Talk to B&Q about their products and your experiences in store – £150 giftcard to be won NOW CLOSED

[KatieBMumsnet]

As you may have seen recently, we're working with B&Q, who so far have helped lots of MNers revamp their unloved rooms and gardens. B&Q are very keen to get more of you trying out their products/services and going in-store to check out what they have to offer. You can also find loads of information and advice on revamping your rooms and gardens on the B&Q pages on MN.

• Have you visited a B&Q store recently? If so, which one did you visit and what did you think? If you haven't visited recently, what would convince you to go along?
  

• If you have been to a B&Q store recently, were the staff helpful? What did you think about the product range and presentation?
  

• What, if anything, do you think B&Q could do better to get more people in store?
  

• Have you or your DCs attended a You Can Do It workshop or Kids Can Do It class? If so, which one did you attend and what did you think of it?
  

• If you haven't been to a B&Q store recently, after looking at the B&Q pages on MN, which pieces of advice or info (if any) did you find the most useful? Has any of the info you've seen made you feel more confident about taking on a redecoration project of your own?
  

Everyone who posts a comment here will be entered into a prize draw to win a £150 B&Q giftcard.


Please note that any comments you post here may appear on the B&Q pages on Mumsnet and potentially elsewhere.

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

[Cherrygrape]

• Have you visited a B&Q store recently? If so, which one did you visit and what did you think? If you haven't visited recently, what would convince you to go along?
  

I have been recently to my local store and it was a good visit as always. I normally choose to go to b & q over other stores like it as it is cheaper and has most things we need.

• If you have been to a B&Q store recently, were the staff helpful? What did you think about the product range and presentation?
  

The staff are friendly and helpful, one lady has helped entertain my daughter at the till a few times which is great. The presentation is good and the range is normally good.... It's a shame that the things i have needed that aren't in our store are often not available online

• What, if anything, do you think B&Q could do better to get more people in store?
  

Just getting the stocks right, having what you say is in stock- in stock and having more available online.

• Have you or your DCs attended a You Can Do It workshop or Kids Can Do It class? If so, which one did you attend and what did you think of it?
  

No we haven't attended, my dh is good at DIY and my dd is too young

I liked seeing the unloved room renovations that were on the website. One in particular has inspired me to make rooms more colour co ordinated.

I do think b & q is a good store :)

[Musicaltheatremum]

Currently renovating my daughters flat. Went to B&Q at the fort in Edinburgh. Fantastic service. Very helpful staff. Even got me a discount as buying so much. Super store as so large. Their kitchens have improved greatly over the years.

[Turnipvontrapp]

Went today, the staff member was very helpful!

[stephgr]

I haven't been to a B&Q for a couple of years because we now live very close to Homebase. Plus, the last time I went to B&Q the queues were so enormous that I walked in and came straight-out. I'd go back if B&Q could persuade me that my shopping experience won't involve waiting in queues for ages

[DifferentNow]

I visited the Dunfermline store recently. It wasn't a great experience. The staff are nowhere to be found and the store layout is impossible. It's really hard to find what you're looking for and I always end up wandering around for ages before I find what I'm after.

I think that free DIY workshops are a fantastic idea - I would definitely be interested in attending one but they don't run at my local store.

Having more available staff, visible and willing to help would make me choose B&Q over another similar type of store.

[Willemdefoeismine]

Have you visited a B&Q store recently? If so, which one did you visit and what did you think? If you haven't visited recently, what would convince you to go along?

Yes I have but not recently. We used to have two within walking distance but both have been closed for a good few years. The closest two are now about a 30 minute bus journey away in opposite directions so not entirely convenient, especially when we have Homebase, Wickes and IKEA more accessible!

I have no problem with B&Q other than the distance issue otherwise I would be happy to visit them. So the issue is proximity - open one in a nearby retail park and I will happily visit. Variety is the spice of life methinks and if my memory serves me correctly B&Q do have a good range of affordable products!

• If you have been to a B&Q store recently, were the staff helpful? What did you think about the product range and presentation?
  

Not applicable unfortunately.

• What, if anything, do you think B&Q could do better to get more people in store?
  

Some type of 'marriage' akin to the Homebase/Habitat/Laura Ashley collaboration would work very well to my mind....

• Have you or your DCs attended a You Can Do It workshop or Kids Can Do It class? If so, which one did you attend and what did you think of it?
  

Yes DH and DD have been to a couple of the Kids Can Do It Workshops and thoroughly enjoyed them!

• If you haven't been to a B&Q store recently, after looking at the B&Q pages on MN, which pieces of advice or info (if any) did you find the most useful? Has any of the info you've seen made you feel more confident about taking on a redecoration project of your own?
  

It's all been inspiring really. I can't believe how innovative and creative the Mumsnetters have been!

