Just checked out the new B&Q here,(they've opened a few shops in Ireland 
now). Anyway noticed a normal 12v H3 bulb for 20 EURO!! I havn't seen them 
for sale at retail outlets, but although admittedly trade prices, I buy H3 
bulbs for about 90cent. Is this normal prices over there in Blighty.

JOhn

The message <dh1j4a$upl$1@reader01.news.esat.net>
from "John"  contains these words:


> Just checked out the new B&Q here,(they've opened a few shops in Ireland 
> now). Anyway noticed a normal 12v H3 bulb for 20 EURO!! I havn't seen them 
> for sale at retail outlets, but although admittedly trade prices, I buy H3 
> bulbs for about 90cent. Is this normal prices over there in Blighty.


B&Q are notoriously expensive for things like that. In fact, they're
staggeringly expensive for all sorts of things. The local branch wanted
22 for an 8x4 sheet of 3/4" MDF. The B&Q Depot in Wednesbury (Depot are
apparently a different bunch) wanted 11.

-- 
Skipweasel.
In the beginning was the word.
And the word was Aardvark.

That's the general impression I got. I can buy most of the stuff in my local 
builders providers for half the price. Who buys this stuff? Are there 
lobotomised DIY'ers walking around out there.


"Guy King"  wrote in message 
news:3130303034323739433462DD20@zetnet.co.uk...

> The message <dh1j4a$upl$1@reader01.news.esat.net>
> from "John"  contains these words:
>
>> Just checked out the new B&Q here,(they've opened a few shops in Ireland
>> now). Anyway noticed a normal 12v H3 bulb for 20 EURO!! I havn't seen 
>> them
>> for sale at retail outlets, but although admittedly trade prices, I buy 
>> H3
>> bulbs for about 90cent. Is this normal prices over there in Blighty.
>
> B&Q are notoriously expensive for things like that. In fact, they're
> staggeringly expensive for all sorts of things. The local branch wanted
> 22 for an 8x4 sheet of 3/4" MDF. The B&Q Depot in Wednesbury (Depot are
> apparently a different bunch) wanted 11.
>
> -- 
> Skipweasel.
> In the beginning was the word.
> And the word was Aardvark.
>
> 

The message <dh1sl5$25k$1@reader01.news.esat.net>
from "John"  contains these words:


> That's the general impression I got. I can buy most of the stuff in my
> local 
> builders providers for half the price. Who buys this stuff? Are there 
> lobotomised DIY'ers walking around out there.


Yes. They advertise heavily and are easily found and you don't have to
be able to do the builder's walk and the builder's talk to shop there.
Obviously, you don't at the builders' merchants either - but then B&Q
aren't going to tell you that, are they?

However - it's worth checking 'cos sometimes they're cheap - I can't
better the 11 for an 8x4 3/4" MDF anywhere - but it's 20 miles away so
I only do it when I need several sheets. I bought a trailer solely for
that - I paid 75 for it and it's paid for itself about five times over
just in savings on delivery and cheaper prices, let alone trips to the
dump and doing favours for friends.

-- 
Skipweasel.
In the beginning was the word.
And the word was Aardvark.

On Fri, 23 Sep 2005 23:04:12 +0100, Guy King  wrote:


> The message <dh1sl5$25k$1@reader01.news.esat.net>
> from "John"  contains these words:
>
>> That's the general impression I got. I can buy most of the stuff in my
>> local
>> builders providers for half the price. Who buys this stuff? Are there
>> lobotomised DIY'ers walking around out there.
>
> Yes. They advertise heavily and are easily found and you don't have to
> be able to do the builder's walk and the builder's talk to shop there.
> Obviously, you don't at the builders' merchants either - but then B&Q
> aren't going to tell you that, are they?
>
> However - it's worth checking 'cos sometimes they're cheap - I can't
> better the 11 for an 8x4 3/4" MDF anywhere - but it's 20 miles away so
> I only do it when I need several sheets. I bought a trailer solely for
> that - I paid 75 for it and it's paid for itself about five times over
> just in savings on delivery and cheaper prices, let alone trips to the
> dump and doing favours for friends.
>



It's bizarrely random on lumber, I went in on a Sunday the other week  
(when my normal timber merchants shut) & got a sheet of birch ply custom  
sawn into small pieces for 5 less than I'd normally pay. Then I  
considered buying a piece of 3x3 , stared at the price tag & left.

