Wholesaler prices lately.

[oscar21]

What is it with the recent prices I'm getting at wholesalers, just about everything anyone quotes now is about 20% dearer than I can get things for retail. Take today, I needed some conduit, saddles etc so went to a wholesalers round the corner, I don't use them very often but I know the lad who served me quite well so its not as if I'm a randomer off the street. the bill was about £100 but doing a bit of research this evening it turns out I could of got the same stuff for about £75 from Toolstation or Screwfix etc, or slightly cheaper if I ordered it on-line.

Its the same with our regular wholesaler, they are getting so expensive I hardly ever use them anymore, luckily I'm quite organised so get most stuff on-line now from various places. But these on-line places still have trade counters and physical stores, they are basically wholesalers just like the ones I use but selling on-line as well, if they can sell for that price so can the one I use. I son't see any sense in it, eventually everyone will do what I have done and just buy on-line.

I wouldn't mind but on-line is brilliant, you can order whilst sat in the bath, it arrives anywhere in the country the next day, is the cheapest option and vary rarely does anything go wrong. Wholesalers will be a thing of the past if they don't change track soon.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Stopped using the likes of CEF ages ago , utter Rip off merchants

ToolStation and Screwfix now for 95% of what I buy on a weekly basis , TLC at a push if its an odd ball item

 

[nicebutdim]

You pays your money and takes your choice.

Big sheds like Toolstation & Screwfix buy in unbelievable quantities and wholesalers have little chance of competing, especially independants.

Flip side of this is exceptionally limited range of goods. Can't imagine those retailers being much help if you need something so simple as a length of strut or a 2" bush.

 

[oscar21]

You pays your money and takes your choice.

Big sheds like Toolstation & Screwfix buy in unbelievable quantities and wholesalers have little chance of competing, especially independants.

Flip side of this is exceptionally limited range of goods. Can't imagine those retailers being much help if you need something so simple as a length of strut or a 2" bush.

I think the JCC downlights we get online come from an independent, the big chain wholesalers cant or wont beat them. I think its just profiteering to be honest.

 

[Dustydazzler]

I think the JCC downlights we get online come from an independent, the big chain wholesalers cant or wont beat them. I think its just profiteering to be honest.

I remember some years ago now , I used my local Edmundsons for cable , MK consumer units , sockets and the like.
A big screwfix opened 2 units down from them and they were selling MK boards way cheaper than Edmundson's were, so I mentioned it to the then manager and he said he couldn't get anywhere near to Screwfix prices. It wasn't even worth him trying to match prices.
Funnily that branch soon closed down and was replaced by ToolStation

 

[cliffed]

Everything gone mad… for your enjoyment take a look @ these prices
i was on 35p a hour back then …just a bit less I’m on now

 

[Dustydazzler]

So you could get 3 and 1/2 pints of beer for 1hr work in 1971 , to get that today you would need to earn £30 odd quid per hour. The average worker is on around £15 ph in England

 

[LukeD]

Toolstation and screwfix for 80% .Builders Depot for all things "Fusebox" . Local Wholesale place IF I HAVE TO .And Ebay . I love ebay for all sorts of things , rawplugs , wagos etc etc

 

[Bob Geldoff1234]

I was after some dimmable candle led lamps from my wholesalers.They wanted £3.60 per lamp inc vat.I bought them from Screwfix for £2 per lamp. I wouldn't be able to charge much profit on the wholesalers prices where as Screwfix I can get a decent markup. So to the OP,I know what you mean.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Toolstation and screwfix for 80% .Builders Depot for all things "Fusebox" . Local Wholesale place IF I HAVE TO .And Ebay . I love ebay for all sorts of things , rawplugs , wagos etc etc

Ebay is great for bulk buying screws , wall plugs , connectors , tape , clips etc etc