Review – Debenhams Personal Shopping / Gift Finder Service

I like to think that I’m not your typical ‘bloke’ when it comes to shopping for presents and gifts. I’ve normally got everything organised well before I need to. I know what size Miss A and the kids are, and I think I can generally buy a decent present for those I’m close to. I’m aware that some people really struggle with buying gifts, and sometimes a bit of help is needed.

Debenhams asked me to try out their Personal Shopping / Gift Finder Service at their intu Lakeside branch. I’ve actually got most of my Christmas gifts purchased, however – not all of it. It felt like a good opportunity to test out the service and get my shopping finished! I’ve never used such a service, and admittedly didn’t really understand how it worked.

You can book an appointment online at your convenience – if you’re only free at weekends appointments can get snapped up. If you’re shopping for Christmas, I’d recommend booking now! I was met at the Personal Shopper area by Helen, she led me inside and explained how the service worked. First off, and very importantly – it’s a free service and the Personal Shoppers aren’t on commission. I really don’t like pressured sales or up-selling. You can walk out of there not buying anything, but – hopefully not!

“What are you after today?”

I briefed Helen on my requirements, the sizes and styles of my recipients and she disappeared off, leaving me with a complimentary brew and nibbles. In next to no time, she was back with a basket full of clothes. She hung them up and went through each item – immediately it was clear, she’d ‘got’ what I wanted. There was a selection of clothes to look at – she’d even picked up some reduced items too. She then disappeared off to get the items for ‘recipient 2’, allowing me to look carefully at each item and have muse over them.

She then returned with a load of gifts for my second recipient which were all set out for me to look over. I had a few queries over the first lot of items, and wondered if there were some different variations on sizes and colours. She happily disappeared off to find these items while I browsed the new suggestions. Again, I was really happy how well she’d chosen, she’d got the ‘feel’ of them spot on. When she had returned, we chatted more about my ‘final’ choices.

The thing is with a store like Debenhams, it’s packed with different designers and brands, and it can be quite overwhelming with the choice on offer. I could spend hours in there browsing, and probably miss the perfect gift quite easily. Having someone who knows the store well, and understands current trends to do it all for you is a godsend. Within less than an hour, I’d left with a massive bag full of gifts, all of them I felt confident that the recipients would love.

Overall

I would heartily recommend the Debenhams Personal Shopper / Gift Finder Service if you’re struggling with Christmas shopping. So long as you have an idea of sizes, and a rough idea of what you’re after, I’m certain you’ll come out with something! Plus, as the shops get busy in the run up to Christmas, I felt pretty smug sat with a drink, while someone did the hard work. The fact it’s free is fantastic, I didn’t feel any obligation to buy – I purchased plenty though and got exactly what I was after. The shopping is done!

Thanks so much to Helen, and the team at Debenhams for sorting this out for me – it was a premium service at absolutely no cost – you can’t ask for more!