Wholesalers....

[Lister1987]

...off the back of the latest CJR video thread it now has me wondering; What/Who class as wholesalers?

I was of the impression that the likes of Screwfix/Toolstation were trade wholesalers? With the likes of B&Q, Wickes etc being "Big Shed" retailers and at the bottom of the pile you have the High Street/Supermarkets; Wilko, ASDA, Tesco etc

Stupid idea coming up; To go alongside the Spark Directory; A wholesaler/retail directory with your well-known sources and any hidden local gems at what you would deem good/reasonable prices

 

[buzzlightyear]

I would like to tell you me local wholesaler but I am been told to keep it a secret .lol.

 

[Dan]

Wholesalers SELL wholesale. So you can buy pallets worth off them. IMO.

It's easier to get your head around in the tile industry because of weight of tiles. Nobody used to ship them unless they're wholesalers. They'd come on a truck, and use a fork lift to deliver them.

A lot of genuine importers these days, also have a brand name that they then supply direct to the public with too though.

So that they can still get their best prices on Bosch drills direct from Bosch, they will need to setup a seperate company and sell those drills to themselves (from their wholesaler to their 'Direct' supplier) to then be able to sell them to the GP.

General public traditionally wouldn't be able to buy wholesale. But they can now via this kind of business model.

Screwfix just ripped up the norms though. They buy more than BnQ (the largest importer of tools in the UK) and sell direct to homeowner - leaving the distributor and retail and tradesman out of pocket.

Hence their prices.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Screwfix just ripped up the norms though. They buy more than BnQ (the largest importer of tools in the UK)

same company ,DAN .

 

[Dan]

same company ,DAN .

Wow really?

That other brother really missed out there didn't he.

 

[buzzlightyear]

MALLORCA,BRICO MART .

 

[GBDamo]

I mainly use the Rexel group. Most of their Newlec branded gear is re-badged branded kit.

Yesterday I changed a down flow heater, dimplex one, with one from Rexel. I was dumbfounded to find it lined up perfectly with the old mounting screws, cable entry and everything.

Mentioned it on the counter today to be told the Rexel one is made by dimplex.

 

[BruceBanner]

Evening, a lot of rexel/Denmans heating kit is also rebranded Dimplex. Tech & helpline goes straight through to them.

 

[Deleted member 105166]

Kingfisher (owner of the B&Q and Screwfix brands) utilise their combined group buying power to maximise buying margin and overrider discounts. Whilst Screwfix isn't a wholesaler in the traditional sense, this matters not since the group invest margin in this channel to give 'real' wholesalers a run for their money. Their logistics are very slick too.

 

[Andy78]

Screwfix are a retailer, even though they are a cheap one. The difference between them and a traditional wholesaler is service. You'll get a bespoke service from a wholesaler but an off the shelf experience from Screwfix.

I'm a small local business and I support other local business in the same way I hope my customers to support me. I choose service over price in that respect.

 

[mattg4321]

With a wholesaler they'll be able to special order you items from a manufacturer. Or sometimes bespoke items.

With a retailer if its not on their shelf/in their catalogue you probably can't buy it from them.

 

[DT1991]

Screwfix are a retailer, even though they are a cheap one. The difference between them and a traditional wholesaler is service. You'll get a bespoke service from a wholesaler but an off the shelf experience from Screwfix.

I'm a small local business and I support other local business in the same way I hope my customers to support me. I choose service over price in that respect.

Electric Center Hull always a great service there, NEW UK Hull for controls and mechanical specific work. Both recommended!

 

[Dustydazzler]

I went into a wholesalers in London , Hounslow to be precisely , it had 2 entrance doors. 1 said trade and 1 said retail.
I went into the retail door for fun and said what is the difference between this counter and the wholesale one.
The young lad said absolutely nothing...
Sums it up really

 

[littlespark]

You can get credit with a wholesaler...
Not so much with Big Shed or supermarket electrical goods.

Homebase still have major discounts on MK accessories if anyone’s interested. Not much left in my local branch though.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

You can get credit with a wholesaler...
Not so much with Big Shed or supermarket electrical goods.

Homebase still have major discounts on MK accessories if anyone’s interested. Not much left in my local branch though.

Agree, i got mk mcbs 1.50 ea and rcds for under £13 this week to populate an empty board.

I have found denmans to be cheapest of late. They asked me for some prices of my regular items and knocked upwards of 20% off the rivals.