B Q 600mm Porcelain censorship

[brucey123]

HI all
I joined this week as bruce123 to share my bad experience with these tiles and to help others avoid problems. It appears that I have been censored and my access removed. I have tried to contact the moderators to see what the problem is but with no success.
regards
Bruce
South Queensferry

[jay]

pm dave or dan

[GirlRacerRed]

hi Bruce

There has been some technical faults on the forum this week, and a number of posts and threads have been affected and in some cases lost completely. As Jay says, contact Dan or Dave by pm and ask the question.

usually if you are removed from the forum, Dan or Dave will contact you to explain why. If you've had no contact, then maybe the technical issue has caused your account to disappear.

Hope this helps
GRR

[brucey123]

Thanks for replying.
B Q are still selling these tiles and their staff do not know that they are wax coated. Even the managers were surprised when I showed them an offcut wich I scoured clean, their own display was smeared and oily as it had not been cleaned. I feel that many have and are still being duped by the lack of knowledge. 'Customer service' now tell me that I have not followed the fitting instructions which do not mention the coating on the box. Interestingly the same tile in 400 x 400 has specific mention pof the need to remove the coating. How many floors are out there where they dont realise that the true finish is highly glazed? I spoke to one tiler who had laid the black version without cleaning them and I could see the recognition on his face when I described my issue.
the shame is that they are actually very nice tiles when clean!
Bruce

[jay]

thats the reason why people should employ profesional tradesmen to do tiling (as slate stone etc comes with no instructins ) its up to the tiler to bring out the best in all tiles stone porc its called experiance as for salesmen so many products so little time

[GirlRacerRed]

Bruce

It is a struggle with B&Q to get any kind of sensible customer service from them and a lot of people find themselves head banging the wall

There are products available on the market that can help improve the look of your tiles, and I think it's probably safe to say that you won't find many people working in B&Q with the level of technical knowledge required to help find the best with every tile product they stock.

I may be wrong on the above point, but on the forum, we call B&Q and other diy outlets "sheds" - basically full of stuff you need but no real understanding of what the stuff does

I hope your stay with the forum is a useful and mutually beneficial one.

Thanks

[tkm18]

thats the reason why people should employ profesional tradesmen to do tiling (as slate stone etc comes with no instructins ) its up to the tiler to bring out the best in all tiles stone porc its called experiance as for salesmen so many products so little time

Kinda ironic you say that on a forum aimed at the 'tiling professional and diy er'

Thats a kinda sweeping statement , and I'm not having a go at you, but proffesionals with 30+ years experiance aren't always full clued up.

Let's be honest it's B&Q, you get what you pay for, and the folk in there couldn't give a monkeys what hapens when products leave the store.

Their get out is it's mainly the DIYer that uses them. I've been in the same position as the OP with other stuff from them, so I know what he's getting at.

[brucey123]

I saw the same tile but smaller in Topps but we preferred the larger format. In fairness to the lad in Topps clearnce in the Fort Edinburgh he warned me to check if the B Q tiles were coated. When I asked the question at BQ they denied they were coated but were very sure that I should seal them before I did anything. The new packs in BQ now state that they have transit wax which must be removed!
Regards
Bruce

[jay]

the only other way i can put it is you get what you pay for
live and learn

[tkm18]

I saw the same tile but smaller in Topps but we preferred the larger format. In fairness to the lad in Topps clearnce in the Fort Edinburgh he warned me to check if the B Q tiles were coated. When I asked the question at BQ they denied they were coated but were very sure that I should seal them before I did anything. The new packs in BQ now state that they have transit wax which must be removed!
Regards
Bruce

That's becuase they've had their fingers burnt before, when these tiles 1st came out, nothing was mentioned on the packaging about sealing.

IMO, the removal if the wax is a bigger issue, I've used these a few times and after testing, haven't seen the need to seal them and never came across a problem, but the removal of the wax is a deffo.

[brucey123]

At £12 a m2 you get what you pay for and for a makeover they are ideal but that doesent excuse poor advice, if they dont know to clean their own display what hope have customers got. When I ordered my tiles an old couple from Penicuik were buying a substantial amount of the same tile and were told the same as me. When I went back to complain I asked BQ to track down the couple and see if they had laid them as yet. they refused!

