Hi,
Thanks for asking Robert and it's a good question.
I think the answer is I'm ignorant; I'm only just getting to grips with our gardens and have been buying quite a bit of gardening kit; in doing so I've been browsing the web for best deals and at the time I bought my Felco secateurs they were the cheapest on eBay including P&P.
A few years ago I tried to support our local tool store wanting to buy a Fein Multimaster Top.
http://www.powertoolworld.co.uk/fein-fmm350qsl-starlock-plus-multimaster-multi-cutter-top-kit#gref
As usual before visiting the store I browsed the web so I knew what I could buy the Fein for online as seen at the link above; in the store there was a large pile of these Fein's on display with a price of £240 each? I offered £220 instant cash which was rejected so I politely left the store and bought online not only saving quite a bit of money but the Fein arrived the day after it being free next day delivery. I don't mind paying a little extra but now I no longer bother with local stores; all the guy had to do was to pass over the counter the Fein and issue a receipt; it's no wonder many local stores are empty. When I bought my big 3hp Makita router I bought this online saving a huge £100 on local store prices. I don't mind spending on top quality kit because it is usually the cheapest by far long term but I do shop around; if local stores can't price match then that's their choice.
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Makita-RP2301FCX-Router-240V---2100W/p/215806
https://www.screwfix.com/p/makita-rp2301fcxk-2-2100w-router-240v/10109
I paid £250 online for my Makita router including free delivery.
I'm well up to speed buying tools and machinery but gardening tools I've only recently started to buy hence as I say I'm ignorant as to where to buy so I simply browse the web and compare local store prices. I'd like to support local stores but not when they charge such high prices.
Kind regards, Colin.
