Electrical Suppliers..... And A Question!

[OwlSpark]

Just wanted some opinions/anecdotes about suppliers. I read with interest the post about eletrifix and was tempted to post in there, but this is slightly off topic.

I moved house a few months ago and have been making various improvements, including electrical. Most of my materials have come from my local branch of City, only a mile and a half away, and I can't fault them.

I was looking for some bulkhead lights for outdoor use, they had to be a certain size to fit where I want them, and I finally found what I was looking for on a website called juice.

Just wondered if anyone else has used them, or if any other online suppliers can be recommended. Recommendations, experiences good or bad with suppliers. I should stress that I have only just ordered, so have no opinion as yet on juice's service.

Finally, the question; I am new to this site, and have seen "5ww" mentioned a few times. I take it this refers to non time served sparks? Round my neck of the woods such people are known as diluties, or just looties; as in diluted sparks.

 

[Zeespark]

Owl, most good wholesalers use a variety of companies to source their goods, you could have asked them to source the light fittings. Everyone on here who has known Me for a while knows that I have issues with CEF, their goods 'pass inspection' but there are better out there. I have used a variety of wholesalers over the years, I have even worked for one.

The whole point of the short course was originally intended for electricians that have worked for a number of years in the industry, but had no formal paper based qualifications. The shyster training companies (T4TS, OCLI etc) looked at this as a quick way to train new entrants to become electricians, I can see this situation going in the same directions at the PPI claims etc.

Andy Guinness

 

[batty]

I am not a great fan of CEF. Had a problem with them on a job they would not sort it we are talking around £100 on a £3500 order. There loss they won't get any more business from me. Wholesalers need to remember we are the customer and there is a lot of choice out there. I do buy online as well as using wholesalers. I have found shop 4 electric, Fastlec, The electric counter all very good, Fastlec are a sponsor and give 5% discount, I have used UK electrical supplies another sponsor and found them also OK.

 

[OwlSpark]

Thanks for the tips. I got an email from Juice today to say my stuff is on its way, it should be waiting for me when I get home. Looking forward to checking out the quality, as well as commenting on the service.

As far as CEF goes, I can only speak as I find and so far they have been OK. Maybe my local branch is one of the better ones. I should mention that my dealings with them have been for materials for home, not business, and deliveries have been when I'm at home so suit me fine. A bit different to being on a site with guys standing around because promised deliveries haven't materialised.

Is it just me, or does it seem that there aren't as many suppliers as there used to be? The company I did my time with used to get a lot of gear from a company called STC, who don't seem to be around now. Neweys got bought out by Rexel, and their website sucks; Eddies are still going though. And there used to be a wholesaler round my way (a small local company, I believe) called Entrep, also long gone. Is this a sign of the times, what with the rise of the internet and all?

 

[Sidewinder]

CEF may well deliver to suit, but I bet they charge accordingly!

MY local N&E, Ediies, two independents, TLC, & Senate beat CEF hands down.

They have NEVER beaten a price from another wholesaler for the same kit, nor for what I consider to be the same "quality" of kit!

 

[batty]

I think a lot of the independents got brought out by the big players. When I was training a long time ago The people I worked for used a small independent mainly and also another small independent. They went years ago. Edmunsons were around then and I think CEF although I may be wrong about that.

 

[Steve3948]

We have accounts with all of them, and they all have the same objective, to make as much out of you as they possibly can.

So if they think they can sell you say 2.5mm T&E for £45.00 + Vat they will, we are currently paying £36.00 + Vat, we have one merchant who say's if they sell for that they are losing money total rubbish.

Have they ever said, but we are only making 10% on that, another load of rubbish, most of them have a minimum 25%.

Most get a bonus for sales, so they pretend to be your friend to get your trust so they can make more out of you when you become complacent.