Homebase

The smaller Homebase in Battersea is, in my opinion, nicer than this one. The Wandsworth location has a slightly bigger garden centre and definitely more houseplants, but the rest of the store is cramped and, in many places, rather dusty.
When I tried to pay using my US credit card (a thing I do all over the UK fairly often), I got told that they couldn’t accept it due to lack of chip&pin. «It’s cos of fraud and that like» said the managerial-​type-​guy. I told the gal at the check out that I’d have to leave my basket full of shopping (I was buying a bunch of succulents and potting soil) then as I didn’t have that much cash on me. I let her know that I didn’t have a problem using this card at many other stores, including the nearby other Homebase. I also pointed out that I did have photo ID on me should that be the real issue. «You is from another country, then?» she asked… Yes. Yes, I am. I wasn’t putting on this American accent just for fun.
In the end she took my card and I went on my merry way, contently taking my tiny plants home to make lovely window boxes. But I think that if I must go to Homebase, I’ll stick with the Battersea store.