[GirlRacerRed]

At £12 a m2 you get what you pay for and for a makeover they are ideal but that doesent excuse poor advice, if they dont know to clean their own display what hope have customers got. When I ordered my tiles an old couple from Penicuik were buying a substantial amount of the same tile and were told the same as me. When I went back to complain I asked BQ to track down the couple and see if they had laid them as yet. they refused!

that level of customer service is disgraceful but unfortunately the norm at "sheds".

the only thing I can suggest is visiting your local Tile Giant store in future. They have some tremendous deals on nearly all of the time, and their advice is brilliant.

it's such a shame Bruce that you have had such a terrible experience with B&Q. I have bought tiles from there myself recently, but never porcelain, so i've never had any issues.

[Rob Z]

It sounds like B&Q is your version of our Home Depot.

[GirlRacerRed]

Rob

B&Q over here is modelled on Home Depot my friend used to work for B&Q when the new big boss took over, and he was Home Depot big boss too....

[Rob Z]

Liz, we have some good nicknames for HD, but Forum Decorum won't allow me to post them.

[davy_G]

When speaking to prospective clients when im quoting for them, i advise them to use a tile shop & where they can get my discount. I also say they can go to some of the sheds but remember what your buying. You get advice and experience of the tile shops, they stock certan brands due to quality and of course price. When you buy in a shed you are buing mainly on price. However a trained eye can pick up bargains as long as they know what they are buying and how to fit them, if not stay away.

If the client gets a tilers and tile shops advice they wont go too far wrong.
However by the time i get there, the tiles might be sitting there and alot of the mats have been suggested by a plumber or chippie. Now im not knocking other tradesmen, they are probably wonderful at their jobs but some of the tiles need specific fixing and finishing materials depending on the walls and floors to be tiled.

Seek advice from the pros before you buy!

[GirlRacerRed]

Liz, we have some good nicknames for HD, but Forum Decorum won't allow me to post them.

Elite-it then Rob

[Dave]

HI all
I joined this week as bruce123 to share my bad experience with these tiles and to help others avoid problems. It appears that I have been censored and my access removed. I have tried to contact the moderators to see what the problem is but with no success.
regards
Bruce
South Queensferry

As mentioned we had a data error and lost some posts...is this why you have created 2 accounts..?

[pjc]

It sounds like B&Q is your version of our Home Depot.

Rob its a different company but they have copied Home Depot with even less idea you would think you are in the same shop identical but not as cheap
PS i have brought most of my tools from Home Depot and Lowes and will be going to Lowes tomorow lol :Pete

[brucey123]

Thats correct thanks dave

[Dave]

So which one are you wanting to keep..?..you are only allowed one..

[Rob Z]

Pete, Dave told me that you come to Florida a lot. If you ever get up to Virginia give me a call.

The Lowes around here are well-run and good stores to go to for most items. Home Depot...not so much.

[pjc]

yes Rob would say its the same in orlando mate Lowes are a lot better BQ even copy the signs and colors of Home Depot if i am ever up that way mate would love to meet :Pete

[365drills]

The problem with B&Q (in fact all chains) is the lack of technical knowledge by their staff on most things. Mostly due to the low wages, high turn over of staff, age and of course the vast number of products held by sheds.

You would think buyers from such large groups would be insisting suppliers provide the correct instructions on how to use products.

From our own experience when we quoted to supply our kits to Screwfix we offered them a full service of drills, plates and instructions held in a clamshell to be sold via their catalogue.


However all Screwfix wanted to buy was the guide plate above! And they wanted it sent in a clear plastic bag with a bar code on. No instructions.

From a manufacturers point of view we saw that as a crazy way to sell goods. Goods sold without instructions seem to be the way the sheds want to work by stripping out costs and packaging. They did conceed to the fact that we could include (at our own cost) a small fold up leaflet but then the deal went flat for other reasons (they were too greedy!)

[davy_G]

The problem with B&Q (in fact all chains) is the lack of technical knowledge by their staff on most things. Mostly due to the low wages, high turn over of staff, age and of course the vast number of products held by sheds.

