WHSmith

Went into WHSmith to purchase some Staedtler HB pencils, WHSmith had a 3 for 2 offer on the packs of 10 pencils with rubbers on the end...£6.49 each (3 packs = £12.98). Unfortunately they only had 2 packs in stock and I was unhappy to buy 2 and not get a pack free, so I went to Ryman instead (which is just up the road).
Ryman's price was £3.99 for a pack of 10 (i.e. 3 packs for £11.97)! No offer...just their standard price.
WHSmith had 'increased' their price so they could discount it and 'pretend' that the customer was getting a bargain. Very poor. Very disappointing.

good store with wide choice and self service checkouts make it easier to get out quickly

Tiny, but often has better food selection than the larger store.

I bought a diary online from WH Smith, and arranged to collect it from the Centre Court shopping mall branch. I was then sent a 'How did we do?' and 'We value your feedback' email from WH Smith, asking me to review their service for their website.

I did that very thing. The review (reprinted below) was rejected... presumably because it didn't give them a 5-star rave endorsement.

WH Smith said: 'Our staff has read your review and values your contribution even though it did not meet all our website guidelines. Thanks for sharing, and we hope to publish next time!'

Not much point in soliciting comments if you only publish the ones that suit you, and not much point in asking for comments if the staff can then veto the remarks. Here's what I said. Controversial, eh?

Surreal delays
I collected this diary from the Wimbledon Centre Court shopping centre branch, having ordered it online. The process of ordering the diary was smooth (and confirmation of its arrival was emailed through efficiently), although the website options need to be better organised as a simple search throws up far too many irrelevant options before you find what you're needing. However, the collection in branch was chaotic. Every online order is kept in a higgeldy-piggeldy cupboard behind the till, and even though it was the only online ordered diary in the storage cupboard, the shop assistant took five minutes to find it. Orders are simply put in the cupboard when they arrive - in no order. So whoever is the first person to rustle through everything looking for an order leaves it in shambles. Then the assistant refused to allow me to have it unless I produced a copy of the order, even though I showed ID with my name on it. Now, the chances of someone at random coming to this branch to ask for an 18-month diary and happening to guess my name are, I'd say, slender. The assistant went off to check with the manager, who basically told him not to be so stupid and let me have the diary.

Pretty poor experience, all in all. The atmosphere and layout in store was tired and dated, and the two chocolate bars I got for my kids - both well in date - were covered in white bloom. Not a pleasant experience. Nice bloke behind the counter, though, so one star just for him.

It's great 👍🏻 So many great books and stationary.

Good stationary shop

Pretty cramped retail space Two people just about pass through the aisle. Decent customer service.