Benchmarx v Wickes prices

mustardseed6

I am considering opening a trade account with Benchmarx.

I know they are the essentially the same company and that Benchmarx are fully assembled and Wickes are flat pack. I don't mind assemblying flat packs. But is there a significant price difference between similar products.

Thanks

phill99

Benchmarx and Wickes are owned by Travis Perkins, but because they are part of the same group, it doesn't mean you are buying the same product.

The Wickes product is, as you identify, a flat pack, whereas Benchmarx are factory constructed carcasses. In my mind, a factory built carcass is a far better product than one you assemble at home.

You are not comparing eggs with eggs.

Alan_M_2

phill99 wrote: »

Benchmarx and Wickes are owned by Travis Perkins, but because they are part of the same group, it doesn't mean you are buying the same product.

The Wickes product is, as you identify, a flat pack, whereas Benchmarx are factory constructed carcasses. In my mind, a factory built carcass is a far better product than one you assemble at home.

You are not comparing eggs with eggs.

I'm reasonably sure (but could be proved wrong) that they do offer exactly the same units - renamed.

On this occassion I think we're talking about two dozen eggs, all the same.

The two businesses have different business models with the same product. IFAIK

phill99

Alan_M wrote: »

I'm reasonably sure (but could be proved wrong) that they do offer exactly the same units - renamed.

On this occassion I think we're talking about two dozen eggs, all the same.

The two businesses have different business models with the same product. IFAIK

But a factory constructed carcass that is pegged and screwed in a jig isn't the same as one you put together in your living room with cam studs.

Alan_M_2

If that is how they are constructed I happen to agree, I am reasonably sure it's the same product though.

After that I'm not entirely sure how it is constructed at the factory.

cddc

They are exactly the same product. The Benchmarx kitchen is just screwed and dowelled together by teams at the Gower factory near Leeds. No difference at all apart from who puts them together. No jig used at the factory either.

Meepster

Just to confirm. Wickes and Benchmarx use exactly the same unit. The Benchmarx ones are just assembled flat-packs.

mustardseed6

But is there a significant difference in price between Wickes and Benchmarx?

cddc

Bizzarely, No. In fact right now, as Wickes are out of Sale, Benchmarx would undoubtably be cheaper!
Even when Wickes are in Sale, Benchmarx can be cheaper.

Strange but true!

Even though they are part of the same group the companies are run on completely different business models, so the pricing can be better either way at different times.

Overall you have to say that Benchmarx offer the greater value most of the time, because even if the price is slightly higher for the Kitchen, because the units come pre-assembled, you will save on the fitting costs for sure!