Just checked out the new B&Q here,(they've opened a few shops in Ireland now). Anyway noticed a normal 12v H3 bulb for 20 EURO!! I havn't seen them for sale at retail outlets, but although admittedly trade prices, I buy H3 bulbs for about 90cent. Is this normal prices over there in Blighty.
JOhn
The message from "John" contains these words:
B&Q are notoriously expensive for things like that. In fact, they're staggeringly expensive for all sorts of things. The local branch wanted £22 for an 8x4 sheet of 3/4" MDF. The B&Q Depot in Wednesbury (Depot are apparently a different bunch) wanted £11.
That's the general impression I got. I can buy most of the stuff in my local builders providers for half the price. Who buys this stuff? Are there lobotomised DIY'ers walking around out there.
The message from "John" contains these words:
Yes. They advertise heavily and are easily found and you don't have to be able to do the builder's walk and the builder's talk to shop there. Obviously, you don't at the builders' merchants either - but then B&Q aren't going to tell you that, are they?
However - it's worth checking 'cos sometimes they're cheap - I can't better the £11 for an 8x4 3/4" MDF anywhere - but it's 20 miles away so I only do it when I need several sheets. I bought a trailer solely for that - I paid £75 for it and it's paid for itself about five times over just in savings on delivery and cheaper prices, let alone trips to the dump and doing favours for friends.
It's bizarrely random on lumber, I went in on a Sunday the other week (when my normal timber merchants shut) & got a sheet of birch ply custom sawn into small pieces for £5 less than I'd normally pay. Then I considered buying a piece of 3x3 , stared at the price tag & left.
Anything that most people are likely to use in a DIY job that they think they can tackle (and therefore have a go at) seems to be pricey.
Things that people easily bugger up and mean they have to buy another one cost even more.
I use them for little things when it would cost more in diesel to drive to an alternate merchants place. Things like cable clips, odd wall boxes etc.
The message from Duncanwood contains these words:
Odd, isn't it. My brother built a monster shed in the spring and needed vast amounts of CLS timber. It was cheaper to take the trailer to Wednesbury than use the local timberyard in Bishop's Castle - which is potty.
The message from Chris Street contains these words:
Wilkinsons are far cheaper than B&Q for cable clips and wallboxen.
Chris Street ( snipped-for-privacy@chris-street.demon.co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :
Yep. I needed a new loo handle the other day. (I'd forgotten to include it on a Screwfix order)
B&Q - Only available with a few other bits in a pack, for £15. Wickes just round the corner from B&Q - £3.50 Screwfix - £3.70
I however drive past BQ on the commute to work every day.
Mind you there could well be a Wilkinsons round the corner I don't know about - must find out where the nearest one is.
The message from Chris Street contains these words:
I've moved alot of it from the docks in my time. It is supplied as a standard 8x4 or 10x6 size from the manufacturers. 3x3 sizes give alot of wastage from a 10x6 so you pay for that.
The message from Conor contains these words:
That'd be true if they didn't also sell the remaining strip as 3 bits
2'x1' at an even more grossly inflated price.
Actually I meant 3"x3" PAR but your points valid.
SWMBO works at the warehouse type store in Cheltenham. She often advises people to go to the local builder's merchants for stuff the B & Q don't stock. What is bizarre is that Screwfix and B & Q are part of the same group as is Woolies and maybe Wilkinsons though I'm not sure about that.
The price differences are such that it makes economic sense to drive the extra 3 or 4 miles to reach Wickes or Screwfix on some items. On the other hand some people are so entranced with B & Q that Denise has been asked several times why they don't have a cafe because they'd like to wander round all day. "Why?" doesn't always go down very well.
The other thing is that B & Q just employ people to fill shelves, DIY knowledge is not required or even recommended as they now tell employees not to give people advice on something as simple as fuses in case they get sued.
--=20 Malc
The message from "Malc" contains these words:
I know they're the same as Screwfix, but I don't think they're the same as Woolies any more. And Wilkinsons are something else again - I think.
Yes you're right about Wilkinsons but from the Kingfisher Plc website
"Kingfisher Gift Voucher
The Kingfisher Group Gift Voucher combines convenience with the value of currency and unbeatable choice at B&Q and Comet, Woolworths and MVC."
The message from "Malc" contains these words:
Hmmm. Doesn't say they're part of the group though. Reading Kingfisher's annual report there's no mention made of Woolies or Comet. Woolies sold MVC in August this year.
Our local one does.
Like many big stores, they're cheap for some things, but ridiculously overpriced on others. Recently I needed some heavy-duty 75mm castors. B&Q wanted £9 each for them, but a local hardware/diy centre 200 yards away had them at £1.50!
OTOH compare their price for a USB cable (yes, in the Depots) with what PC World ask...
The message from Chris Bolus contains these words:
Yeah, well, PCWorld take the piss with 20 quid for a USB A>B. They must be relying on really gullible people.
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