Last weekend, the Electric Cooker packed up. Today I had a day off and thought I’d go and pick one up from the two fairly newly opened major Household Appliance Stores in Ashford.
I had a quick scour around the Net beforehand and found that both Stores sold the same one at the same £149 price. As it’s rented property here, I went for the cheapest as I don’t intend leaving a really good one behind when, or if, I move on.

First Superstore “I’m afraid we don’t actually stock that one here Sir. We can get it to you in 5 days at a cost of £18.95 delivery”. I explained I would rather have it today and would try somewhere else.

Second Superstore, “We don’t actually stock any of the Ovens here. It would take about 7 days and a delivery cost of £23″.

Both also explained the extra delivery charge should I state and day and time (one £5.75, the other £7.50)

Whilst in the vicinity, I thought I’d pop over to that ‘very big and famous DIY Store as I’m looking for a small Shed to use as an Office.
So, into the Gardening Section I go and can’t see any. ‘Ah, must be in the Building section’. That’s at the other end of the Store and a Bus ride away.
I look around there, nothing. So I ask the Chap who’s trying to move a Paving Slab twice the weight of him and he informs they are actually in the Garden Section.
So back I go again and this time walk up and down every nook and cranny - can’t see any.

At last I find someone to help me. “Have you Garden Sheds” I ask in my usual polite manner. “Yes, follow me” comes the answer.
After another 45 minute trek through ‘Stackem High Paint Tins detouring the Easter Holiday blighters, we arrive at the Information Desk where she gets me a Cataloque. “There you are Sir”. I ask “Don’t you have any to look at here?”. “No Sir, they’re flat packed and stocked in our Warehouse. Delivery takes approximately 7 - 10 working days and there’s an £18 delivery charge”.

Now, call me old fashioned, but there are some things you want to buy which you want to look at first, Sheds being one of them. Or am I being just stupid?
Also I’d have thought; £167 Flat Pack 6′ x 4′ Shed, widest part 4′ wide - nice and easy sale, pop it on the Roof Rack or between the kids eating their Happy Meal in the back of a 4 x 4 and Bob’s your Uncle!!

No!

Oh well, tail below me, I return home and go back to my friendly PC. Find the same Oven, £15 less Retail, £4.95 delivery charge with am or pm options and arrives in two days !!

Although I can’t afford the Shed yet, but same Company, same price, £4.95 delivery charge and a five day delivery stating am or pm!

So my conclusion is that if you want to buy anything more than the size of a Microwave, buy it on the Internet - it’s cost effective and saves you driving around Town using up expensive Petrol, saves a six mile walk around the Stores excluding the Car Park when you could be sitting in your Garden amusing yourself by waiting for the Cat to doze off and fall off the Sun Lounger you should be sitting on anyway!.