B&Q traders account ?

1984ReturnsForReal_2

beaney50 wrote: »

Try srewfix or toolstation. Generally much cheaper than BQ

Actually there is not much of a difference between all 3.

Toolstation near me has pretty much always got stock though.

If you talk to a manager nicely at the B&Q Trade Counter and tell them something is cheaper elsewhere they will match it unless you annoy them.

jblack_2

As mentioned previously B&Q and Screwfix are owned by the same company, Kingfisher.

I looked at the Tradepoint catalogue, it's the same as the Screwfix one. If you compare the stock numbers they are the same too but with an extra digit.

The items are cheaper (only pence) in Screwfix.

If you use a B&Q without a proper Tradepoint centre but only a Tradepoint desk you will have to wait 48hrs for delivery to the store then go back and collect. Order online and SF can get it to you free next day.

Jackinbox99

Im in the middle of doing a house up at the moment, and having been to every single DIY place in the area, I can safely say in my area, toolstation is definately the cheapest on most DIY things - plumbing things, lights, tools, adhesives, wiring, sockets, etc. etc. certainly miles cheaper than screwfix or anywhere else. For bigger items like bathrooms I found online retailers were cheaper than anywhere else. Kitchen wise.... wickes came up cheapest and best looking quality compared to the other places I looked at.

Certainly worth shopping about and checking prices online first, so you dont get ripped off. You will be amazed at how much difference there is. For example, I needed a plumbing fitting in a hurry last week. Id bought a load from tool station for 67p each, but ran out of the one I wanted. I had no choice but to hit the local Focus DIY who had the same fitting in stock, but it cost £4.60!!!!!!! When your talking about a load of fittings, it can soon add up!!!

I looked into getting a B&Q trade card. I know several people who have got one and they are not builders - just needed headed paper and a business card i believe... but the "discount" they got still came in at more expensive than other places. Its just a gimmick really to make you think you are getting a "trade" "cheap" price.

soweezy

thanks for all the replies and advice
went to B&Q this morning to open a trade account, guy said he didn't care what I did for a living, just go home, make up some headed paper and he'll open an account. but, as I'm self employed (nothing to do with the trade) he said I could open one right away, just needed a business card, which I had.
whilst there I checked the cost of twin and earth cable, Toolstation are considerably cheaper...

1.5mm x 100m roll: TS £36.16 B&Q Trade £42.58
2.5mm x 100m roll: TS £50.11 B&Q Trade £60.45
6mm x 25m roll: TS £34.34 B&Q Trade £40.73

looks like I'll be shopping around, B&Q as a last resort

thanks again

Kiran

albert_s wrote: »

BTW, I dont rate toolstation so much, even though its the guy that started SF up I dont think he has the passion anymore and its just another also-ran, but they can be competitive on certain stuff.

QUOTE]

It was the same guy who started both but he sold Screwfix to B&Q and sold Toolstation to Wickes (unfortunately before it had been fully developed online)

Can't wait to see what he creates next to sell to Focus :rotfl:

fluffpot

You could use TLC (https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk) for electrical stuff - they deliver for free if you're in one of their areas
Price incl VAT 1.5 cable £36 2.5 cable £55.
I would never use B and Q cable it's cheap nasty and horrible to install.

BTW It sounds like a major refurb - it might be easier to get your sparky to get the cable as she/he'll get it cheaper than you and I would refuse to use some of the carp cable and accessories that the sheds sell. If you're not getting an electrician involved, I assume you're aware of Part P of the Building Regs?

Fluff

Eek - just looked at SF prices and for Prysmian/Pirelli cable (which is what I use) they want nearly £42 for 1.5 and £59 for 2.5!

phill99

I've found the service at my local Tradepoint and absolute disgrace. So bad in fact that I had a blazing row with the manager and threw my card back at him and will never set foot in the shop
again.

Can't work out why kingfisher have both TP and SF offering exactly the same products at exacty the same prices and are competing in exactly the same market.

soweezy

fluffpot wrote: »

BTW It sounds like a major refurb - it might be easier to get your sparky to get the cable as she/he'll get it cheaper than you and I would refuse to use some of the carp cable and accessories that the sheds sell. If you're not getting an electrician involved, I assume you're aware of Part P of the Building Regs

I'll be doing the electrics but my BIL is an electrician and will be checking/signing off all the work once it's done.

thanks

Jackinbox99

fluffpot wrote: »

You could use TLC (www.tlc-direct.co.uk) for electrical stuff - they deliver for free if you're in one of their areas
Price incl VAT 1.5 cable £36 2.5 cable £55.
I would never use B and Q cable it's cheap nasty and horrible to install.

BTW It sounds like a major refurb - it might be easier to get your sparky to get the cable as she/he'll get it cheaper than you and I would refuse to use some of the carp cable and accessories that the sheds sell.!

Worth asking him, but when I spoke to my electrician last week about where he buys his stuff from, he said he uses toolstation, and very often he even buys from B&Q as sometimes if they have an offer on then they are cheaper than anywhere else! Apparently he bought no end of downlighters from there last month as they were half the price of his usual supplier!