the end of DIY stores? (in the UK)

[Quinn]

Came across this article today. I guess this was inevitable with people continuing to outsource home repairs to plumbers, carpenters, etc. Wonder how long it'll be before we start to see this in the US

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/apr/04/the-death-of-diy-why-cant-i-do-it-myself

[Two9A]

Oh, I do hope not. I'm in England, and DIY everything; I've plumbed up a kitchen before, and built a staircase, all using parts from B&Q (the store mentioned in the Guardian article).

It should be noted that B&Q's owners also own the Screwfix chain, and are opening Screwfix (trade) outlets to replace the B&Q's they're closing, presumably to cut down on the customer service requirements. If you know what you're doing, such trade outlets are open to you; if you don't, there's always YouTube to learn things.

[TerryEngland]

The newspapers are straight away 'blaming' young people without the actual evidence, other than a drop in sales. There could be a whole variety of reasons, such as:

- The 2008 recession followed by several years of stagnating wages has meant people can't afford to do up their houses (particularly when VAT / Sales Tax is charged on these items).

- Young people have seen the crappy DIY jobs their parents have done and don't want the same for their houses. DIY was highly fashionable for a while, which combined with a housing boom in the early 2000s, made everyone think they could be a property developer - reality isn't quite like that.

- Young people are increasingly priced out of the property market and end up renting until the early 30s, so, any house improvements would their landlord's responsibility.

- Poor quality stuff at B&Q. I made up a flat-pack from DIY yesterday and surprise, surprise the quality is low. I would rather have spent out on a decent piece of furniture (but with a young one, putting expensive furniture in the living room is a no-no at the moment).

[ozzage]

How about: I can buy my DIY items from Amazon/eBay/wherever at a lower price and without the hassle of visiting the store!

I'm doing MORE DIY these days (partly because of the attitude adjustment driven by MMM) and I'm certainly not spending my money at B&Q.

[Le Poisson]

I think DIY will continue, but maybe not in the places we are used to seeing. Sites like Instructables often make me smile with 'lifehacks' to fix a leaky faucet - which are nothing more than a DIY instruction set.

As long as DIY is marketed right, there will always be a market - people are by nature inquisitive and want to be independent. Which leads naturally to DIY.

I would never have thought of soldering a circuit board as DIY, but that is a whole new manifestation of ingenuity that's opened up.

[Retired To Win]

How about: I can buy my DIY items from Amazon/eBay/wherever at a lower price and without the hassle of visiting the store!

I'm doing MORE DIY these days (partly because of the attitude adjustment driven by MMM) and I'm certainly not spending my money at B&Q.

Hell, this is just what I was going to say.  As long as there is Amazon and web-based shopping in general, there will always be a place to obtain whatever one needs to DIY.  Heck, even if all the stores closed, the companies would keep doing business via their websites with some workable system for delivery of even truckloads of materials.  (Something which actually is already in place.)

[Quinn]

How about: I can buy my DIY items from Amazon/eBay/wherever at a lower price and without the hassle of visiting the store!

I'm doing MORE DIY these days (partly because of the attitude adjustment driven by MMM) and I'm certainly not spending my money at B&Q.

Hell, this is just what I was going to say.  As long as there is Amazon and web-based shopping in general, there will always be a place to obtain whatever one needs to DIY.  Heck, even if all the stores closed, the companies would keep doing business via their websites with some workable system for delivery of even truckloads of materials.  (Something which actually is already in place.)

Very true. This is just the end of brick-and-mortar stores. Just like chain bookstores/music stores...

[Prairie Stash]

How about: I can buy my DIY items from Amazon/eBay/wherever at a lower price and without the hassle of visiting the store!

I'm doing MORE DIY these days (partly because of the attitude adjustment driven by MMM) and I'm certainly not spending my money at B&Q.

Hell, this is just what I was going to say.  As long as there is Amazon and web-based shopping in general, there will always be a place to obtain whatever one needs to DIY.  Heck, even if all the stores closed, the companies would keep doing business via their websites with some workable system for delivery of even truckloads of materials.  (Something which actually is already in place.)

Very true. This is just the end of brick-and-mortar stores. Just like chain bookstores/music stores...

Does Amazon deliver bricks and mortar?

[Jack]

I'm offended by the article's implication that people can't be both handy and intellectual at the same time.

According to my dad, practical skills are something you’re either born with or not. “There are two types of people in this world: practical people and non-practical people. I’m not sure it can be taught. Some people can use their hands but don’t use their heads much, and some people can do maths but are a danger when you put a tool in their hand. Leave the freezer there so your mum can put it on Tumblr.”

[alsoknownasDean]

I'm not sure if that's a general trend, or isolated to the UK.

Here in Aus it seems like half of the reality TV shows are about renovating houses (the other half are about singing/dancing). The Bunnings stores still seem to still be pretty busy.

Although, IIRC, wiring a plug or doing your own plumbing here is illegal if you're not a registered electrician/plumber.