e-commerce warriors are you on B&Q ?

[DSLiverpool]

In September a client did 25% of their Amazon turnover on B&Q - now possibly caused by FFX but it’s still mighty.

Sector is tools, DIY, home bits.

For anyone that follows me it’s the Tradehut project (no stock, no marketing, clever software)

[StevieBee]

Well done to you and your client.

But I have not the foggiest idea what you're on about!

[lizardbrain]

When I realised this I stopped using BQ

[Actual]

I use the B&Q website to find products and check stock before visiting the physical store but annoyingly the website is filled with stuff that they don't even sell.

For mail order delivery I use FFX but what has happened?

[DSLiverpool]

StevieBee said:

Well done to you and your client.

But I have not the foggiest idea what you're on about!

B&Q allow etailers to sell on their website marketplace like Amazon.

[DSLiverpool]

Actual said:

I use the B&Q website to find products and check stock before visiting the physical store but annoyingly the website is filled with stuff that they don't even sell.

For mail order delivery I use FFX but what has happened?

FFX they didn’t make enough profit.

[48k]

Yeah there is nothing more irritating than searching the B+Q website for a "thing", finding it, and going to put in your postcode to check stock are your nearest store only to see it's vapourware and not a stocked item.

[egomeister]

lizardbrain said:

When I realised this I stopped using BQ

Winds me up to. I am far less likely to look at B&Q since they started this.

I am waiting for the time I accidentally add a marketplace product to my weekly Tesco order since they have started this crap too..

[darreni]

48k said:

Yeah there is nothing more irritating than searching the B+Q website for a "thing", finding it, and going to put in your postcode to check stock are your nearest store only to see it's vapourware and not a stocked item.

This 100%, i've not been to a B&Q store or used their website in a long time because of this. I have a screwfix, toolstation, wickes etc all within 5 mins, so use them instead for stuff needed today.

Otherwise, its usually Amazon if no hurry.

[Spare tyre]

This really makes me shop at b&q less

[DSLiverpool]

Crikey post aimed at online sellers attracts unhappy buyers

IF you’re a seller in the sector it’s a good but unfinished platform.

FFX committing death by profit erosion has added millions of pounds for others to mop up.

Same with Dobies cutting back today, I’m just looking at how my spud n plant retailers can take advantage.

[egomeister]

DSLiverpool said:

Crikey post aimed at online sellers attracts unhappy buyers

IF you’re a seller in the sector it’s a good but unfinished platform.

FFX committing death by profit erosion has added millions of pounds for others to mop up.

Same with Dobies cutting back today, I’m just looking at how my spud n plant retailers can take advantage.

If you are a seller in the sector it would be wise to understand buyers feelings!

Marketplace provides an opportunity for independents but at what cost for the platform? It feels like short term gain for a long term detriment to the B&Q brand. How that plays out for the marketplace sellers and consumer is anyones guess

[Ham_and_Jam]

egomeister said:

lizardbrain said:

When I realised this I stopped using BQ

Winds me up to. I am far less likely to look at B&Q since they started this.

I am waiting for the time I accidentally add a marketplace product to my weekly Tesco order since they have started this crap too..

That’s five of us here then.

I don’t use the B&Q website anymore since this change. At first I wasn’t even sure what was going on.

Screwfix and Toolstation much easier for basic stuff.

Edited by Ham_and_Jam on Tuesday 1st October 19:27

[Ham_and_Jam]

DSLiverpool said:

Crikey post aimed at online sellers attracts unhappy buyers

IF you’re a seller in the sector it’s a good but unfinished platform.

FFX committing death by profit erosion has added millions of pounds for others to mop up.

Same with Dobies cutting back today, I’m just looking at how my spud n plant retailers can take advantage.

Have you actually tried to buy something from B&Q lately. It’s crap.
I wouldn’t be pushing e-commerce businesses into this.

[48k]

DSLiverpool said:

Same with Dobies cutting back today, I’m just looking at how my spud n plant retailers can take advantage.

I love Dobbies. Every one I've been to was huge, well presented, nicely branded, with a great range of quality stock. Not the cheap dirty jumble sale of a place that many garden centres are. Plus the restaurants serve decent ish food. So I was a bit surprised to hear that they are in trouble, although the on reflection I guess the appearance and turnover rate of concessions inside like Waitrose, WHSmith etc should have been a clue to me that they are struggling to make ends meet.

[Alex Z]

48k said:

DSLiverpool said:

Same with Dobies cutting back today, I’m just looking at how my spud n plant retailers can take advantage.

I love Dobbies. Every one I've been to was huge, well presented, nicely branded, with a great range of quality stock. Not the cheap dirty jumble sale of a place that many garden centres are. Plus the restaurants serve decent ish food. So I was a bit surprised to hear that they are in trouble, although the on reflection I guess the appearance and turnover rate of concessions inside like Waitrose, WHSmith etc should have been a clue to me that they are struggling to make ends meet.

We went in the Little Dobbies in Cheltenham recently and thought it was a great idea. It’s a shame that it’s not turned out to be profitable.

On the B&Q front, I want to use their website to see what I can get in store today, so the marketplace idea is a step in the wrong direction.

[turbomoggie]

lizardbrain said:

When I realised this I stopped using BQ

+1 to this. What a nuisance.

[Funk]

Ham_and_Jam said:

egomeister said:

lizardbrain said:

When I realised this I stopped using BQ

Winds me up to. I am far less likely to look at B&Q since they started this.

I am waiting for the time I accidentally add a marketplace product to my weekly Tesco order since they have started this crap too..

That’s five of us here then.

I don’t use the B&Q website anymore since this change. At first I wasn’t even sure what was going on.

Screwfix and Toolstation much easier for basic stuff.

Make that six - last time I tried B&Q I couldn't understand why half the stuff wasn't available in-store and just gave up. This explains it and puts me off using it in future.

If I'm looking at the site of a bricks'n'mortar company it's because I'm about to go there and buy the thing I'm looking for today. Seeing so much stuff 'Not available in-store, delivery only' was annoying.

It's also actually borderline dishonest as well as I would assume that if I'm buying from the B&Q site, I'm getting a product/brand their buying team had chosen to stock/sell and was buying from B&Q themselves.

Knowing now that I could be getting something unknown from an unknown third party means I wouldn't buy from there now. At least on Amazon it's clear who you're buying from and third parties are to be expected.

As others have said, I wouldn't be pushing your clients down this route if I were you...

TLDR: Found B&Q site st, didn't know why and gave up on it. Wouldn't use it again. Now I know why....and definitely wouldn't use it again.

Edited by Funk on Wednesday 2nd October 08:05

[Rough101]

I got some stuff online from a third party, well priced and their discounts applied.

If you just want to collect you can select your nearest store.

Their e-commerce has always been naff though, half the stuff I’d ever put in for click and collect same day they can’t actually find in store.

[FactoryBacked]

DSLiverpool said:

In September a client did 25% of their Amazon turnover on B&Q - now possibly caused by FFX but it’s still mighty.

Sector is tools, DIY, home bits.

For anyone that follows me it’s the Tradehut project (no stock, no marketing, clever software)

We've been on there about a year now and would say that's a fair comparison compared to Amazon sales.

First time I've used the Mirakl platform and find it pretty good.

B&Q have started to roll out new features as their team has grown. We got early access to their PPC which they have just rolled out to everyone.

They are also very responsive to feedback and made a big change on a category off the back of a suggestion I made.

I'd say this thread probably highlights the shopper demographics quite well and the sort of messages the customer service team can expect on a daily basis!

Also, for all the moaners. Filter > Sold By > B&Q