Pewter - I bet I could get anything you wasted 3 hours trying to source delivered to my door the next day via the internet in less than 15 minutes using my phone. Give me a computer and less than 10 minutes
http://www.ledhut.co.uk/led-flood-lights/1-x-50-watt-led-floodlight-4500-lumens-equiv-200-watt-2-options-avaliable-2.html
Loads in stock
100mA TD RCD
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/MK6400.html
16A RCBO
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/MK7934S.html
6A RCBO
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/MK7932S.html
Toolstation has the RCBOs in stock.
You think the customer should pay for you being inefficient messing about for 3 hours because you are struggling to source materials?
We work 'wellies on to wellies off' and once we stop working we stop charging. The customer is welcome to time it too, I usually round down to the nearest 5 minutes. Minimum charge is 20 mins, but good clients with quick jobs may be let off with less. We do charge a visit, but that is half price for pre-booked work (so about £10). As I said I will charge extra for certification or specific office jobs.
If I book you to come and do a job I expect you to have with you all you are reasonably likely to need to complete that job. It's a bit different if I ring you with an unknown fault.
How do you think my clients would like it if I said I could fix their animal but can't gets the bits I want until new year, I've brought the wrong sized syringes with me and it will cost you 3 hours of my time whilst I drive around the countryside looking for some.
Get real.
Can you guarantee to fix a clients animal from the telephone diagnosis?
sometimes i can (more so if they are skilled and know why something is broken), but most of my clients are not electricians and do not know exactly what is wrong except that it does not work.
i have accounts with TLC,WF,CEF,Electrafix,Jegs. I am very familier with how they operate
i doubt you would have sorted everything i was after in 15 mins, it would have taken longer to find the pages in the catalog's, work it out and write it all down.
I usually take more then what i need as it can all be credited back also (this covers different problems/unknowns that can arise). With internet delivery im not sure how crediting items back would work. would there then be collection/postage costs. The other big problem with the internet delivery is where it is been sent and who is going to be there to receive it and check its all been delivered and is not broken or wrong items etc.
Continuity of items is also a big issue. I have found one branch can stock one make and another branch have a different make. By talking to the counter staff i am able to get a better idea if i will be able to get the same items again.
I use TLC a lot, have a good enough relationship to be able to max the account out and then put some more on and collect at the back door to avoid the que. Just because the computer said it is in does not mean it is on the shelf or they will actually get it delivered the next day even though they said they would. how do you know these companies actually have these items in stock to deliver the next day?
For most of todays stuff which took me 3 hours i had to deal with QVS and Edmundsons. I had to do this as the clients accounts are with those wholesalers. The choice of using the clients time and his accounts or use my own money to get it done quicker and mabey not get it back after christmas leaves me little choice. The client does not care about cost just as long as it gets done, and going through his accounts is best for accounts and paperwork.
The example of ordering RCBOs and how the order got lost twice, put down wrong twice was to highlight how things can take longer then expected . If the store said they will get them in the next couple days and multiple cock ups happen, its just one of the hazard of dealing with most of these companies.
I can use WF in basildon who are good, bethnal green who are the worst store i have ever used, yet the one in the city Burner street by oxford street is the best wholesalers i have ever used in my life. I have found the same with all of the whole salers, one store can be good while others can be awful. All rely on the delivery driver and other stores who can ruin the good effort put in.
My 3 hours was for a lot more then just those items, and as certain items were not available i had to consult with others to work out changes and how they wanted me to tackle the problems. It involved a lot of phone calls, wholesalers 14 miles apart, a bit of problem solving, a couple of drinks and some banter and chit chat.
In my experience dealing with the guys on the counter is more reliable then ordering off the internet. For items i am paying for, i can usually source a lot cheaper and quicker. If im working for a company that has accounts with certain places and are happy to pay me to arrange it i have no problem doing so.
Hats off to you for charging £10 for a 20 min visit. The cheapest vet i have ever heard of. Most sparks & plumbers i know charge £40ish for a visit, first hour free, even if it only takes 10 mins.
I can spend £20 in fuel, £10 congestion charge, £30 in parking, 3 hours total travel for a visit to fix something in 5 mins. I have to charge a lot more then £10 for the 5 min visit. The clients are usually very happy and most dont care about the cost as the problem can cost them a lot more.
