Builders Warehouse is expensive

Grimspoon

Grimspoon

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I always thought being a huge chain that builders warehouse was the cheapest around based purely on their size. But they are actually damn expensive on almost all of their stuff. Only since buying a new house have I had to visit them frequently, and I am sorry I didn't do my homework before and just assuming they would be the most reasonably priced.

I have picked up a number of items from them and after buying and then seen it elsewhere for cheaper. Example, bought some floculant for my pool, builders was R79 I think, walked into a spar of all places a few days later, R64.99 (not on special). I bought a impact drill a few weeks ago, it was on a huge launch special according to the sales dude, R1199. Check Makro today and its R999 (not on special).

So just a warning before shopping with them just check the prices elsewhere, you might be surprised.
 
They tend to be cheaper than your corner hardware stores on tools and fixtures but not by much and their staff are useless in explaining to you how to use the thing you buy. I hate Builders for that and try to support the smaller shops anyways just because these little mom and pop stores often come with free advice worth a lot of money. For some problems going to a decent hardware store with skilled salesmen who actually know the product you can save the callout fee for the plumber/handyman just by asking advice as you buy the equipment.

I only buy from builders when I know exactly what I want and need no additional advice/help.
 
Builders Warehouse is pricey for somethings, but cheap for others..

Like always, it pays to shop around somewhat.
 
Cius said:
They tend to be cheaper than your corner hardware stores on tools and fixtures but not by much and their staff are useless in explaining to you how to use the thing you buy. I hate Builders for that and try to support the smaller shops anyways just because these little mom and pop stores often come with free advice worth a lot of money. For some problems going to a decent hardware store with skilled salesmen who actually know the product you can save the callout fee for the plumber/handyman just by asking advice as you buy the equipment.

I only buy from builders when I know exactly what I want and need no additional advice/help.
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I agree, their staff are hopeless. They either give you blank look or they try and talk crap about what you are trying to buy. I only ever ask them where a certain item is and never for advice. I think google would be better for that.

B.O.F.H. said:
Builders Warehouse is pricey for somethings, but cheap for others..

Like always, it pays to shop around somewhat.
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Yip, assumption is the mudda of all eff ups. Last time I buy from them before doing some homework.
 
Grimspoon said:
I agree, their staff are hopeless. They either give you blank look or they try and talk crap about what you are trying to buy. I only ever ask them where a certain item is and never for advice. I think google would be better for that.
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Actually here in PE there was no staff turnover when Builders Warehouse took over the old Servistar outlets and I've always found the staff at Newton Park & Walker Drive knowledgeable and keen to assist.

On the downside the prices went up and they now seem to stock a lot of Chinese goods of dubious quality (locksets etc) :(
 
Try Lions bridge garden and hardware in Glenfair shopping center (www.glenfaircentre.co.zo)

The guy there at the plumbing is excellent. Haven't had a lot of interaction with the other staff.
 
Grimspoon said:
I always thought being a huge chain that builders warehouse was the cheapest around based purely on their size. But they are actually damn expensive on almost all of their stuff. Only since buying a new house have I had to visit them frequently, and I am sorry I didn't do my homework before and just assuming they would be the most reasonably priced.

I have picked up a number of items from them and after buying and then seen it elsewhere for cheaper. Example, bought some floculant for my pool, builders was R79 I think, walked into a spar of all places a few days later, R64.99 (not on special). I bought a impact drill a few weeks ago, it was on a huge launch special according to the sales dude, R1199. Check Makro today and its R999 (not on special).

So just a warning before shopping with them just check the prices elsewhere, you might be surprised.
Click to expand...

+100!

i also find them extremely pricey now i just shop at midas who are alot cheaper and their staff seem to have a better knowledge of the products.
 
You're also paying for convenience. Sure you can find what you're looking for cheaper somewhere else. But how many places do you need to drive to or phone to get the best prices? And are they open 7 days a week?

Totally agree that some of their prices are just stupid. Compared one product to another shop's prices: 300% more expensive. :wtf:
 
Skandalis said:
You're also paying for convenience. Sure you can find what you're looking for cheaper somewhere else. But how many places do you need to drive to or phone to get the best prices? And are they open 7 days a week?

