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

 

[LewisM]

I've always found Edmundson to be good value and service.

 

[Pete999]

I've always found Edmundson to be good value and service.

Northampton: Midshires (an Independant wholesaler) very good in my opinion

 

[123]

An Independent Wholesaler gets 90% of my custom, after that there is YESSS, CEF, KEW and Eddies. Find it far easier to built up a trust and a rapport with the Independent

The key with CEF (Check Every Figure) is just that.

 

[buzzlightyear]

I have signed the official secret act ,so I can not tell you.

 

[Dozer 73]

It has to be a big chain really , we are on the road a lot all over the place for picking up bits for maintable purposes , and get the bigger orders into our depots

 

[Midwest]

Screwfix

 

[buzzlightyear]

Screwfix

or screwedfix.

 

[Midwest]

or screwedfix.

They are cheaper than my wholesaler WF Senate.

I was comparing prises for some down lights, found one online company, £5 cheaper per unit than what WF charge me. Googled their address, and found it was an affiliate to the great Rexel UK group, of which WF are

 

[123]

@Dozer 73 given you need a major wholesaler, but are happy with CEF other than on prices...why not speak to them about their prices?

I'm sure they will do some adjustments when confronted about prices. You'd be surprised how often than happens.

 

[123]

They are cheaper than my wholesaler WF Senate.

I was comparing prises for some down lights, found one online company, £5 cheaper per unit than what WF charge me. Googled their address, and found it was an affiliate to the great Rexel UK group, of which WF are

I think Northern Ireland is maybe a bit more competitive, but I can't buy much in Screwfix, TLC Direct or any other online supplier that's cheaper than my wholesalers. Take Wago's for instance, I get them some 30-40% cheaper than TLC Direct do them for. Screwfix are almost double what I pay.

 

[Dozer 73]

@Dozer 73 given you need a major wholesaler, but are happy with CEF other than on prices...why not speak to them about their prices?

I'm sure they will do some adjustments when confronted about prices. You'd be surprised how often than happens.

To be honest we have , as someone said CEF (check every figure) , basically we don’t trust them , we ask for quotes then sometimes find out these prices have increased , our company is huge and some how as electricians we often don’t see these prices it goes to our buying department, but just lately we have and have a feeling they have been ripping us off for years
It’s a principal thing really , our company are not too bothered but we as electricians are

 

[Zdb]

I have the same problem with C.E.F, way too expensive!!

Eddie's and electric base are better IMO.

 

[amric]

Hi,
Try Falcon Electrical Wholesalers Ltd,
Sheepcarr,
Leeds.

Always got what i need and good pricing ,better than the one mentioned they are too expensive.

 

[123]

To be honest we have , as someone said CEF (check every figure) , basically we don’t trust them , we ask for quotes then sometimes find out these prices have increased , our company is huge and some how as electricians we often don’t see these prices it goes to our buying department, but just lately we have and have a feeling they have been ripping us off for years
It’s a principal thing really , our company are not too bothered but we as electricians are

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.

 

[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

 

[ashrow]

I once asked a few suppliers to quote a second fix of a large house
250 + downlights 48 way rcbo populated board etc etc
CEF and Eddies were around £7000 plus vat
local independent £5000 plus vat

Once CEF charged me £75 for a 2 gang dimmer, went back to the job and replaced dimmer and returned it, never used them since.

(i know people that work in both CEF and Eddies and the annual bonuses is based on branch profit, i built a 12 msq single storey extension with vaulted ceiling and veluxes etc for one of them just on their bonus pay out for that year and they just answer the phone/sales etc)

 

[Midwest]

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

I often ask for quotes, and get them, but they can change month by month. If that means getting things cheaper than Screwfix, I would be happy. For me, MK faceplates cheaper at SF, cable RCBO's cheaper at WF. Horses for courses.

 

[Midwest]

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

That's the rub, I shouldn't have to ask they should. Someone has to pay.

 

[Octopus]

That's the rub, I shouldn't have to ask they should. Someone has to pay.

They can also do consolidated invoices....

I think their business managers are living in the past .... Not the front line ones, the ones at head office

 

[Midwest]

I popped in WF the other day. Needed just one gang dry lining box. Could of picked up pack of ten I know, but not sure when I would of used the other nine, 83pence. Two days later, envelope 2nd class post (56p) & invoice. They need to develop.

 

[Leesparkykent]

I popped in WF the other day. Needed just one gang dry lining box. Could of picked up pack of ten I know, but not sure when I would of used the other nine, 83pence. Two days later, envelope 2nd class post (56p) & invoice. They need to develop.

Haha...reminds me when I was just out of my time, I started working for a national company wiring heating systems. They sent me a letter with 1st class stamp to tell me that they were deducting 11 pence for private mileage

 

[Octopus]

I popped in WF the other day. Needed just one gang dry lining box. Could of picked up pack of ten I know, but not sure when I would of used the other nine, 83pence. Two days later, envelope 2nd class post (56p) & invoice. They need to develop.