The message <op.sxkv4w0e4wom51@amy>
from Duncanwood  contains these words:


> It's bizarrely random on lumber, I went in on a Sunday the other week  
> (when my normal timber merchants shut) & got a sheet of birch ply custom  
> sawn into small pieces for 5 less than I'd normally pay. Then I  
> considered buying a piece of 3x3 , stared at the price tag & left.


Odd, isn't it. My brother built a monster shed in the spring and needed
vast amounts of CLS timber. It was cheaper to take the trailer to
Wednesbury than use the local timberyard in Bishop's Castle - which is
potty.

-- 
Skipweasel.
In the beginning was the word.
And the word was Aardvark.

On Sat, 24 Sep 2005 00:13:34 +0100, Duncanwood wrote:


> On Fri, 23 Sep 2005 23:04:12 +0100, Guy King  wrote:
> 
>> The message <dh1sl5$25k$1@reader01.news.esat.net>
>> from "John"  contains these words:
>>
>>> That's the general impression I got. I can buy most of the stuff in my
>>> local
>>> builders providers for half the price. Who buys this stuff? Are there
>>> lobotomised DIY'ers walking around out there.
>>
>> Yes. They advertise heavily and are easily found and you don't have to
>> be able to do the builder's walk and the builder's talk to shop there.
>> Obviously, you don't at the builders' merchants either - but then B&Q
>> aren't going to tell you that, are they?
>>
>> However - it's worth checking 'cos sometimes they're cheap - I can't
>> better the 11 for an 8x4 3/4" MDF anywhere - but it's 20 miles away so
>> I only do it when I need several sheets. I bought a trailer solely for
>> that - I paid 75 for it and it's paid for itself about five times over
>> just in savings on delivery and cheaper prices, let alone trips to the
>> dump and doing favours for friends.
>>
> 
> 
> It's bizarrely random on lumber, I went in on a Sunday the other week  
> (when my normal timber merchants shut) & got a sheet of birch ply custom  
> sawn into small pieces for 5 less than I'd normally pay. Then I  
> considered buying a piece of 3x3 , stared at the price tag & left.


Anything that most people are likely to use in a DIY job that they think
they can tackle (and therefore have a go at) seems to be pricey.

Things that people easily bugger up and mean they have to buy another one
cost even more. 

I use them for little things when it would cost more in diesel to drive to
an alternate merchants place. Things like cable clips, odd wall boxes etc.

The message <zimgnk0fgik0$.1g2zv8juxql35$.dlg@40tude.net>
from Chris Street  contains these words:


> I use them for little things when it would cost more in diesel to drive to
> an alternate merchants place. Things like cable clips, odd wall boxes etc.


Wilkinsons are far cheaper than B&Q for cable clips and wallboxen.

-- 
Skipweasel.
In the beginning was the word.
And the word was Aardvark.

Chris Street (ngfb@chris-street.demon.co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding
much like they were saying : 


> Anything that most people are likely to use in a DIY job that they
> think they can tackle (and therefore have a go at) seems to be pricey.
> 
> Things that people easily bugger up and mean they have to buy another
> one cost even more. 


Yep. I needed a new loo handle the other day. (I'd forgotten to include it 
on a Screwfix order)

B&Q - Only available with a few other bits in a pack, for 15.
Wickes just round the corner from B&Q - 3.50
Screwfix - 3.70

On Sat, 24 Sep 2005 08:58:28 +0100, Guy King wrote:


> The message <zimgnk0fgik0$.1g2zv8juxql35$.dlg@40tude.net>
> from Chris Street  contains these words:
> 
>> I use them for little things when it would cost more in diesel to drive to
>> an alternate merchants place. Things like cable clips, odd wall boxes etc.
> 
> Wilkinsons are far cheaper than B&Q for cable clips and wallboxen.


I however drive past BQ on the commute to work every day.

Mind you there could well be a Wilkinsons round the corner I don't know
about - must find out where the nearest one is.

The message 
from Chris Street  contains these words:


> Mind you there could well be a Wilkinsons round the corner I don't know
> about - must find out where the nearest one is.


http://www.wilko.co.uk/stores

-- 
Skipweasel.
In the beginning was the word.
And the word was Aardvark.

In article <op.sxkv4w0e4wom51@amy>, Duncanwood says...


