Builders Warehouse is expensive

If you're in Durban, I've found the 2 best hardware stores to be Sallajees and Wardkiss.

The staff know whats going on, and they're reasonably priced as well.
 
The quality of a lot of their items leaves a lot to be desired - in other words - it carp! - sitting with taps I now have to replace 2 years later :mad:

Worst part is only bought them 'cos the plumber "had to have it or delay by a week" at the time :mad: :mad:
 
My Necromancy skills needed on this thread.
Went to our local one yesterday for some garden supplies:

Me to manager (I already know him as each time I go there he is the guy that tells me they don't stock what I am after).
Me (with 1 item I was going to buy in hand): "Hi, do you have perlite"
Him, "no"
Me "Vermiculite?"
Him, "No"
Me, "Seed trays?"
Him, "I think there may be some"
After about 15 minutes scratching around the back he shows me some cheapass windowsill seed tray at R199
Me, "I could probably get that at plastilon for R20"
Him, "Probably, yes"
So I said goodbye, put the item on the shelf and left.

Must be the 4'th time I have gone there looking for something with a similar result to the above.
 
Builders Warehouse is part of Massmart which now belongs to Walmart, so I hope we will see some savings soon. In the US, most of the prices at Walmart stores are amazing. And Walmart take great care about staff training. My friend's son's job is to go round to Walmart stores in the north eastern seaboard checking that the staff are up to what they are selling. He usually finds 2 or 3 who need to be retrained. If they don't succeed, they are asked to leave.
 
Since I started this thread I have stopped buying from BW unless I really have to. I find their prices are ridiculous on most items.
 
Grimspoon said:
Since I started this thread I have stopped buying from BW unless I really have to. I find their prices are ridiculous on most items.
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Yep, I needed some trays and stuff urgently as I got some cuttings I wanted to strike.

Cuttings are in potting soil now, about less than half a chance they will root in that though.
 
AstroTurf said:
Yep, I needed some trays and stuff urgently as I got some cuttings I wanted to strike.

Cuttings are in potting soil now, about less than half a chance they will root in that though.
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Forget about hardware stores for that stuff. Rather use an online store or take a drive to a bigger nursery. If you're near Pretoria, give these guys a call: http://www.organicseed.co.za
 
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Nocturnity said:
Forget about hardware stores for that stuff. Rather use an online store or take a drive to a bigger nursery. If you're near Pretoria, give these guys a call: http://www.organicseed.co.za
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Thanks for the link :)

I did come to the conclusion that it's time to start shopping online and am in Pretoria.

Malan seuns is right around the corner from us but such a useless place for anything but the very basics.

Don't sell perlite and no stock of vermiculite.
Very limited selection of veggies and even seeds.
 
Roxi_B4b3 said:
Chamberlains in Centurion has the best customer service - the staff really knows what they're talking about
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Agreed, they also have lots of obscure/specialist stuff whereas builders just have a whole isles of the same thing. Prices are good too. The staff are smart and knowledgeable and helpful. I went to get some carb cleaner for a car, they did not have it, but the shop guy offered to go get his personal can from his home and bring it to me! Declined, but wow! At builders you would just get some drooling guy.
 
flarkit said:
I used them a few years ago and was also impressed with the assistance, however AFAIK, this hardware store has closed down.
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They are still alive and kicking, just moved a few times. That is why I gave the mall they are located in now.
 
Grimspoon said:
Since I started this thread I have stopped buying from BW unless I really have to. I find their prices are ridiculous on most items.
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Went yesterday to buy a garage remote, Builders wanted R200 for it, found exactly the same remote down the road for R110, needless to say never shoppping there again what a rip-off!
 
Wezzy777 said:
Went yesterday to buy a garage remote, Builders wanted R200 for it, found exactly the same remote down the road for R110, needless to say never shoppping there again what a rip-off!
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On Sunday I went to go buy a cordless drill and Builders had the Bosch 18v on special. Ended up buying a 14.4V from their local competition for R400 cheaper - the difference here was I got a Bosch Professional drill where Builders where selling the home drill. The 14.4V had the impact drill feature I wanted, spare battery and carry case the home drill offered. But there is a world of difference in the quality.
 
They're expensive, but they're open till 7 so I'll pay a little more when I'm desperate.
 
Wood boards MUCH more expensive in builders than say Timber City. Also lots of other stuff much cheaper in Cashbuild . Builders is convenient though.

GAME and Builders are all part of the same company but the same items often have huge variables in pricing. Apparently they don't co-ordinate their buying activities which I thought is strange.
 
Camberwell Hardware in Grassy Park is quite good on building items, Retreat Electrical and Plumstead Electric on electric items and Vadas good for paint. All cheaper than BW
 
For what its worth, Builders are STILL very expensive. Just quoted R1700 for Plascon Wall and All 20 liter. Local hardware stores range from R1450 (Penny Pinchers) to R1500 being the most common price
 
Have to agree, BW is expensive! Had to replace my pool pump. Wanted a .75 speck pump. Builders was R2399. Went to my local Mica in Waterkloof and got it for R1599, same day. Mica went on special a month later at R1399!
 
Skandalis said:
But how many places do you need to drive to or phone to get the best prices?
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How much effort does it take to pick up a phone?

Was looking for a 8ft dual 75W ballast unit the other day and thank fsck I phoned first as some people wanna rip you a new one. While on the phone I also asked about complete 5ft fittings with tubes. All these chain hardware places were more expensive than other shops.
 
Funny because BW is now owned by Walmart. And Makro and GAME are also Walmart.

I recommend buying in online stores. Use google, jump or pricecheck, and sometimes it's cheaper to even buy the item overseas.

Coincidentally Walmart US is having a tough time as the US economy declines more and more.
http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?post=217556
 
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