415 replies to this topic

[David]

'MarK G', on 13 Oct 2009 - 11:26 AM, said:

In an Independent "All Year Round" Firework Shop in Morden, South London who stocked Black Cat, Cosmic, Astra, Devco, MenShun last year. They tend to pick the best of the best from each supplier. Yet I still also purchased from Aldi last year for some cheap starter / filler packs to allow a bigger budget for the big stuff.

What did you think of the quality supermarket stuff, compare to the stuff from a shop? Likewise, how did you find the price, customer service etc?

Personnally, I've seen very little from supermarkets that I'd recommend.

[jindivik]

How do you mean by customer service David? Their customer service should be the same as anywhere else in the store. eg....you ask them where the bread is and they'll tell you...take you to it. If you're unhappy at the customer service given, it should be the service of the store as a whole and not just the service given on fireworks, suppose it would be useful to have say, one member of staff take a sample of the range home and try it out themselves so they can better inform the customers of the effects.

Suppose what i'm trying to say is if the person working the firework stand at the time is a grouch, the likelihood is they will be a grouch no matter which department they are working on at the time, can hardly expect the great customer service you would get from say, Epic.....nobody in a supermarket would offer you a brew

I think supermarket prices are quite reasonably, especially Netto, their BOGOF selection box at 9.99..i've seen a similar standard box at an all-year retailer for the same price but you only get one. The TNT boxes aren't too bad either, they're a damn sight better than the window dressed Men Shun crap i got at an all-year shop last year too!

Not trying to be biased to supermarkets....even though i work in one at the moment I try tell people they will get better value at most year-round retailers but to be honest, the closest year-round shop to here is the other side of the city and not very good value, the next option would probably be Epic. If my budget was the same as the average-joe public i would much rather get a selection box or 2 from a supermarket than go on a 2 hour round trip just to spend 40 quid or so on fireworks.

[David]

'jindivik', on 13 Oct 2009 - 12:26 PM, said:

How do you mean by customer service David?

I understand your general point, but to answer this directly.

Good Customer Service:

1. Polite. The person is friendly, uses appopriate words (unlike captain f-mouth at the seasonal flybynight.) The person serving isn't rude, moody or directly offensive (as I have found people to be in some shops.)

2. Efficient. The customer is not kept waiting for a long time to be served, nor are they kept waiting while staff struggle to find their order in the stock room or are unable to work the till or whatever nonsense.

3. Proficient. At a basic level, good customer service would mean the person serving has a in idea of what they are selling, and can offer appropriate advice is necessary.

4. Overall- Good customer service should give the customer confidence in the shop, and the brand. The customer should be happy with their purchace, and the transaction should have been pleasant and stree free.

I'm not saying any of the above necessarily applies, or does not apply, to any particular type of business.

[Spyrotechnics]

I guess David could mean service from a fireworks knowledge perspective

Thats where a year round stockist has the edge...normally

[jindivik]

'Starsky72', on 13 Oct 2009 - 12:53 PM, said:

I guess David could mean service from a fireworks knowledge perspective

Thats where a year round stockist has the edge...normally

I agree with what David is saying 100% you should get great customer service wherever you go, but with supermarkets it's pot luck if you're going to get a nice member of staff, or someone who just can't be arsed being there. The customer service at our store is actually quite poor at the moment

[Floydman]

'David', on 13 Oct 2009 - 11:36 AM, said:

I agree, but current other than the very basic "ejects stars" "emits sparks" all descriptons on fireworks are optional.

A good shop should, of course, be able to advise what their products actually do.

I'm afraid we are back to that old chestnut blackpowder v flashpowder and the failure of some to adjust descriptions accordingly eg, the old flash based firework descriptions (Titanium reports etc) being left on the new, weaker blackpowder fireworks.

Descriptions optional ?? Sounds outragious to me !!

I agree some good shops do point this out but sadly not all. High time they all did though before Trading Standards drop by !!?

[David]

'Floydman', on 13 Oct 2009 - 11:15 PM, said:

I agree some good shops do point this out but sadly not all. High time they all did though before Trading Standards drop by !!?

I think it's simply a case of "buyer beware." I don't really think there is much trading standards would do, unless it was a safety issue.

[Dan2310]

Just been speeking to someone who works in B&M, and they say that they aint heard of anything about fireworks in there store this year.

Just wondering if anyone has heard anything?

Thanks

[David]

'Dan2310', on 14 Oct 2009 - 4:15 PM, said:

Just been speeking to someone who works in B&M, and they say that they aint heard of anything about fireworks in there store this year.

Just wondering if anyone has heard anything?

Thanks

Who knows? To be honest, the selection is likley to be so limited that ... you are better off going to a fireworks specialist.

Near Liverpool there is Big Firework Shop and Highlight Pyrotechnics.

What sort of budget do you have?

[Dan2310]

Hi,

I will only be spending about £80, so I don't really think it would be worth me going to a Fireworks shop. Think I will just keep looking in all of the shops, and some of the regional ones around the area.

A local shop that opens up as a firework shop around this time, each year normally stocks Bulldog and Fireworks International. Are fireworks Inernational any good? Never really used this brand, thats if it does open again this year.

[pyrotechnist]

Anyone know if Dancing Red Devil fireworks are any good? saw a rocket last year with a 3 or 4" shell attached to the top of it bloody big lol and a few other big pieces.

[David]

'Dan2310', on 14 Oct 2009 - 5:18 PM, said:

Hi,

I will only be spending about £80, so I don't really think it would be worth me going to a Fireworks shop.

Oh, it will! Maybe check out the UKFR forum- it's free- and see if any retailer close to you can do you a good deal for your £80.

[David]

'pyrotechnist', on 14 Oct 2009 - 5:24 PM, said:

Anyone know if Dancing Red Devil fireworks are any good?

From what I've seen, nothing stood out.

Edited by David, 14 October 2009 - 05:32 PM.

[Dan2310]

Hi, thanks for advice!

Yeah Ive been looking at that forum for a while, tried to sign up last week, but can't with hotmail or yahoo accounts. Will have to make another email account and sign up

[pyrotechnist]

Anyone know if Dancing Red Devil fireworks are any good? saw a rocket last year with a 3 or 4" shell attached to the top of it bloody big lol and a few other big pieces.