So what gives with distribution/selling costs.

[CHJ]

Received my usual Chronos e-mail today.
http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/acatalog/Just ... d3314507b2

And noted the Axminster/Brimark bias towards quoted Woodwork stock.

http://www.quality-woodworking-tools.co ... fbd82dc883

For Example:- Chronos.
http://www.quality-woodworking-tools.co ... ml#a410063

For Example:- Axminster.
http://www.axminster.co.uk/63mm-dust-extraction-kit

Now where am I going to look in future for that odd item required.?

 

[RogerP]

Looking back at the stuff I've bought over the last year or so it's noticeable to me that Axminster no longer features very highly in my suppliers. Once it was my main source.

 

[paulm]

I was shocked recently when looking to buy some Bosch 18v naked tools to make use of my couple of batteries to find that Axi were no where near competitive compared to a handful of other retailers.

That was even though Axi were running their 10% off promotion on power tools, and even after allowing for the additional 10% discount recently at the Basingstoke store and the fact that I could pick them up there and save a delivery fee !

From memory, the circular saw was something like £220 after the discount, just under £200 with the extra Basingstoke discount, and yet was commonly around £150 or so including delivery from elsewhere.

Not just that product either but likewise large differences on the jigsaw and the sabre saw. Even the ridiculously expensive Bosch L-boxxes (Festool systainer type boxes), were about £66 at Axi yet £40 delivered from one source which is obviously where I ordered it from.

I bought my Bosch cordless drill somewhere else a few months back for similar reasons, and recently picked up the impact driver elsewhere again at substantial savings to Axi.

Not just Bosch gear either, a while back I wanted a Makita planer and ended up buying elsewhere due to significant price savings.

Much as I would like to support the local store they are not even close to being competitive on power tools and accessories as far as I can see. Don't mind paying a few quid more for the good customer service and to have somewhere local, but not those kind of price differences which are actually quite eye-watering.

They may be better for larger machinery, I don't know as I haven't been in that market for a few years, they certainly have a good range and it's very helpful to be able to see and compare them, so again would be happy to pay for that kind of service at some level.

I had thought about posting about it recently but held back, being uneasy about it given Axi are generally held in high regard and for good reason, but your post prompted me Chas and I do think their power tool pricing is pretty awful, unless I have just been unlucky for the items I was looking at ?

Cheers, Paul

 

[CHJ]

I could not believe the difference, Paul, I've no reason to suspect that Chronos web pricing is in error.

£66.49 instead of £94.94 for exactly the same kit delivered to the door and by the looks of the marketing/part numbering from the same stock source beggars belief.

Several other items I checked show similar discrepancy.

Don't know if the new marketing regime thought that moving things to a High Street Retail Model of price it high and have almost daily sale offers would be a good idea, but it doesn't work for me I'm afraid and I've even stopped calling in whilst passing near a store because the few consumables and odd small item can be acquired locally or via the web from elsewhere for less than the diversion petrol cost and the price premium.

Such a shame it was my go to store despite the 1 1/2-2 hour drive distance, which I used to be able to justify on the odd day out that drifted in their dierction.

 

[cedarwood]

Oh well looks like axi are gonna loose some of my trade too having checked out chas's links they even have the clubman and the evolution chuck for sale with my thread size and axi do not, and most if not all prices include delivery what more could you want.
The only time I visit a store these days is to get my hands on high value kit to see if it really is what I need and the quality of the item, on my wishlist at the moment is the Jet JPT260 hmmm 3 blades whole table lift no need to remove fence it stays put with no need to re-align sigh but hey Christmas is just round the corner and I've dropped a hint or two SWMBO's way :mrgreen:

 

[Ring]

tnx for the info have been looking to buy a scroll saw prices are like night and day ..Axmister for Excalibur EX-21 Scroll Saw.......£649.94 Inc. VAT

CHRONOS LIMITED.......Excalibur EX-21 Scroll Saw ...£537.70 includes vat and delivery.
Jim

=D> =D> =D>

 

[Woodmonkey]

Same story here, I used to more or less only buy woodworking tools from axi as they had everything I needed and were always competitively priced, now I hardly ever bother even checking their website as they are inevitably way more expensive than other online sources. Many other retailers will price match internet prices, axi don't seem interested in doing this, guess they are relying on established customer base who don't bother to shop around. They've certainly lost my business.

