I was in a Maplin store yesterday returning a set of precision screw drivers that were of such poor quality that I asked to see the manager to complain. I showed the manager where it said “Quality Tools” on the box then I showed him how the tiny shafts just rotated in the handles and came off. I showed how the ones that didn’t fall apart weren’t even straight (so crooked that they couldn’t be used).

They were so bad that I was expecting a “wow, I’ll have to take them off the shelves straight away”. But what I got was:

Yeah, they’re pretty bad but we didn’t make them.

I was told that any complaints should be addressed at the manufacturer!

On a positive note I stopped in Wickes (recommended by a friend) on my way home and picked up a set of precision screw drivers for around the same price.

They were Wickes own brand so I wasn’t expecting much but the quality was far superior to what I got from Maplin. Even the plastic case they came in was sturdy and practical. So if you’re in the Limerick area and looking for good value tools I can recommend Wickes.