B Q 600mm Porcelain censorship

[DHTiling]

So which one are you wanting to keep..?..you are only allowed one..:smilewinkgrin:

 

[Rob Z]

Pete, Dave told me that you come to Florida a lot. If you ever get up to Virginia give me a call.

The Lowes around here are well-run and good stores to go to for most items. Home Depot...not so much.:incazzato:

 

[Perry]

yes Rob would say its the same in orlando mate Lowes are a lot better BQ even copy the signs and colors of Home Depot if i am ever up that way mate would love to meet 😛ete

 

[Deleted member 1779]

The problem with B&Q (in fact all chains) is the lack of technical knowledge by their staff on most things. Mostly due to the low wages, high turn over of staff, age and of course the vast number of products held by sheds.

You would think buyers from such large groups would be insisting suppliers provide the correct instructions on how to use products.

From our own experience when we quoted to supply our kits to Screwfix we offered them a full service of drills, plates and instructions held in a clamshell to be sold via their catalogue.

However all Screwfix wanted to buy was the guide plate above! And they wanted it sent in a clear plastic bag with a bar code on. No instructions.

From a manufacturers point of view we saw that as a crazy way to sell goods. Goods sold without instructions seem to be the way the sheds want to work by stripping out costs and packaging. They did conceed to the fact that we could include (at our own cost) a small fold up leaflet but then the deal went flat for other reasons (they were too greedy!)

 

[davy_G]

The problem with B&Q (in fact all chains) is the lack of technical knowledge by their staff on most things. Mostly due to the low wages, high turn over of staff, age and of course the vast number of products held by sheds.

You would think buyers from such large groups would be insisting suppliers provide the correct instructions on how to use products.

From our own experience when we quoted to supply our kits to Screwfix we offered them a full service of drills, plates and instructions held in a clamshell to be sold via their catalogue.

However all Screwfix wanted to buy was the guide plate above! And they wanted it sent in a clear plastic bag with a bar code on. No instructions.

From a manufacturers point of view we saw that as a crazy way to sell goods. Goods sold without instructions seem to be the way the sheds want to work by stripping out costs and packaging. They did conceed to the fact that we could include (at our own cost) a small fold up leaflet but then the deal went flat for other reasons (they were too greedy!)

Richard,
Have you tried toolstation, they seem to be taking Screwfix on?

 

[Deleted member 1779]

Yes I have the name of their buyer at ToolStation

Hannah Kersley Baker
Toolstation
Malard Court
Express Park
TA6 4RN

But as yet we have not had a response to emails, call or letters.

I sent samples.

AND EVEN (WAIT FOR IT) Sent...... The Sponge....

You would have thought with the sponge Hannah would have bitten my hand off for an appointment....

But so far its not worked its magic.

In general with the big sheds apparently it takes many attempts over many years to break them. And then once it you get pounded on price!

And as you can see with the B&Q example of this thread look what happens when the retailer is price led. Yep the manufacturers look to reduce costs.

Bit of a cycle !

 

[jay]

richard is it realy worth your time chasing them why not chase tile shops just a question :8:

 

[Deleted member 1779]

Good question Jay and have already done what you suggested.

1) 365Drills (the factory) deal with you guys, professional installers, SOME retail outlets and some tile training colleges.

2) ARCTIC Products (the distributor) deal with Larger accounts like Corgi-direct and other people.

While I concentrate on the front line troops (end users like you) and go off to exhibitions and do training at tile colleges - Arctic go in and pitch for the big accounts.

Hopefully this dual approach hedges our bets and lets me concentrate on tile shops and end users.

But every now and then I cant help but stick my nose in and start messing with the big boys! Leaflets, Brochures, Targeted Mail to branches, Direct contacts to buyers of Wickes, Homebase, B&Q, Focus, Screwfix, Toolstation, PTS, Topps etc etc.

I've been told by Nigel (MD of Arctic) to stay out of it. But sometimes cant help myself.

Apparently with the big chains more goes on than you and I would understand. Us mere mortals would not comprehend the art of end-of-year rebates, penalties for non-delivery, delivery too quick, too slow, returns, cash backs, in-store promotions, buying shelf space, paying for instore advertising, commitments to reduce packaging and recycle and a whole host of other delicate things!

I'm like a bull in a china shop and in the past havent done a good job. So I have my instructions to leave well alone!

Back on the B&Q thread it just goes to show you how much grief a mfr has to go through to have stuff listed. Its not for the faint hearted. And its a shame the end result is a product that is so sanitised that customers are not able to understand how to get the best out of them.

 

[jay]

thanks no harm in trying as for thread people will always want things cheap and dont realise it has its hidden costs, maybe you should try aust market for your product could drop a few names if you wish :8:

 

[Ajax123]

Thanks for replying.
B Q are still selling these tiles and their staff do not know that they are wax coated. Even the managers were surprised when I showed them an offcut wich I scoured clean, their own display was smeared and oily as it had not been cleaned. I feel that many have and are still being duped by the lack of knowledge. 'Customer service' now tell me that I have not followed the fitting instructions which do not mention the coating on the box. Interestingly the same tile in 400 x 400 has specific mention pof the need to remove the coating. How many floors are out there where they dont realise that the true finish is highly glazed? I spoke to one tiler who had laid the black version without cleaning them and I could see the recognition on his face when I described my issue.
the shame is that they are actually very nice tiles when clean!
Bruce

Perhaps I am being a bit thick but I really cannot see the issue here. Why should the guys in B&Q need to know that the tiles are wax coated. This (from what I have read in the forums) is pretty standard so if people are buying them they ought to do the research on using them first surely. If you don't have the expertise or the product knowledge to do the job peraps you should be employing a competent tradesman who will have that expertise. Perhaps it's just me being snippy.