> It's bizarrely random on lumber, I went in on a Sunday the other week  
> (when my normal timber merchants shut) & got a sheet of birch ply custom  
> sawn into small pieces for 5 less than I'd normally pay. Then I  
> considered buying a piece of 3x3 , stared at the price tag & left.
> 

I've moved alot of it from the docks in my time. It is supplied as a 
standard 8x4 or 10x6 size from the manufacturers. 3x3 sizes give alot 
of wastage from a 10x6 so you pay for that.


-- 
Conor

"You're not married, you haven't got a girlfriend and you've never seen 
Star Trek? Good Lord!" - Patrick Stewart, Extras.

The message 
from Conor  contains these words:


> I've moved alot of it from the docks in my time. It is supplied as a 
> standard 8x4 or 10x6 size from the manufacturers. 3x3 sizes give alot 
> of wastage from a 10x6 so you pay for that.


That'd be true if they didn't also sell the remaining strip as 3 bits
2'x1' at an even more grossly inflated price.

-- 
Skipweasel.
In the beginning was the word.
And the word was Aardvark.

On Sat, 24 Sep 2005 15:50:56 +0100, Guy King  wrote:


> The message 
> from Conor  contains these words:
>
>> I've moved alot of it from the docks in my time. It is supplied as a
>> standard 8x4 or 10x6 size from the manufacturers. 3x3 sizes give alot
>> of wastage from a 10x6 so you pay for that.
>
> That'd be true if they didn't also sell the remaining strip as 3 bits
> 2'x1' at an even more grossly inflated price.
>



Actually I meant 3"x3" PAR but your points valid.

Guy King wrote:

> The message <dh1j4a$upl$1@reader01.news.esat.net>
> from "John"  contains these words:
>
> > Just checked out the new B&Q here,(they've opened a few shops in Ireland
> > now). Anyway noticed a normal 12v H3 bulb for 20 EURO!! I havn't seen them
> > for sale at retail outlets, but although admittedly trade prices, I buy H3
> > bulbs for about 90cent. Is this normal prices over there in Blighty.
>
> B&Q are notoriously expensive for things like that. In fact, they're
> staggeringly expensive for all sorts of things. The local branch wanted
> £22 for an 8x4 sheet of 3/4" MDF. The B&Q Depot in Wednesbury (Depot are
> apparently a different bunch) wanted £11.
>
>

SWMBO works at the warehouse type store in Cheltenham. She often
advises people to go to the local builder's merchants for stuff the B &
Q don't stock. What is bizarre is that Screwfix and B & Q are part of
the same group as is Woolies and maybe Wilkinsons though I'm not sure
about that.

The price differences are such that it makes economic sense to drive
the extra 3 or 4 miles to reach Wickes or Screwfix on some items. On
the other hand some people are so entranced with B & Q that Denise has
been asked several times why they don't have a cafe because they'd like
to wander round all day. "Why?" doesn't always go down very well.

The other thing is that B & Q just employ people to fill shelves, DIY
knowledge is not required or even recommended as they now tell
employees not to give people advice on something as simple as fuses in
case they get sued.
-- 
Malc

The message 
from "Malc"  contains these words:


>  What is bizarre is that Screwfix and B & Q are part of
> the same group as is Woolies and maybe Wilkinsons though I'm not sure
> about that.


I know they're the same as Screwfix, but I don't think they're the same
as Woolies any more. And Wilkinsons are something else again - I think.

-- 
Skipweasel.
In the beginning was the word.
And the word was Aardvark.

Guy King wrote:

> The message 
> from "Malc"  contains these words:
>
> >  What is bizarre is that Screwfix and B & Q are part of
> > the same group as is Woolies and maybe Wilkinsons though I'm not sure
> > about that.
>
> I know they're the same as Screwfix, but I don't think they're the same
> as Woolies any more. And Wilkinsons are something else again - I think.
>
>

Yes you're right about Wilkinsons but from the Kingfisher Plc website

"Kingfisher Gift Voucher

The Kingfisher Group Gift Voucher combines convenience with the value
of currency and unbeatable choice at B&Q and Comet, Woolworths and
MVC."

-- 
Malc

The message 
from "Malc"  contains these words:


> The Kingfisher Group Gift Voucher combines convenience with the value
> of currency and unbeatable choice at B&Q and Comet, Woolworths and
> MVC."


Hmmm. Doesn't say they're part of the group though. Reading Kingfisher's
annual report there's no mention made of Woolies or Comet. Woolies sold
MVC in August this year.

