QD

QD is a great place for shopaholics just so long as you can be strong and not swayed into buying tat by the bargain prices! Like many discount stores such as Poundland and Primark they have a plethora of bits and pieces you wouldn't touch with a bargepole, but in amongst all the junk a carefully trained eye can spot some real good buys

QD stores are only to be found around the home and eastern counties and the group also includes Lathams and Buyright. The shops themselves are pretty naff - typical pile it high and sell it cheap. Each time I have visited I have managed to nab some decent things. Their first store opened in Norwich in 1985 and they now carry over 40,000 lines

They are probably most well known for their discounted homeware, and ceramic goods. If you are just starting up in a new home or want to pep your house on a budget they are a great source. The kitchen section is well priced with almost everything a budding chef could want. For interior designers they stock a massive range of ceramics - everything from mugs and china to enormous plant pots and vases in a wide range of styles. Some of the styles are actually quite tasteless leaving you to wonder who on earth would buy the stuff; until you get to the checkout and see someone in front of you buying three of those disgusting pink and grey vases you sneered at just five minute ago! If you like chunky funky china this is the place to visit as they have stacks of Tapas/pasta style crockery

The array of merchandise available can be quite daunting on a first trip. They carry almost everything you can think of - food, clothes, footwear, toys, books, videos, DVDs, fishing equipment, rugs, curtains and blinds, garden products well, you name it and QD probably sell it!

Do beware though as I have noticed that the food section in particular is deceptive and often certain items are actually dearer than supermarkets and even local independent shops. The lower costing foodstuffs are usually strangely named goods that look similar to well known brands. Although I have occasionally bought some food it has too often been a disappointment so I rarely bother nowadays, preferring to stick to mainly household items

The clothes leave a fair bit to be desired, rather too much nylon and faded t-shirt material for my taste but on my last trip I bought a pair of silly really cool flat toe post sandals for £4.99. Not only do they look much more expensive than that price, but they are incredibly comfy. I did not expect them to last longer than the summer but after wearing them a lot last year they will do another summer I reckon!

QD is a good source for blinds and curtains, much cheaper than other places and often they stock some very good brands, particularly for blinds. I picked up two pairs of curtains for six quid last year - yes: six quid for both pairs; not six quid each! As the sufferer of two-windows-in-one room syndrome QD is always my first port of call come redecorating time!

The videos and DVDs are a mix of great bargains and overpricing. If you are into obscure or old fashioned movies and music you can laugh all the way to the bank but otherwise you may or may not be lucky to find anything you like for a good price

Toys and stationery is a fabulous area that I can spend hours in. the majority of toys are pocket money priced so if you need to go on a shopping trip with kids they will be happily amused choosing many things to spend their pennies on. As the proud aunt of twin boys I find I can easily afford to get a present for each child and still indulge my obsession with stationery on a reglalurly basis, thus making one very popular aunt! If you have a party coming up the prices are low enough to create some great goodie bags and there is a good variety of party items such as invitations and decorations

Many of the stores carry a good line of fishing kit - not being a fisherwoman myself I can't vouch for this, but they do come highly recommended from my fishing friends

I have not had to return anything myself yet, but as the queues can be long, particularly at busy weekends and bank holidays I have overheard other customers do so and it seems a fairly straightforward transaction just so long as they produce a receipt

The one main drawback to QD is the fact that you can never be sure what they will have in stock. So if you see something you like get it then and there; don't wait, as you can be sure next time you visit they will have sold out. Although this is a pain at times it does mean that each time you call in you will find something different to tempt you

As the goods are all so cheap and from such a variety of countries I very much doubt that they are particularly ecological or ethically perfect, but not everyone can afford to take the moral high ground!

A store locator can be found, along with their company history at their website: http://www.qdstores.co.uk/