Wholesale prices

[rmc86uk]

I usually just buy materials from Screwfix when doing little jobs of my own but I was at the firms wholesalers so paid for an MK 1 gang socket and 25mm back box...£6.40. I then thought I'll just search Screwfix...£2.93! Now I thought Screwfix would be expensive but its the obviously the wholesalers! I just dont understand why a trade place would be more expensive than a big DIY place! I had the same problem the other week when I went into B&Q and got some stuff from tradepoint and one thing was an MK 1 gang switch £1.38. The sales person then told me that some of the other stuff I needed was on the main shop floor and then I saw the MK switches for £1.08! I queried why the trade counter was more expensive and he said that it must have been the wrong make and I said that I'm not stupid and know MK when I see it! His reply was do I really want to walk all the way back to save 30p! They even had them online at £1.08 when I checked! No wonder customers just go to to the big DIY stores!

 

[MDJ]

tell me about it. yesterday i went into local cef (as they were the only wholesaler within 10 miles) . 2 lengths 25mm sticky bak mini-trunking. guess the price quoted. i'll wait for a few guesses and then tell what he asked for.

A fiver?

 

[Richard Burns]

fifteen squids

 

[robsparky1975]

under a tenner inc the vat.Then when you get the invoice throught the post it will have an extra 0 on the end.Manager of local cef to me drives a 30k audi,all that commision adds up.

 

[Badged01]

I find the independant 'local' suppliers/wholesalers dont have the buying power to give the cheaper prices you can find at the likes of screwfix etc ..... who also cater for the DIY market. Limited scope of what they supply admittedly. I also find the 'local' suppliers/wholesalers have a bit of a captive market with the bigger companies who having an account pay what it costs without shopping around. Plus they have the 'professional' small trader who stubbornly believes his 'local' suppliers/wholesalers are the cheapest! I guess it varies area to area.

 

[Sparks1962]

The trouble is that any Tom, Dick or Harry ( iet) can go into B & Q or whatever shed, look at the prices and pay the same as the Sparks who's trying to do a decent job and earn a few quid legit. I've had fellow Sparks who, on giving the customer the bill, have had an inquisition into how much the materials cost and how much mark-up they've put on. Hardly fair, IMHO. Prices vary so much as has been mentioned, because of buying power discounts, quality and the name on the box, split pack prices et al. Best thing to do is stick with a few trusted well known names and support your wholesaler where possible

 

[LlandrilloSpark]

I've got a cash job next week fitting 34 Downlights in a home, I've been to my main wholesaler and to a secondary one , the first could give me click fire guard for £9 no lamp, the second £8.34 with no lamp (Robus) but neither could match Electricfix who were £7.60 with a lamp (Robus) good fitting but crap terminal so will have to wire in 1.0mm to loop it, I'd prefer the click as they are class but at £70 dearer on a small job It pays the wages of the mate

 

[Elmer BeFuddled]

I don't buy enough gear to build up a relationship with them so I'll just have to stay with Screwfix for now.

I'm in the same boat, having just started out "blind" so to speak. I do tend to find that I will use Eddys if I need something "now" as its within a mile of me. But at the moment, for any middle jobs, then Screwfix it is.

And I'd much rather be dealing with a local little fella than a multi-outlet supplier.

One day.....

 

[rmc86uk]

You say you use Edmondsons well the wholesalers the firms uses is owned by them and I think there expensive. Another example of 10mm T+E was £3.40 + Vat per metre but another wholesalers it was £2 + Vat.

 

[winfit]

You say you use Edmondsons well the wholesalers the firms uses is owned by them and I think there expensive. Another example of 10mm T+E was £3.40 + Vat per metre but another wholesalers it was £2 + Vat.

I have accounts with Eddys and have never paid more than £2.40 per metre for 10mm T & E and this was several years ago when the price of copper was at a record high.
If I was you I would negotiate a little more and get the "going rate" on any item you buy from any wholesaler..... they sell 1 or 10 items at the same unit price so amounts should not affect your price on regularly used items such as 1 gang MK switches etc.
The MK switch spoken of earlier in this post was probably a 1 gang 2 way which would account for the extra 30p charged.... being an "Electrician" you should have realised this.
.... And lastly a roll of 2.5 Twin & Earth at Screwfix is £41.50 plus VAT and at Eddys it is £34.00 plus VAT.
Even if you paid a fiver a switch the cost of the cable would save you thousands a year by using a proper wholesaler like Eddys instead of jokers like Screwfix.
Old ladies and DIY ers use Screwfix.... keep it professional and buy professionally...
Now I'll sit back and wait for the first insult to arrive........

 

[davesparks]

I have accounts with Eddys and have never paid more than £2.40 per metre for 10mm T & E and this was several years ago when the price of copper was at a record high.
If I was you I would negotiate a little more and get the "going rate" on any item you buy from any wholesaler..... they sell 1 or 10 items at the same unit price so amounts should not affect your price on regularly used items such as 1 gang MK switches etc.
The MK switch spoken of earlier in this post was probably a 1 gang 2 way which would account for the extra 30p charged.... being an "Electrician" you should have realised this.
.... And lastly a roll of 2.5 Twin & Earth at Screwfix is £41.50 plus VAT and at Eddys it is £34.00 plus VAT.
Even if you paid a fiver a switch the cost of the cable would save you thousands a year by using a proper wholesaler like Eddys instead of jokers like Screwfix.
Old ladies and DIY ers use Screwfix.... keep it professional and buy professionally...
Now I'll sit back and wait for the first insult to arrive........

I've said it before, screw fix is only good for screws and fixings and the occasional out of hours callout on Sundays etc when the wholesalers is shut.

 

[R G]

I don't see as many small one shop independents any more , I used to use one in West London area , they were very good and could get anything you wanted fairly quick , I don't any up here in Norfolk though I think others have like screwfix etc have taken over , the small independent that I used gave very good service and prices as well ...

 

[cprfenom]

Prices in wholesalers all depends on what discount they get from the manufacturer and what discount they give each individual customer. Screwfix have massive buying power so get large discounts and shift lots of stock at low profit. All depends on the size of your wholesaler and how much you buy from them.

A useful phrase in the wholesalers to remember is "is that your cheapest price on those?" and also play them off against each other when pricing.

Some wholesalers will just not be able to compete on price with massive retailers, but the likes of screwfix generally sell the lower end brands. I do use toolstation myself, but a local independant wholesalers is always my first stop as price is always negotiable.

I have to totally agree with Andy on this one. You do need to ask and sometimes when offers are one etc then screwfix can be cheaper.

Make sure you ask if thats the best price, and set up a cash account!!

 

[Barry White]

I see what your saying but Screwfix pretty much sell every possible electrical accessory going. I thought he would have given me discount on a cash sale because of the amount of money the firm spends.

I use screwfix or the local wholsaler though work (gives me the same discount as work on my cash sales) you can choose the cheap range or the expensive at either.

 

[D00DY_T00DY]

I did a little job replacing a pull switch. Went to screwfix it was £1 something. Broke 3 months later, had to go back last weekend at no extra cost due to me picking inferior materials(but the nice customer tipped me for coming out)... Where as the little local wholesalers was £2 and you could tell the quality difference. It's not worth it if you have to go back to fix it. Buy cheap buy twice.

 

[D00DY_T00DY]

I have one of those near me, its a really good little shop. Closer than screwfix and the closest big wholesalers, really should start using it more... Its like ehe electrical equivalent of arkwrights :lol: