Based near Belfast, Northern Ireland, Cyril Johnston is one of a number of highly regarded, independent, garden machinery dealerships throughout the UK, who've supplied and supported generations of British gardeners.  Image Credit: Author

Where to Buy?

There are thousands of places across the UK, to buy a mower today.

From small, independent, garden machinery specialists, to out-of-town DIY sheds, there’s almost certainly a retailer close to you. And thanks to the internet, you can order a mower without having to leave the comfort of your home.

Based near Belfast, Northern Ireland, Cyril Johnston is one of a number of highly regarded, independent, garden machinery dealerships throughout the UK, who've supplied and supported generations of British gardeners.  Image Credit: Author

National Retailers

National retailers dominate the supply of garden machinery in the UK today, just as they have done for decades. There are of course, many good reasons to buy from the likes of Argos, B&Q, Screwfix, Trade Station, Wickes and others. Below, we’ve highlighted just a few:

• National retailers are usually easy to find and easy to deal with. They’re also frequently open when other retailers are closed, and car parking is generally free and plentiful;
• Whilst policies vary by retailer, most national resellers have simple and straightforward product returns and warranty procedures;
• Due to their scale and buying power, national retailers are frequently able to offer competitive prices, together with special offers that are not always available through other resellers;
• You’ll frequently find they offer models from well-known brands that are unavailable elsewhere;
• Many nationals bring additional choice to the market, through the supply of own brand mowers, unavailable elsewhere e.g. Spear & Jackson at Argos, McAllister at B&Q, Erbauer at Screwfix, and Hawksmoor at Trade Station.

Disadvantages

Despite their popularity, there can be reasons to look beyond the nationals, when purchasing a new mower:

• Unlike independent garden machinery dealers, few national retailers specialise in garden machinery. Instead, they are effectively a one-stop shop for the home. That’s great if you know what you want… but if you need guidance and advice, you may wish to look towards a garden machinery specialist;
• Most national retailers do not have an on-site service centre or workshop. Admittedly, if you’re purchasing cordless machinery, this likely isn’t so much of an issue. However, if you’re purchasing petrol powered machinery, then you’ll need to find a service centre elsewhere… many of whom will understandably prioritise their own customers, over other reseller’s customers;
• The range of mowers offered by many nationals, is somewhat limited, at least when compared to independent specialists. So, if you’re require a specialist machine, once again, you many need to look elsewhere;
• Whilst many independent dealerships will provide a machine which is fully assembled, inspected and fully fuelled – this is a service few national retailers offer;
• If you’re looking to purchase a lawnmower out of season, you might be out of luck. The floorspace that national retailers devote to garden machinery during spring and summer, is normally given over to other products during the autumn and winter months;
• Make sure you’re getting, what you think you’re getting, by checking the model number. Some manufacturers offer a different model range through national retailers, to that offered through online resellers and independent garden machinery specialists;
• Whilst many independent machinery specialists will offer to take existing machinery in part-exchange for a new machine, few (if any) national retailers offer this service.  
  

Screwfix is today a major supplier of lawnmower and garden machinery to professional and retail customers. Image Credit: Kingfisher plc

As the UK's largest chain of DIY superstores, B&Q will be known to many British gardeners. Image Credit:  Hadrian

Online

In just a couple of decades, online resellers have established a strong presence in the UK machinery sector. Some websites are offshoots of existing, offline businesses, whilst others are pureplay, online machinery specialists. Beyond this of course, there’s Amazon, whose market share continues to increase, thanks in no small part to marketplace traders.

Benefits

• Since online resellers frequently have lower overheads than offline rivals, prices can be especially competitive;
• Many websites will run special promotions and special offers which are not always replicated by competitors;
• Products will often be delivered to your home – so you don’t need to leave the house when you place your order;
• Some websites have ‘elastic walls’, offering you a greater choice of products than you’d usually find in-store, and delivered directly from the manufacturer or distributor;
• Purchases are usually covered by UK Distance Selling Regulations, so from a consumer perspective, you may find yourself with more rights than buying in-store.

