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I no longer have a Wickes nearby, but still buy there when I need certain heavier materials etc. But not for screws, plumbing or electrical stuff etc as it is invariably significantly more expensive. I've never found a situation in Wickes where items could not be inspected 'on the shelf' and had to be 'requisitioned' (à la SF/TS) but I gather that certain branches also have a TS facility within them, which doubtless operates that way. (Both are part of the Travis Perkins empire - which begs the question as to why the same item sold in TP, W and/or TS is invariably priced differently.) Maybe you were actually trying to buy at a TS within W? I never have the 'prepayment-then-return' problem at TS as I can always ask to see something before it is invoiced - although one does not abuse the facility when the queue or shopping list is lengthy - which is one reason why I like shopping there as the staff are helpful. With SF (just around the corner), one does not usually get the same degree of help or friendliness. As B&Q and SF are both Kingfisher-owned, there are some products in common, but B&Q usually dearer and (assuming no pricing error) never cheaper in my experience. I have B&Q Trade card and this sometimes (but not always) gives a small saving on normal price, but again would not be less than SF. (The B&Q Diamond card for over-60s may give a better result if used on a Wednesday with 10% off.) A saving of a pound or two is always welcome, although of course not at the expense of an extra journey or wasted time. I usually know what I want (even if detail needs inspection at the counter) and check online before I go to establish price and availability - easy at SF and TS; usually OK at Wickes but somewhat unreliable at B&Q. Another advantage of TS is the 'free delivery' on an order of £10+ - which actually makes it easier and cheaper to buy online for next-day delivery to home than to drive 1.5 miles to the branch! But I do usually collect in person. And anything not in stock at TS or SF can be sent to a branch FOC for collection next day.

I missed getting a catalogue from TS. Having left myself short on time, I went to Wickes some 6/7 miles away to source wastepipe and fittings, only to be told the store now operates like SF, in that you fill out a form, pay for products, and then decide if you want to keep. I told the fella bearing the bad news, if I wanted SF type service, I'd go around the corner and use SF. I managed to get to a B+Q where I touched and bought a good number of waste pipe fittings because I could touch them. Paid a bit more, but I got to have a play with junctions before deciding what I wanted to take. I like Wickes, but they are the furthest of the DIY stores from me. Saving £1 by using them, when I get better quality (branded) products, less travelling, and the same service only a mile away, am I going to shop there? Nope. The REALLY annoying thing was/is .... A part I did then buy from a SF (literally) around the corner from Wickes, I found in B+Q anyway (though I didn't see it on their web site). Worse, it was cheaper at B+Q than both Wickes and SF too. I wasn't so annoyed/frustrated about losing the 7 or 8 pence saving, but if I had known about B+Q having the 'special' item, I wouldn't have bothered driving to Wickes in the first place.... Grrrr.