Just got the usual pile of junk mail through the door, to find an
interesting snippet of a new Screwfix Trade Counter opening April 25th
in my home town of Preston.

Now, that's interesting enough for me, at least, but what actually *IS*
a Screwfix tradecounter?, is it worth wandering down for a snoop
around?, or is it literally a trade counter in front of a whole
warehouse, expecting you to turn up with your order already written? Are
they Joe-Public friendly?

Any info...

Mike Dodd wrote:

but what actually *IS*
a Screwfix tradecounter?, is it worth wandering down for a snoop
around?, or is it literally a trade counter in front of a whole
warehouse,

Yes.

expecting you to turn up with your order already written? Are
they Joe-Public friendly?

No, they run an Argos style operation with catalogues, pens and forms to
fill in. It works more smoothly if you know your Screfix customer
number.

So far I've had safety boots, hard hat and other assorted stuff from my
local Trade Counter. All supplied without fuss and even the obscure
items were in stock.

Mike Dodd explained on 18/04/2008 :
Just got the usual pile of junk mail through the door, to find an interesting
snippet of a new Screwfix Trade Counter opening April 25th in my home town of
Preston.

Now, that's interesting enough for me, at least, but what actually *IS* a
Screwfix tradecounter?, is it worth wandering down for a snoop around?, or is
it literally a trade counter in front of a whole warehouse, expecting you to
turn up with your order already written? Are they Joe-Public friendly?

I've only been in one once...

They are rather like a boyz toyz version of Argos. Fill out an order
slip, pay and wait for the goods, not much on show.

--
Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk

On 18 Apr, 17:05, Mike Dodd wrote:
Just got the usual pile of junk mail through the door, to find an
interesting snippet of a new Screwfix Trade Counter opening April 25th
in my home town of Preston.

There's lots of them now dotted around the country. It is B&Q owned &
the chain has been building over the last 2-3 years. You can still
use screwfix.com (& must for larger items), but these counters take
the waiting out of wanting. The free Argos style catalogs (1188 pages
in the current one) come out roughly every 3 months and are a paradise
garden of boyztoyz.

Long term it rather seems like B&Q are planning to make their stores
more female friendly (eg as Homebase) & putting the more mechanical
stuff into screwfix.


Now, that's interesting enough for me, at least, but what actually *IS*
a Screwfix tradecounter?, is it worth wandering down for a snoop
around?,

yes to collect a catalog & also there's usually a few Argosstyle pice
cuts out around the counter

or is it literally a trade counter in front of a whole
warehouse, expecting you to turn up with your order already written? Are
they Joe-Public friendly?

very much so. you won't be looked down on even if you onlly have a
tuppeny happenny order; you even find wimmin buying stuff.

Any info...

or is it literally a trade counter in front of a whole
warehouse, expecting you to turn up with your order already written? Are
they Joe-Public friendly?

very much so. you won't be looked down on even if you onlly have a
tuppeny happenny order; you even find wimmin buying stuff.
Any info...




How long until the Laura Ashley dept?

"Mike Dodd" wrote in message
...
Just got the usual pile of junk mail through the door, to find an
interesting snippet of a new Screwfix Trade Counter opening April 25th in
my home town of Preston.

Now, that's interesting enough for me, at least, but what actually *IS* a
Screwfix tradecounter?, is it worth wandering down for a snoop around?, or
is it literally a trade counter in front of a whole warehouse, expecting
you to turn up with your order already written? Are they Joe-Public
friendly?

Any info...


SCREWFIX or their agents are now sending unsolicited premium rate text
messages to customers registered with the Telephone Preference Service. I
have had to complain to the company and their attitude stinks.
They are making a lot of money from this as you have to send back the word
STOP on each unsolicited nuisance text being sent. If you get the same
messages please complain to Screwfix and the Telephone Preference Service.
Screwfix know they are breaking the Law and dismiss it with excuses.

Steve Firth wrote:
Mike Dodd wrote:

but what actually *IS*
a Screwfix tradecounter?, is it worth wandering down for a snoop
around?, or is it literally a trade counter in front of a whole
warehouse,

Yes.

expecting you to turn up with your order already written? Are
they Joe-Public friendly?

No, they run an Argos style operation with catalogues, pens and forms
to fill in. It works more smoothly if you know your Screfix customer
number.
A few of their special offers are on display in my local one, the DeWalt
SDS/driver deal for example. The catalouges are A4 size & easier to read.


So far I've had safety boots, hard hat and other assorted stuff from
my local Trade Counter. All supplied without fuss and even the obscure
items were in stock.

I've been very surprised with the stock levels. Safety boots as above,
sliding door gear, radiators etc as well as the more common stuff.

Anything not in stock (only one item in may case) will be there next day
with no delivery charge.



