RCBOs

[JohnW2]

Are you suggesting that it's a good thing to sell CUs to anyone regardless of their skills ?

I would say that, if it's legal to sell them to anyone, it is the correct thing to do (even though I agree that they are free to impose any restrictions they may wish). In my opinion, retailers and wholesalers should not, and should not be expected to, unilaterally restrict sales on the basis of their opinion as to the ability of the purchaser to use the product correctly and safely. If we feel the need for any such restriction, it should be on the basis of legislation (as in some countries, like Australia).

I certainly can't be bothered to offer even a partial list of the potentially hazardous products which are freely sold to the general public without any restriction on the basis of whether the buyer is felt able to use it safely, let alone a restriction to those who have some 'formal qualification' to use the product.

From what you 'know' of me, would you think it 'reasonable' and appropriate that a company should refuse to sell me a CU?

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

Stansfield Business Services Ltd, which has been trading for over 20 years, importing and exporting specialised products in a variety of markets. We have been involved in the Electrical Industry, both here and in North America since 1958

One has to wonder who the "We" are, who have been involved in the Electrical Industry since 1958, given that the company has only existed for less than 21 years!

Kind Regards, John

 

[bernardgreen]

One of the directors / managers was born in 1941 ( source Companies House )

 

[ban-all-sheds]

From what you 'know' of me, would you think it 'reasonable' and appropriate that a company should refuse to sell me a CU?

Yes, if they thought you would not use it to create another installation.

 

[SimonH2]

I would say that, if it's legal to sell them to anyone, it is the correct thing to do (even though I agree that they are free to impose any restrictions they may wish). In my opinion, retailers and wholesalers should not, and should not be expected to, unilaterally restrict sales on the basis of their opinion as to the ability of the purchaser to use the product correctly and safely.

Well it's an opinion. TBH I don't have too much of a problem with it, lets face it, there have been occasions in this forum where we (collectively) have done our best to dissuade some people from doing work that we can see is likely to be beyond their ability to do safely. And I can see why a wholesaler of CUs might not want to be "part of the problem". But I don't think it's that much of a hurdle (see below), unlike some other wholesalers I've come across in a different field.

There is another reason for being "trade only" which makes perfect sense. Once you sell just one item to a consumer, then a whole raft of consumer orientated legislation comes into play - not just in terms of warranties, but in terms of having to pay into things like recycling schemes. It's why my employer is "business only" for hardware sales - we'll sell to anyone as long as they can make themselves look like a business (eg sole partnership).

From what you 'know' of me, would you think it 'reasonable' and appropriate that a company should refuse to sell me a CU?

No, and furthermore, I very much doubt that he would. At this point, I'll disclose that I've been in touch asking about this, enclosed details of my qualifications and some photos of my work, and he's accepted that on the basis of those he's happy to sell to me.

Now, apart from it clearly being a small outfit who's having his own badge put on products from China, what are the objections (technical) to the stuff he sells ? Several have hinted that there are problems, but no-one has actually said what they are other than inferences based on it being a small outfit. There is a lengthy thread (or threads) on other forums, and I don't see any problems being raised in them.
As I see it, he's got a nice product (compact RCBO the size of a normal MCB) at a good price - so where's the catch ?

 

[JohnW2]

Well it's an opinion. TBH I don't have too much of a problem with it, lets face it, there have been occasions in this forum where we (collectively) have done our best to dissuade some people from doing work that we can see is likely to be beyond their ability to do safely. ...

That's true, but giving advice is a bit different from selling things, and I think it's very rare for a retailer to refuse to sell things for the sort of reasons we're talking about, even if one can argue that it would not be unreasonable for them so to do.

There is another reason for being "trade only" which makes perfect sense. Once you sell just one item to a consumer, then a whole raft of consumer orientated legislation comes into play - not just in terms of warranties, but in terms of having to pay into things like recycling schemes.

I know nothing of the relevant law, but, although you call them 'wholesalers' and 'trade only', if, as seems to be the case, they are prepared to sell single items to (as you suggest they would) the likes of me, don't they count as 'retailers' and therefore become subject to all consumer law and retail-related law?

No, and furthermore, I very much doubt that he would. At this point, I'll disclose that I've been in touch asking about this, enclosed details of my qualifications and some photos of my work, and he's accepted that on the basis of those he's happy to sell to me.

Well, I don't know what qualifications you had to offer, but I have none which relate to electrical installation, so if he would be prepared to sell to me on the basis of photos I sent him of work (that had been done by someone!), then it would seem to make a joke of what he is trying to achieve.

Now, apart from it clearly being a small outfit who's having his own badge put on products from China, what are the objections (technical) to the stuff he sells ? Several have hinted that there are problems ....

I suspect that one of the concerns relates to the very reason you are recommending these RCBOs - i.e. that they appear to be very cheap for what they are!

Kind Regards, John

 

[333rocky333]

One has to wonder who the "We" are, who have been involved in the Electrical Industry since 1958, given that the company has only existed for less than 21 years!

Kind Regards, John

Our Credentials
"I am an Electrical Engineer with a Marketing background and with 58 years experience in the wider Electrical Engineering Industry. I am fully qualified as a Full Scope Electrician and am a Lifetime Associate Member of NAPIT. Up until July 2011, I was also a Consultant Assessor for Electrical Competence for Full Scope and Defined Scope Electricians / Electrical Installers. Because of my strong Marketing background also, you would not be dealing with a Sales Organisation, but a technically-led Marketing Company."

As for you JohnW
Them rcbos are 6Ka rated, so not sure your allowed them , but you can have an empty box
Denmans stuff is quite popular, im sure Rexel stock it and they now own WF and N/E.
I think its an age thing, a lot of wholesalers were trade only and sneered at the public, due to the internet they seem to have reluctantly changed there ways.