[WetAugust]

• Have you visited a B&Q store recently? If so, which one did you visit and what did you think? If you haven't visited recently, what would convince you to go along?
  

Longwell Green. It's vast! But it's always out of stock in the full range of hinges, sliding bolts and metal joining plates.

• If you have been to a B&Q store recently, were the staff helpful? What did you think about the product range and presentation?
  

Staff are really helpful and very knowledgeable. Wanted replacement door knocker and staff member ensured it had same fixings as old one so I wouldn't have to drill new holes. Also gave me tip on replacing Stanley blades.

• What, if anything, do you think B&Q could do better to get more people in store?
  

Offer discounts more frequently

• Have you or your DCs attended a You Can Do It workshop or Kids Can Do It class? If so, which one did you attend and what did you think of it?
  

Have not been to one.

• If you haven't been to a B&Q store recently, after looking at the B&Q pages on MN, which pieces of advice or info (if any) did you find the most useful? Has any of the info you've seen made you feel more confident about taking on a redecoration project of your own?
  

Got the idea for raised bed planters. Hasn't increased my confidence. Have always done all my own redecoration anyway.

[pussinwellyboots]

Have you visited a B&Q store recently? If so, which one did you visit and what did you think? If you haven't visited recently, what would convince you to go along?

We often pop into our local (Penrith) store to buy bits and pieces

• If you have been to a B&Q store recently, were the staff helpful? What did you think about the product range and presentation?
  

The staff are helpful when asked and it feels a pleasant store to go into (easier than wickes which seems to be for hardcore DIY/trade)

• What, if anything, do you think B&Q could do better to get more people in store?
  

Special offers, events,

• Have you or your DCs attended a You Can Do It workshop or Kids Can Do It class? If so, which one did you attend and what did you think of it?
  

No, i'd be keen but I don't think that our local store do them,

• If you haven't been to a B&Q store recently, after looking at the B&Q pages on MN, which pieces of advice or info (if any) did you find the most useful? Has any of the info you've seen made you feel more confident about taking on a redecoration project of your own?

[xxxkadzxxx]

I visited my local B&Q in Norwich, Hall Road last week. I usually try to avoid the store as i find the staff in there extremely rude and unhelpful but i had to go as Homebase had closed early! It was average, as expected and the same members of staff were standing there looking sour! A staff member with authority was actually having an argument with a customer on customer services as i entered the store.

As stated above the staff are very unhelpful and rude except a few. There are a lot of young staff in there who i actually felt sorry for as they didn't seem to know a lot but had a lot of responsibility. They tried to help their best but were unable to. Other staff were very hard to find, there didn't seem enough. The product range and presentation were both good.

I think they should improve their staff-have nicer people and more of them! I also think their staff should be trained better and not have so much responsibility on their hands until they are. I also think they should have better promos to attract customers. I have only ever gone to B&Q after seeing one promotion which was relevant to me. Although there are lots offered and advertised i dont think the deals are particularly cheap, especially compared to other competitors and even discount stores. A lot of the checkout staff don't seem to know about the membership card and how it works! I think it would be nice if i didn't have to explain it to them everytime i go into store, perhaps they should be introducing it to other customers instead?! I also think it would be good to have a proper loyalty scheme and a proper card as well, at the moment i have to carry a piece of paper in my purse with my membership number written on it!

I haven't attended any and nor have my children but i would really like to give them a go. The courses which have appealed to me haven't been local unfortunately but when one comes up nearby which i am interested in, i will definitely attend.

I am keen to take on a redecoration project of my own but it wont be for a while until my bank account recovers from the summer holidays!!

[wheretoyougonow]

I went to the store in Abingdon yesterday and today. I have to be honest I was disappointed. We needed help to choose the right tap but although there were four members of staff close by they were all chatting about their social lives.
We did buy some things but the store looks run down and old. Next time I will be trying the nearby Homebase first.

[LaTrucha]

• Have you visited a B&Q store recently? If so, which one did you visit and what did you think? If you haven't visited recently, what would convince you to go along?
  

Aberystwyth. all the staff were very helpful. I visit because it is the only big shop of its kind near me. In all honesty I do try and use the smaller ocal shops first. They often have something interesting. I find B&Q pretty dull as a shop. There's never a sense of buying soemthing because it has taken my fancy. It has most stuff I need, but I don't like DIY and I never come away feeling happy or that I have got a bargin, just feeling relatively satisfied that at least I've found what I wanted and usually the price is not too horrendous. The home decor is preety awful. It is much better than the Focus that was on the same site.

• If you have been to a B&Q store recently, were the staff helpful? What did you think about the product range and presentation? Staff were very helpful. Product range was pretty full. Plants are very overpriced. Presentation was bog standard. Home decor range is not tempting at all.
  

• What, if anything, do you think B&Q could do better to get more people in store? Why do so many people go to IKEA for furniture? A range from cheap upwards, all with a good design and the possibility you might find just the thing, or something you really like.
  

