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niall Y

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I've just seen that B&Q are selling some Axminster stuff. The Moxon Vice in particular. Also listed are other vices and vice fittings. Is this a new departure for them, now they are reducing their number of outlets?
 
B&Q have been doing this for quite a while - they've opened up their website to sell from anyone and try to create a DIY amazon I guess.

It's actually really annoying - when I go on the B&Q site I'm trying to find stuff I can get in store the same day and now their site is cluttered up with a whole load of stuff you can't
 
B&Q have been doing this for quite a while - they've opened up their website to sell from anyone and try to create a DIY amazon I guess.

It's actually really annoying - when I go on the B&Q site I'm trying to find stuff I can get in store the same day and now their site is cluttered up with a whole load of stuff you can't
100%. Absolutely defeats the purpose of having a store to go to!
 
But then I honestly can't remember the last time I went to B & Q. usually use Screwfix or Toolstation.
Indeed. I have 2 each of Screwfix & Toolstation, Wickes, Axminster Tools, Ada Fastfix, Isaac Lord and a fantastic independent paint shop where I live. B&Q is definitely the place of last resort but sometimes needs must!
 
when I go on the B&Q site I'm trying to find stuff I can get in store the same day and now their site is cluttered up with a whole load of stuff you can't

That is why they provide you with a filter panel on the left side of the screen.

The "Sold by" or "1 hour Click & Collect" filters or both of them together will soothe your agitation.

Screwstation and Toolfix do a similar thing with 'delivery only by supplier'.
 
Agree on the B&Q "our supplier" offers * being a PITA - I also find that Toolstation is increasing the number of "at the warehouse for delivery tomorrow" items rather than in the local store.

In a totally different market Decathlon has a high percentage of "our supplier" products too.
 
There's obviously money in them thar tools.
Wonder what the mark up is on them?
TBH, I don't see much difference in the actual materials and manufacturing between one of the major brands and a cheapo brand.
 
But then I honestly can't remember the last time I went to B & Q. usually use Screwfix or Toolstation.
I use SF and TS for almost everything, but B&Q has it's place with paint matching and mixing supplies. Sometimes I go to B&Q to choose the right paint or whatever and then shop around to get that from another store - has saved me some dosh in the past.
 
I'm using B&Q more for stuff that they hold/sell in common with Screwfix as I have a discount card that gives 10% off in B&Q Tradepoint.
I do find the sheet materials off cut bins can be good useful value...
 
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TBH, I don't see much difference in the actual materials and manufacturing between one of the major brands and a cheapo brand.
as a blanket statement that just doesn't play out, time and time again the more expensive product is better made, harder wearing, nicer to use. There are definately times when the cheaper tools are as good, or certainly good enough for the use you have, but as a blanket statement I'd go for 'you get what you pay for'
 
One might hope that in time larger B&Q stores would start to re-arrange their layout to have an area dedicated to "order only" products so that punters could see what they were buying.

Could apply to all "high ticket" (say over £200) items - eg: not just woodworking machinery, but gardening equipment, central heating, UPBV windows and doors etc etc.

They might also employ staff to support sales and provide guidance - in much the same way as they provide kitchen and bathroom design services and board cutting. Or the manufacturers could locate staff in store.

It could start to reinvigorate what seems to be a declining interest generally in DIY and "proper" craft based hobbies. Selling online items costing £100s without support or customer inspection is not convincing - it increases the size of the B&Q "catalogue" but may have limited impact on sales.

Or the above may be a naïve thought!!
 
as a blanket statement that just doesn't play out, time and time again the more expensive product is better made, harder wearing, nicer to use. There are definately times when the cheaper tools are as good, or certainly good enough for the use you have, but as a blanket statement I'd go for 'you get what you pay for'
The trouble is everything is a "blanket statement" on forums, otherwise you end up writing a tome every time.
My point was FWIW, that there is not the difference in the costs of making tools to justify the cost between shall we say "adequate" and "good"
I remember reading an article long ago, to the effect that the actual cost of making a luxury hand built car, was not as many times greater as that of a cheap mass produced car to justify the price.
You do of course get what you pay for though.
 
How many people would look at B&Q for woodworking type tools and machinery ? Most of it is there to be purchased online but having an actual item in a store for people to see would be much better and that is if B&Q customers are anything more than DIY. Maybe if these suppliers like axminster don't want to many big stores then they need to find another way to show there products to potential buyers, more shows, road shows etc etc.
 
B&Q, Screwfix and Toolstation are all owned by the same company (Kingfisher PLC)
I knew B & Q and Screwfix were owned by the same company. I didn't know about Toolstation.
TBH though, although TS and SF are a similar sort of deal, B & Q is a more traditional shop.
 


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