You would think buyers from such large groups would be insisting suppliers provide the correct instructions on how to use products.

From our own experience when we quoted to supply our kits to Screwfix we offered them a full service of drills, plates and instructions held in a clamshell to be sold via their catalogue.


However all Screwfix wanted to buy was the guide plate above! And they wanted it sent in a clear plastic bag with a bar code on. No instructions.

From a manufacturers point of view we saw that as a crazy way to sell goods. Goods sold without instructions seem to be the way the sheds want to work by stripping out costs and packaging. They did conceed to the fact that we could include (at our own cost) a small fold up leaflet but then the deal went flat for other reasons (they were too greedy!)

Richard,
Have you tried toolstation, they seem to be taking Screwfix on?

[365drills]

Yes I have the name of their buyer at ToolStation

Hannah Kersley Baker
Toolstation
Malard Court
Express Park
TA6 4RN

But as yet we have not had a response to emails, call or letters.

I sent samples.

AND EVEN (WAIT FOR IT) Sent...... The Sponge....


You would have thought with the sponge Hannah would have bitten my hand off for an appointment....

But so far its not worked its magic.

In general with the big sheds apparently it takes many attempts over many years to break them. And then once it you get pounded on price!

And as you can see with the B&Q example of this thread look what happens when the retailer is price led. Yep the manufacturers look to reduce costs.

Bit of a cycle !

[jay]

richard is it realy worth your time chasing them why not chase tile shops just a question

[365drills]

Good question Jay and have already done what you suggested.

1) 365Drills (the factory) deal with you guys, professional installers, SOME retail outlets and some tile training colleges.

2) ARCTIC Products (the distributor) deal with Larger accounts like Corgi-direct and other people.

While I concentrate on the front line troops (end users like you) and go off to exhibitions and do training at tile colleges - Arctic go in and pitch for the big accounts.

Hopefully this dual approach hedges our bets and lets me concentrate on tile shops and end users.

But every now and then I cant help but stick my nose in and start messing with the big boys! Leaflets, Brochures, Targeted Mail to branches, Direct contacts to buyers of Wickes, Homebase, B&Q, Focus, Screwfix, Toolstation, PTS, Topps etc etc.

I've been told by Nigel (MD of Arctic) to stay out of it. But sometimes cant help myself.

Apparently with the big chains more goes on than you and I would understand. Us mere mortals would not comprehend the art of end-of-year rebates, penalties for non-delivery, delivery too quick, too slow, returns, cash backs, in-store promotions, buying shelf space, paying for instore advertising, commitments to reduce packaging and recycle and a whole host of other delicate things!

I'm like a bull in a china shop and in the past havent done a good job. So I have my instructions to leave well alone!

Back on the B&Q thread it just goes to show you how much grief a mfr has to go through to have stuff listed. Its not for the faint hearted. And its a shame the end result is a product that is so sanitised that customers are not able to understand how to get the best out of them.

[jay]

thanks no harm in trying as for thread people will always want things cheap and dont realise it has its hidden costs, maybe you should try aust market for your product could drop a few names if you wish

[Ajax123]

Thanks for replying.
B Q are still selling these tiles and their staff do not know that they are wax coated. Even the managers were surprised when I showed them an offcut wich I scoured clean, their own display was smeared and oily as it had not been cleaned. I feel that many have and are still being duped by the lack of knowledge. 'Customer service' now tell me that I have not followed the fitting instructions which do not mention the coating on the box. Interestingly the same tile in 400 x 400 has specific mention pof the need to remove the coating. How many floors are out there where they dont realise that the true finish is highly glazed? I spoke to one tiler who had laid the black version without cleaning them and I could see the recognition on his face when I described my issue.
the shame is that they are actually very nice tiles when clean!
Bruce

Perhaps I am being a bit thick but I really cannot see the issue here. Why should the guys in B&Q need to know that the tiles are wax coated. This (from what I have read in the forums) is pretty standard so if people are buying them they ought to do the research on using them first surely. If you don't have the expertise or the product knowledge to do the job peraps you should be employing a competent tradesman who will have that expertise. Perhaps it's just me being snippy.