I agree with Chris Etheridge from Krieder that retailers have power over suppliers too. But most appliance suppliers/distributors do not see it that way and I find that they are all very similar.

I called two suppliers last week as a customer wanted a freestanding slot-in 500mm all-electric oven. The property was rented so budget was a priority. I first went to the Stoves and Belling

websites and found some slot-in oven codes, only to then call the supplier and be told they were discontinued. They could not give me any help nor any alternatives.

Was I then supposed to call my customer and tell her I couldn't help as it was only a slot-in oven? No, because if we treated our customers that way, we would be closing down. 

I am often shocked at how suppliers speak to us retailers. Perhaps they should spend a week in a retail environment to see how demanding retail customers are - it may even make them more

I placed an order recently for a range that, when I checked stock, was due into them on April 30. Within half-an-hour, the date had changed to May 7 with no guarantee. And it was up to me to call and check if the oven came in on May 7. 

Do you think my customer would be happy when we have given an installation date of April 30 and then the May 7 date comes and goes and she still doesn't have an oven?

Would you put up with it if you had spent thousands on a new kitchen or even just a few hundred pounds on a slot-in oven? Well I know I expect more when I shop, yet this industry seems to think it's the norm.