The joys of shopping online!

[GiveMeABreak]

All you need there Eric are a few Cornettos!

[myglaren]

Although it has been some years now but I bought loads of stuff through eBay from China, Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia and have never been disappointed nor had a long wait, three days was normal.
Stuff from America, Canada, the Caribbean and Guernsey took far longer, usually two weeks.

Had only a couple of dodgy items that were immediately refunded.

Just been buying seven metre long LED strings and drivers. First one took ages possibly due to the postal strike, everything else just a couple of days.

[Gibbo2286]

All you need there Eric are a few Cornettos!

All I really need is someone to take a lot of this stuff off my hands before it all gets put in a skip.

[GiveMeABreak]

[mickthemaverick]

Of course there are other issues with shopping 'online' as I have posted on the P E Video thread!

viewtopic.php?p=740931#p740931

[Ross_K]

Unfortunately the more 'entrepreneurial' shall we say in China are renowned for copying and making cheaper versions with sub-standard components. Even stuff from Amazon which is just stored in their UK warehouses. As I type this, I'm holding an LED cooker hood lamp where the cover has just come away from the base exposing bare wires. These are the same design as many from the orient under different seller names. Suffice it to say I've now eliminated all these same design from replacements.

For any safety-critical stuff I wouldn't buy from China, but it's ok for minor items of tat. Quality can be variable on Amazon as you say, but at least I can quote consumer rights and return faulty items to them (or sue them if my house burns down )

For general purpose electrical stuff, Screwfix have just opened two branches within ten miles of my house - so I've been using them a lot lately. They sell a box of 120 Hilka-branded mini blade fuses for £10 by the way

https://www.screwfix.com/p/hilka-pro-cr ... eces/12517

[GiveMeABreak]

Me too, just back from them last night at just before 8pm before they shut to pick up a hole saw set for a Home theatre cabinet job. The week before for sanding pads and jigsaws. Much keener pricing and nearer than DIY.com who have unfortunately been going downhill for years with cheap crappy products from you know where.

[Hell Razor5543]

Screwfix Direct are part of the Kingfisher Group, who also owns B&Q.

[myglaren]

Toolstation can frequently beat Screwfix on price.

[Paul-R]

Toolstation can frequently beat Screwfix on price.

I concur. Toolstation are my first port of call rather than Screwfix. In addition Screwfix have abandoned printed catalogues which is a definite own goal as far as I'm concerned. Toolstation still have printed catalogues.

Interesting fact. Toolstation was founded by the same chap who started Screwfix. He had sold Screwfix to Kingfisher and then sold Toolstation to Travis Perkins. Travis Perkins also own B&Q competitor Wickes. It's a small world.

[MattBLancs]

Toolstation can frequently beat Screwfix on price.

Weirdly that was always the case but Screwfix seem to be putting in something of a comeback - I had given up checking Screwfix prices for a time but of late I'm checking again as Screwfix has been cheaper a good few occasions.

Am fortunate that a new Toolstation is 5 minutes walk from here, Screwfix about 20 minutes walk. Also a decent builders merchant www.cwberry.com about 1/4 mile.

Didn't think to check any of those for the little fuses!

[myglaren]

I do use Screwfix a lot, there is one a few minutes drive away and conveniently close to the Lidl where I do most of my other shopping. Also B&M, Food Warehouse and One Below are together there, and a Greggs, McD's & Costa but I would never darken their doors now.
Toolstation was a few more miles in the opposite direction but there is also a Screwfix, Homebase and loads of others nearby.
Even better, there is now a Toolstation a mile from me. Will be visiting for some Wago boxes soon.

[MattBLancs]

Browsing Autodoc for fuses, thought "I've never seen one of those before!"

Even the bigger picture didn't quite give the game away

Spoiler: show

In the interest sharing the knowledge, it seems I have lived a sheltered life and there really are 3 legged fuses!

This strikes me as an incredibly stupid idea all the same - when one leg blows= change the whole thing, how wasteful!

[CitroJim]

A special fuse to allow both positive and negative legs to be fused simultaneously

[mickthemaverick]

A special fuse to allow both positive and negative legs to be fused simultaneously

Come on Jim you'll be confusing people, that is clearly a 3 phase fuse!!