Sharps Bedrooms
Ballards Lane

This large double-fronted store combined kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms.
Mary, spotting my entry, finished her conversation with a colleague and joined me. "We've got plenty of space saving ideas with storage units over the bed, dressing tables, chest of drawers and bedside lockers all matching," she advised. "But it's a good idea to consider the door shape, design and colour while you're looking round, along with which handles you prefer."
The wardrobes were fully fitted from floor to ceiling, wall-to-wall and built on a front frame system. "This also means we can accommodate strange shapes such as a chimney or sloping walls," she continued, opening another door to demonstrate.
A designer would come out to see our room, measure up, discuss the ranges and colour choices before drawing up a plan and giving us a quotation for furniture and fitting.

Score: 7/10
A good start to the day - attractive displays and attentive staff.

Homebase
High Road

Upstairs to a large mezzanine level. A huge bathroom and kitchen department stretched out in front of me. A number of well-lit designs in large and small settings - and each one was spotless.
A saleswoman came over, offering to help. "Let me grab you a brochure as it has all the information you'll need," she said. "It's a good idea to spend time looking round today to get a feel for what you like." A design service was available but it was necessary to make an appointment. "You'll need to bring in some measurements," she continued, "then we can sit down, discuss ideas, plan the room and produce a computer drawing for you."
She pressed further for an appointment. "We've got a couple of spaces left early next week if you'd like to book now and once they've planned the room, you'll receive a quote which will be valid for 14 days."

Score: 6/10
Another good sale with enough information to get customers started.

B&Q
High Road

Jiten offered to help as soon I was stopped in the kitchen department. "We have a fully fitted kitchen installation service," he began brightly, "where we'll look after everything for you."
Questions about the size and shape of the room followed. "We can come out to measure up before inviting you back to the showroom to see the design and discuss any changes." The quotation would list costs for the furniture and a separate charge for fitting. 
Jiten was keen to show me the latest door. "This has just come in - high gloss in cream - which looks fantastic teamed with a solid wooden worktop.
"While you're here take a look at our Select Kitchens which is the premium range," he said opening a cabinet door. "The doors are stronger (22mm thick) and inside they are colour co-ordinated to match the exterior," he explained. "Take a price guide as this shows the features such as under cupboard lighting and soft closing door mechanisms, which are new for this year. Handing me a brochure, he urged me to call for an appointment.

Score: 8/10
An enthusiastic encounter.

Walker Tiles & Epcot Kitchens
Oakleigh Road North

Inside to a small kitchen display area with a separate tile showroom alongside.
A salesman invited me to look round. "We offer a fully fitted service working from design through to installation," he said, joining me, "and can include all the flooring and tiling too."
He took me over to an unusual kitchen display in deep red. "This is a German design - a high gloss door available in many colours, which can be teamed with glass wall cabinets or a combination depending on what you what," he continued. "The large drawers below are very useful giving plenty of storage and able to take the weight of a full set of crockery too."
He handed me a couple of brochures. "Just give us a call and we can arrange to come and see you
at home."

Score: 6/10
A small showroom but a completely fitted service on offer.

Blue Sky Interiors
Church Hill Road

Nigel greeted me and began escorting me round the showroom.
"We have a variety of traditional doors in solid timber," he said, showing me some options.
"We design the kitchen for you and discuss ideas," he said. "It's really important that we work together to make sure your new kitchen functions properly as well as being a great design."
Worktop choices were next. "Granite does look wonderful and there is a terrific range of colours now," Nigel said, showing me some of the choices. "You can be reassured you'll have one point of contact here who will project manage the installation of your new kitchen." 
"Let me give you a brochure today, then you can start to jot down the features you like before we meet up," Nigel said, also handing me his card.

Score: 8/10
Excellent advice with a good explanation of the design and fitting process.

Just Add Water
Margaret Road

Inside to a fabulous showroom, spotlessly clean with a huge choice of suites, showers and accessories. A salesman was sitting at his desk. He looked up and offered to help.
"We can generally deliver from stock but otherwise we can get hold of goods within a few days," he explained. "Do you have a plumber to use? It'd a good idea to arrange your fitting first and for someone to check your bathroom to make sure you can have everything as you want it?"
Gathering a selection of brochures," he said. "I've covered everything here but it's best to see as much as possible before you decide what you like best."

Score: 6/10
Plenty of brochures to look through.
 

The Bathroom Trading Company, High Street

This enormous showroom set on two levels was in the middle of a re-fit. A salesman apologised for the disruption.
After a tour round, I arrived at the sales desk where another salesman, Mark, was happy to help. "If you're after a shower I'd recommend a company called Matki," he began. "They are British made, have a 10 year guarantee, have a strong, stone resin, heavy duty shower tray and come with easy-clean glass preventing all the usual watermarks."
The shower enclosures were available in different shapes and sizes, Mark explained. "You can have a seat, lighting, a stereo or even a TV inside as well if you like," he smiled. "I'd recommend a German company called Hansgrohe for your shower," he said, taking me across to another display. "You've the choice of an overhead system from the wall or ceiling."
And installation? "We don't fit I'm afraid but we can recommend people to you," he said. "I'll get you some brochures to take today so you start deciding what you want."

Score: 7/10
Yet another good sale - an attractive showroom with plenty of ideas.

Flairline Furniture, High Street

The showroom was split in two displaying both bedrooms and kitchens.
A salesman greeted me smiling. "We make the carcases ourselves but we buy the doors in so I'll give you the catalogues so you can see what's available," he began. "Then once you've chosen the door style you like, we can begin the design."
There were various cabinet heights to choose from too. "Here we've used taller cabinets to show how much storage space you can achieve but we'll help with the design on what's appropriate for your kitchen."
Appliances were next. "We specialise in Neff, Bosch and Miele but we can get any manufacturer for you," he said, handing me the relevant brochures. "There's a choice of worktops too including granite and Corian but bear in mind these take longer as we make a template once your cabinets are fitted to make sure it will fit exactly," he explained. It was advisable to book an appointment, he added. "Please feel free to give me a ring to make a convenient arrangement."

Score: 7/10
Another good sale to end the day.