Dobbies Garden Centres - Hungerford Avis 181

No many csa's around the shop to ask infos.
At the till the cashier spoke really highly of the advantage of being a member so I thought, why not. So I gave all my details and at the end I was presented with a yearly fee to pay!
Would have been really nice to know!!! Anyway, I subscribed but was really disappointed! Really not impressed!
Bit far for me to get in for two coffees a month!

Went to the cafe after a long ride. Service with a smile is evidently a foreign concept. Bought 2 ploughman’s baguettes which turned out to be a very poorly made cheese tomato and pickle roll. Thrown on the counter with the comment of “you can see I made that with love”. Comedy gold. Not. Coffee was ok. But £18 for 2 rolls a coffee and a hot chocolate. I’d pass if I were you.

Excited to make our first visit to the Hungerford branch after we received a promotional leaflet. We went to the coffee shop. Saw some cream scones 2 for 1. Tried to order was informed the offer was only from 2pm. Girl behind counter doing drinks said, "well it is on the sign" in a condescending way, really rude. Banged the things on the tray after I said I didn't see the sign. We looked at the sign again and the lettering about the time is tiny and I'm colour blind so didn't see it. Will be reporting that to Trading Standards. We spend a lot on gardening, we just bought a house with a big garden. Perhaps with the welcome we received here we should go somewhere else to buy what we need.

Too hot in the cafe area to sit if the weathers hot and outside no sun shade for customers that don’t want to sit in the sun. Not very customer friendly considering they are a garden centre that sells parasols.

I used to love popping in to the cafe when it was Waydale…. It’s too corporate and I feel that they are missing the customer service care….

Such a terrible experience.....

After making my purchase, I
checked my receipt,and I noticed a discrepancy. I returned to the store and spoke with a customer service representative, who processed the refund accordingly.

As someone with prior experience in customer service, I suggested that the discrepancy was because the new barcode labels did not fully cover the original ones—something I’ve seen lead to scanning errors before. At this point, she became
unexpectedly dismissive and quoted, “I love it when people tell me how to do my job.” I was taken aback and asked her to repeat the comment, which she did. I felt I had to say at this point that I didn't take kindly to her attitude. To which she said I apologised and you got your refund! A younger staff member was present at the time, and I was disappointed that such a remark was made in front of a colleague, as it sets a poor example of professional conduct.

When I asked for the name of the store manager, she informed me that she was the Store Manager. I found this deeply concerning, as I would expect a manager to model respectful and constructive customer engagement.

It will be a long time before I return to this store and yes I have made an official complaint.

Queue in cafe very long and took ages to move,only one very sad looking girl taking orders,others walking around as if in slow motion.
Even with very limited menu several items had sold out,not a happy experience and certainly one l will not repeat.

Poor marking of 'sale goods' and ineffective complaint handling by local staff

Wanted to reserve and collect an item - local store put aside and that was great.
But when we tried to use a £5 off voucher the staff and manager then said it could not be used as the item was in the sale.
It seem we should have known that the item was in the sale because it was reduced on a label and started life in the sales area ( we dispute that ).

So mt comments are clearer labelling of sale items and better complaint handling. An apology and an acknowledgement that items reduced are SALE ITEMS - sorry i didnt read the Dobbies rule book before i entered .

The £5 off is in material but this store needs a leader that can help set the customer standards ...- sadly for me i dont use often as on the expensive end and with poor service may not even bother to go back.

Always got lots of choice of plants and also different size pots (always a good idea) good choice of attractive pots (love the Cacti style 😀) and houseplant section is excellent also. Staff are always helpful store is well laid out, coffee shop is always a bonus.

Helpful friendly staff, excellent coffee shop

Always enjoy a visit to the garden centre and the cafe. the staff are always polite and helpful.

We always love coming to your garden centres, your staff are always very friendly and helpful. Your stores offer a wide variety of stock at very reasonable prices. We always enjoy a lovely hot drink in your cafe. We do feel though that the cakes are rather overpriced.

Flowering and seasonal plants outdoors greeting us on arrival were attractively arranged.
Inside the shop everything was well displayed and fresh looking.
The cafe is welcoming as always and the chocolate mirror cake is very good. I’m pleased to be able to get gluten free cake and oat milk for my coffee.

Lovely place to shop and browse the cafe was a joy to use. plants are great
Condition and have a great variety of plants.

We are always a made to feel welcome in all departments, as is our dog, a beautiful Golden Retriever. He appreciates the friendliness of the pet shop staff and, of course, his treat! The cafe and garden centre staff are always very obliging too.

Wide aisles, and plenty of space to wander around and browse. Good selection of stock and helpful staff, when needed.

Pleasant , helpful staff and good coffee and cake

The store has a friendly atmosphere with helpful staff

Well laid out store.
Very seasonal.