Sunday 29 April 2012

A Steep Learning Curve...

A recent trip to Brico Depôt proved to be a steep learning curve by any standards.


We wanted bits and pieces from more than one section of the shop, which involved following procedures, at this point unfamiliar to us. Beginning inside the main building we searched the rows for the things on our list, but finding none of them we went back outside.

One item was displayed in the outer area and had to be collected from a separate building. As the item would have been difficult to describe I took a photo to show at the desk. Hilarity followed;  not only was the photo idea novel, since the item had been put on display there had been a price cut. Should we be charged the price on the photo, or the new reduced price? It made the staff laugh anyway!

With a copy of our order in hand we went back to the main store to pay. Then it was back to the first building to collect our goods and get them on the roof rack.

Then the real fun started. We needed one or two things from the outdoor materials section. This operates as a secure drive-through. Prior to entry customers must declare purchases already made. The load on our roof  bars was obvious!

We did a dry run on foot to get our bearings before taking the car and loading up. 


Then joined the queue to pay...


What a busy place! They came on foot, by car and in every type of van...


In due course we were through the check point, with purchases secured... and a real sense of achievement at having made sense of the system.

 Our next visit will be so much easier..  but I wonder if it will be as much fun?!

5 comments:

Jean said...

Making sense of a system is hard enough when you speak the same language !!
Congratulations on sussing it out.

Susan said...

Drive through brico is an experience, isn't it? We find using the BricoDepot online list maker useful. It gives product numbers and the exact name and price. We print it off and take it with us, so if we can't find something we can point to it on the list if desperate.

GaynorB said...

We had a similar experience. Our problems were that we couldn't make up our mind and we forgot to take the trailer, so needed to go all the way back the next day!

Janice said...

It helps me to discover that others find such systems difficult to fathom. I'm still finding it hard to navigate getting something to eat at the various cafes attached to supermarches...systems all seem to be different, what counts as an entree, a plat, and why the cashier looks surprised that I dont want the wine...when I'm in the middle of my shopping and have the car outside. It sounds as if you did incredibly well on this trip.... I have read, and i will learn. thanks J.

About Paris said...

The good news is that it is different every time. We have been trapped by other drivers who have assumed the position of being more important than us or in more of a hurry (French artisan?)or left to load items too heavy for us - though Pauline has surprised me as to what she can handle! - If you are looking for a bit of variety try Leroy Merlin's version.