www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

I’ve bought lots of items from FFX (Folkstone fixings) on eBay over the years, with zero problems. They are always competitively priced and deliver items quickly.

However, on the 13th May 2023 I ordered an Evolution diamond disc, which will fit my cordless circular saw (I was going to use it to grind out some pointing, instead of using a grinder).

On the 23rd May, they sent me a message via eBay, saying that the item was out of stock and would be delivered on approximately the 23-24 June.
The item actually arrived last week (10-14 July)

I left them neutral feedback, I do not think that I have ever left neutral or negative feedback before in 1250 transactions.

I thought it was just a one-off incident, as I have purchased from them several times previously.


A few weeks back I went to price up the removal of some machines from a local firm, and was awarded the job. I have a 230V reciprocating saw and a Spitznas pneumatic saw for cutting up steel pipes/beams etc. But thought a cordless reciprocating saw would come in useful. I used to have a 18v Dewalt reciprocating saw, but I sold it, along with all my other Dewalt XRP tools, when I started switching to Dewalt XR tools. The Dewalt reciprocating saw was awesome and I had used to cut out redundant steam pipes etc.

Last Thursday I spotted a Milwaukee 18v Reciprocating saw for sale, with next day postage. I immediately bought it and also bought some reciprocating saw blades. I was starting the job on Saturday, so delivery on the Friday would have been perfect. I did not really need the blades, as I already had some, but the cordless saw would have been really useful.
The saw was not delivered when it should have been (14th July), today I received an email from FFX stating that the saw is out of stock and will be delivered on the 14-15 August



I checked the item on eBay to see if I could cancel, but it is too late. Not only that, but I checked my eBay messages and the blades for the saw are also out of stock and will be delivered on the 21-22 July

Obviously, I’m well annoyed with FFX now and will never purchase from them again.


I can understand them selling an item that they don’t have by accident once, but three times is beyond a joke!

i have always found ffx exellent i havent bought much in the last few years[covid] but always found you pay an ebay premium with them so cheaper on there actual site as no ebay premium

i dont buy much but twice this year had problems with FFX delivery , they did compensate - but quite a mixup both occasions, i too now think twice before i purchase.

I notice that FFX do increase there prices on ebay before the discount , and the end result when i was looking at table saws and reciprocating saws was about 4% or slightly less.

Dont know why, but i prefer to order direct from FFX , ebay warranty is only 3 months and i was not sure where the contract was , had issues with warranty on a Cordless set of secateurs , ebay not interested , as per there warranty info and the sale nolonger listed on ebay , not gettign very far with the supplier either

Did we not have a discount deal with them many years ago? I recall that one of the directors use to post on here, I might be thinking of some other firm.

DWD

dewaltdisney wrote: ↑Thu Jul 20, 2023 8:12 am Did we not have a discount deal with them many years ago? I recall that one of the directors use to post on here, I might be thinking of some other firm.

DWD

i think it was unofficial and part off the sales team as he was very very helpful but suddenly disappeared

I suspect it's sheer laziness on behalf of the person dedicated to keeping the eBay site details up to date. Or, more likely, a cost cutting measure by either getting rid of that employee or giving them something else to do!

Either way it's a practise that I can't stand either.

On a much smaller scale I ordered some electronic components from Farnell last year (around September) and the order was delivered minus TWO small capacitors that had a restocking date for July 2023 - some EIGHT MONTHS after the order was placed! I can't fault the fact that they did actually send the items when they said they would (arrived in a box 200x the size of the bits that were in it) though but can anyone beat an EIGHT MONTH delay date!

I normally order a lot of work stuff through FFX. At the end of March I ordered around 12 DeWalt Toughboxes. They were over a two weeks late and two of them were damaged. When I spoke to someone they did admit although they were showing as in stock they actually weren't and were waiting on them coming in. It took me quite a while to get replacements for the damaged ones and to be fair they did let me keep the damaged ones for free.

There was something else that I ordered that again was a couple of weeks overdue but I can't recall what it was.

My mate worked for them for a year or so but left last year as he says they weren't a very good company to work for. That's not particularly relevant but thought I'd chuck that in there.

I think a lot of firms are moving from holding stock to order on order from their suppliers which will minimise stock money tied up. I noticed more items at Screwfix are next day now which can be a bit annoying. If you have decent suppliers that you can get the stock from quickly, it is transparent to the end buyer but if you get messed around on supply and quality it is a quick slide down the slope to a poor reputation and the consequent lack of orders. Like this in fact

DWD

I always order direct from ffx not through ebay. Do you think they dont keep the ebay as up to date with whether in stock or not? They are usually one of the cheapest but even so you get next day delivery upto 8pm order. I ordered new saw on Saturday and arrived Sunday for work Monday.