How Many Of You, Use Topps Tiles?

[StevieBoy]

As per title really, I would be interested to know who uses Topps for their materials, why and which products in particular if you do.

Personally, I don't go anywhere else as where I am based suppliers of adhesive etc are very limited.
I use their slow set addy a lot, always use BAL grouts and very rarely of at all have any issues.

 

[One Day]

Quite why anyone in the trade would use Topps is beside me!
I used them the first 3 years I was self employed.
I knew one of the staff as a mate, used BAL exclusively and they were close to home.
After 3 years loyalty they were giving anyone with a business card the same discount as me.
They were offering additional discounts and incentives to lapsed and new traders - nothing to existing.

In short -Topps are 100% NOT geared to trade sales.
They (apparently) have a middle tier of sales which knocks up the prices.
OK, they'll price match - if pushed and IF (big IF) the sales staff can understand you. But they don't deliver to site, the staff are generally quite young, inexperienced and (to be polite) a bit thick.

Classic example: I only used to go to Topps for BAL mixing buckets (CTD stock them now - YAY!)
Called in and spotted the new BAL tanking kit in a bucket. (very similar to Ardex WP)
Asked how much: £98 to trade! £82 with pressure.
I pay less than £40. "aah but this comes with a bucket" the sales person says.
£42 for a bucket?! Come on!!!

Topps get the retail part of supply spot on. They're No.1 for a reason.
The trade part - Nope. Hopelessly lost but with all the attitude of the Emperor in his new clothes.

 

[White Room]

I buy 6mm Hardie Backer from them as there the only supplier locally.

 

[Qwerty]

I avoid Topps at all costs. Their knowledge is diabolical and prices are criminal

 

[Andy Allen]

I can get much better discounts elsewhere. ....so can't see the point in using them........There attitude is the more you use us the better discount you get.........Any other tile shop would give me 30/40% off retail stright away.....so why would I even consider using them...

 

[Andy Allen]

Interesting reading. I don't get into supplying tiles, never have but yes I agree they don't offer much discount on them.

On trade I didn't think their adhesive prices are too bad.
A 20kg bag of grey slow set for about £8 or £12 for the white, and any split bags £5

The pre-mix stuff in tubs I agree is pricey, but I don't use it anyway.

The BAL White microflex grout is pricey, but is a good product I think and finishes off really well.

Will be interesting to see other people's opinions over the next week or so.

Why don't you supply tiles?

 

[roadking]

way too expensive and difficult to deal with !!
Tile Giant for me ..... good prices and easy to deal with

 

[StevieBoy]

Why don't you supply tiles?

I never have as I find it too much hassle.
Back and forth to customers who are after a certain colour of tile, then going back to the shop because they want one that's slightly darker, then back again because they want one that's just a bit lighter etc, loading them up, taking them to the job, unloading etc - far better for me to let the customer supply and for me to fit them.

 

[AD Ceramics]

TOPPS TILES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'd rather have hot needles poked in my eye balls while having my scrotum shaved with a belt sander with 60grit paper in it.
They sell *****
They talk *****
And they charge you a fortune for the pleasure.
There's one open where I work in Cheshire and it's called Topps tiles boutique does any one know if there are any more of these or is it just because it's an affluent area, they still sell *****.

 

[Old Mod]

There's one open where I work in Cheshire and it's called Topps tiles boutique does any one know if there are any more of these or is it just because it's an affluent area, they still sell *****.

I have a couple of the 'Boutique' stores near me Paul.
Had a stand up row with a store manager other week when he tried to tell me that Topps don't sell Wedi type washers.

 

[Dan]

Where's the poll we did for tile suppliers? I think topps came out reasonable in it that time. Perhaps worth doing another to compare.

 

[J Sid]

@Dan, must have been voted on my none tilers

 

[Andy Allen]

I never have as I find it too much hassle.
Back and forth to customers who are after a certain colour of tile, then going back to the shop because they want one that's slightly darker, then back again because they want one that's just a bit lighter etc, loading them up, taking them to the job, unloading etc - far better for me to let the customer supply and for me to fit them.

Why do you need to go back and fourth to the shop?
Just send them in to choose a tile.
Think a few of you are missing a trick here.
You can easily make over £100 on the average size bathroom before you even get your tools out.

 

[J Sid]

@Andy Allen The reason I don't do it is firstly I would have to go VAT registered, its bad enough having to pay income tax let alone having to collect this extra tax for free on behalf of the government. It would also put my labour cost up , which would mean losing work or reducing my rate by the amount I have just made on selling these tiles, to keep the jobs.
Secondly, alot of the time the customers have already chosen there tiles and got a very good discount from the shop.
Thirdly, supplying stone is to risky, poor quality, not the shade the customer wanted....

 

[AD Ceramics]

@Andy Allen The reason I don't do it is firstly I would have to go VAT, its bad enough having to pay income tax let alone having to collect this extra tax for free on behalf of the government. It would also put my labour cost up , which would mean losing work or reducing my rate to keep the jobs.
Secondly, alot of the time the customers have already chosen there tiles and got a very good discount from the shop.
Thirdly, supplying stone is to risky, poor quality, not the shade the customer wanted....

Don't supply anything ........ Reduce the risk, to many rip off merchants trying in on nowadays, and that's just the general public.

 

[Dan]

@Dan, must have been voted on my none tilers

Was a few years ago now. Many tilers voted for them. They had their trade scheme tiler thing going on and had a big push and it paid off. Topps Approved Fitter I think they'd call you if you spent enough there and you got good rates I think I read the tilers wrote.