Birmingham Union Street Argos — Local services in Birmingham

Due to 2nd government lockdown in Nov 2020 the store would only allow click & collect service. They set up tables near the entrance where you have to queue in the cold and rain whilst there staff wait inside in the warmth. But that wasnt my issue. I found the floor manager she was a short asian young stockish woman ; had a bad attitude problem. It was 5pm on a cold saturday night with 1 hour to go before they shut up shop. I had to buy a mobile phone in an emergency. I went to the union store argos and then stood nearby and used my phone internet to go to the argos website, whether it was my network or the argos site it was so slow...I then had to log in I didnt know my password...I then had to type in a security code when paying by debit card. (Why the store couldnt allow customers to use a debit card devise payment for convenience I dont know...) Anyway after that arduous ordeal of paying onnline i got my phone which was quick and fast. I asked for a bag I didnt have 20p and they insisted on cash. The stocky asian female argos floor manager just stared at me as if I was a beggar asking for money. The young chap who served me was friendly and was doing his job. As I walked off I noticed the phone that they sold me the box was ripped, I felt it could have been tampered with. So I went back to the store I was only a few yards away when i realised this. When i questioned why it the box was ripped the friendly staff who served me told the stocky Asian manager whether I can replace it. She looked at me from the comfort of the store inside the warmth store and gave me such a nasty dirty stare....so I stared at her back....she told her young staff member to tell me she couldnt replace it because it was only a small tear and the security sticker wasnt tampered. But I insisted and eventually got it changed. That asian female stocky floor supervisor/manager was a nasty grotty person. She treated me like a thief. Lesson of the story dont be scared of these people, if you feel you have a right to return items then do it. This supervisor customer service skills were non existent and she was extremely poor. During a lockdown this supervisor needs to do better. People are worried when buying things during lockdown and I traveled into city centre. That female asian supervisor attitude...

Great service by LIAM the manager of union street shop . I went in yesterday 4th may as I had a saw that I couldn’t get the blade in . The manager Liam took the time to listen to my query and looked at the item realised there was a piece of metal stuck inside . He promptly exchanged it for me and put the new blade on for me so I could complete my job that evening at home . I live on my own so I don’t know anything about saws and was scared I would put it in the wrong way . Liam was friendly empathic and went the extra mile for me yesterday . Please can you personally thank him for me as without him I could but if done my job at home . He really made my day . I told all my friends about the service I received by Liam as I work in retail myself and I know how difficult it can be sometimes . Liam is an asset to your company .His manner is impeccable and service is excellent . I would like to thank mark as well as his service was also excellent as he was on the till when I first went into the shop. His service was also excellent he listened empathised and then gave Liam the information . Thank you Liam...

Not a store where I had a good experience. I was only searching for an economy kettle, but they were out of stock. I talked to someone claiming to be a "manager", but she gave no clear indication she would address concerns. Edit: Went back due to urgent need for washing machine: What can i say? A chore and hassle from beginning to end.. The server was in some kind of argument with a customer in front of me... Server did look up washing machine required (to his credit).. Once i paid, i had to call a number to arrange delivery. Delivery arrived on schedule, delivery guy complaining about injuries at work (a legal matter between himself and his employer, nothing to do with me... of course). Store/delivery service here is average in every way. A company calling themselves "Domestic & General" started spam-calling me after i purchased the machine. (They try to upsell you on 10 years "free" parts, but you actually have to pay a monthly service charge). there's probably better retailers/delivery services out there if you have time to do...