John Lewis Review

Overall Rating

Great service
Good guarantees
Very good selectionFree delivery

No ultra-cheap tat for a quick fix spending spree

If you can't think where to buy something it is always worth trying John Lewis. Almost everything you want can be found there; from a needle and thread to a state of the art PC and furniture not forgetting fashions, divine make up concessions and ornaments. But they really come into their own in the area of white goods.

I would now never contemplate buying a fridge, washing machine or dishwasher anywhere else. Two years ago I refitted my kitchen and treated myself to a new fridge-freezer, washing machine and dishwasher - all from JL. Within three months the dishwasher broke down and the guarantee covered it being fixed. A couple of months later it broke down again and the repair people could not come for almost a week (a tragedy for me as I hate washing up with a passion). I called John Lewis and spoke to a very pleasant chap on the shop floor who looked up my records and was horrified with my situation. The upshot was, they swapped out my dishwasher for a brand new one the very next day. Now that is definitely what I call service.

John Lewis have a price-match policy and when I was looking for the washing machine I spent three days combing the stores locally to find one cheaper than they offered. The best deal I could find was the Co-Op, who had one for a whole pound cheaper, but charged twelve pounds for delivery and didn't remove the old one. John Lewis has free delivery AND take away your old appliance for free. This includes any bulky item, as when my Mum ordered a new mattress they disposed of her old one for her.

A two-year guarantee comes as standard on all white goods and many other more expensive items and their extended guarantee is worth thinking about, as unlike many companies it seems quite reasonable. I took one out for my washing machine as they seem to be programmed to break down exactly two and a half weeks after the guarantee runs out.

The most impressive thing about the chain (yes, when I am on holiday I have to visit other stores!) is the quality of customer service. The staff are unfailingly polite, helpful and friendly. The cafeteria is also very pleasant with a wide range of scrummy foods; fresh baguettes, salads, tempting pastries and pancakes that will make you drool. Fresh water is always available free from a water fountain with dinky little plastic cups.

Another section that captivates me is the decorating department. Bonds have a paint mixing service so I can treat myself to another pot of some luscious colour to cheer up a dark corner when I feel a bit blue. And don't even get me started on the bed linens I have mostly managed to contain myself and have only bought one duvet set at full price, but oh, it is a lovely one in bold pink and purple stripes. Mainly I try and wait for the sales (John Lewis call them clearance events like a sale, only better!). When I can indulge with big fluffy towels (a snip at 2.95 for a handtowel) and crisp percale bed linen, soft fluffy fleecy throws and my latest obsession; flannelette sheets at a little over a tenner for a king size.

All in all I can highly recommend John Lewis for the things you want to last, the classics if you like. If you want cheap and cheerful it isn't the place to buy, but do drop by for ideas as they have a very good range in all departments. If you can't see what you want - ask! When my mum was looking for a cooker she mentioned that she had seen a particular model they didn't seem to carry and was shown a catalogue and told they could supply any model in it within the same timescale of any on display in the shop.