Originally Posted by walkinman221 (Post 959601)

I deal with whewells/toolbox on a daily basis and find they are always helpful and courteous,and will go out of their way to help you. Anyone can have an off day its just unlucky you seem to have gone in on the off day.

Originally Posted by TJH (Post 959641)

I think you have to give people a little more credit that just to presume that they will buy just because its cheap. If you read my first post i did state i wanted to purchase locally so that i could have the use of a real store for warranty issues etc. Although it is commendable for anyone to set up there own company, it does not mean that the local population owes you a living. I shop where the service is best. To presume that people don't care if these companies are tax dodgers or not is not correct 99% of time. Its a matter of perspective. I have been self employed for 19 years. My father 45 years within the lancashire area. I think it is important that local shops realise that no one owes tham a living nor loyalty. These things are built up over a number of years. The Toolbox is an example of me having a bad experience, nothing more. In some cases price does come before service, but this is not exclusive to the internet. A shop, a store front, a stall call it what you will, it does not make a company nor does it promise good service. Accrington lacks investment, its lack people with business know how running the place. It must be terrible to be a shop owner and see Tesco's move in. But thats progression. We all need to adapt. Both the vendor and buyer.

Originally Posted by wallop79 (Post 959651)

I wouldn't have thought any shop in this day & age could afford to turn away custom, especially in Accrington which is predominantly £1 shops, charity shops & card shops this doesn't exactly entice custom into our wonderful town. I'm pretty sure if the owners found out heads would roll. Probably the employee was just wishing for 5pm so he could get home, changed, and out partying all night, so couldn't be bothered actually doing what he's paid to do HIS JOB.

Originally Posted by TJH (Post 959712)

Ignorance can cost a company money. Its a fact that insurance companies will directly supply replacement TV's or laptops etc. But they do not in 99% of cases supply replacement power tools and they will never supply replacement Stihl equipment. They send a cheque and then request evidence that the money has been spent on the needed items.

So rather than me asking a salesman to do something for nowt as you have stated, i was asking him to do his job. I also was in a position to purchase the tools on the spot as they are needed for this week. I think this is an example of a little knowledge is a dangerous thing and that not all insurance claims are the same.

Stihl products can not be sent via courier, the customer must collect them from the dealer, so i can only purchase them from the few dealers located locally. IF the chap in the Toolbox had tried i would have handed over the money and purchased £2500 of equipment there and then, he had the items i needed. But it was just easier to say no, its not worth it. I presume this response was based on the same thinking that Garinda has used, which although applicable in some cases, it is in accurate for this example.

Originally Posted by TJH (Post 959589)

Well, after the robbery i was advised to get quotes for anything that was stolen. 3 quotes for each item.

The internet is normally the cheapest place to shop, but i like having a proper local supplier who can deal with any warranty issues i might have. So i decided to get 1 internet quote for each item and them the other 2 quotes from local firms.

Screwfix were more than helpful, as would be expected from a large company. I then needed just one more tool shop to give quotes for £2500 of power tools stolen. So i decided to visit the Toolbox, just around the corner from Argos in Accrington. I went in, told the member of staff what had happened (he just managed to keep his eyes open) and then asked if he could quote for the replacement tools - this was his answer "No sorry, its a waste of my time".

Now, there was no one else in the shop, there was no else parked in there car park. It was 3pm friday so not exactly prime sales time.

So, for everyone who wants Accrington to be a nice and busy town, you have one problem, it seems some shop owners are making so much money that they don't need us, the customer.

I drove over to Nelson, where Able Tools are and got a quote for everything within 10 minutes.

Typical of what i think is wrong with Accrington.

Originally Posted by lancsdave (Post 959636)

There are more complaints about non-delivery from internet companies than there are complaints about local shops.
Your right, many of us can't compete with internet prices, thats because price comes before service to most people, again it's human conditioning, and they really don't care if it's being run by some tax dodger from his poky little shied in the garden. As long as it's cheap they will buy it.

Originally Posted by TJH (Post 959712)

I presume this response was based on the same thinking that Garinda has used, which although applicable in some cases, it is in accurate for this example.

Originally Posted by TJH (Post 959724)

Why help a moaner? good point.

And as for proof of purchase, i have invoices for every item, but i was asked to get 3 quotes for replacement costs.

Its not a question of being a moaner or expecting something for nothing. I asked 2 of the national chains for quotes and then went down to the Toolbox for my third in the hope he would be cheaper and i could spend my money locally and get the service i need in case of warranty issues. Very simple.

Why should i help a moaner, i will use that as the most simple minded, selfish and pathetic quote of 2012. Although its only the 2/01/2012 i feel that quote most reflects Accrington. There was no shop manager present, why should i argue to spend money in the precious town of Accrington. Like you said, they don't need me and Less i don't need them, although i would expect that if you informed the manager you could have lost them £2500 of custom i would think they would say thank you, we couldn't be bothered anyway.