot of fast-moving images, such as football or racing, you’ll notice it.”
Ray showed me what he meant by comparing the image on the Sharp, with one on a Samsung model that was next to it.
I pointed out that the Sharp TV was some £300 cheaper than a Panasonic model that had caught my eye before Ray had started to serve me.
Ray said: “I’d still go with the Sharp over the Panasonic model.
“When I look for a TV, I look at three major things.
“First and foremost, the picture quality; then the connectivity options; and thirdly, value for money.
“Panasonic, in my opinion, only ticks two of those three boxes, the Sharp ticks all three.
“Why pay £800 when I can get for £500 a TV that will do better.”
He offered to reserve me one, without obligation.

Score: 8 out of 10

Smiley Service

On Christchurch Road in Boscombe, I walked into the George Fry store and was greeted by Rhiannon who was sporting a friendly smile.
I made my way to the white goods area of the store, where I was looking for a washing machine.
Rhiannon joined me and talked me through three machines.
She pointed out that the Indesit model (WIXL143) at £249.95 was “a very basic machine to work”. The machine had a 1,400 spin speed and she advised me to look for a spin of more than 1,200.
Indesit, she explained, is made by Hotpoint, which she described as being “a reliable brand”.
After the Indesit model, she showed me two Hotpoint machines that were both on sale at £299.
The WT540P was a 7Kg, which she described as being for a “family load”, while the HVF344 was a 6Kg machine with a digital display.
Both machines had 1,400 spin speeds.
She explained that once I had decided which machine to have, then George Fry would deliver and install it, “that’s included in the price”.
She added: “Unfortunately, we do have to charge you £20 to remove and dispose of the old machine, if you want us to do that.
“If it’s in stock, you can have it tomorrow,” she added.

Score: 5 out of 10

Paul in a spin

ELECTRICAL appliances are located in the ground floor annexe of the Beales department store on Old Christchurch Road.
The concession is run by Christchurch-based independent Purewell Electrical.
Paul asked if he could be of assistance and I explained that my washing machine needed to be replaced.
He asked what spin speed I was looking for and he suggested that I look at machines with a speed greater than 1,200 rpm.
He showed me a 6Kg Zanussi model (ZWF12170), which was on sale at £249.99, while the 1,400 spin Zanussi (ZWF14070) at £269.99, represented “quite good value”.
“Zanussi’s are very good,” Paul said, “and then there is the upper end of the market with the likes of Bosch and AEG.
“Products range from £230 to £500, we have quite a good range here.”
He asked where I lived, so he could check when the delivery could be made – it was going to be two working day later.
Paul said: “We can deliver and install it for you – we’d disconnect and take away the old machines, and all the packaging, for £35.”
Just as I was about to the leave the store, I noticed some interest-free credit point-of-sale material.
Paul explained: “For appliances over £250, we offer interest-free credit.
“You pay a 20 per cent deposit and it lasts for six months; you need to bring something with your name and address on, like a utility bill.”
I told Paul that I would return with my wife to make the purchase.

Score: 5 out of 10

Henry is the one for you

NEEDING to replace my aging vacuum cleaner, I popped into Appliance Alliance on Cardigan Road in Winton, where I was greeted by Chris.
I went and browsed the cleaners on display and Chris joined me.
He asked me what type of machine I had previously owned.
“Was it an upright one, or a pull-along one,” he asked.
“It was a bagged, pull-along one,” I said.
Chris said: “The best pull-along vacuum cleaner and the best value is the Henry.
“They last forever, the bags take a lot to fi ll up and cost £1 each – it’s just a good, top machine, but it costs £129.
“At the other end of the scale is the Vax Mojo, which is £29, but it’s got a tossy little bag in it.”
I asked Chris what he would do in my situation.
He said: “I wouldn’t spend £50 or £60, I’d spend either half that amount and be prepared to change it every 18 months or two years, or spend double that amount and get one which will last you for 10 years.
The Henry machine, Chris said, is “hardworking – that’s why you see them in hotels”.
He added: “Henry offers a good level of filtration; and comes with a two-year guarantee.”

Score: 5 out of 10

A hive of cool activity

As I drove along Wimborne Road in Winton, I noticed that Graham’s Electrical was a hive of activity, with a number of appliances on the pavement outside the store waiting to be delivered to customers.
I was looking for a fridge-freezer.
I was greeted by Lee who immediately asked me how tall I wanted my new fridge-freezer to be.
I said I wanted an appliance that was under six feet tall and he directed me to two machines, a Hotpoint model at £279 and an Indesit model at £319.
“We can deliver and take away your old model for £15,” said Lee.
“We only charge you the £15 because that is what we get charged by the company that picks up the old machines from here.
I was in the store during the afternoon.
Lee pointed out that my new fridge-freezer would be delivered the next day, but if I ordered it earlier in the day, it could then be delivered the same day.
He explained that the Indesit model was frost-free.
Explaining that frost-free means that “you don’t have to defrost it”, Lee said that was why the machine was slightly more expensive.
He said: “If you wanted the Indesit model, we could do something on that.
“We might be able to do it at £299.”

Score: 0 out of 10

All talk but no action

I nearly fell head-over-heels when I walked into the Currys.Digital store on Commercial Road.
The cleaner was vacuuming the carpet at the store’s entrance and I almost tripped over the vacuum cleaner lead.
I then made my way to the TV section of the store, as I wanted to find out more about Sky Digital.
On my way to the ‘Vision’ section, I noticed two members of staff were having a conversation behind the counter.
As well as me, there were two other customers in the store – neither were being served.
In the ‘Vision’ department, I was looking at an impressive 47in Philips LCD TV (47PFL5522) and noted that there were no Sky Digital leaflets in the bespoke stand – but there were plenty of Virgin Media leaflets.
A third member of staff appeared from the stock room carrying a number of scart leads. He ignored me, and the other customers.
After five minutes of browsing, I left the store.
I was disappointed that I had been ignored.
As I was standing outside the shop, one of the other customers who had been ignored by staff, left the store too.
Blessed if I know.

Score: 0 out of 10

Camera shy

Walking down Westover Road, I saw an A-board outside the Jessops store, which was advertising the new Canon 450D digital SLR camera, priced at £649.99.
I was in the market for a new camera so I went into the store and quickly located the digital SLRs and lenses.
I noticed that three members of staff were having a conversation behind the counter. None of the staff acknowledged me, but I was the only customer in the store!
A member of staff came over towards me, but he didn’t say a word and appeared to be checking stock levels.
I continued to look at the digital SLR display and noticed that there were many different bundles available, so I stood with my nose practically touching the glass cabinet so that I could read the offers.
No one approached me, so after five minutes, I left the store feeling somewhat disappointed.

Score: 0 out of 10

I HAD a good day out and about visiting Bournemouth’s electrical retailers.
The seaside town may have been dark and overcast for most of my visit, but the majority of the 10 stores I visited shone.
Top of the list were Richer Sounds and Dingles where Ray and Matthew really gave the impression they enjoyed selling.
Ray is one of the most enthusiastic salesmen I have ever met.
But, in spite of a couple of falls – almost literally at Currys.Digital - and Jessops, the thing I most liked about my trip to Bournemouth was the smiles that accompanied almost every sales encounter.
Sales staff who know what they are talking about, and how to interact with consumers, are a credit to our industry.
Those members of staff, however, who choose to ignore customers, bearing in mind the current tough retail climate, are not.