I've just lost the will to live !

[Grumps]

I've got some B&Q vouchers. I have a requirement for some TV cable, plugs, splitters etc. I thought I'd look at

to see what range they have. Great, I actually found a picture of the bits I want. But when I click on it, all I get are some bloody faceplates. Their web-site is rubbish. So I tried to call them. Now there is a long story, but I'll spare you that.

So, does anyone know what the Reading B&Q superstore has in the way of TV bits'n'pieces?

[Harvey Van Sickle]

On 18 Mar 2005, Grumps wrote

Not sure about Reading, but the one I use here in Basingstoke has always seemed well-supplied with TV bits 'n' pieces. (I bought the stuff there when I had to re-cable for a new Freeview box.)

[Tony Hogarty]

Seemed reasonably well stocked when I was in there last week.

[Chris Bacon]

Grumps wrote: ( B & Q )

AOL!

[ABC]

B&Q's website is so pathetic for online shopping, that they might as will save millions of pounts per year developing the site and let the customers come into the store. They only seem to list about 0.1% of their stock on the site.

[Christian McArdle]

Ignore the website. It is worse than useless.

Loads, but Maplin is usually much cheaper. It's on the Oxford Road near Richer Sounds.

Christian.

[Grumps]

This is my view now too. And to top it all, they've just sent me an annoying email advertisement.

Ah yes, I know them both well.

If I could get any sense out of B&Q's web site I'd do the price comparison. Maplin have a 100m reel for £25. A mate at a work said he bought a reel at B&Q for about £22. As I have got some vouchers sitting doing absolutely nothing, I'll try B&Q first. Thanks.

[kmillar]

Yup couldn't agree more. And what;s with the silly delivery times and outrageous delivery prices. Can't believe B&Q's website is so poor.

[Alan]

In message , Grumps wrote

I don't believe that the cable that Maplin is selling for £25 is the satellite quality double screened cable that is now recommended for aerial down-leads or distribution, especially for terrestrial digital TV.

Cable with 100% screening, in copper, such as CT100 (or better) is recommended.

Reels of CAI recommended cable can be obtained for around £25 but unlikely from expensive outlets such as B&Q or Maplin.

Do a search on for CT100 CAI

[Alan]

In message , Grumps wrote

See

[Grumps]

So, is this

same as this ?Or anywhere cheaper?

[Mike]

That's surely the point :

1. You want something so you look online.
2. Oh - B&Q have it.
3. I'm not paying that much for delivery.
4. I'll pop down to the local store
5. While I'm there I'll buy XYZ as well

[Mike]

You mean you've met IMM ?

[Grumps]

Cruel. But it made me laugh. I've not seen any posts from him recently. He must be on holiday.

[Mike]

He's now calling himself Doctor Evil for reasons that aren't entirely clear to me.

[John Rumm]

Maplin's version (FT100) is listed at 40 quid a 100m reel.

do handy 50m reels quite cheaply if you don't need a full one.

[John Rumm]

Effectively, yes.

How about:

(I take back what I said about 50m reels at CPC in my other response - I just looked and they are listed as "while stocks last", and are now out of stock. Their 100m reels are much the same price as the others).

[Alan]

The Maplin cable doesn't appear to have a copper inner screen. The picture shows a silver inner which suggests it is inferior quality cable with the metal coated plastic screening.

The Farnell site shows the 'proper' cable but the price is way over the top. £25 for a 100m reel should be possible. A search of the Google news archives should bring up a source at a lower price.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

TLC do their version - PF100 (upgraded CT100) for 21 quid per hundred, or

30p a metre. Plus VAT, of course.

[The Natural Philosopher]

I think hes been put away hasn't he? Or is he giving evidence in wacko jackos trial?