-- 
Skipweasel.
In the beginning was the word.
And the word was Aardvark.

On 26 Sep 2005 00:45:06 -0700, "Malc" 
wrote:


>
>Guy King wrote:
>> The message <dh1j4a$upl$1@reader01.news.esat.net>
>> from "John"  contains these words:
>>
>> > Just checked out the new B&Q here,(they've opened a few shops in Ireland
>> > now). Anyway noticed a normal 12v H3 bulb for 20 EURO!! I havn't seen them
>> > for sale at retail outlets, but although admittedly trade prices, I buy H3
>> > bulbs for about 90cent. Is this normal prices over there in Blighty.
>>
>> B&Q are notoriously expensive for things like that. In fact, they're
>> staggeringly expensive for all sorts of things. The local branch wanted
>> 22 for an 8x4 sheet of 3/4" MDF. The B&Q Depot in Wednesbury (Depot are
>> apparently a different bunch) wanted 11.
>>
>>
>SWMBO works at the warehouse type store in Cheltenham. She often
>advises people to go to the local builder's merchants for stuff the B &
>Q don't stock. What is bizarre is that Screwfix and B & Q are part of
>the same group as is Woolies and maybe Wilkinsons though I'm not sure
>about that.
>
>The price differences are such that it makes economic sense to drive
>the extra 3 or 4 miles to reach Wickes or Screwfix on some items. On
>the other hand some people are so entranced with B & Q that Denise has
>been asked several times why they don't have a cafe because they'd like
>to wander round all day. "Why?" doesn't always go down very well.
>

Our local one does.

Like many big stores, they're cheap for some things, but ridiculously
overpriced on others. Recently I needed some heavy-duty 75mm castors.
B&Q wanted 9 each for them, but a local hardware/diy centre 200 yards
away had them at 1.50!

OTOH compare their price for a USB cable (yes, in the Depots) with what
PC World ask...
-- 
Regards,  Chris    (Please take out my car to reply by email)     
----1961 Austin A40 Farina----1966 Triumph Herald Estate---
---1967 Riley Elf---1965 Hillman Minx---1969 Morris Minor--
-1972 Mini Clubman estate--1957 Standard 8--1979 Ford Capri
    ********** Please don't email in HTML! **********

The message 
from Chris Bolus  contains these words:


> OTOH compare their price for a USB cable (yes, in the Depots) with what
> PC World ask...


Yeah, well, PCWorld take the piss with 20 quid for a USB A>B. They must
be relying on really gullible people.

-- 
Skipweasel.
In the beginning was the word.
And the word was Aardvark.

"Malc"  wrote in message
news:1127720706.294072.166000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...

Guy King wrote:

> The message <dh1j4a$upl$1@reader01.news.esat.net>
> from "John"  contains these words:
>
> > Just checked out the new B&Q here,(they've opened a few shops in Ireland
> > now). Anyway noticed a normal 12v H3 bulb for 20 EURO!! I havn't seen
them
> > for sale at retail outlets, but although admittedly trade prices, I buy
H3
> > bulbs for about 90cent. Is this normal prices over there in Blighty.
>
> B&Q are notoriously expensive for things like that. In fact, they're
> staggeringly expensive for all sorts of things. The local branch wanted
> 22 for an 8x4 sheet of 3/4" MDF. The B&Q Depot in Wednesbury (Depot are
> apparently a different bunch) wanted 11.
>

>>The price differences are such that it makes economic sense to drive
>>the extra 3 or 4 miles to reach Wickes or Screwfix on some items. On
>>the other hand some people are so entranced with B & Q that Denise has
>>been asked several times why they don't have a cafe because they'd like
>>to wander round all day. "Why?" doesn't always go down very well.
>>
>>The other thing is that B & Q just employ people to fill shelves, DIY
>>knowledge is not required or even recommended as they now tell
>>employees not to give people advice on something as simple as fuses in
>>case they get sued.


All the local B&Q's around me (Superstores) have cafes and also employ
tradesmen to give advice on certain DIY aspects. In fact most of the
dedicated aisles (Electrical, plumbing etc) have bells where if you push
them it announces over the tannoy that assistance is required. I was told by
B&Q employees that this was so you could call for the tradesmen to ask about
specific things.

They also run "How to" sessions.

So I don't know where you got your information re not giving advice in case
they get sued!!