www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

Not exactly a 'Grumpy' post, although there is a 'Grumpy' bit that comes later.

'Work' wanted some Acro type props. A fair few for a particular application. We have an account with a local Building supplier through which, the organisation as a whole, although not necessarily my department, purchase probably tens of K per year.

So I asked them for a quote. £33 (+vat) per item. - which is the 'Grumpy' bit. The Net is festooned with cheaper prices than that.

In the end, I ordered through Building Products Online.

http://buildingproducts-online.co.uk/in ... nsco4aoh05

Their Online format is very much 'US of A' derived but is easily negotiated. Paying by Credit Card, necessitated registering with my home address but adding a 'Delivery Address' together with 'Delivery Instructions' was relatively painless.

I ordered late on Sunday evening. The items were delivered, to the 'Delivery Address' on the Tuesday. Free delivery.

The VAT invoice arrived in the post, at my home address, on the Wednesday.

And the price per item - £18.50 (+vat)

Whilst they obviously aren't as per original, the provider does certify,

All Acrow Props supplied by Building Products Online are fully & independently tested in accordance with BS4074 & BS5507 - Full technical support, certification & traceability information is required on many sites & is available upon request.

they are certainly more than adequate for our needs.

I would certainly purchase from this supplier again.

Now I just need to find some bugger to sign my 'expenses' claim, and get paid.

i work for a big hire company Grumps (think mind the ...) and they look exactly the same as the ones we send out to customers same as the trestles to be honest so cant see why they would be any different

pud1771 wrote:and they look exactly the same as the ones we send out to customers

Thanks. Probably just me. I'm just not used to seeing them when they aren't covered in concrete and other crap.

I volunteer at a Heritage Railway and the 'Painters' were complaining that they couldn't do their freehand coach-lining when others were moving about inside the vehicle, due to it moving on the suspension too much. Hence, size zero props under the solebar are ideal for preventing any movement.

One would think that, at 35 tonnes, a couple of people moving about inside wouldn't make much diference, but it does. One day I was on staging, drilling holes for Corridor Connection mounts. With a couple of people walking around inside, and another moving about on the roof. It was like targetting something in a stormy sea.

We already have a couple of 'fifth wheel' supports, as per the Transport Industry, but with an increase in both workshop size, and extended functions, we needed an 'economical' means of providing stability in additional work areas.

Hence why I searched for 'best price' and I certainly can't fault their service.

I work for a big company and we have preferred suppliers, my experience is they bend over backwards and do what is needed to secure your business but once they have it, they take the £$%".

I often call up for quotes and the price difference between our "preferred" rate and the rate I can get from anywhere else, often on the high street is massive. I keep being told that it is not my money and I should shut up and get on with it and do my job but I just cant do it

Been off-line for a few days as the Tower went TF'd. Now got a new one with Windows 10. Only got it this afternoon but, first impressions - It's impressive.

pud1771 wrote: The one I looked at volunteering at used sleepers cut in half and then stacked like cribbing to hold there coaches steady for any work

Which Railway was that. I can't believe that such still goes on. The cost in time/manpower alone more than outweighs a couple of hundred quid's investment in some suitable kit. I suppose I'm lucky. I happened across a medium sized operation where we have a decent budget. I'm one of the holders of a TradeCard for Screwfix and B&Q and I probably myself spend about £100 a month on that. Nice to go into B&Q on a Wednesday and not only put items on a TradeCard, but also to get the 'wrinklies' discount. And there are other card holders that may spend even more.

I suppose that, due to me being more involved in the Engineering/Mechanical side of the restorations, when I identify a need for extra tools, they get authorised. I've recently had a couple of months where I've spent £100+ with Tool-Net. (Good prices and good service). Okay, it goes on my Credit Card but the 'expenses' get paid before payment is due. Besides which, I never pay interest on Credit Cards.

What has helped is that in the last year or so, we have taken 'in house' bogie repairs that, until then, were 'outsourced', with Transport, at circa 5K per pair. 'In-house', the same now costs us circa £5 (five pounds). i.e. Cutting discs + wire brushes + paint + a bit of weld. Alright, possibly a little more, because we wear out a couple of angle grinders per year, but the savings are nevertheless, substantive.

being told that it is not my money and I should shut up and get on with it and do my job but I just cant do it

I can sympathise with that. My feelings exactly. Our money not only comes from income, but also from donations, or bequests. I'm always aware that funds provided are expected to be spent wisely.

I'm also mindful of the fact that if someone has been kind enough to remember the Railway in their Will, then spending an hour or so getting 'best value' for their contribution, is not time wasted.

For an overview of what we do:-

http://cwatgwsr.blogspot.co.uk/