I went into our local builder's merchant to get a length of drainpipe at
the weekend and walked straight back out again when I discovered they
wanted £11 for a 2m length (and £5 for an outlet shoe). I bought the 2m
of pipe from Homebase in the end for £5.

So how much discount do tradesmen get at builder's merchants? At those
prices I would think it would have to be at least 60% for anyone to even
bother using them.

Martin.