Argos in the UK was similar. You would go into the store and look up the product in a catalog. Then go to counter and order it, wait 2-5 minutes and they give you the product. I found it quite convenient.

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georgefrowny a day ago | parent | next [-]

Screwfix do this too. Just a counter with a handful of staff who go and get your items.

If you pre-order it's waiting at the desk. Very handy for people who can order from the job site on the account and send the lad round to grab it.

And a (relatively) unshittified website too because if jobbing tradies can't use the damn thing because it's too loaded down with ads and bullshit, they just won't.

	▲	walthamstow a day ago \| parent [-]
		Screwfix is an all-round excellent consumer experience, for DIY or trade. The reviews on the website are often hilarious as well.

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rsynnott a day ago | parent | prev | next [-]

They're still there. Was surprised to run into one recently when I was in London (they pulled out of Ireland a while back, and I'd assumed they'd just closed totally at that point, because it _does_ feel like an increasingly marginalised business model.)

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lmm 2 days ago | parent | prev [-]

They still exist. Tend to be pretty competitive on price, although they must be losing out to online shopping in a lot of places since they don't offer any showroom advantage.

	▲	adaml_623 2 days ago \| parent [-]
		In my experience because you're picking up from the Argos you can do an instant return if you realize you ordered wrong (or the item is rubbish). Not perfect but a good way to get your hands on the product with an easy refund option