dunk's Qype profile

I wouldn’t bother.

I was looking for a special gift for my dad and decided on a Mont Blanc pen. Finding somewhere to shop for one was a bit of a challenge.

As a visitor to Ottawa and with very few Qype reviews for the city and surrounding area, I was left to look at a few jewellers, call around, browse Google and ask for advice from shoppers and other stores’ staff.

I tried a few places and this was the first place I found them. The only other place seemed to stock them close by was Jubilee (see separate review).

First impressions were not favourable. Interactions with staff were stiff, formal and cold, with barely a hint of a smile or friendliness.

The store is relatively large and well laid-out, with plenty of display cabinets all ‘guarded’ by their own member of staff.

They have a very off-putting policy of hiding price tickets. Why would anyone do that? I suspect it’s a nod to the ‘if you have to ask, you can’t afford it’ brand of snobbery. When we did have the audacity to ask about prices, like for like, they turned out to be higher than Jubilee’s.

There was nothing in the way of advice or help, the assistant merely opened the cabinet and took out whatever we directly asked to see (no offers of alternatives, no opinion, no helpful information, no apparent specialist knowledge). The impression was that they were protecting their stock from the possibility of theft from the people without fur coats, bling and other crass displays of wealth.

The whole vibe of the store was stuffy, pompous and quasi-upper-class-English. Outdated, unwelcoming and unwelcome.

See review of Jubilee for a stark contrast.

Fantastic, friendly service.

I was looking for a special gift for my dad and decided on a Mont Blanc pen. Finding somewhere to shop for one was a bit of a challenge.

As a visitor to Ottawa and with very few Qype reviews for the city and surrounding area, I was left to look at a few jewellers, call around, browse Google and ask for advice from shoppers and other stores’ staff.

I tried a few places and only one other seemed to stock them close by was Birks (see separate review).

My wife and I visited both and wrote off Birks based on interactions with staff and their off-putting policy of hiding price tickets.

In Jubilee we were greeted by a friendly young guy who, despite specialising in watches, gave us great options and allowed us to try out a few pens.

As this had only been the second place we’d found (and without data roaming I wasn’t able to do on-the-spot, online comparisons) I decided to go check out price comparisons and other options once I got back to my dad’s.

Having established that this was the best option and having considered my choice of model, I called the store to check on availability and price. The helpful pen specialist said she would reserve my choice until an agreed time.

I didn’t manage to get to the store by the time I’d agreed and didn’t have a chance to call ahead. Despite this, when I called in the day after, the woman I’d spoken to on the phone had kept it aside, just in case I came in.

All the staff were good fun, chatty, helpful and had seemingly genuine personalties.

Prices were comparable with what I could find in the UK (a little higher but I put this down to the poor exchange rate).

The whole experience with the guys at Jubilee was great.

Decent range given the size of this unit (small) with at least one friendly, helpful, useful guy working there.

At worst, 20% off RRP of current lines.

What is there to lose.

I think previous reviews have been rather kind.

In addition to the ugliness, outdatedness & unavoidable crowding, it seems that 95% of staff are quite possibly the rudest, least gracious, dismissive, disinterested & arrogant people you could meet.

Unfortunately, moat will find it difficult to vote with their feet as using this terminal as part of the hub of air travel is practically essential for many people flying transAtlantic/long-haul from the UK.

Quite a few shopping & eating options though & some of the shop staff are actually great to deal with.

Typical of Canadian facilities, this place is very well presented.

There’s plenty space to stroll or sit around and some nice decor & pieces of art.

Security is pretty efficient and painless.

There are a few shops and places to eat & drink. Mostly standard, reasonable affairs but see review of Swiss Chalet/Harvey’s.

Gift shops sell stuff like maple-flavoured everything, moose stuff (including dropping), t-shirts, caps, trinkets & ornament souvenirs. Nothing that’ll win you originality awards with the recipients.

Best thing ever & the reason for all five stars is the hilarious Public Announcements (e.g. “You can see the board says the flight has departed..that’s a lie, we’re still all here…”)

Lots on offer including a decent, if diminutive, Apple Store. Good choice of jewellers & a fair mix of the other usual outlets.

Food court with customary offerings but substandard toilets off the dining area.

Average overall but particularly disappointing beef patties, even the “Great Canadian”. Poutine was passable but nothing special.

Grilled Chicken sandwich was too dry and processed.

It’s a cheap way to eat at the airport but that’s not the point.

Pray there’s something better open and go there instead. Memories of the Rideau Restaurant (next door) from 3 years ago are much more favourable, although you can’t take your luggage trolley in there with you. Their diners looked a lot happier.

Fantastique!

Simply the most impressive, enjoyable & accessible attraction of its type I’ve ever experienced, anywhere. Too much to see & do in one visit.

Kids of all ages will LOVE it, especially the Children’s Museum. There is so much for them to do. Very interactive.

Fresh & exceptionally well maintained. I believe it’s been here for well over a decade but looks like its maybe only a year old.

Visiting the IMAX theatre is a must too.