We'll Call You - Argos

Mktg - I've just read in the paper that your main supplier has gone into administration. I usually do a lot of my Christmas shopping at Argos, so I just wanted to know what that meant.

Argos - I don't understand what you mean.

Mktg - I've just read that your main supplier has gone into administration.

Argos - Main supplier for which?

Mktg - Argos.

Argos - We have a lot of different suppliers, you see.

Mktg - OK. On the website, it explains that your main supplier has gone into administration, and I just wanted to know what that meant for my shopping.

Argos - Right. To be honest with you, we have so many different suppliers that it all depends what kind of item it is. At the moment the company is functioning as normal.

Mktg - The website talks about yourself and something called Flat Pack?

Argos - That'll be wardrobes and things like that. As you can imagine, Sony and Nintendo are two separate suppliers. Across the board we have a lot of suppliers. The company is still operating relatively normally. During these times, as you know, a lot of companies are losing money, but at the moment we've just stayed even. I think maybe there was a small percentage off the profits from last year, but we're just coming into our busiest period now. In terms of buying presents, there's nothing to worry about.

Mktg - You hear it's quite busy at Christmas, so I didn't want to go in there and have it be manic because people can't get the items they want.

Argos - Everything is running fine at the moment. What's the name of the website and company where you saw the article?

Mktg - I can't remember now, sorry.

Argos - Obviously, if it's led you to believe something might be wrong, then we need to look at the article.

Mktg - I think if you go to Google and search under news, there should be an article listed.

Argos - Right, that's fine, I'll have that looked into. I can tell you now, that at the moment the company is running as normal. I wouldn't worry about Argos disappearing from your high street.

Mktg - It would be a shame if it did. OK, thanks for your time.

Argos - Thank you, bye.

Verdict

The call handler had not been briefed on the financial situation of one of the retailer's biggest suppliers. Apart from telling me it was business as usual, the fact that he had not heard about the problem did nothing to reassure me. However, he was polite and efficient toward the end of the call.

Score
5/10