Wholesalers who’s the best service and value

[Dozer 73]

asking this because our company uses .........wait for it CEF
And yes I know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They do stock and provide us any manafacture we require , and provide us a good service , but I do know these prices are highly inflated , even dearer than general public prices
Which really annoys me
We did try newhey and eyres or whatever name they are now trading under , prices were good but the service was terrible with odd items turning up by couriers weeks later
It’s for service round manchester/Leeds / Nottingham we require

 

[Midwest]

Thing with wholesalers, compared to places like TLC or Screwfix, and most of my stuff doesn't come from them, is Screwfix display their prices where my wholesalers do not. I found out how much my down lights have cost me, when the invoice comes in the post. I'm sure that's fine for a large company that can negotiate prices, but as a small sole trader, I'm stuck with what I got, price wise. On that subject, Scxrewfix email their invoice, WF Senate post theirs. I'm paying for the postage, crazy!

 

[123]

Thing with wholesalers, compared to places like TLC or Screwfix, and most of my stuff doesn't come from them, is Screwfix display their prices where my wholesalers do not. I found out how much my down lights have cost me, when the invoice comes in the post. I'm sure that's fine for a large company that can negotiate prices, but as a small sole trader, I'm stuck with what I got, price wise. On that subject, Scxrewfix email their invoice, WF Senate post theirs. I'm paying for the postage, crazy!

Get a quote before hand? Or if calling in get a docket with prices on it...

I know screwfix and TLC display their prices...for me that works in my favour as it's more expensive that what I buy at+my markup, but...if buying from them anyone can see their prices.

I get all my invoices by email, WF sound like a forward thinking company

 

[Leesparkykent]

Electric centre and Kew for me. The trouble is if your on the road then CEF is obviously the best wholesalers for convenience as they are everywhere. I Don't like CEF but have an account for convenience when working out of town.The people in my local CEF are very good and also frustrated by their regional/national management. They feel their hands are tied which ends up meaning they cant compete. The local CEF rep is a plonker and gets on my wick but the branch manager and counter staff are good. Saying that I've boycotted CEF the last few months as I got a bill through for £13 for a 45A switch and £60 for some ferrule crimpers that are £40 everywhere you look. I don't understand their business model. They say I don't get the best discount as I don't use them enough.....That makes sense doesn't it....How likely am I going to use them to get a better discount if I'm not already getting a discount that's at least competitive! A few years back I remember my local branch manager saying their average turnover for that branch was £160K a month...I bet they're not hitting anywhere near that mark now with the likes of Kew, Electric centre and Screwfix being near by offering better deals.

 

[Octopus]

Thing with wholesalers, compared to places like TLC or Screwfix, and most of my stuff doesn't come from them, is Screwfix display their prices where my wholesalers do not. I found out how much my down lights have cost me, when the invoice comes in the post. I'm sure that's fine for a large company that can negotiate prices, but as a small sole trader, I'm stuck with what I got, price wise. On that subject, Scxrewfix email their invoice, WF Senate post theirs. I'm paying for the postage, crazy!

WF / Senate / Wilts have had the ability to email invoices since 2014 - just ask your branch manager for it!

 

[123]

Why is it when anyone talks of orders at a rip off price it's CEF that's the supplier? Never seems to be YESSS or any other.

Did you get a price for this? No? Oh we are gonna take you to the cleaners then.

 

[Dozer 73]

Why is it when anyone talks of orders at a rip off price it's CEF that's the supplier? Never seems to be YESSS or any other.

Did you get a price for this? No? Oh we are gonna take you to the cleaners then.

Not a good business model though , what if we did that as trades men

 

[Octopus]

On the rare occassions I ask CEF for a quote, I always question the price and they nearly always take 20% off

This is why I have NO confidence in them

Screwfix has its place BUT there is so many "bits" they simply don't stock or offer... TLC is far superior IMHO

 

[Leesparkykent]

Why is it when anyone talks of orders at a rip off price it's CEF that's the supplier? Never seems to be YESSS or any other.

Did you get a price for this? No? Oh we are gonna take you to the cleaners then.

I was in a CEF once when a women come in...Clearly not an electrician. The person behind the counter charged her an outrageous price for 4 lamps....As she left he turned and called her an idiot seeking approval from us who was standing there waiting for gear....He then went into the back office and you could hear him bragging to the other staff about how much he charged where they all seemed to give him a pat on the back for his ordasity.

 

[Octopus]

What frustrates me is when so called "wholesalers" dish out "advice" and discounts to Joe Public!

 

[Dozer 73]

If your company and paymasters aren't bothered about cost...then why are you?

All I'd be after in that case is good friendly service, having in stock all the items required, and (not that I drink the stuff) coffee and tea on tap when in the branches.

Principle , the fact that they are taking the mickey

 

[123]

I was in a CEF once when a women come in...Clearly not an electrician. The person behind the counter charged her an outrageous price for 4 lamps....As she left he turned and called her an idiot seeking approval from us who was standing there waiting for gear....He then went into the back office and you could hear him bragging to the other staff about how much he charged where they all seemed to give him a pat on the back for his ordasity.

That sounds familiar...my CEF used to have same idiot, if a Merc or fancy car drove in with no account he'd charge them a tenner for a GU10 halogen.

Check Every Figure (CEF), funny how the invoice "mistakes" never ever work in your favour

 

[Ian1981]

Got charged £247 for 25mm M6 brass nuts,bolts and washers 100 of each off CEF.
Naturally I laughed in their face and walked out!

 

[LewisM]

Screwfix has its place BUT there is so many "bits" they simply don't stock or offer... TLC is far superior IMHO

Yeah out of those two TLC is much better, I stopped going to screwfix after I got some 20mm pvc conduit which was as thin as paper! Almost bending under its own weight.

 

[South Spark]

Edmondson and Electric Centre seem to be the least likely to take the ---- (round my way at least) on a walk in.

To be honest I use Screwfix mostly because I just can't be arsed with the haggling.

 

[J.C.E]

for t/e cable and c/u i find screwfix (which joe public can get it from) is the same as my local independant wholesaler! this annoys me
looking at few invoices on my desk now...
mk rcbo 22.50+v
100m 1.5 t/e 30.26+v
100m 1.0mm 3core 46.54+v
aico ei164e heat alarm 37.44+v
bg nexus brushed chrome d.socket 7.80+v

annoying that someone whos given them £18700 since january this year- get more or less same price as someone walking into screwfix