Local businesses to save Xmas

Royal Mail’s Christmas chaos has sent panic into local households who have turned to the internet in record numbers this year to do their shopping on-line.

But following the postal service’s admission of dire problems caused mainly by the weather in the Newtown area, the countdown to the 25^th has turned into a very nervy one for many.

Don’t despair!

Rather than say “we told you so” local businesses have jumped to the rescue with guarantees of competitive prices, personal service and second-to-none after sales service to restore Christmas cheer to worried shoppers.

“I think this year is proving a point that you can’t beat friendly and reliable local face-to-face service,” said Mike Kelly (right), who owns Vision Appliances on the Vastre Enterprise Park. “Shoppers have been let down this year by the whole internet shopping experience but by visiting local independent businesses like ours we can offer the reassurance and service to allow them enjoy Christmas without worrying if parcels will arrive.

“Shoppers can visit us and actually see the appliance, television, kitchen or bathroom that they want. They can also touch and feel them and try them out. We have an excellent team that puts the onus on customer satisfaction by giving them exactly what they want. There is very little between our prices and on-line prices as well so I urge shoppers to go local and give your local businesses a visit.”

Mr. Kelly said that he has received a growing number of customers in both his Newtown and Welshpool premises that had cancelled their on-line orders after waiting for up to three weeks for delivery. He has reassured shoppers that they will all receive personal treatment and an after-sales service that can’t be found on-line.

“You can’t beat the follow-up service that local independent retailers like Vision Appliances provide to the community,” he said. “We will even give a replacement television should we need to send an item back to the manufacturer. You wouldn’t get this service from the internet.”

As well as its shop on the Vastre Enterprise Park, Vision Appliances has a shop on Berriew Street in Welshpool.