Most Used Electrical Suppliers & Electrical Wholesalers

[Dan]

Recently we asked the forum who they used as their electrical suppliers the most. We asked for 3 or so options, and reasons why weren't mandatory but some provided details.

Electrical Suppliers - Who do you use the most on and offline? - http://www.electriciansforums.co.uk/electrical-forum-general-electrical-forum/89077-electrical-suppliers-who-do-you-use.html (the old thread will be closed now this new poll has been created)

We've now collated the responses and have put them in a poll to allow the forum to vote for the most used electrical suppliers in the UK.

As not all electrical suppliers will be listed, we are happy to add to the poll if we spot more new names being mentioned in reply to this poll.

Votes are multiple choice - All votes are public, so everybody can see who has voted.

 

[Jaxo]

Can you add local independant to list please

 

[Dan]

Can you add local independant to list please

I've added that as an option but I'd rather name them where possible to be honest so shout out about them and you might find a few others use them from your area too, which would suffice for their own option rather than being grouped with others that are nowhere near them or don't stock the same stuff or whatever.

 

[High Tower]

SND electrical wholesale Birmingham, family owned with possibly the biggest stock inventory I have ever seen!

 

[Dan]

SND electrical wholesale Birmingham, family owned with possibly the biggest stock inventory I have ever seen!

Added.

 

[ImpededLoop]

Could you add Kew Electrical - independents in the south east.

 

[kemlo]

Re: Poll for Most Used Electrical Suppliers & Electrical Wholesalers

Recently we asked the forum who they used as their electrical suppliers the most. We asked for 3 or so options, and reasons why weren't mandatory but some provided details.

http://www.electriciansforums.co.uk...9077-electrical-suppliers-who-do-you-use.html (the old thread will be closed now this new poll has been created)

Votes are multiple choice - we will allow 2 votes per person. All votes are public, so everybody can see who has voted.

Dan,
Sorry, it's probably obvious to others, but can't see how you vote in this poll.

 

[Dan]

Re: Poll for Most Used Electrical Suppliers & Electrical Wholesalers

Dan,
Sorry, it's probably obvious to others, but can't see how you vote in this poll.

Sounds like you're using Crapatalk app?

You'll need to visit the forum using a web browser. You should be able to click a button in Tapatalk that takes you to the thread using the mobile browser on the phone, you might need to login again, but you'll be able to see and vote on the Poll then.

 

[Dan]

Could you add Kew Electrical - independents in the south east.

Done

 

[Dan]

Surprised screwfix come out so highly as I thought they were generally DIY/Homeowner related. Do they do trade accounts or are they just reasonably-priced anyway?

 

[SJD]

Yes, Screwfix do trade accounts, but the main reasons I use them a lot are (a) the prices are generally reasonable, (b) I can order online and pick them up in 5 mins if in stock, or next day, and (c) I know what I'll pay, no nasty surprises of being vastly overcharged because they felt like it.

 

[andyt]

I came here from an email asking me to partake in the vote but the page shows the results and tells me I can't vote.

Read the earlier post about tapatalk but no idea what that is.

Logged in and tried the link again and still can't vote.

Anyone like to post a reasonable suggestion ?

 

[Marvo]

I came here from an email asking me to partake in the vote but the page shows the results and tells me I can't vote.

Dan,
Sorry, it's probably obvious to others, but can't see how you vote in this poll.

Hi Andyt and Kemlo, the reason you couldn't vote was that you have made less than 6 posts so you had limited permissions. I've given you full permissions now so you should be able to vote.

 

[Dan]

Well spotted Marvo.

 

[gutterball]

can you add Holland House. A few others mentioned them as well, and they are excellent.

 

[andys25]

I use a company called Gil-Lec for run of the mill. Screwfix on a Sunday only and TLC To get Gil-Lec to price match! Lol

 

[Dan]

can you add Holland House. A few others mentioned them as well, and they are excellent.

Done

 

[Poult12]

Medlock could be added for Southwest. (Old electric centre)

 

[Poult12]

Also cant vote

 

[jimfortress]

Based on Merseyside, I use an independant wholesaler call Parr Electrics, and also use National Lighting which have recently opened a branch in Aintree.

 

[Astris]

Recently we asked the forum who they used as their electrical suppliers the most. We asked for 3 or so options, and reasons why weren't mandatory but some provided details.

http://www.electriciansforums.co.uk...9077-electrical-suppliers-who-do-you-use.html (the old thread will be closed now this new poll has been created)

We've now collated the responses and have put them in a poll to allow the forum to vote for the most used electrical suppliers in the UK.

As not all electrical suppliers will be listed, we are happy to add to the poll if we spot more new names being mentioned in reply to this poll.

Votes are multiple choice - we will allow 2 votes per person. All votes are public, so everybody can see who has voted.

Hi Dan,

No voting permission - please can you enable me to vote?

