Keeping track of merchants

[Destroyer2813]

We have a set stock on our van, and have to re visit office a set day every week to restock, the amount of gear I carry on my van is crazy but its a very good system

Wanna drop some round

 

[tamz]

So I take it you have a list of terms for every part on the computer then?
That's a good idea doing it that way. Im gunna do that from now on. Thanks tamz

Thats the wifes job. She's doing nothing all else except thinking what to cook for dinner and she can type like as fast as i can speak.
Get your merchant (every merchant, never use only one, use them all and play them against each other) to print off your terms (on everything, they can easily do it) then set up a thing in excel.
Once the initial set up is done, like anything on a computer, updating it is easy.
When you have comparable figures on all your merchants it then becomes easier to negotiate even better terms as a glance across the columns tells you who is selling x brand cheaper. Push them all for better prices and always dangle carrots.
You know you are on the right track when out of frustration they spin the screen round and tell you (allegedly according to head office) they can't buy it for that.
Different merchants get different deals from the manu's. You just need to learn how to shop.

Buy your tube in the 100's of meters and always shop around. Don't go overboard as the price of copper is quite volatile but always have a stock. It's swings and roundabouts but you will go through it quickly anyway.
Buy your fittings in bulk (by the 1000) from the internet, BES and others are much usually cheaper if you can be bothered to spend a but time looking but if you can hit a deal from a rep desperate for sales you win a watch.
I bought literally 10's of 1000's of fittings years ago from a place that was closing down for something like 1k cash (straight into the reps pocket no doubt). I had so many fittings i honestly had nowhere to put the boxes. At one point i thought i'll ask around if anyone wants to buy some then though naw i'll use them and if i die my kids can scrap them. 10 years or so later i was shocked when i ran out of elbows and had to buy them.
Now the only things left in boxes are 15mm unions and 22mm tees but i'll use then before i die or i throw my tools away.

As others have said make sure the vans always have a stock that will cover 90% of jobs but there are many out there doing work carrying no stock just to make up the bill for travelling time for the extra cash. Not my thing but everyone is different.

Btw on an 8k monthly spend you should be on an invite (at least the shortlist) to every freebie that is on offer.
Golf outings , bowling nights, curry nights, sporting days, sha g aways, a wee trip on the orient express for you and the misses (with another 20 plumbers on the brandy and port) 5 day **** up to magaluff etc. The cost is spread well across the manu's more these days. You need to get in the "zone" :smile:
They are a bit tighter than they used to be but still on offer if you get in there and if you can keep a party going you'll get invited even if you spend a tenner (well maybe a bit more :smile.
I need to get to bed :lol: