Stranded 2.5mm T&E cable

[pc1966]

Recently a couple of threads have discussed T&E cable and it became apparent to me that the 2.5mm, which I have only ever seen as solid core, is available with the live cores in 7-strand (rather like the old 7/.029" imperial size, though with solid CPC and not the 3-strand seen before). In fact CEF list it as available (but not stocked locally, as usual, and no maker information):

H6242Y 2.5mm² PVC T+E Twin and Earth Stranded Core Cable Grey (100m Drum)

Twin & earth with stranded cores

www.cef.co.uk

Does anyone know of specific use-cases where this is specified?

Has it simply been familiarity with previous installations using the stranded imperial size?

 

[Pretty Mouth]

I find CEF totally useless too.

Their website tells you there's a dozen of an item in stock at store, and a thousand ready for next day delivery. So you go to the store and ask for one of said item. The guy disappears for 20 minutes then comes back to tell you that they don't have any in stock, and they'll have to order it in from the manufacturers, which will take x number of days.

If by chance they do have it in stock, it will be absurdly overpriced.

(Sorry to the OP for turning this into a CEF bashing thread)

 

[timhoward]

Last week, needed an earthing nut. Screwfix and toolstation were out. My usual merchants were out. CEF showed 80 in stock at local store. Turned up, waited 15 minutes, got told we can get you some tomorrow afternoon. No good need to finish this job today. Ok, have you got some brass nuts, bolts, washers, I’ll do it the old way. 20 minutes later a pack of ten each appeared and computer said £65. Manager was needed to sort out pricing. Finally left 40minutes later, £8 lighter with 2nd choice items.
It is absolutely my last resort place. I feel sorry for the staff who are all nice people but have to operate this useless machine.

 

[Rockingit]

I've never trusted CEF and have very rarely used them after a manager at the local branch nearly exited the building through the plate glass window frontage of the branch with my help when he decided to slag me, my business partner and our company off when the trade counter had a number of customers in and that was 30ish years ago
I remember one of the big companies locally doing an audit and finding that CEF had overcharged them or sent invoices for goods not supplied to the tune of around £100k

I've also found their accounting system to be incomprehensible, too. A statement may or not tally with the invoices in hand, payments made, running owed.... And it's not just me, my partner used to be finance director for a big concern in Scotland and she's always said as well that it was always CEF accounts they were questioning, never the other suppliers.

 

[nicebutdim]

Everyone loves to hate CEF, but it's rare that local branches aren't busy. I do like their website and find that stock levels are generally accurate for local branches. Like everywhere else staff can be hit and miss - my main issue is high prices, but for some items they can be surprisingly reasonable.

Rexel is an unknown quantity but they do have a couple of branches over here (none close by) and (thanks to this thread I now know) they offer next day delivery. Just registered and looked at prices for a few things I need in the near future - not bad, but not could be better

I find that Edmundsons are generally well priced and locally they keep an excellent stock - probably better than anyone else in this area on that front.

 

[pc1966]

We have used Edmundsons and they are OK, sometimes better prices than Holland House, sometimes not.

I think there is a Rexel in Dundee but so far not looked at opening an account, etc, as we hardly do enough to justify the added effort.

 

[nicebutdim]

I'd rate Edmundsons more highly if they had a website worth talking about - I like websites

 

[pc1966]

I'd rate Edmundsons more highly if they had a website worth talking about - I like websites

LOL, just try Holland House for an all-time low on web sites!

Still, the folks at my local branch are very helpful and prices decent.

 

[nicebutdim]

After registering with Rexel a few days back, I looked at prices of a few items that'll be needed in the near future. Not exceptionally cheap, but reasonable enough and figured worth buying.

Today I got around to ordering and the pricing they'd initially offered has been revised. So drastic are the increases that they now make CEF look like a bargain basement I guess that's one less password to remember.

 

[partplonker]

It is absolutely my last resort place. I feel sorry for the staff who are all nice people but have to operate this useless machine.

We have less choice up north. Eddies are ok, but their website is s*h*i*t so you have to go there in person to find out if they've got what you want. I buy domestic-related bits and bobs from Screwstation and only use CEF for items I can't get anywhere else.

Last time I went to CEF, the manager came out and started giving me abuse for not buying enough stuff there, which was a sales tactic I haven't encountered before! I think I was in there buying a submeter and some 10mm2 for a shower. I told him that I only buy stuff from CEF that I can't get from Screwfix. Unbelievable cheek.

 

[nicebutdim]

Last time I went to CEF, the manager came out and started giving me abuse for not buying enough stuff there, which was a sales tactic I haven't encountered before! I think I was in there buying a submeter and some 10mm2 for a shower. I told him that I only buy stuff from CEF that I can't get from Screwfix. Unbelievable cheek.

From what you've posted, it may be that he knew there was nothing to lose by trying that unusual tactic

 

[Risteard]

Everyone loves to hate CEF, but it's rare that local branches aren't busy. I do like their website and find that stock levels are generally accurate for local branches. Like everywhere else staff can be hit and miss - my main issue is high prices, but for some items they can be surprisingly reasonable.

Rexel is an unknown quantity but they do have a couple of branches over here (none close by) and (thanks to this thread I now know) they offer next day delivery. Just registered and looked at prices for a few things I need in the near future - not bad, but not could be better

I find that Edmundsons are generally well priced and locally they keep an excellent stock - probably better than anyone else in this area on that front.

A lot of the Rexel branches here are the old Dunlop & Hamilton branches.

As for Edmundsons, Mercers (Walter S. Mercer) are also part of Edmundson Electrical.

 

[Rockingit]

After registering with Rexel a few days back, I looked at prices of a few items that'll be needed in the near future. Not exceptionally cheap, but reasonable enough and figured worth buying.

Today I got around to ordering and the pricing they'd initially offered has been revised. So drastic are the increases that they now make CEF look like a bargain basement I guess that's one less password to remember.

Is that with an existing trade account, though?

 

[nicebutdim]

Is that with an existing trade account, though?

The prices CEF give me are full list - I get charged the same as is shown on their site when not logged in. I used them as a comparison as prices are displayed online.

Last week Rexel were showing me 10mm 3 core SWA cheaper than CEF by about the VAT amount - roughly what I'd expect to pay in a local wholesaler owned by Edmundsons. Now their price is more expensive than CEF by about the same margin.

1.5mm 3 core NYY-J from Rexel is priced (to me) at £5.48/m, while CEF list price is £1.00/m and I don't consider that to be particularly cheap

No idea what changed between last week and now, but buying from Rexel is definitely not an option.

 

[Rockingit]

The prices CEF give me are full list - I get charged the same as is shown on their site when not logged in. I used them as a comparison as prices are displayed online.

Last week Rexel were showing me 10mm 3 core SWA cheaper than CEF by about the VAT amount - roughly what I'd expect to pay in a local wholesaler owned by Edmundsons. Now their price is more expensive than CEF by about the same margin.

1.5mm 3 core NYY-J from Rexel is priced (to me) at £5.48/m, while CEF list price is £1.00/m and I don't consider that to be particularly cheap

No idea what changed between last week and now, but buying from Rexel is definitely not an option.

I've just logged on to both, on account, and showing the same. I can only think this must be an error?

Edit - just emailed my branch to check!

 

[Yozza19]

We use cef for 90% of our stuff no one else can get near them on price for most things we do spend 100k+ a month