Unfair discount structure

Feeling my age too

Thumbs up!!!

 

I find the only thing they stock really well are catalogues.

Too true P-b!

 

I think you lads are being a bit harsh on screwfix.

They are convenient, you got to expect to pay a bit more for that, it saves you having to online order with someone else and then making sure someone is in to take delivery.

Sure you are right about trade counters and joe public slowing it all down but thats life and as for lack of stock, check stock in other locations or go somewhere else.

I would never buy power tools from screwfix unless I was in a fix on a friday afternoon and it got me out of trouble, they will always be cheaper somewhere else. Possibly

 

I suggest you get a copy of their Plumb Fix catalogue & compare prices, even adding on vat, joe public is being screwed with the mark up on prices.
Using EPOS or similar & persumly set up correctly you shouldn't run out of stock, as reordering is automatic.

 

They are always going to more expensive than online stores or specialists thats common sense surly.

They are convenient thats why you pay the dollar.

If I have £500 worth of fixings to buy, I shop about online, if I only want the odd box I go to sf

 

Shop shop shop around screwfix are not cheap and no where near the the best.

 

Joe public is not being screwed they are paying retail prices, it's the trades being screwed as there's no trade prices across the range.

 

If you ask a plumbing or electrical company that say for instance they spend £10,000.00 a month surely they should enjoy a better discount? If not another merchants would welcome that business . Agree totally with trade and retail can't mix as time is money .

 

Only use Screwfix on a Saturday if the gear is needed for that day and I forgot to get it from the wholesaler during the week, tis a sort of punishment shop for forgetting .

As for the public lining up and asking for advice from the staff... They got no chance at my local branch, the shop assistants there wouldnt recognise a 16A 2P & E BS4343 plug from a bath plug if it wasnt in the cataloge and even then it's a group conference behind the counter before coming up with more drivel than a double episode of Eastenders!

 

That phrase has been updated to 'If it's in the catalogue it's a picture'.

 

Hi, no it's not just you, but I know why they do it.
Basically unless you are a fully signed up and paid up member of one of their "accepted" organistations then it doesn't matter how qualified you are you wont get the plumbers or electricians discounts.
I found this out the other day. The assistant manager in the Tonbridge branch had the cheek to ask if I was qualified when I said I was an electrician. By that she meant was I NICIEC registered or registered with some other body that was on her little list. No is the answer as NICEIC wants £500 to join then another £500 annual mambership. They no doubt give SF a kickback, that's why SF only offer discount to people on their silly list

I have an HNC in electrical engineering. I also have my 17th edition wiring regs 2015 , so when I told her I was probably actually more qualified than most who buy from their trade counter she didn't really have an answer. I will never shop at SF again after that experience. Fancy being aksed at other trade counters if you are qualified, bloody cheek!!

 

It shows that they are either fully in the know and have a relationship with NICEIC or they are utterly clueless about what a qualified electrician is.

I do have to say, in fairness to SF - if their T&C's ain't illegal there is sod all anyone can do about it. Other than join the NICEIC..

 

Sweet talk one of the girls behind the counter you will get registered of you go on often you should get to know them and registration should be easy I've never taken my qualifications in and I've got a plum fix account but only use it if the merchants are closed as even with discount SF are well over priced

 

im just wondering if these moaning builders have a trade,
or are they just a glorified laborers,
can you imagine all the signage brickfix. pasterfix, carpfix,canfix, f--kfix lol

 

Darren,

I hear what you say but is it a trade counter or a plumbers and NICEIC members counter?

Please don't lose sight of the issue being discussed here. It's established that SF only offer discounts to their preferred trades people. That basically means that if you are an electrician or plumber or buider or fitter, all honest god fearing people, then unless you belong to "The SF Boys Club" then you aint gonna get the discounts these other privealaged vistors get.

Simples

S

 

hi Steve,
the extra discount that we receive as qualified plumbers and electricians is upto 10% off anything connected with our respected trades,
as for builders thats not a qualification, just a generalization or description of what someone does,
we get that extra discount because we would generally buy more of those materials,
its just like most merchants, theres a discount structure according to what you spend,
i dont suppose i would get the discount a builder does on building supplies at travis or jewsons,
anyway Steve you didnt say what trade you are,
or if i would have seen you in the SF boys club for a free tea or coffee
Da

 

I don't seem to have made my point very well do I Darren
My point again is that qualifications don't mean didly squat at SF, so lets talk about memberships as opposed to qualifications.
I don't consider membership of a body such as the NICEIC to be a qualification.
I hold an HNC in electrical engineering and various other C&G electrical qualifications including my 17th edition.
SF said that unless I could show that I was a paid up NICEIC member ( a membership and not a qualification) then I could not obtain the discounts.
So when the assistant manager asked me if I was qualified, I quite rightly said yes I am.
Her interpretation and that of SF generally seems to be that I am not.
I happen to disagree.
S

 

Never had that problem when I joined, I showed my certs, 236 part 1&2, 2391, 17th edition and nvqs and got my account with no issues.

 

What branch is that Stu?
Maybe they have not conveyed the same message across all branches
Are you also NICEIC registered though?

 

hi steve ,
im only playing with ya,
im a timed served heating engineer,5 year apprenticeship served,with me city&guilds and advanced craft,
plus all the other update courses over the years,
you shouldn't have any probs from what you say on your qualifications are,
although being a failed plumber /heating engineer and turning to the dark side, and becoming a sparks lol