Knowledgeable, Helpful, Competitive

This was for LCE on The Strand in London.

Was looking for a mid range (up to £350) pair of binoculars. They spent time talking to me to find out what I knew and what I wanted - so the advice that I got back was pitched at the right level. I felt that they respected my knowledge (as little as it was). They didn't up-sell - once they know what my limit was they didn't do an estate agents job and push me up another 20%. I didn't feel that I was pushed to get the staff's favourite - but something that was right for me. I know you can spend a lot more on Bins but £350 is a lot for me.

They gave me good information about what they had in stock and what they didnt, and They offered (and were clearly prepared to) to get other stock in for me if I wanted to look at anything different.

I had great confidence that what I was being told was correct.

Now of course that might have been just good salesmanship. But I reckon they know that the person who makes a first purchase this week could be their next, regular customer. Good advice now might be rewarded by more sales in the future - which is how it should be.

The price I got was very competitive - about £30 under the average price I could have got "online" for the same product and I reckon the advice I got was worth at least another £20 so I think I got a bargain - and didn't spend up to my limit.