Wholesaler prices lately.

oscar21 · Apr 24, 2023

What is it with the recent prices I'm getting at wholesalers, just about everything anyone quotes now is about 20% dearer than I can get things for retail. Take today, I needed some conduit, saddles etc so went to a wholesalers round the corner, I don't use them very often but I know the lad who served me quite well so its not as if I'm a randomer off the street. the bill was about £100 but doing a bit of research this evening it turns out I could of got the same stuff for about £75 from Toolstation or Screwfix etc, or slightly cheaper if I ordered it on-line.

Its the same with our regular wholesaler, they are getting so expensive I hardly ever use them anymore, luckily I'm quite organised so get most stuff on-line now from various places. But these on-line places still have trade counters and physical stores, they are basically wholesalers just like the ones I use but selling on-line as well, if they can sell for that price so can the one I use. I son't see any sense in it, eventually everyone will do what I have done and just buy on-line.

I wouldn't mind but on-line is brilliant, you can order whilst sat in the bath, it arrives anywhere in the country the next day, is the cheapest option and vary rarely does anything go wrong. Wholesalers will be a thing of the past if they don't change track soon.

Dustydazzler · Apr 24, 2023

Stopped using the likes of CEF ages ago , utter Rip off merchants

ToolStation and Screwfix now for 95% of what I buy on a weekly basis , TLC at a push if its an odd ball item

nicebutdim · Apr 24, 2023

You pays your money and takes your choice.

Big sheds like Toolstation & Screwfix buy in unbelievable quantities and wholesalers have little chance of competing, especially independants.

Flip side of this is exceptionally limited range of goods. Can't imagine those retailers being much help if you need something so simple as a length of strut or a 2" bush.

oscar21 · Apr 24, 2023

nicebutdim said:
You pays your money and takes your choice.

Big sheds like Toolstation & Screwfix buy in unbelievable quantities and wholesalers have little chance of competing, especially independants.

Flip side of this is exceptionally limited range of goods. Can't imagine those retailers being much help if you need something so simple as a length of strut or a 2" bush.

I think the JCC downlights we get online come from an independent, the big chain wholesalers cant or wont beat them. I think its just profiteering to be honest.

Dustydazzler · Apr 24, 2023

oscar21 said:
I think the JCC downlights we get online come from an independent, the big chain wholesalers cant or wont beat them. I think its just profiteering to be honest.

I remember some years ago now , I used my local Edmundsons for cable , MK consumer units , sockets and the like.
A big screwfix opened 2 units down from them and they were selling MK boards way cheaper than Edmundson's were, so I mentioned it to the then manager and he said he couldn't get anywhere near to Screwfix prices. It wasn't even worth him trying to match prices.
Funnily that branch soon closed down and was replaced by ToolStation

cliffed · Apr 25, 2023

Everything gone mad… for your enjoyment take a look @ these prices
i was on 35p a hour back then …just a bit less I’m on now

[ElectriciansForums.net] Wholesaler prices lately.

Dustydazzler · Apr 25, 2023

So you could get 3 and 1/2 pints of beer for 1hr work in 1971 , to get that today you would need to earn £30 odd quid per hour. The average worker is on around £15 ph in England

LukeD · Apr 25, 2023

Toolstation and screwfix for 80% .Builders Depot for all things "Fusebox" . Local Wholesale place IF I HAVE TO .And Ebay . I love ebay for all sorts of things , rawplugs , wagos etc etc

Bob Geldoff1234 · Apr 25, 2023

I was after some dimmable candle led lamps from my wholesalers.They wanted £3.60 per lamp inc vat.I bought them from Screwfix for £2 per lamp. I wouldn't be able to charge much profit on the wholesalers prices where as Screwfix I can get a decent markup. So to the OP,I know what you mean.

Dustydazzler · Apr 25, 2023

LukeD said:
Toolstation and screwfix for 80% .Builders Depot for all things "Fusebox" . Local Wholesale place IF I HAVE TO .And Ebay . I love ebay for all sorts of things , rawplugs , wagos etc etc

Ebay is great for bulk buying screws , wall plugs , connectors , tape , clips etc etc

Lister1987 · Apr 25, 2023

Dustydazzler said:
Ebay is great for bulk buying screws , wall plugs , connectors , tape , clips etc etc

Oh go on, what are your usual shops on there?

DPG · Apr 25, 2023

Watch out for counterfeit connectors on ebay.

Marvo · Apr 25, 2023

As a rule of thumb never use a wholesaler if you you don't have an account there. Wholesalers have always had much higher markup on small items, it's what keeps them afloat, they don't make much markup on the bread and butter or bulk items like cable. They're always going to be more expensive than purely online vendors but they should add value such as technical support and ease of warranty claims, a 30 day account etc.

ipf · Apr 25, 2023

It's all about quick turnover. All wholesalers, these days have a much smaller range of materials readily available. Where I used to be able to get most things off the shelf, if it's anything out of the ordinary it's a case of waiting for delivery or attempting to trace.
Many say it's easier with the internet and online trading but I used to find things much easier talking to a manufacturer's or supplier's rep who understood what was required than pressing buttons and being sent down cul-de-sacs.
We had a couple or regular wholesalers with others when needed. They all tended to offer decent prices and only served the trade......selling 'wholesale'. I don't think there's any such thing today. Anyone off the street gets served with 'trade' prices.

Dustydazzler · Apr 26, 2023

Lister1987 said:
Oh go on, what are your usual shops on there?

N one in particular , if I need some lever Wagos I just type in lever Wagos and see what offers I can get.
Same with packs of tape , multiple boxes or screws.
There is always some deals to be had

Wholesaler prices lately.

oscar21

Dustydazzler

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nicebutdim

oscar21

Dustydazzler

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cliffed

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Dustydazzler

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LukeD

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Bob Geldoff1234

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Dustydazzler

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Lister1987

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DPG

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Marvo

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ipf

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Dustydazzler

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