praise: screwfix

londonTiger

Been using screwfix since about 12 months ago. Must've saved a LOT.

Prices are far better than any other DIY shop. Even better than online prices at many retailers.

They sell to the trade as well as consumer - they do have a lot of trade customers so it just goes to show how good the prices must be.

The best part about them is that you can buy stuff in singles. You need a 7.5mm sds masonry drill bit to put the ikea shelf up? No problem that's 87p please!

Normally you would have to buy the whole pack containing many other bits that you don't need. SO you end up spending £14.99 on a drill bit pack just to put up one shelf. Some other stores do sell single bits but only the premium brand ones. Not your low end draper bit.

I recently needed a louvre from the bathroom door. Looked on ebay £15 for a pair!! What.. it's just a peice of plastic with slits in it. Screwfix sold them for £1.40 each!

Staff can be a bit lazy sometimes, staff at the shop wouldn't cancel a click and collect order once. I had to go home and cancel over the phone.

Once I didn't have the click and collect order number (left phone at home). Sales clerk told me he couldn't pull up the reservation with any other detail, said I needed the number. It was BS I do rememebr a few occasions previously where the order was pulled up using my name and address. But this guy refused and I had to drive back to go collect my phone.

They're just lazy sometimes, but refunds, exchanges etc they do by the book.

Oh the other part is they are extremely reluctant to search for items for you on their computers. They have access to the searchable website on the computers but they always tell me to look up the product on the catalogue - which is fine if you're in the trade and know the names of the products you're after. Not so great if you don't (I had know clue that I was after a louvre)

Nile

Hi, we move threads if we think they’ll get more help elsewhere (please read the forum rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com"]forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

londonTiger

Nile wrote: »

Hi, we move threads if we think they’ll get more help elsewhere (please read the forum rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com"]forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

Thanks, sorry I thought DIY was the most suitable because it'sa diy store.

Sooler

Have you tried Toolstation?

zax47

Sooler wrote: »

Have you tried Toolstation?

Set up by the same guys who started Screwfix after they sold Screwfix off.. IME better stock levels and website.

londonTiger

zax47 wrote: »

Set up by the same guys who started Screwfix after they sold Screwfix off.. IME better stock levels and website.

first time i heard of toolstation. Why would they do that?? After selling off the business why start all over again.

unlucky67

I love toolstation... free delivery if you spend more than £10 (but now I have one near me I go rather than get a delivery) Screwfix and B&Q are part of the same group and often sell the same things - so worth comparing and see which is cheapest (usually Screwfix - but found buying outside light fittings B&Q were cheaper for one, Screwfix the other!) Toolstation used to be much cheaper than Screwfix but recently noticed not much difference - I have a feeling Toolstation have forced Screwfix prices down which has effected B&Q prices and Wickes (who in my experience match B&Q) . eg a couple of years ago I need a full bore compression fitting isolating valve. Wickes, B&Q and Screwfix were all within pennies the same price about £4.10. Toolstation were £2.50. Now they are £2.88 in toolstation and £3.50 in Screwfix A shallow bath trap - B&Q were charging around £7, for the exact same make etc Toolstation wanted about £2 (Now B&Q £5, Toolstation £1.69 and Screwfix £1.77! (although not sure if the B&Q one is same make as others).

londonTiger

To be honest, I don't really care about delivery. I usually start a day box without planning for the tools I need and then mid jo b go out and buy tools if I need to.

I would use toolstation but the nearest one is 5 miles from me. Screw fix is less than a mile, sometimes I've walked it there if I felt I needed the exercise

marlot

londonTiger wrote: »

first time i heard of toolstation. Why would they do that?? After selling off the business why start all over again.

Because Wickes asked him to!

He made a lot of money selling screwfix to B&Q, and is now being paid by Wickes to create a similar business all over again.

They are right next to each other in my town - each is better for some things.

londonTiger

Thanks for informing me of toolstation. I foolishly bought an sds drill a while back which is designed specifically for masonry.

The problem is SDS bits tend to only be available for masonry. For wood/metal you need the straight round bits.

SO I need an sds chuck to allow it to take regular drills. Screw fix do not do unbranded/cheap brand stuff and I was looking at spending 20 quid for a bosche one. Luckily toolstation have an unbranded one for 4.67

Btw toolstation website is a bit lacking, no product reviews means you can pick up a lemon, on Screw fix website I was persuaded against buying cheap Crap before after reading the reviews

unlucky67

I know their web site isn't great ... I find Wickes web site lacking too compared to B&Q/Screwfix - I usually pick up catalogues in (both) stores if I have a big job on. Is there no make at all? Could you do a search for 'toolstation SDS chuck review' and see what that brings up... For something like that I'd say depends on how often you think you will use it whether you want to get good quality or not ... eg I normally get good quality drill bits/saws etc for using with cheap tools that I know I won't use a lot or might get damaged (eg really dusty, mucky job etc). I think Toolstation returns seem ok (never had to take anything back yet) - maybe look into that and see if it is worth giving it a go?