• Have you or your DCs attended a You Can Do It workshop or Kids Can Do It class? If so, which one did you attend and what did you think of it?
  

No. My children are probably too little but I've never heard of one.

• If you haven't been to a B&Q store recently, after looking at the B&Q pages on MN, which pieces of advice or info (if any) did you find the most useful? Has any of the info you've seen made you feel more confident about taking on a redecoration project of your own? N/A

[GetKnitted]

I haven't visited a B&Q store recently. There isn't one near my house and I would have to have a very particular project, that Wickes couldn't help out with, to entice me that far.

In my case, if there was a B&Q reasonably close, we would go, as it is we make do with what we can get locally.

[TiredFeet]

• Have you visited a B&Q store recently? If so, which one did you visit and what did you think? If you haven't visited recently, what would convince you to go along?
  

yes, fairly recently. the Hedge End store. We go a fair bit to get bits and pieces my husband needs for DIY. I quite like it, they always seem very tolerant of us having our toddler son in tow.

• If you have been to a B&Q store recently, were the staff helpful? What did you think about the product range and presentation?
  

yes fairly helpful staff, and its normally fairly easy to find a member of staff. but we (and they) don't always find it easy to find what we are looking for, it is normally there in the store but the layout is a bit confusing

• What, if anything, do you think B&Q could do better to get more people in store?
  

easier system for finding products so we don't spend half our time wandering up and down aisles

• Have you or your DCs attended a You Can Do It workshop or Kids Can Do It class? If so, which one did you attend and what did you think of it?
  

no but I saw the posters for them and they look like a brilliant idea!

• If you haven't been to a B&Q store recently, after looking at the B&Q pages on MN, which pieces of advice or info (if any) did you find the most useful? Has any of the info you've seen made you feel more confident about taking on a redecoration project of your own?
  

I don't know about feeling more confident, but it is inspiring me to consider projects (or nagging DH to undertake them )

[androbbob]

Have you visited a B&Q store recently? If so, which one did you visit and what did you think? If you haven't visited recently, what would convince you to go along?

Went to Aintree store twice this week - for electrical socket and curtains as turning sad lounge into loved room!

• If you have been to a B&Q store recently, were the staff helpful? What did you think about the product range and presentation?
  

Staff very helful - took me to correct aisle and helped me choose item. Store was in middle of changing display when walk in.

• What, if anything, do you think B&Q could do better to get more people in store?
  

Our local one is always busy.

• Have you or your DCs attended a You Can Do It workshop or Kids Can Do It class? If so, which one did you attend and what did you think of it?
  

Never done one but would be interested so will check in store.

[confusedofengland]

• Have you visited a B&Q store recently? If so, which one did you visit and what did you think? If you haven't visited recently, what would convince you to go along?
  

We often visit the B&Q Warehouse in Chelmsford. My most recent visit there was last week. I expect we will be visiting frequently during the coming months as we have just moved house & have bought a 'project'. On the whole I am impressed with B&Q, but on this visit I found the staff to be unhelpful and the store to be rather empty in places (perhaps due to stocktaking or change of season)?

• If you have been to a B&Q store recently, were the staff helpful? What did you think about the product range and presentation?
  

No, they were not helpful. I was essentially told that a product I had ordered & paid for in July was not ever going to reach me. This product forms an essential part of a toilet, for which we had bought the rest of the parts, on a discounted price, on the understanding that we could obtain this remaining part. I was told that I could return the rest of the toilet & pay full price for an identical set - despite initially being told I would have this part within a week . I was also told that no discount would be offered, although this is B&Q's mistake . As above, some parts of the store did not have many products in.

• What, if anything, do you think B&Q could do better to get more people in store?
  

Our local store is always in poor repair - often buckets around to catch water from leaks. There is also often queueing at tills. Maybe some kind of cafe or play area to make it family friendly would help, too.

• Have you or your DCs attended a You Can Do It workshop or Kids Can Do It class? If so, which one did you attend and what did you think of it?
  

No we have not attended any of these.

• If you haven't been to a B&Q store recently, after looking at the B&Q pages on MN, which pieces of advice or info (if any) did you find the most useful? Has any of the info you've seen made you feel more confident about taking on a redecoration project of your own?

[Piffpaffpoff]

I visited a store last week to buy paint under the 3for2 offer. I hadnt been for a while and I was surprised to see a lot more soft furnishings and 'decor' stuff like pictures and stuff. It's maybe always been there but it was much more prominently displayed.

There were plenty of staff around and while I didn't need any help, if I had I would have had no problem finding someone to ask.

I've not attended a workshop, no need to or interest in doing so.

[Yonilovesboni]

I love my local b&q at chesterfield!
I have made a lot more visits as they have become trendier with the soft furnishings (there is some really lovely pieces)!
I find there is always staff around to help, the staff have always been very friendly and professional.