 

[Mike.S]

I was looking to buy a task light yesterday (to hjelp with my first foray into saw sharpening) and a search threw up this example:

Axminster triple tube fluorescent for £92

and elsewhere £66 - for the same thing.

I ordered the latter.

Edit to add: ordered at 5pm yesterday, just arrived. Free p&p. One happy bunny.

 

[RogerP]

From some of the examples given on this thread it looks like Axminster, where possible, are working on 100% mark-up!

 

[HexusOdy]

I think Axminster are taking advantage of a name and reputation they have built up. There were once limited supplier of woodworking products so alot of people went there as they had little option and I guess as they became the default option for many people they started pushing prices up knowing most wouldnt look elsewhere.

Now there are more options, although still not enough in my opinion

 

[Roughcut]

I think Axminster are taking advantage of a name and reputation they have built up. There were once limited supplier of woodworking products so alot of people went there as they had little option and I guess as they became the default option for many people they started pushing prices up knowing most wouldnt look elsewhere.

Now there are more options, although still not enough in my opinion

I think if Axminster were not trading on their name and reputation then they would be doing something wrong?
At the end of the day they are a business and in it to make money.
And although I admit some of their prices are a bit rich, it's up to the consumer to decide if they would prefer to shop elsewhere.
In my opinion it's a buyers market with the internet making it so easy for us to look at a variety of suppliers and even choose to import at a cheaper price if we so wish.

 

[HexusOdy]

[

I think if Axminster were not trading on their name and reputation then they would be doing something wrong?
At the end of the day they are a business and in it to make money.
And although I admit some of their prices are a bit rich, it's up to the consumer to decide if they would prefer to shop elsewhere.
In my opinion it's a buyers market with the internet making it so easy for us to look at a variety of suppliers and even choose to import at a cheaper price if we so wish.

True and I'm sure we would all do the same but you have to get the balance right. People will pay a little more for reputation, trust and service, but I think they have probably taken it too far.

 

[Ring]

I went to order a new scroll saw from http://www.quality-woodworking-tools.com/ but looks like they have pulled the plug on selling Excalibur saws etc have emailed them to find out but they where nearly £120 cheaper than Axminster :evil: :evil:



http://www.axminster.co.uk/excalibur-ex ... -saw-23245

 

[RogerP]

I went to order a new scroll saw from http://www.quality-woodworking-tools.com/ but looks like they have pulled the plug on selling Excalibur saws etc have emailed them to find out but they where nearly £120 cheaper than Axminster :evil: :evil:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/excalibur-ex ... -saw-23245

.... Axminster can sometimes be far cheaper

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cutting-Edg...65&sr=8-1&keywords=Excalibur+EX-21+Scroll+Saw

 

[Ring]

Lol i know what you mean just got a letter back saying they no longer sell excaliber scroll saws no explanation just we no longer sell those saws ,So must have been a conflict somewhere along the road dam he who waits and all that :evil:

 

[marcros]

They have got rid of jet lathes too which is a shame.

 

[Ring]

The Revenge of axminster ? Remove the competition and can charge what they want oh dear.

 

[Selwyn]

The Revenge of axminster ? Remove the competition and can charge what they want oh dear.

I think there are plenty of alternatives.

 

[Duncan A]

A lot of stores sell Brimarc/Axminster stuff cheaper than Axminster and I suspect Brimarc are positioning themselves as importers with Axminster as their (expensive) high street presence, leaving the cutthroat internet discounting to others.

As an example: T38 Evolution chuck £179.95 at Axminster; £160.74 at http://www.quality-woodworking-tools.co ... hucks.html. Of course Q-W may be selling old stock at last year's prices, but in 2014 Axminster were charging £169.95 so Q-W still represent better value even at their 2015 price compared to Axi's 2014 price.

Many importers refuse to reduce prices, in order to avoid undercutting their dealers; perhaps this is also an element in Axminster's strategy, but I still don't see why 5 - 7% price increases are being applied to so many items, even those manufactured by Axminster in Axminster. Unless..... it is to leave wiggle room for an unending stream of "special offer" emails!

Duncan

 

[Rhossydd]

even those manufactured by Axminster in Axminster.

Presumably they expect to give their staff pay rises in the coming year and their costs to increase. Not unreasonable assumptions.