Tony

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[Rob Smith 643]

Hi Dan,

Could you add Beacon Electrical. They have branches in South Shields and Sunderland.

Re Screwfix. A cornershop that opens later than the others plus Sundays. Can be handy.

Rob

 

[not clever]

Where is the none of the above option?
Or add

Eyre & Elliston (formerly GFE)

 

[Spark1979]

Is it neweys online or newey and eyre as personally I don't use them online but do in person

 

[LightRabbit]

You have left LightRabbit off the list!

 

[D Skelton]

Is it just me or is it a sign of the times where the majority of members on an electrical forum are using DIY sheds like Screwfix and TLC almost exclusively?

I use them occasionally, but my account is with YESSS and the bulk of my purchasing goes through them.

 

[Richard Burns]

Depends on how you run the business, I find having costs available at the time of purchase useful, but the availability of public access difficult.
I would describe TLC as a non conventional public access electrical wholesaler rather than a DIY shed.

 

[D Skelton]

For small jobs, I use the TLC website or catalogue... Then I go to YESSS lol!

Seriously though, when we get the jobs in, a materials list is produced, emailed over to the manager at my local YESSS branch, they then source the products (if I haven't already stated brands) and come back to me usually within 30mins with a price (an email first and a phone call about 5 mins later). If I don't like a price or a product, I say so (this doesn't happen often), they will always beat the price of anywhere else I know anyway, even online, even if they sell the odd item to me at a loss! If they balls up an order, they take the hit not me. They will also deliver to site within the hour.

Ok I may have slightly more purchasing power than the one man bands in my area and I feel that counts, it certainly feels like a good experience using them as it would seem they appreciate the trade of a decent local electrical contractor. I'm also of the opinion that they can sniff DIY or Electrical Trainee from a mile away. I've walked in before behind Joe Bloggs and the staff have always made a bee-line for me over him. Makes me feel valued. Also, my local branch manager is an ex spark so he's always going to support the trade. They often and openly laugh about how much they can mark up their prices to Joe Public.

TLC on the other hand, I use them occasionally, mainly for any ventilation gear as we almost always spec Solar & Palau and YESSS have yet to be able to source direct. Also, TLC simply don't stock most of the gear we need for commercial work. But, when I do dare to go in I feel there is nothing worse than seeing some DIY schmuk in front of me buying a handful of sockets at exactly the same price per unit as me (as near as makes no difference anyway) when I'm placing an order for a hundred at a time. I get TLC 'special prices', which I think is about a 1% discount. Disgusting if you ask me!

What also grinds my gears about TLC is that it seems to be the knuckle draggers paradise. They know full well that they are selling electrical gear to builders, kitchen fitters, plumbers, DIY Dan etc.. And they simply don't give a damn! It doesn't matter that they've kept me waiting because they've been trying to explain, badly, to a DIYer how to fit that new light he's just bought. DIY Dan's £20 a year is just as important to them as my £20k a year!

I ain't ashamed to admit, I come over with serious bouts of superiority syndrome when I walk into that dive lol.

Screwfix, well, it does what it says on the tin. Great for screws, fixings and all manner of sundries that aren't electrical related. Not too bad for tools and accessories either!

 

[mogga]

Please addd mcwhirters glasgow sg pheonix kirkintilloch
Also ant see electri cntr or is it included in Eddies Also Neweys should realy be with Senate Rexel as they are one group
For lamps ballasts ect Glasgow Sld another eddies divisionn

 

[Rockingit]

I've almost stopped buying online, the risks of buying some junk off the boat where getting too high. I've got accounts everywhere, but I almost exclusively use my local Wilts branch for electrical, local tool shop for tools, local fixings business, and RS for anything else. Theres nothing that cant be beaten on price, just depends on how you treat people....I walked into Wilts last Friday morning at coffee time, so I went via the Tescos next door and got doughnuts..... And then spent about £4k with them. Chances of being ripped off? Slim!!!!

 

[MDJ]

Is it just me or is it a sign of the times where the majority of members on an electrical forum are using DIY sheds like Screwfix and TLC almost exclusively?

I use them occasionally, but my account is with YESSS and the bulk of my purchasing goes through them.

exactly what I was thinking, I am pretty shocked screwfix is leading at the moment.

 

[shanky887614]

I like the electrofix branches skip the queues etc

 

[Cbigfoot]

I agree with Mr Skelton,

There is no way i would use screwfix or the like. If you are worried about price then take the screwfix one as a basis and buy elsewhere. I have never found them good on price for any electrical goods on a like for like basis. The do have quite a good stock of rubbish which is quite cheap though!

 

[River runner]

I ticked local independent but it's Devondale Electrical Distributors Ltd, based in Exeter but all over the Southwest we use Glastonbury branch unrivaled service, here about and good prices too.

 

[tonycoysh]

Any chance of adding Western Electrical? Wholesale based throughout Devon and Cornwall.