[Dededum]

Went to the Guildford B&Q recently to buy some lightbulbs. No problem.
Asked if they had caddy biogradeable bags, maybe, no one offered to take me to the aisle.

Only one person serving. Paid, then asked if I could have a bag, he then proceeded after prompting to pack lightbulbs. How did he think I was going to carry 30 lightbulbs?

The strore seemed on have limited stock, disengaged staff. Next time I will go next door to Homebase.

[SmeeHee]

I recently went to the Cribbs Causeway, Bristol B&Q with my husband and children to buy some specific items.

It's a large B&Q and their product range is good. We managed to find most things we needed with ease and the staff were very helpful directing us to the thing we hadn't managed to spot.

The presentation on this visit was also mostly good, however when we browsed the bathroom display area there were a couple of things that looked a bit tatty and weren't working properly. I realise that it must be difficult to keep the display items looking immaculate in such a big store but it is quite off-putting if the thing you were considering buying doesn't look like it will last long. The awful state of the kitchens in there a few years ago stopped me from enquiring about prices and we bought elsewhere.

While we were shopping my eldest needed to use the loo and I was very disappointed in the state of the ladies toilets - I doubt that they get much use during the day but they didn't appear to have been cleaned recently. It's probably fairly low on their list of priorities but the toilets could do with a refurbishment!

I was aware of the You Can Do It workshops - a friend of mine has done a couple and really enjoyed them and found them useful. I will probably look into them when my youngest starts pre-school next year. I hadn't heard about the Kids Can Do It classes until now!

[CMOTDibbler]

In our local B&Q, I find it very hard to get help if you need it - feels like it needs floating helpers who don't get dragged into customer services/tills, but are there just for advice.

A 'click and collect' service would be great for when you know what you want and just want tp grab and go - which is greatly impeded by the 'help' of children

[flamingtoaster]

Have you visited a B&Q store recently? If so, which one did you visit and what did you think? If you haven't visited recently, what would convince you to go along?

I went to the Colchester B&Q last week. It was hard to find the item we wanted but a member of staff helped.

• If you have been to a B&Q store recently, were the staff helpful? What did you think about the product range and presentation?
  

The staff were very helpful. Was disappointed with one item we wanted as the packs were all damaged with items loose in a box.

• What, if anything, do you think B&Q could do better to get more people in store?
  

Advertise special offers more widely - have more days like Homebase's "15% off everything instore" days.

• Have you or your DCs attended a You Can Do It workshop or Kids Can Do It class? If so, which one did you attend and what did you think of it?
  

Didn't realize you did these - will consider doing one soon!

[melliebobs]

I visited b&q on Saturday 31st August. It was the one in bamber bridge near preston. It was ok. Store is looking a little run down now. The big black b&q signage above the entrance is all faded no needs a good lick of paint. Inside the first few foot of the store is absolute chaos with piles of random products in the middle of the floor. I got part of what I needed. I Wanted chrome hinges for a cupboard but the size I needed was only available in zinc and brass. There were non hanging on the rail, no one around to ask, but luckily managed to find three packets that had been discarded on a lower shelf!

Were the staff helpful? Well if you read the comment above there was no staff to be seen when I needed them. Product range is good. But as for presentation I've noticed they've changed how they display the wallpaper. There used to be 6/7ft boards with a good stretch of each paper so you can really get a feel for what it looks like. Important if its patterned. But now it's more like a little square foot which isn't really big enough to get an idea of what it looks like. I'm not in the market for wallpaper right now but that would put me off a bit.

I can't suggest anything apart from give the front of the store a bit of an update to attract people into the store.

Haven't attended a workshop. Didn't even know they did them!

[manfalou]

have you visited a B&Q store recently? If so, which one did you visit and what did you think? If you haven't visited recently, what would convince you to go along?

We went to the chesterfield store for some paint, its quite well laid out and good for those who have pushchairs...like myself.

• If you have been to a B&Q store recently, were the staff helpful? What did you think about the product range and presentation?
  

We needed help finding the correct undercoat for our newly plastered conservatory wall and the staff on the paint desk were very helpful. Turned out to be quite a good selection to choose from.

• What, if anything, do you think B&Q could do better to get more people in store?
  

The Chesterfield store seemed really busy but a good promotion always gets the people in and would never go a miss.

• Have you or your DCs attended a You Can Do It workshop or Kids Can Do It class? If so, which one did you attend and what did you think of it?
  

No...Ive never even heard of them but they sound interesting.

[aristocat]

I haven't been to a B&Q store recently either but we do have a good one several miles away.
I enjoyed looking and reading the garden projects on here but it has just made me more convinced that I need decking and a comfy garden area of my own. Not sure when this will happen as it will cost £££.