Cost comparisons

[Capitol]

Last week I purchased a few (more) tools from Toolstation. Total cost £50. Whilst checking out the latest Screwfix catalogue for her paving circles, I noticed that their price was higher than the local gold plated garden centre! I then checked the cost of purchasing the same tools from Screwfix as I had purchased from Toolstation and found that the Screwfix price would have been £95!!

I know that B & Q are in trouble with lack of sales, but at these prices, Screwfix must be losing customers at a phenomenal rate.

Regards Capitol

[Mungo "two sheds" Toadfoot]

Let's hope that Toolstation's prices stay as low as they are then.

Si

[bigcat]

toolstation has neither the range nor the quality. Much of their stuff is fine, but theres always something thats totally useless.

NT

[John Rumm]

I have noticed TS prices creeping up a bit recently. The last few orders I have done ther was not much difference between them. I tend to prefer the quality of the SF stuff though.

[Ed Sirett]

From my POV SF have the bigger inventory this is the clincher.

1) The cost of the tools and materials rarely gets above 50% of the total cost of the job. 2) The ability to get a small but critical amount of stuff quickly depends on being able to add stuff from the 'general wish and restocking list' to make up the £45.

[PC Paul]

From my pov SF having a trade counter with decently long opening hours 10 mins drive away clinches it ;-)

[The Natural Philosopher]

Screwfix is no longer the cheapest for everything.

You still have to shop around for just about everything..

The aim of any nusiness like Screwfix is to go through a custimer acquisition phase by having cheap good stuff: Then prices rise, as more an motre ofdd items arer added to a burgeoning catalogue, and admion costs rise faster than sales...then finally prices go up to maintain martgin, and teh whole thing becomes totally uncompetivve. Think Dixons. Once the place to go to get any electrical goods. But once they had woiped out the independent retailer, they turned into purveyors of high priced crap purveyed by spotty youths with attitude.

Same with siupermarkets: I can buy cheaper and better from independent butchers green grocers and farmers markets,...