Home Improvement Show - worth going?

[SpecialJK]

Hi - has anyone been to the Home Improvement show in Olympia before? Are the exhibitors any good?

In fact, are any of the DIY/Home shows any good? Do you tend to get good discounts on the day?

Trying to figure out if it's worth going, particularly for the windows we need.

You can get free tickets on the magazine website so effectively you're going for nothing, definitely worth going. Ver good for comparing products and you always see some new products that you might not know about. We were going to put in bifold doors and were able to talk to three different suppliers in one hour, which isn't possible any other way.

OTOH you have to wade through a lot of stuff that doesn't interest you so you have to have a list of topics and target those things - it's easy to get distracted and look at shiny things you don't need.

I learned not to take heavy glossy brochures from the exhibitors but instead take a photo on your phone of the item and their name, otherwise you end up with a bag full of promo stuff which weighs a ton and gets put in the recycle later.

We went to one at Earls Court to try and get ideas for decorating our house but it was rubbish. Unless you wanted to by a kitchen or a hot tub! There was virtually nothing in the way of décor.

I found one of those good for looking at a load of bi-fold door companies as well - and taking a look at some of the options for Karndean style flooring.

Basically, if there is a specific supplier you'll be looking at, that makes it worthwhile. Just don't forget it is a commercial opportunity for suppliers, not an amazing general demo.

I think it is a cheek anyone having to buy tickets to be advertised at, I must say....