Screwfix, their response.
27 September 2011, 11:17 AM
#1
Screwfix, their response.
I e-mailed them the day before yesterday when I posted on here, asking them to justify their price increases.
This was the response:
Dear Jeff
Thank you for your email regarding the price increases in our latest catalogue.
Our Buying Department has advised we work hard with our suppliers not only to get the highest quality products but also to get the lowest possible prices so we can pass on these savings to you. Unfortunately with the current financial climate the cost of raw materials and subsequently the cost of products can increase between catalogues. Please be assured we are committed to providing the best price available for our customers.
I apologise for any disappointment this may cause.
Regards
Amanda Lematti
I then responded asking them to justify a 52% increase in one product, (the acrylic sealant).
This was their response this morning:
Dear Jeff
Thank you for your email regarding our recent price increases.
I have forwarded your comments to our Buying Department for their information. As a gesture of goodwill, I have arranged for you to receive a £20 credit to your customer records. Unfortunately at present we are unable to redeem the credit through online orders and therefore, to use this credit, simply quote the following codes when placing an order, Credit ID: XXXXXXX calling our Customer Services Team on 0500 414141 or in store at your local Trade Counter. Please note that this credit is valid for 1 year only and will expire on 27 September 2012. I hope you will use it when placing your next order.
Regards
Amanda Lematti
So.........a partial resolve, but it doesn't alter the fact that they have increased a LOT of prices by quite a bit over the rate of inflation.......and if I continue to shop with them, I will be hit NEXT time. And the time after........
This was the response:
Dear Jeff
Thank you for your email regarding the price increases in our latest catalogue.
Our Buying Department has advised we work hard with our suppliers not only to get the highest quality products but also to get the lowest possible prices so we can pass on these savings to you. Unfortunately with the current financial climate the cost of raw materials and subsequently the cost of products can increase between catalogues. Please be assured we are committed to providing the best price available for our customers.
I apologise for any disappointment this may cause.
Regards
Amanda Lematti
I then responded asking them to justify a 52% increase in one product, (the acrylic sealant).
This was their response this morning:
Dear Jeff
Thank you for your email regarding our recent price increases.
I have forwarded your comments to our Buying Department for their information. As a gesture of goodwill, I have arranged for you to receive a £20 credit to your customer records. Unfortunately at present we are unable to redeem the credit through online orders and therefore, to use this credit, simply quote the following codes when placing an order, Credit ID: XXXXXXX calling our Customer Services Team on 0500 414141 or in store at your local Trade Counter. Please note that this credit is valid for 1 year only and will expire on 27 September 2012. I hope you will use it when placing your next order.
Regards
Amanda Lematti
So.........a partial resolve, but it doesn't alter the fact that they have increased a LOT of prices by quite a bit over the rate of inflation.......and if I continue to shop with them, I will be hit NEXT time. And the time after........
27 September 2011, 12:44 PM
#2
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I don't really see why they have to justify their price increases to you, or anyone else really.
Their new prices are their new prices - and you can take them or leave them. If you can buy things cheaper elsewhere then you have the absolute right to do so.
Do you ask your petrol station to justify the rise whenever the price of fuel inexplicably goes up? Thought not...
You've done well with a "Sod off, here's £20" response - much more than I would have given you.
Their new prices are their new prices - and you can take them or leave them. If you can buy things cheaper elsewhere then you have the absolute right to do so.
Do you ask your petrol station to justify the rise whenever the price of fuel inexplicably goes up? Thought not...
You've done well with a "Sod off, here's £20" response - much more than I would have given you.
27 September 2011, 01:16 PM
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or they've got a new boss who isn't as rich as his friends yet, i've a friend who said his 3 (wasted) years doing a business degree could be summed up in one sentence: charge as much as you can get away with for as long as possible and pray you're dead before it all goes really **** up (that will be £27K please) lol
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27 September 2011, 01:34 PM
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I am the spares manager for a company that supplies transmissions spares for both marine and industrial applications. I can totally understand where Screwfix are coming from. Yes, they have a certain amount of buying power, but if the cost of raw materials are going up and people are buying less, what do you expect to happen? 
We have seen the same thing happen with our main supplier. They know that there are competitors out there ( who have also raised their prices to offset increased costs) so they do not just increase prices for the sake of it.
Fuel has risen 20% in the last year
Insurance has risen 30% i the last year
Raw materials have gone up (on average) 20% this year
Electricity is about to go up
Sales........about the same or less than a year ago.
Do the math.
The item that you speak off that has increased by 52% may have been an old stock item that was purchased when prices were a lot lower. May be they have been selling them at a loss until the new price increases came into effect.
As others have said, if you don't like it, complain with your feet.
For them to actually give you store credit was extremely generous and is something we would not do.
We have seen the same thing happen with our main supplier. They know that there are competitors out there ( who have also raised their prices to offset increased costs) so they do not just increase prices for the sake of it.
Fuel has risen 20% in the last year
Insurance has risen 30% i the last year
Raw materials have gone up (on average) 20% this year
Electricity is about to go up
Sales........about the same or less than a year ago.
Do the math.
The item that you speak off that has increased by 52% may have been an old stock item that was purchased when prices were a lot lower. May be they have been selling them at a loss until the new price increases came into effect.
As others have said, if you don't like it, complain with your feet.
For them to actually give you store credit was extremely generous and is something we would not do.
