Arc Eurotrade a first class supplier

[LambtonParticipant @lambton]

[LambtonParticipant @lambton]

Years ago most towns had a supplier of high quality engineer’s tools and equipment made by reliable British companies such as Moore & Wright, Eclipse, Ambrose Shardlow, Chesterman, Marlco, Fobco, and other too numerous to mention. Items could be purchased with total confidence in their quality, accuracy and soundness of manufacture. Most of these old shops have long since gone to be replaced, in part, by modern retailers such as Machine Mart, Screwfix and similar who sell a limited range of quite good quality imported engineering tools that sometimes bear the names of old British companies despite their Far Eastern origin.

Most model engineers now tend to use specialist importers of tools and equipment usually made in either China or India most of which is unbranded with a few exceptions such as Vertex, Zyther etc. So we have to rely on the reputation of the particular UK Company that sources the items on our behalf. We are all familiar with these companies as they regularly advertise in the magazines and some still attend exhibitions.

I use most of these companies from time to time however my regular supplier of choice is always Arc Eurotrade for the following reasons:

• Ketan Swali is always helpful and engages with the model engineering fraternity via this forum where other suppliers most certainly do not.

• They have a very good range of really useful items that have obviously been selected with great care.

• They are upfront about the identity of their suppliers of their more expensive goods e.g. Seig, Zyther, Sumitomo and obviously select trusted suppliers for their own-branded items.

• I place orders quite frequently over the phone using their unambiguous part code numbers. The person receiving the order reads back to number, description and price before confirming the order.

• I trust the quality of the items offered for sale as sometimes purchasing unbranded Far Eastern tools can be a bit of a gamble.

• Very fast delivery times – invariably the next day.

• I am sure the machines that are sold have more than adequate power for the intended purpose and are as electrically efficient as any others on the market.

I have nothing but praise for this company with whom I have no connection other than being a very satisfied customer.

[mick70Participant @mick70]

love the way you can ring for good solid advice without being pressured into buying most expensive item.

they would rather sell you best item for what you are doing not most expensive.

11/10 from me as well.

[John RuddParticipant @johnrudd16576]

I totally agree with the sentiments expressed, but would also add that they extend to personal callers too….

I've had nothing but perfect service when I've visited in person…Ketan has even taken time to chat….

No personal connection but a satisfied customer….

Edited By John Rudd on 18/10/2015 16:50:57

Edited By John Rudd on 18/10/2015 16:51:25

[Michael Cox 1Participant @michaelcox1]

I have always had good, fast service from Arc.

I ordered two drive belts for my minilathe from Arc recently along with a number of other items. When the order arrived the next day only one drive belt was present. I phoned Arc immediately and the second belt was sent and arrived the following day. No quibble, no fuss, just brilliant service.

11/10 from me as well.

Mike

[IanTParticipant @iant]

Very satisfied customer of ARC for a number of years now. Reasonable prices, good range and quick delivery.

I will continue to use them.

Regards,

IanT

[Leslie DoddParticipant @lesliedodd93920]

I second that.

I recently ordered, online, a half inch ER32 collect but ordered a ER40 closing nut. Duh!

They were quickly on the phone and politely [1] checked if I had really meant to do that.

I will use them again.

Les

[1] The correct response should really have been "Are you a dozy plonker or what?" but I understand that "Customer Relations" demands a more diplomatic response

[LathejackParticipant @lathejack]

Arceurotrade a good trustworthy company, really? I visited them twice last year during the Warwickshire Model Engineering Show. On my second visit I foolishly took two substantial cream sponge cakes with me, and you won't believe how quickly I was relieved of those two MASSIVE cakes!

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Didn't cost four quid by any chance did they ?

[Brian JohnParticipant @brianjohn93961]

I know when I place an order from Cairns, Australia that the order will be here in less then 10 days. They hold the record for quickest UK – Australia orders ; one time it was 5 days. I often order things from Sydney and Melbourne that do not get here that quickly !

Edited By Brian John on 28/10/2015 13:49:06

[Ketan SwaliParticipant @ketanswali79440]

Hi Brian,

For shipments to Australia, ARC uses Royal Mail – International Signed For service for low weight and value orders, and courier for everything else. Our experience is that the Royal Mail service is a little hit and miss for transit times, but we have to use them for low weight and value orders, to keep costs down. This Royal Mail service is still costly, and we do get some complaints from potential buyers in Australia about this. Still, glad to read that you are generally happy with the transit time…Just thought I would make this comment before someone mentions about their poor experience of transit issues with ARC to Australia.

Thank you everyone for your comments. I will pass them onto our team. Cakes always welcome, along with JS's fourteen four quid.

Ketan at ARC.

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Can only agree with what has been said before. I have only ever bought one item that was was , by my standards, expensive. for this, and all the little low value orders, polite responses and rapid service.

My preferred supplier!

Howard

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