Finding the right supplier can be a challenging experience. From unreliable deliveries costing you work to materials that are sub-standard, when you find a good supplier, you’ll be delighted that you don’t need to waste any more time shopping around. But finding that top quality supplier is not easy and can be really time-consuming. That’s why we’re helping you out by running a series of reviews on builders’ materials and supplies.
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Starting at £59* per yearSo next in our series, we’re putting Jewson under the microscope. This recognised brand will be one of the first to come to mind for builder’s supplies. However, is Jewson the kind of brand worth its salt – or should we say grit?
Please read on for our concise examination of this popular nationwide chain.
Ease of use
There are over 600 Jewson branches across the UK, so there’s likely to be a store not too far away from you. The website is pretty easy to find all of the items you need, with a good search functionality. Their customer service team take calls during standard business hours Monday to Friday but are not available at weekends. However, if you do have a complaint, they advise you to speak to a branch manager first – which actually makes the whole process a lot more personable, and you may end up with a more swift resolution.
Jewsons has over 600 branches in the UK
Jewson Direct (online webshop)
Whilst you aren’t able to purchase from their jewson.co.uk website, you are able to purchase tools from their catalogue of 20,000 tools from Jewsondirect.co.uk. However, as of 3 Nov 2017, the site has been taken down following a breach in the security of their website.
As of 26th January 2018, unfortunately, the site is still offline until the current investigation has been completed.
Jewsondirect.co.uk offline
Jewsondirect.co.uk security breach
Additional features
Jewson offers a range of different accounts (including credit) to suit a variety of circumstances, and a Tool Hire service. There are also a number of ways to make payments. If you’re a national company, you can also work with their national account centres. They also offer next day delivery of tools and materials, or you can head to one of the branches if you can’t wait that long.
Jewson Android App
While Jewson doesn’t appear to have an app for iPhone users, they do have an app for their Android customers. It’s main two features are a branch locator, to find your local branch with ease, and a unit converter, so you can make sure you get the right amount of materials you need when you do go online or visit in-store. This multi-functional basis for the app is very welcome because it gives the user more reason to use it. Quite often apps for brands are created with no real incentive to use them.
Jewson app for android
Juice by Jewson rewards
One of the benefits of trading with Jewson is its rewards programme, aptly named Juice by Jewson, because you know, it’s “bursting with rewards”. With this kind of rewards-based system, the more you shop with Jewson, the more benefits you receive in the form of points which you can use against benefits such as days out activities, football events and gadgets. You get a single point for every £1 spent.
Jewson Juice rewards. Get rewarded the more you trade.
Juice by Jewson rewards
Prices
The jewson.co.uk, website does not show any product prices, but when you go in store, if you have an account, you can get special ‘trade prices’.
There is no clear indication of charges regarding credit accounts but when you do a lot of digging, you will find some T&Cs (date unclear) that late payment will incur an interest charge of 8%, so you need to be wary of that and make sure you read all of the details of any agreement.
The Tool Hire offers 30% discount online. A combination cordless drill can be hired for £24.50 for the first 24 hours or £49 for a week to give an indication of the typical costs.
Reviews
In order to get a good look into the way Jewson are reviewed, we did a general search of the Jewson stores in the surrounding regional areas. For the most part, many of the stores in London are well reviewed ranging from 3 to 5, with an average of about 4.1/5 for the surrounding stores in South East London.
Ultimately, each store is different and when each store has only been reviewed 3-10 times, we recommend you try out the store for yourself and then see if its a good fit for you.
History
The company are well-established and go back all the way to 1836. It goes without saying that companies that have been established for such a long time usually tend to be doing something right, and in Jewson’s case, we reckon this is definitely the case!
Jewson history on Wikipedia
Jewson sponsorships
Jewson has a history of sponsorships and charity campaigns. Currently, they are sponsoring the Hereford FC football team, which is a recently formed football club as part of the Evo-Stick League.
Jewson sponsorship of Hereford FC
Conclusion
For the local convenience for tradesmen, Jewson is a good option when looking to buy in-store. However, if you’re trying to purchase online, then you may need to wait until Jewsondirect.co.uk is up and running, once their security investigation has been completed.
Based on the reviews of their stores, and their long history, Jewson is a brand worth its grit, and we thoroughly recommend visiting a store if you find one local to you. Not only are they well reviewed, but the Juice by Jewson rewards programme can help you accumulate points as you trade. This is extremely helpful if you trade regularly and want to take advantage of their recreational and technological rewards.
If you like to do your materials orders online, there are other alternatives as reviewed in our Builders Materials and Supplies series: Toolstation, Selco, Rated People, Roofing Superstore , Trade Point and Screwfix Reviews
