www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

What merchant are you using? I have mkm,MGM,jewsons and Travis Perkins near me and every one if them is cheaper than screwfix or bq on almost everything. And Travis Perkins and jewsons I would say are dear.

steviejoiner74 wrote:What merchant are you using? I have mkm,MGM,jewsons and Travis Perkins near me and every one if them is cheaper than screwfix or bq on almost everything. And Travis Perkins and jewsons I would say are dear.

I've only got Bradfords...within walking distance.

If there ain't no competition the merchants have kinda got you by the baws..

I do like Screwfix for reviews. I'm a big fan of reviews when buying stuff


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steviejoiner74 wrote:If there ain't no competition the merchants have kinda got you by the baws..

Tell me about it....

I haven't used screwfix for many years, it was when they added a "remote area surcharge" on delivery that did it for me. There is now a screwfix & a toolstation in Inverness but, as I work for a "hardware emporium" I tend to use my staff discount

I still use screwfix for a few things - screws, sockets etc mainly (mostly as if there's an issue then there's no problem getting an exchange...)

Merchants locally - total joke....indy electrical supplier 5 times more than screwfix for a lot of small stuff, neweys same and their staff are damned rude, eddies.....take longer than screwfix to serve you and their prices yoyo...
TP are insanely expensive, Jewsons not too bad but their electrical stuff is junk (I can buy MK from Sfix for less), plumbcenter make B&Q look cheap.....

I can't help but wonder, are screwfix as bad as they are seem.

Yes if you get on well with your local merchant you may get 50% off, but what if it cost more than screwfix, yes you get your 50% off so you are happy, but is what you have really cheaper?

Screwfix prices on certain things are going up and up though....
e.g. frogtape....£8 odd quid a roll last time I was in, used to be ~£5 (tesco sell it for £4.85 a roll for example and tesco are frequently expensive for many things...)
Even B&Q are cheaper per roll than Screwfix....which really makes no sense...

I pick and choose. I like that Screwfix give you the price inc VAT, whereas at tradepoint you think it's cheap... then it isn't. However, I take into account that if I have to go 2 miles out of my way to go to Screwfix when Tradepoint is on my way, the few pence difference gets wiped out. For plumbing, I use my local, and for the few electrical bits I might need. And if a customer specifically wants Dulux, I always check if homebase have an offer.

Hmmm, been offered that laser level at 69 quid if I ring up.

Worth it or better for similar cash???

BG

BillyGoat wrote:Hmmm, been offered that laser level at 69 quid if I ring up.

Worth it or better for similar cash???

BG

It is cheap, but not sure how good it is.

Generally laser levels make your life much easier

As for screwfix in general, I have a love hate relationship with them.

screwfix-deliveries-t71258.html

screwfix-ordering-t70294.html

screwfix-website-t66342.html

Bah. Decided to take them up on the offer, so I called up and they had the notes of the 30 quid credit note. None in stock anywhere

Going to keep the credit on file so I can call back when they are in stock and get it for the reduced price. Video makes it look ok, so it'll do me I think.

BG

My local Screwfix is quite good, they have good availability, the staff are helpful, I find the prices are OK in general.

I tend to buy branded products when possible, Mira showers, Fluidmaster WC valves, and I like the choice of electrical sockets, switches etc grouped by brand in the book.

Their cheapo hand tools (Red forge ??) are just that really cheap, I wouldn't buy them but they stock mid range gear Stanley, Irwin etcwhich are acceptable, for any upmarket chippy type tools I use Axminster.

I like the returns policy, the "no invoice reqd" works well for me.

I am registered under Plumbfix and the discounts spread across a wide range of stuff

In my local store they do make an effort to keep the queues down which I appreciate.

There is a Been and Queued a quarter of a mile from Screwfix but I haven't been in there for years, Its a crappy store staffed by people who don't give a crap.

Local merchants seem very fickle about discounts and really I can't be arsed with all the tooth sucking and eye rolling I have to do to get a decent price.