Tanner-'op wrote:

Lesson begineth:

In business, the 'tradesman' negotiates a cut-price rate with his
suppliers of around 10 - 40%, they will also arrange an extra
discount for a prompt settlement of the suppliers monthly invoice to
the tradesman of around 5 - 10% but the tradesman will then pass
supply the materials to the customer at the 'full'price and possibly
even adding a further 10 - 20% for overheads.

Now, if the tradesman wants to look good in the customers eyes (or
just to get the job), he now has enough leeway to offer a 'discount'
to the customer and still make a profit - without having to cut his
labour charge - and that's how the system works and it certainly did
in my last job.
Lesson endeth - patronising though it may sound.

"Who'd have thought thirty year ago we'd all be sittin' here drinking
Chteau de Chasselas, eh? ".

Things have changed in the past 40 years. The public have access to
thousands of products via the internet, TV ads, press ads, the 300+ B&Q
stores, the 300 odd Homebase stores, 100+ Screwfix depots etc

None of these things excisted 40 years ago. You had to go to a builders
merchant & speak to a bloke in a brown coat & a flat cap & ask for "Fork
Handles".

The days of the 40% discount for the tradesman are, with a few exceptions
like Howdens by and large gone. The public can now buy as cheaply as a
tradesman. If you were in touch with the market you would realise that most
of the public prefer to choose & purchase their own bathrooms, kitchens,
lighting etc and then get someone in to fit it.


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk