In the first three years that I lived in Dunoon, I went into this particular Bernado's store no more than a couple of times a year. I couldn't stand it. It was horrendously overpriced, the volunteers were rude and the store was very poorly organised. However, over the past year I have become a regular customer. I don't know exactly when things changed, but it really isn't the same shop I first visited.
The staff take pride in the store, keep it tidy and organised. Nothing is overpriced. There are a couple of bits that are a little more than I'd want to pay, but at worst the price is on the high end of fair. For bargain hunters there are now multiple 99p bins containing a mixed bag of rubbish and fantastic finds. Examples of the latter over the last couple of months would include pewter picture frames, a complete set of Royal Worcester plates and a gorgeous cruet set.
The store now has the added feature of a tombola. For £1 you get two tickets and if you don't win you get to take a booby prize out of the toy box. It's not a bad idea, except my wife, who is obsessed with soft toys, tries very hard to lose every time and has sometimes been disappointed with the great prizes she's won - and most of the prizes are well worth the £1.
As I've said in many of my reviews, it's staff that make a store. I'll pay a little more for good customer service and walk away from fantastic bargains in the face of rudeness. And the staff in Bernado's...
Let's be frank. If you're running a charity shop you rely on volunteers. Sometimes you have to take the good with the bad. There are a couple of volunteers in this store that are completely clueless. They don't know how to work the till and if you ask them a question they'll stare at you blankly. However, each and every one is friendly, each and every one tries their best and if they're struggling they'll ask for help. The rude volunteers of old are long gone and most of those who are in the store now will greet you with a smile.
There are a few minor issues - the jewellery cabinet goes all the way to the floor and my back can't take a careful examination of the lower shelves - but overall it's a great place to shop and a great place for bargains. read more