Rant about screwfix

[Thingybob]

The local B&Q (brother of Screwfix) has just taken out ALL of the checkout-lines and replaced them with self-scan units . . . . makes the purchase of bags of cement/compost etc and paving slabs or sheet goods a challenge. Madness.

And when system goes down its finger up rectum time and lost sales

 

[johna.clements]

The local B&Q (brother of Screwfix) has just taken out ALL of the checkout-lines and replaced them with self-scan units . . . . makes the purchase of bags of cement/compost etc and paving slabs or sheet goods a challenge. Madness.

What happens when someone drops a paving slab on the scanner!

 

[Eric Roy]

The local B&Q (brother of Screwfix) has just taken out ALL of the checkout-lines and replaced them with self-scan units . . . . makes the purchase of bags of cement/compost etc and paving slabs or sheet goods a challenge. Madness.

Yes, I wrote an email to the manager of our local store explaining that I did not want to self checkout and that I would in future use Wickes instead. Did not even get the courtesy of an acknowledgement. It confirmed my suspicion that they have completely lost focus on what the customer wants/needs.

 

[Dave Moore]

As the title suggests I am annoyed with Screwfix. I have been a customer as long as I can remember.
They have always had the book in store, they used to do the nice big one with laminated pages, then during the lockdowns they stopped that and just put a dog eared copy of the small book on the counter which was fine as well, but one of the staff told me a while ago soon there would be no more books at all.
That day has arrived and it is beyond bloody annoying.

So now they have some kind of Ipad or tablet fixed to the bench which appears to be running similar software as the phone app which I reluctantly installed last year.
Basically 4 items visible per "page" on the screen.

I looked for the stuff I wanted and managed to find some things but there is no ability to easily "browse".
Sometimes I am not quite sure what plumbing connector I want or maybe I am after a tool but not sure which one suits my purpose and budget.
When you have the book you can easily and more importantly quickly compare many items on that page or flick to the next page etc.

I think it took me 10 minutes to find what I wanted, with the catalogue it would have been maybe 2.
I am inclined to frequent the toolstation 300 metres away who still have a book ( for now ) a bit more.

I am not anti technology by any means, quite the opposite. I do use the app to pre-order often but to my mind this is not really "progress" but a step backwards it is actually less efficient.
Not to mention a more annoying experience overall. If you know precisely what you want I guess its ok but even if I want, say 4 x 50mm screws there will be several options to look at.
I also suspect they may break down after a while and then you wont be able order anything, even a really knackered book still works, its the appearance of improvement

I am reminded of when Axminster got rid of the book, which I said was a bad idea at the time, people like to browse and its handy to have one in the workshop. Well they bought the book back a couple of years later. I am hoping screwfix might learn from this.

Rant over

Ollie

I was in Screwfix this week and the tablets broke. Another annoying thing when looking online is that it tells you an item is in stock so you pay for it because you need it that day and lo and behold it’s not in stock and is on its way from the main warehouse tomorrow! Grrrr.

 

[robgul]

Yes, I wrote an email to the manager of our local store explaining that I did not want to self checkout and that I would in future use Wickes instead. Did not even get the courtesy of an acknowledgement. It confirmed my suspicion that they have completely lost focus on what the customer wants/needs.

I did happen to see the "manager" and questioned the wisdom of the change . . . "it's Head Office . . ." but he agreed it was bonkers.

Wickes is the viable alternative but the nearest branches are some distance away with added cost and time - although I've found delivery to be brilliant provided the order is over the threshold, and I seem to be getting money-off vouchers almost every week.

The town is served by 3 builders merchants all of whom seem indifferent to any sort of customer (TP, Jewsons, Buildbase) + a TS & Screwfix

 

[IZZY]

I was in Screwfix this week and the tablets broke. Another annoying thing when looking online is that it tells you an item is in stock so you pay for it because you need it that day and lo and behold it’s not in stock and is on its way from the main warehouse tomorrow! Grrrr.

Had a smile a few years ago. having decided which fridge to buy I asked " was it in stock at this branch? " yes was reply so I placed cash on counter and waited for paperwork to be completed. I then asked can I bring my vehicle around the back of the shop to load up. " Oh no it will be delivered in 3 days time it's at the main warehouse" So not actually in stock then. Picked up cash and walked out to a strangled cry of " you can't do that I've done the paperwork.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Just thinking ........I appear to be lucky, down at the tail end. Within six or seven miles we've two specialist paint suppliers, two SF's two TS's, a B&Q, a TP, a Wickes, a Bradford's, an MKM, two Jewsons and five good independents.

 

[AJB Temple]

I think the Screwfix catalogue issue is nothing to do with paper. Rather, I suspect they have changed their business model. I never used the catalogues but did order on line for same day collection. Now, however, lots of things on-line are only available for collection next day. This suggests centralised distribution depots and far less stock at the stores - which are often much smaller (and cheaper) now.

