Brighthouse - The Store That Prospers in Bad Times

[Scunner]

I've never heard of Brighthouse before and now we have one here. They sell everything for the home - the latest TVs, leather suites, washing machines etc. You don't need to be rich either - it's easy for all to have new things here.

I was astounded to see a new Playstation 3 for £372. I paid £249 ages ago when they were newer and much more expensive. But £372 is just the beginning - the real 'advantage' of Brighthouse is that you can pay weekly. With credit charges, my £249 PS3 (their £372 PS3) works out as a total payment overall of £422 with a credit period of just one year (52 weeks). The credit period is short which gives the impression of a good deal, and again the actual price is very high initially to keep cash price and overall cost using credit within £50 of each other. You can see why it was very busy there today.

I know this is a new slant on an old system (like the old Littlewoods catalogues) but in Great Britain in the 21st Century it is sad to see that the poorest people still end up paying the most for things.

[cheers]

True Scunner and their tactics when the customers default on a payment is apparently as bad as their prices!!!

[milorni]

This type of store has been banned in the States for quite a few years due to their business practices/interest rates etc. Have been really surprised that nothing has ever been done over here.

[Jim Fraser]

Yes Scunner, it is very sad to see, firms like that are making easy profits by giving credit to bad risk customers who a bank would not look at, you would think they would at least make the prices they charge a bit more reasonable.

[Jacqui Harvey]

Brighthouse had a high profile T.V. Advertising campaign around 2006 with Melanie Sykes fronting it.  She got so much flack she packed it in.  I see they still advertise on T.V. but without a celebrity,

[Anne]

We've one in a shopping centre near us.  I cringe every time I pass and see people in there who have no other means of getting that new suite, playstation for the kids Christmas etc.  The sad thing is, with the credit crunch still upon us they can only get more custom:(

[Scunner]

The sad part of it all is that there was a bit of a fanfare for the opening of this shop which really seems to market itself as the place that gives people the chance to buy nice things. The truth is that they aren't really looking to make things easier for people to buy nice things, they are looking to make big money out of people that have very little money. In the ideal World they will do better than that, they will sell things to people who can't pay and will default on their credit agreements. Then the real power comes.

[laffa]

I would have said exactly what Anne has just said, its so sad that the mums and dads feel they have to keep up with the Jones's and the kids do too,

[heather07]

Where is it?

[Scunner]

On the opposite corner to Debenhams in the High Street.