Fittings

[Bernie2]

I suppose one of the first things that give away a new guy, is if they don't know the names of the fittings.

There is obviously a coupler for instance, but what sort? Compression, push fit, solder ring, end feed and so on, then type and composition, it goes on.

Usually though, we get away with calling fittings things like tee piece, but what sort of tee? Tee, corner or cross and how do you size them if all the sides are different? There is an order to follow of course.

If you have to order a lot its well worth learning the catalogue numbers as then there can be less chance of getting it wrong.

Its not only copper but all kinds of plastic, iron, lcs and so on you have to know as well. And we ain't even started on gas, lead work, boiler spares and so on.

I would advise a newcomer to learn the lingo, by reading the fitting catalogues and getting themselves a load of price lists.

I also have not mentioned specification and application, a whole field on its own.

I suppose ite relatively easy for us old codgers, who have been in the game for years and learnt to speak at least part of the lingo when younger. But for new fellas, its hard to go into a merchants and ask for something if you don't even know its name.

Incidentally at one time Conex seemed to be one of the most used compression fittings in the UK.
But they call olives, rings not olives, olives where thought of as a different sort of ring, usually on gas fittings.

Have good read then

 

[heatserve]

It always made me laugh at the plumbers merchants when a private customer would say something like "I need a bit to fit to this - here look - and also to fit onto the other bit that it is still in my house".

What's even funnier is that they now try the same ruse in screwfix! where the guys behind the counter simply enter the codes and then manage to pronounce the names of the bits wrong.

 

[oldplumber]

in plumbfix on saturday to pick up some bits, at electrician/plumbers counter and old boy wants a thingy, you know my sparky sent me, 10 minutes later and still umming i pointed out he was at the trade counter, saturday shoppers should benext door, he took the hump but at least i got my order done in 10 seconds and queriedthe assistant as to why they bothered opening a trade counter if they are still going to serve idiot diy dont know what i want really!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Dannypipe]

in plumbfix on saturday to pick up some bits, at electrician/plumbers counter and old boy wants a thingy, you know my sparky sent me, 10 minutes later and still umming i pointed out he was at the trade counter, saturday shoppers should benext door, he took the hump but at least i got my order done in 10 seconds and queriedthe assistant as to why they bothered opening a trade counter if they are still going to serve idiot diy dont know what i want really!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No offense meant here...you should give the guy a break. I remember when I first qualified as NVQ2, and to be honest knew nothing. I clearly remember going into the merchants and asking for a fitting (I'd been asked to collect by my father/brother) and then the merchant would say something like 'male or female' or just look confused as I'd said it wrong.

I'd then go red from the neck up, and gesticulate while trying to verbalise what I required....or phone my dad! Very embarrassing.

You'd always get some tw** leaning against the counter who'd make some comment and make you feel like a pleb.

So now I've been in the game a few years, I'm happy to help and be patient with people. There's always a few people on the counter, and if some time waster is having a plumbing lesson from a stockist then so be it.

None of us know it all. I'm on hear reguarly as I want to learn more.

 

[oldplumber]

i would give a newby plumber a break, but he was general public using what is meant to be a trade counter

 

[tamz]

Time is money and i aint got the time or the patience to listen to some halfwit trying to explain what he wants for 15 minutes.
Situations like this i just collect the bits myself, scribble out a list and tell them to do me a line and sign it themselves, i'm off. But then i know all my merchants well.

 

[Dannypipe]

Ah, OK. True. Fair enough OldPlumber. Maybe I jumped on you a bit there as I remember going in with my scribbled list and that feeling of trepidation...

Almost like, I'm dressed the part but can I talk the talk!

As for you Tamz, does your merchants only have one person serving? I use PTS and Drakes, (also have an account with Plumbase but never use em). There's always someone ready to serve after a few minutes, I can't say I rush in and out super quick, of course I get frustrated if there's a long queue, but frankly it's five minutes where I get to relax in the day. Sometimes the only five minutes I give myself.

 

[tamz]

PTS, grahams, plumb center, city, plumbline, ashworth's etc plus a couple of independants. Delt with them all for over 25 years and know them all well. Usually 2 serving but if it is busy or there is a timewaster in i collect my own.
Relaxing at work is not a luxury i am normally blessed with.

Btw Travis Perkins (city plumbing) are set to take over PTS but the branches should remain.......so they hope.

 

[Dannypipe]

Well I try and grab any chance to relax that I can...which can be five mins in the merchants.

Another interesting thing has raised it's head here. I use my two merchants, but mainly PTS...I used Drakes for years and years, but when I split with my father ammecably, I set up an account down the road as I didn't want dads stuff going on my account and vise versa.

Anyway, I feel it pays to use (where possible) the one merchants...as they get to know you, and that repore can be very useful. When things turn up damaged, of parts missing, I never get any grief, it's just dealt with.

I have no time for rude merchant staff, there's a guy at the electrical wholesalers next to PTS, he's got a chip on his shoulder, and instead of confronting him (as my brother did) I just don't shop there any more, he has 3 competitors within 400yards.

Btw Travis Perkins (city plumbing) are set to take over PTS but the branches should remain.......so they hope.

If anything, I would imagine it's a plus. City Electrics are very good, and we all know Travis connections would be a good thing.

 

[tamz]

You should open a few more accounts and play them against each other for better prices and be open about doing so. If they know you may go elsewhere you will see how much they start to sharper their pencil. Being loyal to one will cost you.
Get the prices from the others if you like then go back to your favorite and tell them what they have to beat. If they can they will just to keep their figures up.

One of the best thing i did was the wife used to be a marketing manager with a shipbuilder (how do you sell a ship?) but she was fed up with the traveling so packed it in. She was bored after a wee while so she said she'd set me up spreadsheets of all the merchants prices and terms and start to operate a purchase order system where they had to get approval on their prices. This has saved me a fortune over the past 3 years or so. (they make lots from you on the small everyday things you pop in for)
Well worth the tenner a week i pay her