RETAIL | Shopping Around
Mystery shopper
Swansea
Showrooms were a mixed bag in this Welsh city, both in terms of store profiles but also the level of service offered, with two scoring the elusive 10
FG Trew & Son King Edward’s Road
Showroom: Service: Total
5 1
6/10
This showroom was located in a residential area of the city on the corner of King Edward Road and Francis Street.
I went in to ask about having my bathroom refurbished. Inside the store, I followed the signage to the bathroom displays on the first floor – this really was a rabbit warren with products displayed in lots of different areas of the showroom.
While I thought the exterior of the store was slightly untidy, the displays
inside were on a different level and looked very good. After a few minutes browsing, I settled in front of a display that featured a two-drawer basin unit, a framed mirror, a curved end bath, thermostatic shower, shower screen and radiator.
A framed price list for the individual items was placed on the basin. With no sign of an approach, I headed downstairs and at the counter, I was advised
that the l Come back next week bathroom
salesperson, Belinda, was not available until the following week.
Uplands Kitchens Walter Road
Showroom: Service: Total
5 5
10/10
With plenty of free parking available on the road, this showroom was easy to get to. I was greeted by Dale. He explained
that the business sells kitchens made by German company Kuhlmann. Dale said that the ranges are numbered from one to 12, with kitchens priced from around £3,500 to an eye-watering £200,000, although he was quick to point out that the store is in Swansea, not Chelsea. Dale asked about the size of my kitchen and I said it was small, but that I wanted to maximise storage and work surfaces. There were four kitchen displays in the showroom and Dale started to demonstrate some of the innovative features,
TW Thomas Lion Way
Showroom: Service: Total
5 5
10/10
was a long-running family business, established in 1864. I liked a Heritage Bathrooms display, which consisted of a freestanding bath, basin and pedestal, WC, basin tap and waste and a framed LED mirror. While standing at the display, I calculated that this would cost £2,422. I was then approached by Marcia, who encouraged me to bring my measurements in and arrange an appointment.
This tile and bathroom showroom was on the edge of an industrial estate and I was impressed by its neat and tidy exterior.
The salesperson was on the phone, so I started to browse. The shopfloor had lots of bunting up and it looked very well laid out. As I looked around, I noticed a sign highlighting that this
Marcia told me that the business would produce a CAD drawing, which would be given to me free of charge and with no obligation. She added that the company could recommend local fitters.
“The only way we get constant recommendations is by looking after you and doing a good job,” she said.
l Plenty of good advice and impressive displays
which included an AEG ComfortLift dishwasher that was raised off the floor and integrated into a tower display. He said that all products are made to order in Germany and could be delivered in four to six weeks. Dale suggested that I book an appointment, so that he could come and measure the kitchen with a view to producing a design.
l Dale covered all bases
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kbbreview · September 2019
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