I have a biggish project coming up at the end of the month, so I set up a trade account with Jewson, my local builders merchant. They've just sent me a "trade price list".
Taking a random item off that, Thistle Finish Plaster is £5.93 + VAT = £7.12. Or at Wickes it's £5.49.
So, what are Jewson playing at? How can anyone afford to use them? Am I meant to call the branch and negotiate a discount?
IME, with any trade account, you get the best discounts by visiting the branch regularly and getting known by the staff. In my local branch of Jewsons, they will offer to see what the best price is they can give me, without my having to ask.
I went into the trade P&D suppliers looking for paint.
At the time I was just looking for white emulsion for a ceiling. They offered me some no-name own brand at 18 quid. I had previously seen Dulux in B&Q for 13. God know what they wanted for the branded stuff.
Part of my job in preparation was painting behind the radiators because the numpty who I previously employed didn't have the brushes for the job. So I had recently picked up a pack of 3 for 3.99 in the local high street hardware shop. What did I see behind the counter, but the same brushes hanging up at 7.99 *each*.
Looks like I am going to have to review my choice of colour for the walls down from the "mix any colour that you want" trade paint to the retail offering, unless I can find someone who will get the, presumably, standard trade discount of "50% off" in the trade store as anything less and it isn't the slightest bit competitive with even a rip-off DIY store.
One of my lads is converting a commercial unit into a bar (build materials costs £10k plus). Before starting he did a lot of research before ruling out Jewson and TP in favour of Wickes. And he got the 15% Easter online discount on the first £7k.
You see, that's the common fallacy with Trade Accounts - that they are cheaper. They arent for many things. My electrical wholesalers sell stuff at the same price to everyone. But, because I've got an account with them, they will deliver free of charge and allow me a month to pay the bill. They are cheaper than B+Q, but may be a little more expensive than Screwfix. I'm not bothered, as it is convenience that makes me use them, as well as they will have the parts I require in stock. If I wanted cheap, I'd be shopping around the internet, and/or using 4 different shops to get what I want. But, I charge by the hour, and people dont want me gone for 2 hours fetching parts as they are 50p cheaper 5 miles away. DIYers are in no rush generally for their materials, so can plan ahead and get the best price, even if it means going across town to save a few pounds.
When I pull into the Jewson yard, the guy is ready to hump stuff on the back. I'm rarely there more than 5 mins. Takes me that long to find a working trolley in Homebase
Exactly why I never use them. Prices higher than local independent BMs and I think it's basically dishonest to sell stuff at higher prices to customers who aren't savvy.
Some trade accounts charge the same price but may refund x% if the overall spend exceeds a threshold amount over a 3/6/12 month period. It's unlikely that an individual will reach the threshold spend.
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