Shed Prices...

[ZenStalinist]

What's the deal with Shed Prices?

Today I was in B&Q... the Wylex MCBs were about £1.30 more expensive than the MKs of the same type... Not exactly what I'd call price reflecting the product. Perhaps it was a service charge for the convenience of the Wylexes being at an easy to reach level, whereas for the MKs one has to bend down...

 

[securespark]

Zen, don't know why but B&Q price policy has always been loopy.

When I worked for them in late 80's, prices for electrical stuff were nuts.

Back then they had everything in bubble packs (sure helped push up the price).

Tenby double sockets were 7.99 or more if you wanted a colour plate.

CCU's were 14.99.

Earth clamps were 1.39

2.5 was 59p metre and 1.0 was 49p.

Pattresses and boxes started at 1.99

Hows that for Rip Off??

And how much do B&Q pay for them? Hint - they buy millions......

Another member of the same trading group used to pay their suppliers late all the time. I mean really late - like court late!

So, you buy stuff dirt cheap, you pay really really late for it thus maximising profits and then knock it out at top end rates. An all-round winning policy don't you think?

 

[funkydiver]

Plus, your average Joe that walks into B&Q for DIY 'lectrics thinks... aaaaah... get the expensive one, it must be better quality...


Long live UK Plc... (as long as the share holders aren't making a profit.....)

 

[AdamW]

It's not just the sheds, I went into my local builders' yard today. The building stuff they sell is always very good quality and low-priced (plus they know their products and give good advice, try that at B&Wickesbase), but I reckon they have a rule "if it can't be fitted with a hammer, mark it up 300%!". JBs for £1.56, bubble pack pattresses, and the coup de gras, £2 a metre for 4mm. They are the same with the plumbing stuff too.

It is surprising though, the first time you do a job, any job, around the house, you don't have an idea of the quality available so you go to the shed, buy the bits and that's that. But after you go to some specialist wholesalers or order off the internet places then you begin to wonder how they can charge £5 for a cheap-quality item in the shed when you get the same thing, but at a better quality, for £2 elsewhere.

And don't get me started on blister-pack screws

 

[AdamW]

Another member of the same trading group used to pay their suppliers late all the time. I mean really late - like court late!

As a teen I worked in an independent DIY shop (previously a plumbers' merchant, it diversified). Every Saturday I would answer the phone and have to explain the boss was out as the aforementioned boss stood next to me waving his arms!!! To be fair he didn't have billions of pounds of investment behind him, nor did it ever get to "court late"

 

[Scoby_Beasley]

And don't get me started on blister-pack screws

I have a pack of those from the mid '90's. How the f**k do you open them ?!?!?

 

[funkydiver]

I have a pack of those from the mid '90's. How the f**k do you open them ?!?!?

Oxyacetylene cutting torch usually does the trick... failing that a diamond disc'd angle grinder...

If that still don't work, call a gaenaecologist...

 

[AdamW]

The commonly accepted way to open blister packs is to grab hold of a stanley knife, try to cut through the blister and fail. So stick the blade between the two halves of the pack and try to wedge/cut it open. Slice fingers two or three times, then whilst wrapping them in plasters have the nearest female arrive with scissors and open them in 2 seconds.

In my experience it is often cheaper to buy a box of 500 from a wholesaler than to buy 50 at a shed. And it saves on fingers and stanley blades. Not to mention the fact that several times when buying blister packs I have found that there are only 9 screws in my pack of 10, and I can never be bothered to drive back on a 7 mile round trip and demand my 10th screw.

 

[securespark]

I'm pleased you lot have problems with modern packaging.....

My dear old Gran (1903-1996) was always saying to me : "I sometimes think the people that make these don't want you to get into them....."

 

[securespark]

This is blindingly obvious, but if you are dealing with a wholesaler or merchant, then it's all about discount.

If so-and-so wholesaler is specialises in a particular product or supplier or has a deal with a manufacturer then they will buy and sell more of that product than someone else, and this will bring the price down.

I have just ordered 3 Concord light fittings via WF and they are so uncommon that as we speak mine are being manufactured specially to order.

The list is 79.97 each, and WF is giving me a 5% discount. I thought this was a rip-off until I contacted other wholesalers. The highest price was 105.49 with no discount.

But can the wholesaler justify that huge premium (nearly 1/3) over and above mfr's list price?

I don't think so.

 

[kendor]

The wholesalers probably get away with charging what they like as a lot of contractors don't bother about the price as they merely pass it on to the client anyway and the excessive bill for materials comes in handy when passed to the taxman.