An introduction to our favourite suppliers... together with the reasoning behind our choices...

We have three specialist stores which focus exclusively upon electrical appliances, plus five 'other' stores where you can purchase electrical goods as part of their first class services.

Best UK Specialist Electrical Stores

Now we will concentrate on our three specialist electrical appliance suppliers... we have chosen three out of the dozens available. Having done research on various websites, read the customer comments, etcetera, these appeared to be head and shoulders above the rest. With a choice of three, at least one should in theory stock the item/s you are searching for. Yes, there were some adverse comments... but most of these were regarding delivery over which they do not have that much control.

I have waited in in the past for deliveries from different suppliers which didn't arrive on time, or on the day specified... most annoying... but very often there are extenuating circumstances. Accidents cause delivery drivers delays, and by law they can't work beyond their hours... then there are inexperienced or geographically uneducated general staff who work out which deliveries they should do... most inefficiently. All these problems mean that the actual drivers/delivery staff cannot achieve the stated delivery date or time.

Add to this the fact that human nature is such that if there is something to complain about... we will be loud and clear, but if everything goes according to plan... well, we don't bother to praise that at all!

The following are our chosen suppliers... your comments on their level of service would be most gratefully received! Please note they are in no particular order, just as they are in my list...

• Be-direct are a valuable new addition to our suppliers... they have been trading online since l998, and in the real world for over 50 years... that MUST mean something! They offer great value deals, and claim the best after sales service on the web, add to this the best level of before sale assistance... and you have a great supplier.
• Co-op Electrical Shop... everyone will have heard of the Co-op - you may be a member - so you have a recognised and respected supplier here. An easy to navigate and comprehensive electrical appliance website. Add to these plus factors the fact that now Co-op Electrical Shop are only stocking 'A' rated electricals and you have a real bonus added to your online experience. Knowing that all the items are 'A' rated will give real peace of mind in this time of rapidly escalating fuel costs - as it will promise real savings on your electricity bill.
• 24-7 Electrical... when you arrive at the website, don't use the search box at the top right, instead choose 'Home Appliances' on the left; then choose one of the ten resulting options, for example 'Laundry', then the 'Category Search Finder' should be filled in... and your results will come up.

All electrical appliances should be cheaper on the internet than at your local retailers, and significantly cheaper in some instances. Yes, you will have to wait to have the item delivered, but the same would apply if you were buying any large item from any supplier.

As for problems... you can see a perfect item in the shop, order it, and wait... and wait... and along comes a damaged one, you can even see it is damaged before it is off the lorry!

No, there are plenty of pitfalls to buying in a retail shop, so don't let those thoughts put you off internet shopping... you can be lucky, or unlucky any time and anywhere.

Some brands are notoriously unreliable, some are known for their reliability... whichever way round you put it, it's the exception which often proves the rule!

'Other' Stores

Try visiting Homebase for all your DIY and home improvement needs. Over 13000 products available to buy online today.

All those difficult to source electrical items, which don't seem to be stocked in general electrical stores [even online] should be easy to find here... Homebase

Let's continue with two of the three 'other' stores. First there is Argos, and the New Argos Catalogue is Out Now! ... there you will find many, many, areas covered. Of course, they cannot stock quite the vast range of electrical appliances as the stores which concentrate exclusively on them, but they do have a good choice.

Two points in their favour are... the offer of Free Delivery On All Online Orders Over £150, and the fact that you can usually reserve items for collection at your local store... thereby ascertaining if they are in stock before you make the journey. You get a reservation number which you note down and hand to the person on the till... you could have ordered the last one in stock. You have to collect within a specified time... usually no more than a couple of days.

I have used this method successfully and also had items delivered [pre-internet!] they arrived on the day specified... and we were kept well informed regarding delivery.

Another different way of locating bargains is at eBay - do your research properly, and, like me, you can obtain electricals at around half the price you can find them at any other supplier.

[Remember to check our 'where to buy' page for safety guidelines if you are new to eBay.]

Our next suppliers are Tesco... they stock a reasonable range of goods, have an extremely fast turnover... so you need to make a buying [or not] decision quickly. They are a large recognised store... if you have a clubcard, you will get points on your purchase... delivery is free. Against this is the fact that they may not stock the actual best buy you require... and some of the electrical shops, even when their delivery charges are added on, may be appreciably cheaper.

Next another of the non-specialist suppliers... with Over 35,000 Great Value items, for you, your family and your home at Littlewoods Direct. I have discussed catalogue shopping elsewhere, but I will just make a short comparison and case for and against... prices will, in most cases, be higher initially... BUT take into consideration free delivery, free credit - (as long as you don't take one of the longer paying options) - a probable joining bonus, and any commission allowed.

End of season discounts are sometimes available... against this there is the lack of best buy choice... after all clothes take up a great percentage of the catalogue; also the price, but as explained above, that may not be that different, and there are bargains available on some individual items.

If you would be buying on credit anyway... how would you fund that? Please see our pages on Finance and Credit, and Credit Cards for ways to save in those departments.

General Buying Advice

You will need to do all your purchasing sums VERY carefully, taking everything into consideration.

Check all the items we recommend at all the quoted suppliers to get the very best available bargain for your own individual and personal needs.

Do do a final price check on the day you intend purchasing... quite often special offers, one day sales, or other savings come in at the last minute... and you don't want to miss them!

Below are links to other pages which you may find to be of interest...

• Guarantees
• Switching Energy Suppliers
• Go to 'Electrical Appliances' page

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