OAPs feel aggrieved by B&Q discount drop (From Warrington Guardian)

OAPs feel aggrieved by B&Q discount drop

SENIOR citizens in Crewe and Nantwich have hit out at DIY giants B&Q after discovering their discount cards are no longer valid at its new warehouse.

The new store, on the former Chester Barrie site, opened last month, but its decision not to accept the 10 per cent discount card has angered the Crewe and District branch of the National Pensioners Association.

Association secretary Hugh Emerson, of Ripon Drive, Wistaston, explained: "When B&Q was located in Forge Street it was classed as a superstore. But now it has moved and is bigger, it's classed as a warehouse, which doesn't accept the discount card.

"Before they gave us 10 per cent off on Wednesdays but we don't get that anymore.

"The biggest reductions are on bathrooms and kitchens but most pensioners don't buy those, it is more bits and pieces such as screws, paint and light bulbs, so there's no advantage in shopping there any more.

"It's very bad customer service and they are clawing back the money from pensioners.

"It is disappointing that a company as large as B&Q, which spends a considerable amount advertising cuts in prices, then feels it has to claw back some of the money from the elderly.

"It also highlights the absurdity of linking pension increases to prices rather than average earnings.

"It's not all bad news however - Focus has improved its discount scheme by removing the Tuesday-only restriction and the card can now be used at any time at their Crewe and Nantwich stores."

A spokesman for B&Q said: "That store is now a warehouse and we don't have any discount schemes in operation at those stores.

"This is a company policy across the country and has been in operation since we opened the first warehouse in 1991."