Why are mixer showers so expensive?

nottseagull

I'm referring to gravity showers here, with no electrical connection or even a pump. They simply mix the hot and cold supplies together using a lever or rotary knob, with another for the rate of flow.The only technology they contain is the thermostatic valve, so why are they more expensive than electric showers? The Triton Bellisimo retails for £199.98! Does anybody know what the mark up is, and where in the supply chain is the profit being made?

MX5huggy

Retail mark-up is 100% normally, trade would expect to get 50% plus off RRP.

They are quite complex mechanical bits of kit compared to some simple electronics in the electric shower. They can cope with the cold water being stolen by the kitchen tap and I don't get scolded or visa versa.

diable

If you look around you can pick one up cheap as I bought a bar type one from Hansgrohe with the riser for about £140

tony6403

Bought one from Wickes two weeks ago for £51. Not yet fitted so don't know how good it is.

KimYeovil

You can get one without a thermostat from the Pound Shop.

ormus

MX5huggy wrote: »

Retail mark-up is 100% normally, trade would expect to get 50% plus off RRP.

They are quite complex mechanical bits of kit compared to some simple electronics in the electric shower. They can cope with the cold water being stolen by the kitchen tap and I don't get scolded or visa versa.

that would mean all the retailers loose money selling em.

Jonesya

Have a look at Screwfix or Toolstation - basic thermostatic shower kits start at £40:

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Taps+Showers/Complete+Showers/Thermostatic+Bar+Mixer+Chrome/d240/sd2946/p76879

olias

Or you can usually pick one up from ebay pretty reasonably.

Olias

Tucker

I got one from Lidl when the periodically do bathroom taps and the like.

£25 and it works fantastic. Had it for over 3 years and it get used everyday. If I see them again, I'll be buying a spare!

Aquatronixjenny

You can get them from £40 upwards, but it depends if you want a thermostatic or a manual shower. The thermostatic shower will have a special valve in it that adjusts the temperature so you can't burn yourself.

Also, The price of brass is quite high at the moment and these shower valves are made of brass.

nottseagull

Tucker wrote: »

I got one from Lidl when the periodically do bathroom taps and the like.

£25 and it works fantastic. Had it for over 3 years and it get used everyday. If I see them again, I'll be buying a spare!

I bought one of these, having failed to see the small print; on the very last line it stated, almost as an afterthought, not suitable for low pressure systems! Was yours one of these?