Totally agree that some of their prices are just stupid. Compared one product to another shop's prices: 300% more expensive. :wtf:
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Well driving to Builders as apposed to driving to Makro is no more convenient. I guess it depends where you live. One thing I can give them is the customer service is good. That drill I bought broke and they replaced it with a new one straight away. But I could have saved R200 going to Makro :(
 
Two Saturdays ago I drove to a builders express for an urgent key cutting. It was closest. The only guy who could help was trying to help another guy with a remote issue. After watching this guy fumble around for 10 minutes I took over and explained the issue to the guy. Since I became a trustee at my complex 2 years back I had to become an expert on remotes. Was shocked at how little the assistant knew about how remotes work and are programmed. Anyways, after all that effort they did not even have the base key to make me my copies.

On the other hand the Mica at the Boskruin village shopping centre has top quality staff who really know their stuff. I try to use them but they are expensive. When we quoted new remotes for the entire complex they came in 4 times more expensive than a supplier around the corner in Strydom park and for something like gate fuses they charged R5 for 2 20 amp glass fuses which I can get for 10c around the corner at a supplier. Hence as much as I appreciate the service I can't always bring myself to use them. I tend to only go to the Mica when I need advice as well as parts and then I will buy the more expensive parts to pay in part for the excellent advice they give.
 
Grimspoon said:
I always thought being a huge chain that builders warehouse was the cheapest around based purely on their size. But they are actually damn expensive on almost all of their stuff. Only since buying a new house have I had to visit them frequently, and I am sorry I didn't do my homework before and just assuming they would be the most reasonably priced.
Click to expand...

Same with other things in life, Insurance etc. Those that are big/visible and claim to be cheap are usually not. People just buy into the marketing/advertising.
 
biena said:
Try Lions bridge garden and hardware in Glenfair shopping center (www.glenfaircentre.co.zo)

The guy there at the plumbing is excellent. Haven't had a lot of interaction with the other staff.
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I used them a few years ago and was also impressed with the assistance, however AFAIK, this hardware store has closed down.
 
Cius said:
Two Saturdays ago I drove to a builders express for an urgent key cutting. It was closest. The only guy who could help was trying to help another guy with a remote issue. After watching this guy fumble around for 10 minutes I took over and explained the issue to the guy. Since I became a trustee at my complex 2 years back I had to become an expert on remotes. Was shocked at how little the assistant knew about how remotes work and are programmed. Anyways, after all that effort they did not even have the base key to make me my copies.

On the other hand the Mica at the Boskruin village shopping centre has top quality staff who really know their stuff. I try to use them but they are expensive. When we quoted new remotes for the entire complex they came in 4 times more expensive than a supplier around the corner in Strydom park and for something like gate fuses they charged R5 for 2 20 amp glass fuses which I can get for 10c around the corner at a supplier. Hence as much as I appreciate the service I can't always bring myself to use them. I tend to only go to the Mica when I need advice as well as parts and then I will buy the more expensive parts to pay in part for the excellent advice they give.
Click to expand...

I used to occasionally go to that Boskruin Mica, they were pretty expensive but they were helpful and actually knew what they were doing. Had a few keys cut there.

ponder said:
Same with other things in life, Insurance etc. Those that are big/visible and claim to be cheap are usually not. People just buy into the marketing/advertising.
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Indeed. It is a wakeup call to shop around before assuming.
 
Grimspoon said:
Well driving to Builders as apposed to driving to Makro is no more convenient. I guess it depends where you live. One thing I can give them is the customer service is good. That drill I bought broke and they replaced it with a new one straight away. But I could have saved R200 going to Makro :(
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True, but you won't find all your DIY kit at Makro...
 
Roxi_B4b3 said:
Chamberlains in Centurion has the best customer service - the staff really knows what they're talking about
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I will second this.

Also the staff know the store, ask for a product and they know where it is. They will also check stocks and on order if there is nothing on the sheves. Builders Warehouse, 200 metres away, the staff are decorations.
 
I have also found that Makro can sometimes be expensive.

Generally if I need several different things I can get them all at Builders Warehouse, which saves me spending time phoning around and trying to explain what I want to one salesperson after another or driving around to pick up things at several different shops.

The staff are generally useless though. But then so are Makro's and Game's.

ryu said:
+100!

i also find them extremely pricey now i just shop at midas who are alot cheaper and their staff seem to have a better knowledge of the products.
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You mean Mica presumably.
 
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