Rest of the questions that couldn't be answered before:
Have you had much help along the way with the revamp? If so, who from? And what sort of help - practical or ideas-based?
The help we?ve had has been the fantastic staff at Watford B+Q (now our favourite branch) getting behind our idea of reusing, recycling, and upgrading, and looking out and pointing out large amounts of re-useable, re-cycleable, and reduced items, including what would normally be waste (ie dead plants, packaging, old wood, broken bits etc) and being total stars.
In particular Morag and Andy, and also Darryl, (and Chelsea for being so positive and interested every time we show up.)
Their (and probably other staff behind them) effort and enthusiasm in finding things for us and helping us stretch this opportunity, have made a huge difference.
(We also had ideas based expertise from two customer?s in another store who came up with how we could properely fix our flooding problem using B+Q products.)
Other than that ds and myself have created and managed all the practical stuff and ideas together.
- How did you find your shopping experience at B&Q?
We?ve used lots of stores as we?re out and about a lot, and commented as we?ve gone, but overall we?ve had very mixed experiences, from poor to excellent, and I think that?s probably an issue because most people will judge the chain by which ever store they first go to and the experiance they have, and it seems to be a bit pot luck, and on some occasions dependent on customer tenacity, but in others they have been above and beyond any expectations. It would be good if weaker stores could learn what's different from the consistently good ones.
- Did you use any of the help and advice that B&Q offer? This includes their videos on YouTube, leaflets and classes in store etc. If so, how useful was that help and advice?
The decking one?s were useful, but none of the classes we'd have liked to attend were available when (or anywhere near were) we wanted to access them.
Afraid most product or DIY advice in store was frustrating. We repeatedly found ourselves having the instructions on products read to us rather than anyone having specific knowledge and most staff didn't seem to know who might know.
If B&Q could do anything more to help you next time you visit, what would it be?
Probably more clarity on who to ask about what in most stores, and better disabled access (aisles kept clear) in a couple.
- Have you had any feedback on what you've done with the garden from family/friends?
Yes, everyone?s been really positive and surprised at how much has been achieved as the transformation has been a lt more than cosmetic.
- Has the transformation had a big impact on you and/or your family?
A very big yes!
We set out to just be able to use the space, but by reclaiming it a chain has been set in motion. We?ve had a run of disasters that have left us not living the way we?d like to and pretty overwhelmed.
We now have a space that represents what we can achieve regardless of circumstances, and it is acting to remind us of what we can do and spur us on to get to where we want to be. A very big thank you!