What the hell is going on with the suppliers???

[HollowpointParticipant @hollowpoint]

I’ll probably get a bit of flack for this, but what the hell is going on with all the suppliers?

Lately (in the past months) despite being bombarded with promotions and offers (some of which seem a bit dubious) I have noticed a decline in almost all of the usual suppliers. Reduced product ranges, discontinued stuff, out of stock everything, poor customer service, slow shipping, sub standard or faulty products, missing items, etc etc!

Now I won’t point fingers, because I don’t have enough. But I am not talking about a few isolated issues, there seems to be a general decline. Even the ones I previously had a very positive opinions of, have disappointed.

Has anyone else noticed?

[JAParticipant @ja]

One supplier does appear to be having a “fire sale” as if they are leaving the business. Otherwise, it seems to me, things appear to be pretty stable.

JA

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Probably a sign of economic conditions, where suppliers are looking to reduce capital input, (possibly on a credit/loan basis), and sadly reducing staff costs.

Reducing stock holding may be a means of reducing storage costs.

We are all tightening our belts, so our suppliers will be doing the same.

Howard

[HollowpointParticipant @hollowpoint]

You are probably right that these difficult times are having a negative impact.

That said, things like answering emails is pretty basic stuff. One of the suppliers I used had to be contacted 3 times before I got a reply, 2 weeks later! This was about an incorrect order from a very well respected materials supplier. Just one of many instances of poor service I’ve had.

 

[egaParticipant @ega]

Here in Kent I was a long term customer of Axminster Power Tools who had an “Aladdin’s Cave” near Sittingbourne. I understand that as part of a “company reconstruction” they now sell only online, a much less attractive option and, of course, a sign of the times.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

I believe the company was put in Administration, and this new arrangement is its salvation. … Let’s be grateful for small mercies.

MichaelG.

P.S. 

If  I am mistaken… someone please correct me !

[ega]

On ega Said:

Here in Kent I was a long term customer of Axminster Power Tools who had an “Aladdin’s Cave” near Sittingbourne. I understand that as part of a “company reconstruction” they now sell only online, a much less attractive option and, of course, a sign of the times.

There are many products where only “kicking the tyres” (so to speak) will do before you purchase.  Without being able to do this just goes further to reducing product sales, and adds to the decline of much needed suppliers.  Just another example (far too many to list) of the world going downhill fast.

[egaParticipant @ega]

On the positive side, MEW advertisers, MES, are still, I believe, trading in Staplehurst.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Note:

The Company Number currently displayed on Axminster’s website will lead you here:

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/16720753

I wish them success in these difficult times

MichaelG.

[Bo’sun]

On Bo’sun Said:

There are many products where only “kicking the tyres” (so to speak) will do before you purchase.

Retail premises are super expensive to run. If the kicking feet only fall into the premises once a year, the loss of a sale to any individual is insignificant compared to staff, rent, electricity etc. over a year. The mother ship would be able to track day-on-day sales due to the shop and the closure decision would be made on a financial basis.

You can read here on the forum where Ketan explained why ArcEuro chose not to attend model engineering exhibitions. It was a business decision based on show-sales lost being less than the cost to make those sales. Every competent business owner would make the same calculation.

Your rights as a consumer are strong with distance selling, so the tyre kicking can now be done in the comfort of your own home.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

There used to be a branch of Axminster in my home town, now and again I would go and spend a few £ , but there was rarely anyone else in the shop. Not surprising it went by the board

[Michael Gilligan]

On Michael Gilligan Said:

Note:

The Company Number currently displayed on Axminster’s website will lead you here:

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/16720753

I wish them success in these difficult times

MichaelG.

Thanks for this – better than “Limited Knowhow”!

I notice that the relevant SIC refers to specialised stores (but doesn’t specify bricks and mortar).

[JAParticipant @ja]

I did not think that this thread was about Axminster Tools. Axminster initially got right with an old shop, with caracter, in the town centre and a large warehouse on the industrial estate. They even had an annual show which was well attended. The new shop in the railway station forecourt sort of worked but the idea of having branches all over the place was a disaster.

I like shops but, except for food, they are disappearing. The company I mentioned earlier, Chronos, trading model is the same as Ketan’s. Perhaps it is just bad times and firms will go the same way as second hand motorcycle shops did in the late 60s and early 70s.

JA

[DC31k]

On DC31k Said:

On Bo’sun Said:

There are many products where only “kicking the tyres” (so to speak) will do before you purchase.