Toolstation is a bit better. B&Q tradepoint has improved a lot and also has collection facilities. I also price check online before I get anything.

Wickes in my experience is on a downhill path following the divorce from Travis Perkins. However, their discount card scheme is far better than B&Qs volume related one.

 

[Spectric]

It is as though they are just removing as much humanity as they can from the system.

Making way for AI

 

[johna.clements]

Making way for AI

Then they will loose. What local stores have the advantage in is being able to pick it up now and people who may give advice.

If the staff are just there to sweep up spills and they can get it tomorrow whats the point. You can get small stuff delivered to the newsagent across the road from where you are working tomorrow from amazon etc.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

We went to Wickes because I knew they stocked what I needed. A quarter sheet of 25mm polystyrene. They had only long half sheets, so we picked up a damaged one, took it to the checkout and asked the lad - about 18 - what discount there'd be for a damaged one. He looked at the price - £11. £5.50p OK? Yes, thank you.
My wife commented as I thought exactly the same thing, how good it was that a kid on the checkout had been given a bit of credit for having some common sense, so fair play to the lad and his manager. It makes a change.

 

[Spectric]

Then they will loose. What local stores have the advantage in is being able to pick it up now and people who may give advice.

A very big problem for retail is carrying stock, it is just money sitting on a shelf until it is sold. The problem for us buyers is that many local outlets just do not carry the stock but tell us they can get it for us, no good because we can do that ourselves so it leaves the smaller local outlets in a dilema which is not aided by the fact that we all expect such a huge choice of options. Screwfix and the like have tried filling this hole by carrying reasonable stock of many common items but are driven by demand so if you want something more specialised then you may be out of luck. These outlets are also not the cheapest, you are told that you are paying for convenience, good forward planing and or willing to carry some basic stock for yourself eliminates this need and is why I don't buy so many screws from them these days, use more specialised suppliers and buy larger quantities to make P&P more attractive.

 

[Thingybob]

I did happen to see the "manager" and questioned the wisdom of the change . . . "it's Head Office . . ." but he agreed it was bonkers.

Wickes is the viable alternative but the nearest branches are some distance away with added cost and time - although I've found delivery to be brilliant provided the order is over the threshold, and I seem to be getting money-off vouchers almost every week.

The town is served by 3 builders merchants all of whom seem indifferent to any sort of customer (TP, Jewsons, Buildbase) + a TS & Screwfix

Well toolstation = Travis Perkins screwfix = B&Q so you vill have vot ve are selling and pay the price we say

 

[Spectric]

screwfix = B&Q

= kingfisher

 

[Thingybob]

Went to Dunghelm mill today with rhe wife big sign at checkout recieve your reciept by email save trees and the till girl asked do you want your reciept by email "No chuffing fear so you can bombard us with dross once you have our email address "

 

[johna.clements]

Went to Dunghelm mill today with rhe wife big sign at checkout recieve your reciept by email save trees and the till girl asked do you want your reciept by email "No chuffing fear so you can bombard us with dross once you have our email address "

I have three email addresses. One for spam. one for every day and one for important stuff that I give to hardly anyone.

 

[Thingybob]

Can not understand why you are asked do you want your reciept at most checkouts in supermarkets and stores if you get stoped at exit or alarm sounds wheres your proof also if you go into another store thar sells the same product wheres your proof also returning faulty goods wheres your proof

 

[Ollie78]

Went to Dunghelm mill today with rhe wife big sign at checkout recieve your reciept by email save trees and the till girl asked do you want your reciept by email "No chuffing fear so you can bombard us with dross once you have our email address "

This sort of thing is annoying. If they want my details for no useful reason I just say "no" and watch the confusion come over them.

I remember once a few years ago I was buying one single box of screws with cash ( funnily enough at screwfix ) they asked my postcode and I was not in a great mood and just couldn`t fathom why, so I said no.
The guy could not accept my payment ! He had to get a manager to come over and authorise his acceptance of £2 for a box of screws.

Soon it will be DNA and a retina scan or no coffee for you.

Ollie

 

[johna.clements]

This sort of thing is annoying. If they want my details for no useful reason I just say "no" and watch the confusion come over them.

I remember once a few years ago I was buying one single box of screws with cash ( funnily enough at screwfix ) they asked my postcode and I was not in a great mood and just couldn`t fathom why, so I said no.
The guy could not accept my payment ! He had to get a manager to come over and authorise his acceptance of £2 for a box of screws.

Soon it will be DNA and a retina scan or no coffee for you.

Ollie

I had the same experience. Spent about £3 on something and they asked for my post code. I asked why and they could not tell me why so I just made one up. I had the receipt but it was for something I was unlikely to want to return.

 

[Thingybob]

I wonder if the guys who used to sell slates and scratch sticks gave the guy who invented the pencil a good rollocking too