Similar to others I generally use TLC for price guide when pricing jobs because I can do this from the website of an evening if I want. Then go to City Electrical or Western Electrical as 95% of the time their prices are better and add to my profit. On the rare occasion they can't beat TLC's price I buy it from TLC instead.

 

[remer1957]

I do mainly industrial installs, so I wouldn't (by and large) get what I wanted off screwfix, though I do use them for fixings, but never for electrical items as they sell mostly house bashing type stuff.

 

[shanky887614]

I do mainly industrial installs, so I wouldn't (by and large) get what I wanted off screwfix, though I do use them for fixings, but never for electrical items as they sell mostly house bashing type stuff.

that is the same as us.

we tend to buy belden etc by the km.

 

[SJD]

I do mainly industrial installs, so I wouldn't (by and large) get what I wanted off screwfix, though I do use them for fixings, but never for electrical items as they sell mostly house bashing type stuff.

In contrast, I do a fair bit of house bashing, and Screwfix sell a large percentage of what I need - sockets & switches, consumer units, cable, etc. I already mentioned about fixed prices and online ordering, and even if there is no separate Electricfix counter I don't usually have to wait (TLC can be much slower, but that is a different story). Fair enough if they don't stock the industrial kit, but I fail to see why some people refuse to use them just because they also serve builders and DIYers.

Yesss opened a new branch here a while back, first they sent me an invite in the post, then they called me up to see if I would use them. They are about 100m from Screwfix. I asked about online ordering to collect in branch, at the time it was not available (Screwfix 5 mins). I asked about opening hours, they close about 5pm and noon on Saturday (Screwfix all day Sat, and Sun hours). I asked about prices and discounts, and they explained the discounts varied according to product line and manufacturer, there was no set percentage, I basically had to call every time [and hope I was given a sensible discount] (Screwfix/Electrofix have online prices). Yesss concluded by saying they were trying to be more a traditional wholesaler, rather than competing with the "sheds" (their term). I concluded by saying that was exactly why I was unlikely to be using them!

 

[Pip]

Hatton Electrical Wholesalers, Stratford upon Avon. Very Helpful people

 

[MDJ]

Well half the site buy from screwfix then? :24:

 

[moose]

The one i use most is not in you list

AB Electrical, wholesale

 

[GMES]

Well half the site buy from screwfix then? :24:

Not this Bloody half Mike, im mainly Electric center , edmundson, and yess, i couldnt see electric center on list so didn't vote.

 

[atm84]

Never use Rexel Senate or WF Senate as its called now in Kendal, Cumbria. Miserable staff, poor service and over charging.

 

[Slugg]

I use Edwardes Bros, Penge, South London, I (reluctantly) send clients to TLCs' website to choose stuff. Edwardes have updated their site but it's still pants! Maybe they haven't finished it yet?

 

[not clever]

• Screwfix = pants never have what contractor needs, just seem to cater for DIY bob with parts & advice.
• Electrifix= ok if its a larger store, if not odds on you'll be waiting for next day delivery at the store.
• CEF= cant make their minds up what they should charge from one week to the next.
• Yessss= don't care so long as they beat CEF prices (gave up with them as they ****ed up one order to many)
• Neweys = Ok but seem to favor the larger contractors (unless you know the manager:wink_smile: )
• Wilts = are ok
• Eyre& Elliston= are my preferred supplier, free delivery what ever the order, unless it's a way out item most bits are in stock.
• Medlock = I found some items are pricey but build is on the cheap side.On the plus side they do deliver FOC & most items are in stock.

 

[Rockingit]

I ticked local independent but it's Devondale Electrical Distributors Ltd, based in Exeter but all over the Southwest we use Glastonbury branch unrivaled service, here about and good prices too.

Ah...the big fat one pee'd me off over something once in there, and I've taken my business back over the way!!

 

[jengo22]

Most Used Electrical Suppliers & Electrical Wholesalers

Wired electrical glasgow

 

[kemlo]

I'd followed Dan's advice and was able to vote, but seems now that it was indeed Marvo's work in the background that also worked the magic! Thanks both!

 

[kemlo]

Use TLC (Southern) the most - they have good range, easy website ordering, fast delivery (usually free) to either base or site, and you know what the prices are going to be. Can make a trip to a branch if really urgent.
CEF have an extensive range but the prices you will be charged are total guesswork (because unknown and significant discounts can often be applied). If you used base catalogue prices to estimate and plan a job you'd be out of business really fast.
ElectricFix are good for urgent needs, even though their prices are not that wonderful.
CPC offer a very fast online service and prices are good, especially if you order using the codes in their monthly trade brochures.
Sometimes even B&Q comes up tops for general electrical supplies, conduit, trunking, etc. in an emergency, although obviously there's nothing much specialist there!

 

[Piratepete]

Being out in the sticks I mostly use the online supplier Shop4Electrical who are excellent for value and service.
They're pretty big but they're not in your list.