Go back a few years and they put each invoice in a seperate envelope ......

Email is so much better, they have just made a small change so in the title of the email is the invoice number and your order reference ....

 

[Midwest]

They still do, well not each invoice, but they could save the weeks up and post them in one envelope. I was think of doing them a favour and give them an idea to save a fortune, but its their money.

 

[stevey1983]

With CEF I think it depends on the branch, my nerest cef is useless, I use the one where I used to live and they look after me, but you do need to check the invoices but as a business owner I check every invoice no matter where it's from

 

[davesparks]

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

Yes, I can think of one particular local establishment where staff are far too eager to offer advice to anyone who’ll listen.

 

[davesparks]

I use a local independent wholesaler called Wilson electrical distributors. When I started my apprenticeship we used them and they had, I think, 6 branches in the area. Now they’ve doubled the number of branches and still provide a great service.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Bath where I am is a small city but we do have a range and you need to float between suppliers to get the best prices, as some have prices that are just unfathomable - such as Newey and Eyre.
within 3 minutes of each other we have

C.E.F - :-(
Denmans
Wilts
Edmundson Electrical
Newey & Eyre - Very Expensive
Screwfix
Toolstation
Homebase (Rarely)
KEW electrical - a bit further out but reliable and good staff

If i am over bristol and that area then there are quite a few suppliers such as Yess and TLC but my day to day needs can be met with the local ones. The days of loyalty to one supplier i think have long gone now with internet ordering where anybody can set themselves up on ebay and avoid the overheads.

 

[sparksfly]

I have always found CEF to be very expensive no matter who I was working for or the location , Northants, MK, Oxford , North London.
I use a variety in order below...
Neweys ( Rexel) as they have known me for numerous years and service is good locally.
Denmans
Toolstation (avoid the cheap brands)
Independants
TLC or other online elec wholesalers
Screwfix (very rarely due to quality of some items but are open late)

As a Sole trader myself I still do find it unfair that larger companies get better prices due to number of units sold but thats the way they work I suppose. Also I do find the whole "lets super inflate catalogue prices to show bigger discount" a big con. I don't care about discount....just the end price. I have never believed the 50% off sales...they always have a few Big Sales after inflating prices for a couple of weeks....same year after year.

 

[Pete999]

I have always found CEF to be very expensive no matter who I was working for or the location , Northants, MK, Oxford , North London.
I use a variety in order below...
Neweys ( Rexel) as they have known me for numerous years and service is good locally.
Denmans
My local independent Midshires, nice people, good prices and services, and they are always ready to match or better any prices from others.
Toolstation (avoid the cheap brands)
Independants
TLC or other online elec wholesalers
Screwfix (very rarely due to quality of some items but are open late)

As a Sole trader myself I still do find it unfair that larger companies get better prices due to number of units sold but thats the way they work I suppose. Also I do find the whole "lets super inflate catalogue prices to show bigger discount" a big con. I don't care about discount....just the end price. I have never believed the 50% off sales...they always have a few Big Sales after inflating prices for a couple of weeks....same year after year.

 

[EbolaSideRoom]

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.

Unfortunately this seems to be the attitude in many a wholesaler.
Often they are staffed with poorly trained staff with little product knowledge and even less customer-facing skills. I still find I’m shocked by the appalling level of service in some places, particularly if it’s one I’m not known in. Which is arse-about-face in this day and age.

 

[EbolaSideRoom]

FWIW I’m very happy with my local Eddies. Good level of stock, reasonable pricing, fantastic delivery service and most importantly CONSISTENT!
I also use a local independent who are always helpful if less competitive and don’t deliver (not usefully enough to me anyway) and Poofix (the name says it all really. But where else to I get stock on a Sunday?). I’ve had Electric Centre courting me for a couple of years but they always seem to manage to screw up, WF Senate went downhill after the Rexwl became WF, I’ve never bothered with Denmans as it always seems like too much trouble to sell me anything and CEF, well, they don’t end up being called Shitty Electrical Factors for nothing....

 

[JK-Electrical]

While I use Screwfix and Toolstation for various bits and pieces, the bulk of my materials are purchased from several online wholesalers such as Shop 4 Electrical and Direct Trade Supplies. I install Hager products on almost every installation and very much like the prices that these two wholesalers charge for the Hager range!

 

[suffolkspark]

Day to day i use eddies & denmans, toolstation and screwfix, online i also use shop4electrical, very good prices and good service.

 

[peterhyper]

I tend to use screwfix or toolstation for most things as the free delivery is handy.

I have a CEF near me and I rarely use it because the prices are so high and they rarely have much in stock anyway.

 

[telectrix]

main problem i find wuth screwfix is that except for day to day basic accessories, cable , etc. everything is next day. branch stock is pathetic, and at weekends, some staff have limited knowledge of what they are selling.