Saving money without e-bay

[macabethiel]

I have noticed that a lot of prices for stuff on e-bay and Amazon seem to be quite similar as though there is a bit of price fixing or discount ceiling being imposed.

I just saved myself a cool 30 % by buying an item from an independent supplier priced at £15.00 on e-bay & Amazon and purchased for £10.45 from a Tool Company in each case by the same manufacturer / brand .

It might be obvious to many members here but what I do is search on e-bay or Amazon for what I want. I then Google search the basic item description or a part number often finding a substantial saving from a number of UK Suppliers that pays UK Tax !

I also use E.U. suppliers sometimes as no import duty is payable.

[rustic]

I always use ebay as a starting point, it's quick, you can often see what you are buying.
Sometimes the company is cheaper direct, but watch out for carriage costs, and if the price includes VAT.

For car parts, I often negotiate a better price with my local motor factor, having got an ebay price in mind, giving them first chance of the business.

[macabethiel]

Originally Posted by rustic

For car parts, I often negotiate a better price with my local motor factor, having got an ebay price in mind, giving them first chance of the business.

I am with you on buying parts locally especially if I am not sure it's the right item or in the case of heavy items the postage cost component.

Having been associated with the Motor Trade for a long time I have got to know one of our local branches of Romac quite well.(I have been a customer since they were called Spondon Motor Spares back in 1984) The Manager recently left to go to P.C.S. a local wholesaler so now I have been able to enjoy the benefits of competition !

About 5 years ago the local Johnson's Dry Cleaners lost our Duvet and they paid us for the loss. It was a brand called 3 Seasons and our local M&S sold them but the cheque was not enough to cover the difference of £25 so I asked to speak to a Supervisor and explained the situation that if they could do a price reduction we would buy if not we would go for our second choice elsewhere. We were given the discount via the Managers "Staff" discount route !

[makeitfit]

I simply will not use Amazon at all. They treat staff like slaves. Bleed their suppliers and pay less tax than You do.

[macabethiel]

Originally Posted by makeitfit

I simply will not use Amazon at all. They treat staff like slaves. Bleed their suppliers and pay less tax than You do.

I must admit I have used Amazon a few times just as a result of either price or no one else has what I was looking for.
e.g. I wanted some rear ARB clamp bushes for my Jeep ADCO upgraded anti roll bar. Amazon price £26.35 including postage from U.S. Nearest price from UK suppliers was circa £75 !!