Disadvantages

• You can’t see, touch, or hear a machine prior to purchase, so you’ll only find out whether it’s suitable, when you first go to use it;
• Returns can prove expensive, should you find the machine unsuitable;
• Need to service a machine, or arrange a repair under warranty? You’ll likely find yourself either dependent upon an independent machinery dealer, who understandably may prioritise his or her own customers, ahead of somebody else’s. Or you may be asked to return your machine by post to the manufacturer for inspection and repair;
• In many instances, you’ll need to assemble the machine yourself. With cordless machinery, this is rarely an issue. However, with petrol powered machinery, this can prove a more significant issue;
• Just like national resellers, some manufacturers offer a different model range through online resellers, to the range they offer through other distribution channels. Always check the model number, to ensure you’re ordering what you think you’re ordering;
• For own brand models, sourcing spares can sometimes prove difficult;
• Unlike garden machinery dealers, few (if any) online resellers will accept your mower in part-exchange against a new machine;
• Manufacturer warranty provision may differ, dependent upon whether the supplier is an Approved Dealer;
• In outlying areas of the British Isles e.g. Scottish Islands, Scottish Highlands, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, carriage costs may offset any nominal savings;
• Beware ‘grey’ imports, which are not always manufactured to the same specification as UK sourced machines.

Purchase your mower from an independent machinery dealer, and you may benefit from a longer warranty, than if you buy elsewhere. Image Credit: Author

Buy from an independent garden machinery dealer, and your machine will almost certainly be available to take home fully built, fully fuelled or charged, and ready to mow. Image Credit: Author

Independent Machinery Dealers

The independent machinery sector was once the bedrock of the garden machinery industry. At one time, thousands of showrooms and workshops across the land, specialised in the supply and maintenance of garden machinery – often alongside agricultural and horticultural machinery too.

Today, there are fewer independent machinery specialists than before. And from a manufacturer perspective, they often play second fiddle to national retailers and e-commerce resellers. Yet despite this, they remain an essential part of the market, serving generations of loyal customers nationwide.

Benefits

• As specialists, garden machinery dealers can provide an unrivalled insight into how your lawncare requirements can best be satisfied. It’s not unusual to find over a century of combined expert knowledge within a dealership;
• As well as a showroom, many machinery dealers also have an on-site workshop and can provide whole-life service support. And most dealers will also prioritise their own customers, ahead of other people’s customers;
• You’ll usually find a much larger range of machinery in an independent dealership, than you will in a national retailer. And even if your ideal machine isn’t in stock, it can usually be ordered directly from the manufacturer;
• You can see, touch, feel and hear a machine prior to purchase. Many dealers will also happily provide a free demo of their machines too;
• Your machine will normally be fully assembled, inspected and fuelled, or charged, upon collection. Simply take it home, and you’re ready to go;
• Because independent dealers are usually official stockists for the brands they represent, you benefit from a full, manufacturer- backed warranty;
• Some manufacturers have a policy of supplying independent dealers only – so you’ll likely find brands and machinery that you won’t find elsewhere. Other manufacturers offer exclusive models through the independent sector, which may be higher performance, or offer an enhanced specification, when compared with superficially comparable machines found elsewhere;
• Despite the perception that independent dealerships can be more expensive, from experience, they can actually be a little cheaper. Plus, some dealers will also accept an existing machine in part exchange for a new purchase, whilst others will happily haggle to secure a deal.
• Some independent dealers actually provide a warranty, longer than the manufacturer’s warranty. As an example, and at the time of writing, Gardencare dealers in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, offer a free, 5-year extended, conditional, warranty on selected machines – which in some instances is longer than the standard manufacturer’s warranty.
  

As well as being able to supply an extensive range of lawnmowers, independent garden machinery dealers can also offer a wide range of complementary products, including lawn vacuums, hedge trimmers, lawn trimmers, scarifiers, power washers and much, much more.. Image Credit: Author

Disadvantages

• Unlike national retailers who will typically have a consistent level and standard of service nationwide, service levels and standards within the independent garden machinery network can prove more variable;
• Many dealers only service a limited, geographic area;
• Whilst some dealers do sell online – many do not. So, home and courier deliveries are not always an option;
• Individual dealers simply do not have the buying power of national retailers and the larger e-commerce sites, so may not be as competitive;
• When compared to larger, national resellers, with standardised trading hours, independent dealers’ opening hours are frequently more limited. 

Where’s my nearest dealer?

There’s almost certainly an independent garden machinery specialist near you. But if you’re not sure who they are, or where they are, a quick online search should bring up their details. Alternatively, Service Dealer magazine's Garden Trader website at www.gardentrader.co.uk contains details of many dealers in Great Britain, but currently fewer in Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man.

Why Trust Us?

Why Trust Us?