- Thread starter Joe 90
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zx9
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Absolutely, one of the best was at a four star converted farm in Somerset, the van stank of cow crap for weeks but it was a lovely place and I paid about half what one of the other lads did who stayed in the Holiday Inn / Premier inn.
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skotl
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Just circling back to this now that the debate has possibly run its course 
I'm speaking from a position of some knowledge as I work for a company that supports manufacturers on what we call Trade Promotion Optimisation.
In a nutshell, retailers like Halfords, B&Q, Tesco, Waitrose etc. do not set discounts on retail products - they are literally given that discount by the manufacturer.
Manufacturers of retail goods tend to spend somewhere between 10 and 20% of their total turnover on trade promotions. So when you see 3 mars bars for the price of 2 in Tesco, or bodywax at £4 off in Halfords, it's the manufacturers who have funded that promotion.
They agree (typically) two promo structures with the retailer: 1) is the discounted price for a set period of time and, optionally, 2) a bonus based on how much the retailer manages to shift.
This is often further supported by the manufacturer paying toward displays - so maybe a £50k pot for cardboard adverts in store.
All of this is designed by the manufacturer to persuade the retail customer to pick their brand over someone else's. So Pepsi might agree a trade promotion with Asda to win business over Coke, for example.
If the manufacturer sells the vast majority of its product to consumers then they don't particularly care about trade customers (who will buy whatever is cheapest) and so typically put restrictions on the promo, including not extending it to trade customers. They also don't want trade customers buying and stockpiling 500 bottles / boxes of the product at the discounted price.
I hope this helps explain what lies behind what can often be confusing and contradicting pricing structures in a shop. The main point here is that in 99% of situations it is the manufacturer who sets the promotional price, not the retailer. And that manufacturer sets the conditions.
Halfords are not defrauding anyone - if you're in the lucky position to hold a trade card just check both prices, as the OP did - it's not rocket science and you get to play the best card you're dealt.
I'm speaking from a position of some knowledge as I work for a company that supports manufacturers on what we call Trade Promotion Optimisation.
In a nutshell, retailers like Halfords, B&Q, Tesco, Waitrose etc. do not set discounts on retail products - they are literally given that discount by the manufacturer.
Manufacturers of retail goods tend to spend somewhere between 10 and 20% of their total turnover on trade promotions. So when you see 3 mars bars for the price of 2 in Tesco, or bodywax at £4 off in Halfords, it's the manufacturers who have funded that promotion.
They agree (typically) two promo structures with the retailer: 1) is the discounted price for a set period of time and, optionally, 2) a bonus based on how much the retailer manages to shift.
This is often further supported by the manufacturer paying toward displays - so maybe a £50k pot for cardboard adverts in store.
All of this is designed by the manufacturer to persuade the retail customer to pick their brand over someone else's. So Pepsi might agree a trade promotion with Asda to win business over Coke, for example.
If the manufacturer sells the vast majority of its product to consumers then they don't particularly care about trade customers (who will buy whatever is cheapest) and so typically put restrictions on the promo, including not extending it to trade customers. They also don't want trade customers buying and stockpiling 500 bottles / boxes of the product at the discounted price.
I hope this helps explain what lies behind what can often be confusing and contradicting pricing structures in a shop. The main point here is that in 99% of situations it is the manufacturer who sets the promotional price, not the retailer. And that manufacturer sets the conditions.
Halfords are not defrauding anyone - if you're in the lucky position to hold a trade card just check both prices, as the OP did - it's not rocket science and you get to play the best card you're dealt.
I contacted halfords today. They agreed trade customers should get it for the same price and shouldn't have to log in an out to check prices, that if its cheaper than the trade card that the price should be reverting to the lower discount one. Its going up to their digital team and they are looking into it.
Shedendman
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Have to admit,the socket set i bought 30yrs ago is still rocking,and no way has it had an easy life
