Looking for another wholesaler

[Leesparkykent]

Electric centre...they can turn the prices on so they come out on each receipt/invoice. Looks like you have a couple in Glasgow.

 

[LeeH]

Electric centre...they can turn the prices on so they come out on each receipt/invoice. Looks like you have a couple in Glasgow.

CEF can do that too. You just have to get it authorised on the account.

 

[Leesparkykent]

CEF can do that too. You just have to get it authorised on the account.

I prefer electric centre though..they deliver without quibbling, prices are good, my local branch holds 300K of stock and I also get 5% payed back at the end of the year if I spend over 50K.

 

[Flanders]

as other have said get yourself an account with another, is there a yesss by you that can be quite good , I send an email with a list of parts to 3 whosalers and normally within a hour they come back with the prices, I guess if you are doing reative work and nead prices straight away You can use the cef online which give you a general guide to the cost of items and if you have bought them before it will show you the cost with your discount,

 

[D00DY_T00DY]

I used a local independent Wholesaler, courteous, quick, good at price beating and local, can't advertise so no names.

Agreed. I have my local wholesalers by my house. Go in have a laugh, get advice for the best product of what they have in/can get in and give me the best prices.

Got a bunch of 25mm 3core SWA; Customer tried sourcing it themselves "that's cheaper than we buy it in for!"

Then my second wholesaler closer to work that's open a little bit later and Saturdays aswell. Again do all they can to help and friendly too.

 

[westward10]

I agree with Lee the Electric Centre for me and have a good online catalogue. Our local branch has an out of hours collection room so you don't need to rush back before they close.

 

[richy3333]

im a sole trader in glasgow and ive been doing some thinking. I dont like the way my current wholesaler operates (CEF) I particularly dont like the way it takes ages to get an order together if i ask for prices on the reciept. The other option is to guesstimate the price of what im buying (not always full proof)

Is there any other major wholesalers that you know of that doesnt have a problem getting the prices for things?
Like when i ask them to give me prices its a whole debacle, they have to manually input each item into their specific shop database and then the price is generated. Apparently each CEF shop has their own individual prices, so its more confusion than i appreciate.

I mean is it too much to ask to go into a shop buy a whole bunch of stuff, get an accurate reciept and then pay that money?

I'm surprised you have these problems. I mainly use CEF and Electric Centre. I'd say 95% time I get prices back same day. You have to build a relationship with a wholesaler. I have prices for regularly bought items set. I'm still paying the same for some stuff I was 5 years ago. Normally only a delay if an item is out of stock or unusual for delivery. I get a delivery twice a week to wherever I want the materials. I know everyone at the branch and they all get a bottle at Christmas as a 'thank you'. Amazing how that lubricates the wheels of helpfulness!

I always email orders so if they f*^k up I have an audit trail. Conversely there's never been an issue returning stuff.

I'm a strong advocate for supporting the industry. If we don't one day they won't be there. I refuse to use places like screwed fix. My local one is manned by Unknowledgeable people and they don't stock many brands like Hager etc.

There is a free pricing software you could try. Think it's Elecktrica? Google should be your friend.

 

[Stufin135]

Like when i ask them to give me prices its a whole debacle, they have to manually input each item into their specific shop database and then the price is generated. Apparently each CEF shop has their own individual prices, so its more confusion than i appreciate.

I am confused as to how you expect them to tell you the price without putting in each item?

I am sure that all wholesalers will have to do this otherwise they are essentially guessing a price?

You can always try Eddies, Rexel and Electric Centre. But they are still going to have to enter the items onto the quote to get a price.

I don't think outside of your screwfixes and toolstations etc, there is a set price/discount. Wholesalers for the most part will always have to apply the discounts, but once done one time the discount should be saved.

 

[JK-Electrical]

im a sole trader in glasgow and ive been doing some thinking. I dont like the way my current wholesaler operates (CEF) I particularly dont like the way it takes ages to get an order together if i ask for prices on the reciept. The other option is to guesstimate the price of what im buying (not always full proof)

Is there any other major wholesalers that you know of that doesnt have a problem getting the prices for things?
Like when i ask them to give me prices its a whole debacle, they have to manually input each item into their specific shop database and then the price is generated. Apparently each CEF shop has their own individual prices, so its more confusion than i appreciate.

I mean is it too much to ask to go into a shop buy a whole bunch of stuff, get an accurate reciept and then pay that money?

Have you considered using an online wholesaler?

I use Discount Electrical all the time. Their prices are very good, and you only have to spend £30 to qualify for free delivery. Highly recommended.

 

[littlespark]

My local CEF is close at 7 miles away. I've not had any trouble with them. I have an account, so I can check prices online with my discount. Only thing is its a bit small... but you can check branch availability online too.
Further away at the other end of town is a YESSS. Not really used them, so cannot comment. For me its just handier to go to CEF.
Online retailers are good for prices, if you can plan well in advance and don't mind waiting for delivery.
The only problem I see with Screwfix, for example, is that the customers can price check themselves.. You can't mark up the materials like you can from a wholesaler.

Like with anything, if you shop around, you will find a good place, with good service. If you are not happy with your local, go try somewhere else.

 

[DC-backfrom the past]

My local CEF is close at 7 miles away. I've not had any trouble with them. I have an account, so I can check prices online with my discount. Only thing is its a bit small... but you can check branch availability online too.
Further away at the other end of town is a YESSS. Not really used them, so cannot comment. For me its just handier to go to CEF.
Online retailers are good for prices, if you can plan well in advance and don't mind waiting for delivery.
The only problem I see with Screwfix, for example, is that the customers can price check themselves.. You can't mark up the materials like you can from a wholesaler.

Like with anything, if you shop around, you will find a good place, with good service. If you are not happy with your local, go try somewhere else.

I find that cef are dearer for domestic stuff even like for like. I asked for a bigger discount and was told to start using them more and they would review my discount
so I would have to use them for a month or so and be out of pocket for them to review
or i just keep going between lsk screwfix and toolstation ...

guess what cef haven't had a penny yet six months on

 

[Pete999]

I find that cef are dearer for domestic stuff even like for like. I asked for a bigger discount and was told to start using them more and they would review my discount
so I would have to use them for a month or so and be out of pocket for them to review
or i just keep going between lsk screwfix and toolstation ...

guess what cef haven't had a penny yet six months on

No change there then DC?

 

[Octopus]

Why doesn't the OP list the other wholesalers near him and ask for comments on them.....

 

[baldelectrician]

I use CEF, Electric Center and a local wholesaler (Riverbank in Kilmarnock)
They are all good

I get a price list from CEF and all my stock is on the computer. I check these costs against other wholesalers and its there abouts

My local CEF price my lines and I know what I am paying.

My other small local one is a paper and pen outfit and its good - they know their stuff and the prices are OK.

Make a spread sheet of all the stuff you use and send it to them- make sure you specify the same brands etc
Make sure the email shows the other wholesalers in the cc field and they will know you are comparing the market.

 

[Electrical2go]

You could always give us a chance! Electrical2go.co.uk

• Independent wholesaler
• A member of FEGIME (one of the biggest buying groups in Europe = great prices)
• Forum Sponsor
• Stock holding of 2-3 mil
• 5% discount for forum members of all orders. - sign up for an online account and add FORUM1st when prompted.
• As we're online all prices and available.
• Quotes department for bulk orders
• Trustpilot score of 5 stars - Excellent
• Nice guys.

We understand buying online isn't for everyone (and our branches would be very thankful for that) but if you know what you need for a job and you've organised your time (we need time to deliver) then we could probably save you a lot of money.

Happy shopping,

Ivan - Electrical2go