Where do you all buy

[JTBW83]

I was wondering where everything buys the tools materials from B&Q or on-line. Where is best?

[doomed]

I say it depends on what you want and when needed,

I got my power tools online because of price,
went to a pluming shop for some bits and advice too, which I believe is hard from an online store.
I go to B&Q if I need something quick or if I'm bored just to see whats for temptation, plus its just around the corner

[dewaltdisney]

I have bought most stuff from Screwfix Trade Counter of late. I do shop about on the Internet for expensive purchases but Screwfix seem to be cheaper than BnQ and other merchants

DWD

[handyman]

www.toolstation.com £10 for free delivery
www.screwfix.com
www.dm-tools.co.uk great customer service and prices
www.ebay.co.uk

and BnQ, Selco, Topptiles and local sawmill/builders merchant

and always remember that if a screwfix or toolstation counter is near a BnQ, they will price match
Also use Selco a lot for prices that BnQ then match, but you also get a further 5% - 10% off with their trade discount card, plus free delivery over £50, Selco is £300 before getting free delivery

[paintpot]

Screwfix for tools, and bit,s and bobs, plus its over the road from where i live, i also use machine mart for the odd bits.
Use trade counter for my decorating materials, Leyland.
Again trade counter for building materials, but some things are a little cheaper from b and q. Shop around, trade paint is better quilty to, yes pay a little more but worth it, buy cheaper paints and you end up going walls ect more than twice, its false to buy cheap paints, stay clear if you can, its cheaper in long run , to buy good quilty trade paints ect.
Like said, if you get a trade card, you get discounts, and spend so much can sometimes get free delivery, ie tone of sand, or pea gravel ect.

[thescruff]

Hi guys - I work at eBay and also run the twitter life4less page. You can get all your DIY products including power tools on eBay for a great price. Log on to ebay.co.uk and check out what there is available!

That may be the case but a lot on eBay is bloody expensive compared to what is available. And there's a risk you may not get it.

or do UHM members get a 10 percent discount

[chris p bacon]

Ive bought decorating sundries from EBay and not had any problems.

Example. 3x 9" sheepskin roller sleves £9.99 + £1.50 postage, Bargin

[DIY_Johnny]

I almost buy everything from screwfix as they are fast, easily returned and good website. However I noticed they are not always the cheapest. I see spax interior wood screws are cheaper in the builders depot than screwfix. Also screwfix seem to sell some poorer stuff too. I notice the floplast doesn't look as good as the other brands. Would be interest to see what scruff thinks about that

HoweverI have often ordered the wrong thing and its always better to see the item before you buy me thinks

Homebase are ridiculous prices, B&Q, only go there cos its open late

Never tried DM tools, need a drill been putting it off for agges, will have a peek

[DIY_Johnny]

Oh yeah forgot to write:

I bought a screwfix own brand tile cutter a while ago (the rail type). Couldn't find a replacement wheel anywhere, Tried Wickes, Homebase, B&Q, tile depot and topps tiles, builders depot and Travis perkins. Wasted a full day

[Jack00]

Depends on what you need and when you need. You just have to be smart to judge and opt for the option that does has the least overhead cost.

[jg]

I tend to use screwfix for most stuff nowadays, cos it's near by, and usually one of the cheapest. Still go to B&Q/Wickes now and then as they have some good offers on sometimes (Got my Bosch PMF 180E for under £40 from B&Q a while ago) Also, screwfix don't stock stuff like agregates and log edging. (just thinking of some stuff I didn't buy form there recently)

ebay is also a great source of those odd bits and bobs that I can't find at screwfix, or even stuff that I can get at screwfix but is cheaper on ebay. Sometimes there are things that you know you could waste half a day wondering around B&Q etc looking for, but on ebay you can just find it and order it and it'll probably turn up in about a week. If you're not in a rush then it's great and convenient.

Toolstation is very good with their £10 free delivery thing, but the thing that annoys me about them is it's often hard to see what brand name things are. I guess they do that so they can swap out for a different make without changing the website or catalogue at all. I remember buying some rollers and scrapers a while back, most of it was "silverline" or "blue spot" branded, same stuff you get in pound shops and market stalls all over the place.
Screwfix is good for the customer reviews. I find it very useful to see what other people thought, even if they are probably carefuly selected to avoid most of the bad reviews.

[diymum]

Hi

I tend to buy most of my stuff from b&q.

Also from screw fix too.

[leebwk]

I usually use:

Screwfix or Toolstation trade counters
Very occasionally i go into Wickes (usually weekends)
Local builders merchants as prices vary from week to week

[agpm06]

depends if you want quality tools or not ...i use screwfix counter try not to use online as their
deliveries are always late ...but i try to use independent local diy shops ..ive got accounts with
them and they.ll usually offer decent discounts if used regularly
i also look out for screwdrivers etc at £1 shops they dont last but neither do my expensive tools

[rugrat]

Buy most stuff on line
Dont use B&Q or Scewfix as its the same company try and use independents wish more stuff was made here in the UK