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

Rob wrote:

SCREWFIX or their agents are now sending unsolicited premium rate text
messages to customers registered with the Telephone Preference Service.


Tiscali Idiot has been drinking albasani absinth again.

This information is as reliable as expecting a nail to secure unchilled
jelly to a brick wall....

--
Adrian C

"Mike Dodd" wrote in message
...
Just got the usual pile of junk mail through the door, to find an
interesting snippet of a new Screwfix Trade Counter opening April 25th in
my home town of Preston.

Now, that's interesting enough for me, at least, but what actually *IS* a
Screwfix tradecounter?, is it worth wandering down for a snoop around?, or
is it literally a trade counter in front of a whole warehouse, expecting
you to turn up with your order already written? Are they Joe-Public
friendly?

Any info...

If it's anything like the one in Luton, you'll be able to wait and wait and
wait as the queue crawls forward imperceptibly and each would be customer
asks questions that the small staff do not know the answer to. I waited and
waited: gave up, and went in the proper plumbing shop nearby, where what I
wanted turned out to be cheaper and service was instant.

On the other hand: Screwfix on line is a doddle: so long as you don't order
anything that the packers can sabotage. Lamps will invariably arrive broken
(I once received a box with CFL lamps and a sledgehammer in. Not much left
of the lamps after the box had been buffetted around in the back of a van
for several hours...); fluorescent tubes will be 'bent' to make them fit in
the box (I have the pictures); plastic, and even metal, paint tins will have
any metal items stabbed through them; and the whole will come in several
huge boxes full of bubble wrap even if it's only a couple of boxes of
screws. They are usually very quick, but the drivers tend to do a runner
long before you can get to the door.

They always replace the items, but I really felt sorry for them for the vast
amount of stuff they must be throwing away as a result of not looking after
their packers. Wrote to them about it, but I bet it's still the same.

Having said all that: they have been very handy and saved a lot of trudging
from shop to shop, and me a lot of money. (Though nowadays they are not
always the cheapest option...)

Hopefully Preston will be much better (loved the market when I visited some
years ago).

S

spamlet wrote:
SNIP
Having said all that: they have been very handy and saved a lot of
trudging from shop to shop, and me a lot of money. (Though nowadays
they are not always the cheapest option...)

I've noticed that as well. Shower enclosures, bath panels etc they have
been twice the price of Wickes or my local plumbers merchants. Wickes
compression fittings are cheaper than Screwfix.

Having said that, overall they save me money, but you have to "keep 'em
peeled" as Shaw Taylor used to say.


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

Mike Dodd wrote:

Now, that's interesting enough for me, at least, but what actually *IS*
a Screwfix tradecounter?, is it worth wandering down for a snoop
around?, or is it literally a trade counter in front of a whole
warehouse, expecting you to turn up with your order already written? Are
they Joe-Public friendly?


So near, but yet...

You queue for a place at the catalogues (unless you've had the foresight
to grab some order forms on your previous visit, or have the chelp to
break their system by giving them your own list), you queue to speak to
a bored 16 year-old girl assistant, who ruminates gently while staring
over your shoulder and slowly typing your order numbers into her ZX
Spectrum, you try to memorise the alternative part numbers that you'd
accept when you discover several items are out of stock, or wait while
said assistant looks through the catalogue, apparently always for the
first time, you wait while your receipt is printed, from a printer far
too far from the assistant, then you have a really long wait while your
order is picked, then a shorter but more frustrating one when your order
is quite obviously on the conveyor belt just behind the assistant who is
dealing with someone exchanging three woodscrews, then finally you
marvel how so obviously incorrect an item can have got into the wrong bin.

When they get some new valves for their computer, perhaps you'll be able
to order online, check the stock at your local branch, pay for it, and
drive to collect it.

Till then, it's going to make shopping at Ikea seem like fun (though
their pencils are better).

This is the Derby branch, based on a dozen or so visits this year, very
few of which resulted in 100% success. YMMV.

Expand, Toolstation, expand!


--
Kevin Poole
****Use current date to reply (e.g. )****

On 18 Apr, 20:03, Mike Dodd wrote:
*or is it literally a trade counter in front of a whole
warehouse, expecting you to turn up with your order already written? Are
they Joe-Public friendly?

very much so. *you won't be looked down on even if you onlly have a
tuppeny happenny order; you even find wimmin buying stuff.
Any info...



How long until the Laura Ashley dept?

Well you did ask & if you will care to read my post again you will
discover I covered that. B&Q sheds are being gradually toned down to
give more of a gentle Laura Ashley feel. The hard mechanical stuff is
going into Screwfix.

You won't IMHE find yourself being sniffed out as 'non-trade' at
Screwfix, unlike some other trade merchants I could mention.