27 September 2011, 01:35 PM
#9
The only logical answer the the price increase would be that the initial supplier to screwfix went bust or realised they were making a massive loss on the product - increased their prices or the new supplier had higher prices anyway.
Multiply that all by 3 or 400 percent and you get the retail cost - saying that, Screwfix might have lower margins to sell to the trade but you get the gist.
Multiply that all by 3 or 400 percent and you get the retail cost - saying that, Screwfix might have lower margins to sell to the trade but you get the gist.
27 September 2011, 01:52 PM
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I don't really see why they have to justify their price increases to you, or anyone else really.
Their new prices are their new prices - and you can take them or leave them. If you can buy things cheaper elsewhere then you have the absolute right to do so.
Do you ask your petrol station to justify the rise whenever the price of fuel inexplicably goes up? Thought not...
You've done well with a "Sod off, here's £20" response - much more than I would have given you.
Their new prices are their new prices - and you can take them or leave them. If you can buy things cheaper elsewhere then you have the absolute right to do so.
Do you ask your petrol station to justify the rise whenever the price of fuel inexplicably goes up? Thought not...
You've done well with a "Sod off, here's £20" response - much more than I would have given you.
27 September 2011, 01:57 PM
#12
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27 September 2011, 01:58 PM
#13
Sorry, I'm used to manufacturing for West End retailers which get the lions share, I always feel bad for them when they need me to lower prices on a wallet I'm making for £50.00 because they're not getting enough margin at £150.00 etc...
27 September 2011, 02:04 PM
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With all due respect buddy we are in a recession, Alot of my suppliers have increased there prices from 20% to 50% and it pains me but there is nothing i can do but to pass on some of those price increases, My GP last year was 38% this year it has dived to around 24% so i am hurting !!
27 September 2011, 02:49 PM
#16
Sorry, nope, "We are in a recession" doesn't cut it.
It goes NO WAY to explaining ANY price increase, let alone one of 52%.
The responses on here just explain why there ARE increases like that, and in fuel, leccy etc: because the UK buyers will just pay it and not moan. IF we take it, they will continue to turn the screw. THEN, when people post obscene profits, we tut.
It's the reason why petrol goes UP in this counry when crude prices rise, but NOT back down when they fall. I spent 3 months in France where they shadow the price of crude. I saw €0.06 a litre RISES in a week, with the same fall and more three weeks later.
It goes NO WAY to explaining ANY price increase, let alone one of 52%.
The responses on here just explain why there ARE increases like that, and in fuel, leccy etc: because the UK buyers will just pay it and not moan. IF we take it, they will continue to turn the screw. THEN, when people post obscene profits, we tut.
It's the reason why petrol goes UP in this counry when crude prices rise, but NOT back down when they fall. I spent 3 months in France where they shadow the price of crude. I saw €0.06 a litre RISES in a week, with the same fall and more three weeks later.
27 September 2011, 02:50 PM
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Sorry, nope, "We are in a recession" doesn't cut it.
It goes NO WAY to explaining ANY price increase, let alone one of 52%.
The responses on here just explain why there ARE increases like that, and in fuel, leccy etc: because the UK buyers will just pay it and not moan. IF we take it, they will continue to turn the screw. THEN, when people post obscene profits, we tut.
It's the reason why petrol goes UP in this counry when crude prices rise, but NOT back down when they fall. I spent 3 months in France where they shadow the price of crude. I saw €0.06 a litre RISES in a week, with the same fall and more three weeks later.
It goes NO WAY to explaining ANY price increase, let alone one of 52%.
The responses on here just explain why there ARE increases like that, and in fuel, leccy etc: because the UK buyers will just pay it and not moan. IF we take it, they will continue to turn the screw. THEN, when people post obscene profits, we tut.
It's the reason why petrol goes UP in this counry when crude prices rise, but NOT back down when they fall. I spent 3 months in France where they shadow the price of crude. I saw €0.06 a litre RISES in a week, with the same fall and more three weeks later.
You live in a capitalist economy
27 September 2011, 02:53 PM
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Are they the only suppliers of that product? If not, ecercise your rights as a consumer and vote with your feet. If you're right and they are taking the pee with profits, they'll soon reduce the price when their customers walk away. They won't budge because you're having a moan at them: if they're getting enough money, they won't care, simple as!
is that clear? how much for 24 tubes delivered to E14 postcode?
27 September 2011, 03:59 PM
#24
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http://www.dastv.co.uk/shop/ it's our trade counter I don't have anything to do with that side of things in my trade catalogue it's £1.08+ for 20+
27 September 2011, 04:26 PM
#28
Many items like furniture has gone up considerably in the last 12 months
Rising fuel costs and transport and the cost of raw goods have gone up a lot and retailers sales are pretty static if not less then previous years ,not helped with the exchange rate as well
Buisness is hard and it won't be much different for the next 2/3 years and wage rises are a pipe dream and food and fuel will continue to increase and our savings are worth nothing now
At least some of us still have subarus to keep us content ,but the good times have gone so tighten your belts ,save a bit hear and there and make your self your own l lunches for work
Rising fuel costs and transport and the cost of raw goods have gone up a lot and retailers sales are pretty static if not less then previous years ,not helped with the exchange rate as well
Buisness is hard and it won't be much different for the next 2/3 years and wage rises are a pipe dream and food and fuel will continue to increase and our savings are worth nothing now
At least some of us still have subarus to keep us content ,but the good times have gone so tighten your belts ,save a bit hear and there and make your self your own l lunches for work