 

Your rights as a consumer are strong with distance selling, so the tyre kicking can now be done in the comfort of your own home.

That’s all very well, until you have to endure the inconvenience should you have to return a product.  Then there’s the problem of having to wait for a replacement, or an alternative, or looking elsewhere.  Clearly not ideal if you need to get on with the job, especially if it’s urgent or for your business.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Having used Axminster for the best part of 30yrs mostly for work I only went to their shop once as I was nearby for something else. For a self employed guy like me it is more economical to order on the net and get things delivered than spend half a day and fuel going to a supplier when I could be earning money. Different if it is for hobby use and you want to make a jolly out of it.

[Trevor Drabble 1Participant @trevordrabble1]

In the interest of restoring  some balance , please see my post of 31/07 re Blackgates . Also , subsequently I ordered some machine spares from another well known supplier , but unfortunately they supplied the wrong style . That evening  I left a garbled message on their answering machine . Not only did they successfully decipher it , but then  posted out the replacement parts the same day , with them being due for delivery tomorrow.The parts I already have will obviously be returned to them in October . As far as I am concerned , that’s superb service and they deserve to be supported.

[JasonB]

On JasonB Said:

Having used Axminster for the best part of 30yrs mostly for work I only went to their shop once as I was nearby for something else. For a self employed guy like me it is more economical to order on the net and get things delivered than spend half a day and fuel going to a supplier when I could be earning money. Different if it is for hobby use and you want to make a jolly out of it.

Absolutely, especially with the cost of petrol (and the ubiquitousness of roadworks).

That said, as ega mentioned, MES/Maxitrack are still trading from Staplehurst, and going over there is cheaper for me than paying carriage for heavy items like bits of barstock.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

It all depends on where you live. I did once go to Blackgates when on holiday in the area, and I think Reeves. Kennions, GLR, Chronos original shed were not too far and Amadeal fitted in to a business trip but worried all the time my manager would ask why it took so long. With a different manager I was more able to fit in two machinery suppliers in Birmingham (on route to Chester) and another time one in Ashington while going to our Brighton office.

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, back in the 70’s I along with my late elder brother, would go to London to buy gear for our mobile Disco, but then after my late brother passed away, I would go to Lester and even Birmingham & London, to view and buy gear. It could have been got by mail from catalogues, but large items or orders would cost just as much or even more, and of course there was no internet back then, and deliveries could take a week or so. Viewing was more important sometimes, and fuel costs were relatively low, and you could pick up a bargain, if you were lucky. The only times I’ve gone to buy tools that are not available locally, is at the ME shows, which I was going too anyway, but now and for a good while, it’s mostly on-line. The closest I’ve ever been to Axminister tools area, was on a train, back in 1975 to Camborne in Cornwall, which was work related, the other time was in a car on the M5 when going on holiday to a place called Helston in Cornwall. Both of these journeys took about eight hours or so from where I live. I wouldn’t travel any of these sort of distances these days to shop or collect anything now. I think the biggest distance I’ve travelled to a ME show, was when they where in Esher or Harrogate, both of which were a good three hour or so journey.

Regards Nick.

[HollowpointParticipant @hollowpoint]

Just to be fair to Axminster, they aren’t on my list of companies I’ve had bad experiences with.

Ironic really, because almost everyone else is.

[JAParticipant @ja]

The common current trading model uses delivery companies. Some of these are quite simply crooks and most (all?) are slower than they should be.

I buy milling cutters and reamers from Drill Services (Horley) who used to guarantee next day delivery using first class Royal Mail. A company is only as good as its associates.

Like the above company and M-Machines I never had a bad experience with Axminster. They just got too large (like the local Tesco superstore).

Enough of this rambling rant.

JA

[Bo’sunParticipant @bosun58570]

“First Class Royal Mail”, what on earth is that?

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Part of the Two Tear mail system that we have had for some time.

But in fairness, sometimes the 48 hour tracked mail does function properly

Howard

[NealebParticipant @nealeb]

Not from an ME supplier but I had an email this morning (Wed 5th Aug) telling me that my parcel will be delivered on Tuesday 4th Aug. I’m trying to decide if I have to work out the next year when 4th Aug falls on a Tuesday or if DHL have access to a TARDIS. Suppliers are indeed dependent on the reliability of their delivery companies.

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Neale, they must have posted it 2nd class!

[Author]

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