Builders Merchant Pricing

[EViS]

Why don't most builder's merchants have price catalogues so that it's clear how much each item costs prior to ordering?

I know that merchants offer varying discounts to builders dependent upon how much turnover they receive from each particular client, but why isn't their standard pricing more transparent?

 

[TotallySport]

no ideal about trades, but most of our suppliers have stop publishing prices in catalogues for the simple fact it costs money to reprint them when the prices change.

 

[Talay]

The lack of transparency is highly deliberate.

 

[Billmccallum]

Prices change too often to make catalogues feasible.

B&Q all too often dont have items in stock when you want them.

Screwfix have to produce leaflets for special offers all too often because prices changes make the catalogue redundant for some lines.

Smaller chains and independants cant guarantee stocks at continuous prices as they cant purchase in the quantities as the bigger outlets.

 

[EViS]

The lack of transparency is highly deliberate.

At the expense of infuriating their customers?

 

[EViS]

Prices change too often to make catalogues feasible.

B&Q all too often dont have items in stock when you want them.

Screwfix have to produce leaflets for special offers all too often because prices changes make the catalogue redundant for some lines.

Smaller chains and independants cant guarantee stocks at continuous prices as they cant purchase in the quantities as the bigger outlets.

If this is the case, then why don't they have online catalogues which can be updated instantly and at very little cost (if any)?

 

[Billmccallum]

If this is the case, then why don't they have online catalogues which can be updated instantly and at very little cost (if any)?

Because most of the customers are through the door, not through the web site.

Builders who need something today wont check a web site, they will go where they can get the products, usually they will know who is offering the best prices on what they need.

For example: a basic bathroom suite - B&Q £340 - Wickes £199

If they are planning/pricing a job they will use online resources.

Based on jobbing builders (who use building supplies outlets) larger contractors may well have special pricing or deal with manufacturers.

 

[Merchant UK]

With builders merchants you'll find that there are different price bands for different customers, as well as a retail price.

The guy with the account that spends £120,000 a year is going to get his stuff far cheaper than a Handyman wanting a couple of bags of cement.

Thats why they don't print prices, if you want prices go to B&Q

 

[EViS]

This seems like very odd business practice. It doesn't happen in any other industry that I can think of, or does it?

 

[Billmccallum]

This seems like very odd business practice. It doesn't happen in any other industry that I can think of, or does it?

Happens all the time, FMCG is another great example, the big players get preferential pricing from the manufacturers but little shops have to use wholesalers, adding a whole layer of cost to the product lines.

 

[EViS]

Happens all the time, FMCG is another great example, the big players get preferential pricing from the manufacturers but little shops have to use wholesalers, adding a whole layer of cost to the product lines.

That still doesn't explain why merchants can't be more transparent with their pricing.

 

[whippet]

We are kind of used to this in the construction industry OP, and as other posters have said prices change all the time and the bigger the contractor ordering goods the bigger the discount.

Do you want to order some materials?

Not sure how big your project is, but generally my advice would be;

1)Make a list and phone all building merchants in the area. It is surprising how different their prices can be!

2)Open an account with them to ensure free delivery and maximum discount.

3) Let them know their competitor is cheaper on certain goods, they will sometimes match it.

4) Ask your builder if he can get a better discount for you! Builders Merchants like to have a good relationship with their regulars and will work harder to bring the price down.

5) Some of the smaller house builders that I have site managed for use independent ordering firms as they have more buying power collectively than on their own.

 

[Billmccallum]

That still doesn't explain why merchants can't be more transparent with their pricing.

just for the sake of it, assume the price of oil increases by 5% at the end of May, the cost of fuel increases, the cost of shipping timber increases, the cost of timber increases.

a catalogue designed and printed in December last year, with last years prices would then be redundant.

where the merchants have stock in hand or deals with manufacturers to provide a level of stock at fixed prices they can produce catalogues with pricing....screwfix, B&Q, Wickes, etc all have them.... but smaller merchants cant guarantee what they will sell in the next six months so cant commit to a level of stock purchased, so they will buy in variable volumes, meaning they cant fix a price.

Having said all that, its the nature of the beast, we just have to live with it.

 

[Merchant UK]

That still doesn't explain why merchants can't be more transparent with their pricing.

They are transparent with their pricing, they give you a quote based on what your spending, and the amount of business your putting their way.

Its not really anyone else business to know all the different tiers of their pricing structure, they will tell you your price when you tell them what you want and the quantity.

if you walk into a builders merchants you will see retail prices marked up on goods in the shop area plus vat is added to these prices as they mainly sell to businesses.

But if you have a Monthly account with a spend of say £10,000 each mount you will get a better reduced price based on your type of account.

If your just a guy that goes in for half a dozen bricks then your going to pay the full retail price, I can't see a problem with that?