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tiler tom · 27-01-2008

Anybody ever got work out off handing a card to someone in B&Q.

As a rule I don't hang around B&Q handing out cards but if I have something to get from the store and I see someone looking at tiles I give them a card.

I am of the opinion though that if someone is in a DIY store looking they are most likley to be laying the tiles themselves so if it is a youngish guy/couple I tend not to bother and if honest have never got a job from one off these handouts.

What do you think?

daj5451 · 27-01-2008

Alrite Tom,
I am of the same thinking as you regarding B&Q customers and i hate B&Q tiles ,so i try and stay away from them but one day i was passing the tile area and over heard a couple saying that they would rather get a tiler in than let the D.I.Y nieghbour tile the bathroom.Thought it was too good a chance to miss so gave them my card and advised them to stay away from B&Q products and that i could supply and fit for them a better quality of product...Got the job and also got the conserv floor....

.

**Dan** · 27-01-2008

Many tilers on here say the tiles from B&Q cause problems.

daj5451 · 27-01-2008

Dan mate,i have done a few kitchen splash backs and the customers have supplied B&Q tiles.In 1 box alone i had different sized tiles and matt finished tiles along with gloss finish tiles

.Dunc

**brian c** · 27-01-2008

Dont even start me on B7q tiles,but i have used this technique before and got the job plus a recomendation to a friend.I was in for paint btw,lol

**Sir Ramic** · 27-01-2008

its not so much the quality of tiles with B&Q but in the way they stock the tiles. In the smaller places they hardly keep enough tiles on the shelf to tile a kitchen splash back. So you end up having to go to 3 shops to get enough and of course they could al be different batch numbers.
Its the same with the Warehouse B&Q but this time they may have a larger stock but when someone comes in and takes 15m2 with them, they restock on top of the missing tiles with the next batch and so on. In the end you are finding 3 batch numbers and they coould be different shades and sizes.
Its not just tiles dont forget at these places....next time you go in have a look at the timber. See if you can find a straight piece.
Its just convenience for the customer, long opening hours, sunday trading, all under one roof and of course the price which seems cheap at first but then people tend to find the tiles and then get adhesive grout and trims. They have already fallen for the trap, cheap tiles !! They dont realise that they could get adhesive (god adhesive) for half the price or that the £5 they paid for a piece of trim ( and they bought 4 pieces) is only for 6ft as oppossed to most tile shops selling 8ft lengths. Rant rant rant

**Dan** · 27-01-2008

Tilers on here have often reported bad tolerances in the same batch. And bowing etc.

**Sir Ramic** · 27-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan

Tilers on here have often reported bad tolerances in the same batch. And bowing etc.

i have been tiling 31 years and you can get all the same problems with Johnsons etc tiles too.

**IvegotsTILE** · 27-01-2008

If I've got nothing on for the day I'll end up puting on my company t-s and knipping in to places like Topps and all the DIY'ers,you can't miss I'm a tiler while wearing one cause its in big writing on the front and back.
I just hang around the tiling sections for 20 minutes at each and you can almost gaurantee someone will come up and ask you a question then you basically tell them how rubbish the products are and that I could get them better quality from Topps for the same price,I then tell them how difficult the installation will be.I've probably had 10 customers out of doin this.It only takes just over an hour out of your day.
Got to do something other than sitting on your arse when your not actually at work.

**whitebeam** · 27-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by IvegotsTILE

If I've got nothing on for the day I'll end up puting on my company t-s and knipping in to places like Topps and all the DIY'ers,you can't miss I'm a tiler while wearing one cause its in big writing on the front and back.
I just hang around the tiling sections for 20 minutes at each and you can almost gaurantee someone will come up and ask you a question then you basically tell them how rubbish the products are and that I could get them better quality from Topps for the same price,I then tell them how difficult the installation will be.I've probably had 10 customers out of doin this.It only takes just over an hour out of your day.
Got to do something other than sitting on your arse when your not actually at work.

I think your doing the right approach, Letting someone come and ask you a question, I would'nt have someone in my face shoving a card, leaflet, double glazing and shaking charity tins under my nose (I do give to charity in my own way) Sorry but I'm going to nick your idea, brilliant

tiler tom · 27-01-2008

Just thought I would clarify my approach not only in B&Q but even to somebody buying a sample as I pick up the adi. "hi, I don't know if you are in need of a tiler but heres one of my cards just in case" and thats it no pressure just politness and the I am out of there.

**whitebeam** · 28-01-2008

Tom I'm not having a dig at you mate and understand where your coming from, Ive probably done it myself and not even thought about it (because I'm a nice guy) , It's when I've been in b&q and been approached by someone saying I've got some tool's in my van in the car park selling cheap, F**K OFF, It just rattle's my cage.