Toolstation v Screwfix

[neverwas]

Do the bulk users have views please on the relative price and quality of Toolstation and Screwfix on "own brand" (or "who dat? brand") items.

I ask because Toolstation have opened c.50m from my local Screwfix. Manifestly I can compare prices on branded goods they both stock. But I'll rarely buy enough of more generic stuff to compare value for money (ie quality and price). Eg I bought 50m of 180 grit alox from Toolstation today (labelled Silverline) as it was cheaper than Screwfix's. I can't compare it directly with the one (Mirka?) I bought from Screwfix a year or more ago and have already finished. And the new one will last me so long they'll probably both have changed their brands by the time I buy it again. So are there views please among those who get through a lot of stuff?

[Andy Dingley]

1st choice (electrics only) TLC. Prices change more quickly, so copper falls faster in a falling market. 2nd choice (if they have it) Toolstation 3rd choice (for a wider range) Screwfix 4th choice (protective gear) Arco

Blackspur / Forge steel / Siilverline / Lucky Golden Hedgehog is all IMHO interchangeably low-end.

Only ones I ever buy are Hermes (CSM abrasives) and Mirka. Won't touch the Silverline. Mirka's a lot better than bucket-shop generic.

[Broadback]

I receive emails from both, lately the Screwfix ones are almost daily with "special" offers, makes me think they are feeling the pinch!

[Stuart Noble]

Bought some straight router bits at a quid each from TS to do some heavy duty in-situ rebating round a door frame. Thought I was bound to hit nails so bought four to be on the safe side. The first one lasted all day and was still giving me a good cut. Don't think there was a Screwfix equivalent.

[NT]

I find toolsatan sometimes cheaper than screwfix, but the quality has a habit of being lower at times. But its good enough to do the job. Trouble is TS doesnt have the range SF has.

Silverline stuff is adequate but no more IME, whereas blackspurt et al I'd always avoid. Toolstation stocks loads of silverline stuff. ISTR you can get silverline direct from the importer somewhere, never tried them though.

NT

[The Medway Handyman]

I thought the ex Screwfix bloke who owns Toolstation (or did before TP bought it) also owned Silverline?

[Rod]

I thought the big man at TS was the brother of Mr Silverline. (Isn't he still a major part - thought TP only owned a part.) Leastwise, that's what they told me in TS last year.

[Steve Firth]

Same strategy here. The range is narrower than Screwfix, the prices much better, so it's a no-brainer.

[neverwas]

thanks for the comments

(at least I've got TLC right - but that was an easy choice as I live within one their van area for free next day delivery)

[NT]

...explains why there's so much SL in TS catalogue.

NT

[Old Git]

There probably is a relationship, of some sort, between Toolstation and Silverline. Silverline is based at Yeovil (can just about see it from my bedroom window) and the owner of Toolstation, I seem to remember, started Screwfix in a hut at Yeovil, before selling out to the B&Q outfit.

[Rod]

Which is exactly why I asked. The staff didn't seem to have a high opinion of the Silverline stuff... (I shall not be posting the branch as they have always been very friendly and helpful.)

[NT]

I dont know which staff youre referring to, but if you mean TS or SF their word means jack. I learnt not to ask them anything, they mostly dont have a clue but readily offer dribble-like responses.

No-one has a high opinon of SL, the question is whether its upto the job or not.

NT

[Lobster]

That's my experience too (except not sure there's a quality difference).

The other point is that TS has a minimum order charge of only 10 GBP, which means that I can happily place small orders without having to save them up to meet SF's much larger minimum (45 GBP IIRC?)- I'd never place a 10 GBP order with SF and take a 5 GBP hit for postage. For me that's quite significant when I haven't got much on diy-wise and am only making small/occasional purchases.

David