On the whole prices are good; stock availability is good; there is
peak-time queueing; generally there is a top grade item on offer
backed up by a serviceable option for limited use; & it is open
weekends.

All in all a very welcome development.

Kevin Poole wrote:

So near, but yet...
SNIP
Interesting that. I've never had any of those problems at the Gillingham
depot. Plenty of space at the catalouge bar, polite assistants, reasonable
queues, 99% stock availability, short waiting times for order picking, 100%
picking accuracy. Again based on over a dozen visits.

In a survey I'd tick the 'very satisfied' box.

Granted some of the staff don't know the entire product range, but overall
I'm very happy with them.

Expand, Toolstation, expand!

I would like a Toolstation depot to be sure!


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

"Kevin Poole" wrote in message
...


Mike Dodd wrote:

Now, that's interesting enough for me, at least, but what actually *IS* a
Screwfix tradecounter?, is it worth wandering down for a snoop around?,
or is it literally a trade counter in front of a whole warehouse,
expecting you to turn up with your order already written? Are they
Joe-Public friendly?


So near, but yet...

You queue for a place at the catalogues (unless you've had the foresight
to grab some order forms on your previous visit, or have the chelp to
break their system by giving them your own list), you queue to speak to a
bored 16 year-old girl assistant, who ruminates gently while staring over
your shoulder and slowly typing your order numbers into her ZX Spectrum,
you try to memorise the alternative part numbers that you'd accept when
you discover several items are out of stock, or wait while said assistant
looks through the catalogue, apparently always for the first time, you
wait while your receipt is printed, from a printer far too far from the
assistant, then you have a really long wait while your order is picked,
then a shorter but more frustrating one when your order is quite obviously
on the conveyor belt just behind the assistant who is dealing with someone
exchanging three woodscrews, then finally you marvel how so obviously
incorrect an item can have got into the wrong bin.

When they get some new valves for their computer, perhaps you'll be able
to order online, check the stock at your local branch, pay for it, and
drive to collect it.

Till then, it's going to make shopping at Ikea seem like fun (though their
pencils are better).

This is the Derby branch, based on a dozen or so visits this year, very
few of which resulted in 100% success. YMMV.

Expand, Toolstation, expand!

Toolstation is OK but they don't have the same range that screwfix has.
It is closer at 1/2 mile rather than the 1 mile to Screwfix.
I don't even need to tell them who I am, they just pull up my account and
add the stuff.
I don't even need the receipts as they just pull them up if I want to return
something.
Its nearly always empty though.
I spent ten minutes explaining how to use a router to a chippy today, never
used one in thirty years but buying a de waltz one to put some intumescent
strips in doors on Monday.

Kevin Poole wrote:

So near, but yet...

You queue for a place at the catalogues you queue to speak to
a bored 16 year-old girl assistant, then you have a really long wait while your
order is picked,
Expand, Toolstation, expand!

Not a frequent customer of screwfix by any means but the three or four
times I have been there, there have been two or three people flicking
through the big laminated catalogoue things (a dozen or so open). Have
queued to be "served", but nothing excesive yes it is generally someone
who is not "technical" but then anyone who is will be out doing they
won't be working a shop counter. And waiting for your goods to "come
up" yes it takes a couple of minutes but again nothing that would cause
a sweat.
Qute like the "Argos" type approach though I do agree there could
be someone who you can "chat" too about product X but, then someone who
knew valve A could be swapped for valve B (with a wee bit fettling) is
not likely yo know that electrical fitting C is more for a high voltage
application than fitting D.

Never been to a Toolstation. The Screwfix I have been to is the one
out at Bankhead industrial estate, near hand Stevenson college
(Edinburgh). The issues you have with speed and placement of equipment
at Derby are perhaps local issues as I have seen no evidence of waiting
on equipment[1].

[1] Computers, tills, printers etc

--
'S rioghal mo dhream
www.cheesesoup.myby.co.uk

The Medway Handyman wrote:


Kevin Poole wrote:

So near, but yet...
SNIP
Interesting that. I've never had any of those problems at the Gillingham
depot. Plenty of space at the catalouge bar, polite assistants, reasonable
queues, 99% stock availability, short waiting times for order picking, 100%
picking accuracy. Again based on over a dozen visits.

In a survey I'd tick the 'very satisfied' box.

Yes, basically my experience at Ipswich too. I generally order on
line but if there's a small item (or two) that I want I can pop down
to my local Screwfix and get it saving carriage.

--
Chris Green

Just got the usual pile of junk mail through the door, to find an
interesting snippet of a new Screwfix Trade Counter opening April 25th
in my home town of Preston.

Hopefully it won't be like the new one opening in Huyton, Liverpool.

The advertised "opening weekend 18th-20th April" on large posters
around the area has been superceded by a **** paintbrush on scrap
timber they found on the site with "screwfix may 6th"