Argos

Ahhh Argos, you anger monger you. For some reason I always feel that everyone in an Argos is angry about something, whether it be the shop itself, the wait for the items or the annoyance of searching through a book for a 7 digit code.
This Argos however was actually ok. Not overly crowded, not too many people waiting and the people behind the counters were surprisingly quick and efficient. I was there to purchase a slow cooker. With the new (for me — I haven’t been in an Argos for a while) electronic tablets it is much quicker to find what you’re looking for and I had walked in and ordered with 5 minutes.
I was then given a collection number and was informed that my waiting time would be 13minutes. This was pretty much spot on — I collected the slow cooker and was away, un-​angered and looking forward to the mulled wine we were going to warm in the slow cooker — happy days!

I had reserved two items for pickup at this location. The first item was ready for pickup at the stated date and I had no problems. The second item was a laptop and it was not ready for collection the date stated. Staff told me to return the next day and that it will definitely be there. I returned and the laptop was still not there for collection!
I asked the staff if they had any information such as a tracking number or anything, they were clueless. Eventually a member of staff said maybe something went wrong with the system. Staff eventually called around to see which Argos had physical stock of the laptop I reserved. I was then directed to the Argos on Holloway road that had the laptop, but not in the color I originally requested. However, by that time I did not even care and was happy to finally get my laptop.
I had read reviews on Google beforehand and thought maybe Argos on Old Street was not as bad as everyone made it out to be. Sadly I was wrong. I am now very skeptical and fear collecting at this particular location again.

Newly redesigned, and looking quite smart. You walk in, and you know exactly where to go. I highly recommend going online and doing the reserve & collect option, as well as the FastTrack. This morning, I reserved some items, paid, walked to the store and had my things within a few minutes of arriving. Fastest Argos experience ever.

The Argos toaster experiment of 2013.
I was not quite sure of this place, so I did exactly what the title says: «toaster experiment.» You do what now? You go in and you order from a catalog? In the store? Or online? And then you wait in line and someone brings it to you? Suspect business model.
So I «1-​click» reserved a 5 quid toaster last night, and dropped by today to test run.
1. 1-​click reserve via website (can also be done in store, but I prefer online)
*this checks availability at your preferred store so you do not waste a trip.
2. Argos sends you a reservation number via text and email.
3. Take reservation number to store.
4. Enter in kiosk, pay (by card only at kiosk).
5. Receive ticket with order number.
6. Move to waiting area (approx 4 feet away).
7. Wait for number to be moved to «green» on the screen. (also called audibly)
8. Approach counter, pick up toaster.
In and out in under 10 minutes. Very little trouble, and it was a bit busy due to it being Sunday.
And now I have a super cheap toaster. Which is all I needed. But I’m sure I’ll find so very much more at Argos, as its close, cheap and I literally have nothing in this flat. Let the 1-​click reserving spree begin!
*also offer delivery services — though I cannot vouch.

This is so… strange.
Instead of browsing aisles, you want me to look through this brochure?
And before I can touch it, you want me to buy it?
And then I have to take this little ticket and endure DMV-​style waiting-​by-​number?
And then you’ll magically produce my purchase for me to lug home?
So basically, you just want me to point and click while you do all the dirty work, yes?
But the burning question remains: Why would I want to put pants on to do my online shopping?

After moving to London I found my self from my empty rental flat, and besides all the furniture’s also missing all the home electronics. I needed an hairdryer, toaster, vacuum cleaner. All the boring stuff any girl hates to go shopping for.
I started browsing around the markets. I visited Tesco and Argos. I bought new kettle from Woolworths that got broken immediately. I went back to Argos. I thought the concept was funny, and I still do. I hate queueing there with the brochure. But after that it is done and if you are lazy you can book an home delivery. It is affordable, often the cheapest, and at least this far the products have worked. I am a simple girl when it comes to my home electronics.

Argos really is a funny place, and I have mixed feelings about it really. Part of me really likes the ridiculous fact that you look through catalogues just as you would do at home. Another part of me finds the whole experience really cheap and nasty.
The only thing that I have ever bought from Argos is a tent. I have to say, it was the cheapest tent they had on offer, and for 10 pounds, I have definitely had my moneys worth. A lot of the stuff you buy at Argos is cheap crap, but maybe that’s all you need sometimes.

Argos store concept is cheap mass products. But happens to be the place where I find everything I need from dishes, lamps, showercurtain to office chairs. Especially if you smash plates and glasses like me, who has not learned to wash dishes gently let alone having a washing machine, high quality investments would be a waste.
Comparing prices in London there is nowhere else where you find a cheaper and better deal then there. My flatmate and I scroll through their website and conveniently selected and deselected over and over again what we needed.
Making our way there I scroll through their big catalog. Having had a dinner party and inviting more people then chairs, our latest purchase where their foldable plastic chairs. But the most useful acquisition was their electric airbed!
After checking if it is in stock, you pay and wait around 15 minutes minutes to receive your order over the counter.
One word of warning, the cheapest deals are always sold out — therefore a reservation over their website before hand will avoid disappointment.

When I was a child I thought the Argos business model was just about the most genius thing ever. Actually, I’m lying, I was a bit of a magpie and believed Elizabeth Duke’s much maligned jewellery range to be about the most opulent thing ever. Oh that I still had such (affordable) standards.
A strange hybrid of mail order catalogue and shop, Argos takes a bit of getting used to. Locate the product of your choice in one of the on-​site catalogues, note down the product code and proceed to the checkout to order. Now, at this branch at least, the onerous part. Waiting for your item to be retrieved from the store room.
It’s not so much that service is slow in this branch but that the system seems completely haphazard. Aside from this, Argos is a useful shop for household bits and bobs (I’ve bought many an iron and vacuum cleaner from here) and the occasional piece of furniture for when Ikea really is out of the question. A caveat though: assemblage is a nightmare. If you’re not spatially gifted, skip Argos’ furniture.

When a trip to Ikea starts to feel like a climb up Mount Everest, perhaps it is best to just head to your local Argos. Argos sells everything from furniture, home appliances, toys, video games, photography and video equipment to jewelry.
The funny thing about Argos is that you never actually see your item before you have bought it. You walk in, grab a little blue pen and an order paper, flick through the very thick catalogues and take note of the order numbers before heading to the tills. Once you buy the item you grab your order number and wait at the pick-​up area where your items will then magically appear from what I can only imagine is a huge underground warehouse and is handed to you over a counter.
Having never seen such a thing before, this whole concept was and is rather exciting for me. I have bought a very trusty kettle, toaster, and hair-​dryer from this very store, but if you are not happy with your purchase, I believe refunds and exchanges are easily handled. Be aware that some of the items will be out of stock so it might be a good idea to pre-​order your items online.
Just a quick note to the boys, never buy your lucky lady some jewelry from here! I don’t know why, but I think I would be less than impressed if I ever received some Argos jewelry.