Which wholesaler and why?

[Yellowhammer]

Hello all,

As per title, I currently have a City's and a REXEL account. Started with city's when I was doing odd bits, quickly found City's to be extortionate and even as I started to put rewires etc. through there was no movement on their prices..
Went to REXEL, and found they were giving me some good prices and the guys in my local branch were really helpful, so have stuck with them.

Unfortunately I've just been told my local branch is being closed on Friday, they've been told not to tell anyone and just close up, which is shocking from the powers that be given small businesses rely on them. Based on this I'm not really keen to move over and use the larger branches in nearby Oxford.

Who do people rate and use? I know a lot buy online these days but having a local branch to drop into for unforseen items, grab a dubious quality hot chocolate and have a bit of a chat is quite important to me, and has always been part of the job I've liked, from apprentice through to now. Particularly now working alone a lot of the time!

Any recommendations are welcome, I'm Oxford-ish based, so any small locals, or positives around the larger guys would be appreciated.

Many thanks

 

[littlespark]

I can’t really advise, as my ONLY local choices are City’s or YESSS. Occasionally screwfix, as they’re open Sundays.

Have used online before, including the forum sponsors… but obviously no good if you need something right now.

 

[Yellowhammer]

I should say I'm not against online, and have previously and will continue to use online services.
Also use Screwfix/Toolstation in a bind on the weekends.

I just like a little banter/human interaction from time to time. I think all I have left locally now are Eddies or Cities. Need to do a little digging. Potentially I just need to press Cities for some money off, the guy I sub for now and then to do PV seems to get some heavy discounts.

 

[DefyG]

Your profile states Oxford but you dont want to venture into Oxford?
Not sure where you are based but there are options in Abingdon and Didcot south of Oxford if thats nearby, some independents too which have used when working that way, but not regularly enough to build up that rapport!
Bit of a catch 22 though, you cant expect best prices if you dont use a wholesaler regularly.

 

[Yellowhammer]

Lovely sunny Abingdon is where I'm based, TLC, Eddie's and Cities are the ones I know of local enough to make it convenient to drop in on the way too/from a job for some urgent/forgotten things. Oxford is fine, but not ideal if I'm heading in the opposite direction!

Catch 22 indeed, to be honest I'm mostly miffed to have lost the wholesaler I've put that effort into using and building a rapport with the guys. I also feel gutted for them, being nice blokes and being told with a week's notice the shutters go down at the end of the week. Back to square one all round.