CEFReviews 

28,937
TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.5

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 3,500 reviews, reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Customers consistently praise the excellent service, highlighting the ease of ordering and the quality of products. Many appreciate the competitive prices and the convenience of next-day delivery, often noting that items arrive well-packaged and on time. The online ordering process is frequently described as easy to navigate, contributing to a smooth overall experience. However, some people mentioned issues with delivery, including lost parcels, delayed next-day deliveries, or items being delivered to the wrong address. A few customers also experienced problems with incorrect items being shipped or products arriving scratched due to inadequate packaging. Additionally, some reviewers found the delivery costs to be disproportionately high for small items, and others noted that the website's search criteria could be inconsistent.

What people talk about most

Delivery service

Customers consistently note positive experiences with delivery service, frequently praising prompt and fast... See more

Product

Reviewers highlight positive aspects of product quality, with many praising the excellent products and their... See more

Order

Clients share positive opinions on order, with many reviewers finding the ordering process straightforward... See more

Service

Consumers find service to be positive, with many reviewers consistently praising the superfast and excellent... See more

Price

People report positive experiences with price, often noting excellent and competitive pricing for products,... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Scott at our branch in Totton always goes that extra mile to source parts, quote a good competitive price and get parts ordered ASAP and most importantly for me keeps us informed as to when parts co... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent product (a PVA cooling towel) which was a game-changer for me in the heatwave we've just had in the UK. It's clearly an excellent product as it's used by construction workers and it was a re... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Straight away it’s a smooth transaction. quote all correct and straight to basket We are long standing clients of CEF and they have always been highly rated by us and now with the online facility it... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Our experience with CEF has always been great, regardless of which branch we use. However, the team at the Norwich branch (our core one) in particular is brilliant, with a big shout-out to Will speci... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Electrical Wholesaler
  2. Cable Company
  3. Electrical Appliance Wholesaler
  4. Lighting Wholesaler
  5. Screw Supplier
  6. Solar Energy Equipment Supplier

About CEF

Written by the company

We go above and beyond for our customers wherever and whenever you contact CEF, our focus is to help you.

CEF has a UK national network of 393 branches with electrical experts in-branch ready to help with friendly advice and support to allow you to get the job done. Established in 1951, CEF is privately owned and the business now extends to the USA, Canada, Ireland, Spain, and Australia.

CEF is the expert electrical wholesaler for professional electricians and contractors all over the UK.

Our ‘Same Day In-branch’ range of almost 3,000 electrical products is available in every branch. Our fully trained sales, technical, and service staff are ready to help.

Place online orders for next working day delivery at cef.co.uk from over 300 leading suppliers.

In-branch and online we offer the largest range of products, giving you access to more than 35,000 products.

Our online customer service team is available from 8am to 8pm via phone, email, or live web chat to offer advice and assistance with your queries.

By partnering with Trustpilot we welcome your feedback, helping us ensure your experience is the best it can be.

Stocklists of: Cables and Accessories/Cable Management/CCTV, Fire and Security/Data and Networking/Heating and Ventilation/Industrial Controls/Lamps and Tubes/Lighting Luminaires/Power Tools/Renewables/Switchgear and Distribution/Test Equipment/Tools, Fixings, and Workwear/Wiring Accessories

CEF - Your local Electrical Experts

Written by the company

Over 390 Stores Nationwide
You'll be sure to find a CEF near you
Next Day Delivery
On all orders placed before 6pm
Free Delivery
Spend over £50 and get Free delivery to any mainland UK address or your nearest CEF store
Reserve and Collect
Reserve your products online and collect them from your nearest store
Customer Service
Our dedicated Customer Service team are available Mon - Fri 7.30am - 8pm

Contact info

4.5

Excellent

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

29K reviews

5-star
4-star
3-star
2-star
1-star

Asks customers to review

This company invites their customers to review, whether positive or negative

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4.5

All reviews

(28,937)

3,267 reviews in the last 12 months

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Companies on Trustpilot aren't allowed to offer incentives or pay to hide reviews. Reviews are the opinions of individual users and not of Trustpilot. Read more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I reserved an air conditioning unit…

I reserved an air conditioning unit yesterday from a batch arriving today, but they supposedly wrote my number down wrong and have sold them all now. I guess that’s why they didn’t take payment details on the phone yesterday.

25 June 2026
Unprompted review
CEF logo

Reply from CEF

Thank you for your review.

We apologise that on this occasion we have not provided you with an acceptable level of service.

I am afraid no contact details are provided against this review so we are unable to get in contact with you by phone or email, please could you e-mail customerservices@cef.co.uk with your contact details and that this is in reference to a Trustpilot review and one of our team will contact you by return to discuss this issue.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent service

Excellent service with delivery the next day . Highly recommended

18 June 2026
CEF logo

Reply from CEF

Thank you very much for your review Nigel.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

The fan I purchased was used and being used in the store when I collected...

I ordered a fan for click and collect at the Dewsbury store, due to the very hot weather, of which there were two in stock when I ordered.

Upon arrival, they said they only had one in stock and the one they had was being used on the collection desk!! So I basically had to unplug the fan off the desk and take it without a box and in used condition.

I was desperate for the fan due to having a dog struggling and everywhere out of stock. But it seems completely unacceptable that I purchased a brand new fan and the one I received was used and being used when I arrived. They hadn't even bothered to unplug it and box it back up for collection.

The guy behind the counter commented saying "I'll have to open another fan now". So basically they use stock and then sell it to customers, rather than just buy a fan for their office that is not then sold on as brand new.

If I wasn't desperate, I wouldn't have continued with the collection.

Unacceptable and I believe I should have received a discount as the item was used.

24 June 2026
Unprompted review
CEF logo

Reply from CEF

Thank you for your review Joshua.

We apologise that on this occasion we have not provided you with an acceptable level of service.

A member of our team will be in contact with you.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great experience throughout

Good stock, good prices, fast delivery - and good customer service from a real human when I ordered the wrong item.

18 June 2026
CEF logo

Reply from CEF

Thank you very much for your review Andy.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great service

18 June 2026
CEF logo

Reply from CEF

Thank you very much for your review Paul.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Nice simple transaction with CEF

Nice simple transaction with CEF, really wish I could have had a cheaper delivery option to a local store, but the delivery price was not unreasonable. Really quick delivery and straight forward ordering, thank you 👍

18 June 2026
CEF logo

Reply from CEF

Thank you very much for your review and feedback John.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Let down by Courier’s & T’s & C’s

The majority of this poor score is due to the horrendous and unprofessional attitudes that CEF received from their chosen courier. (It is for them to disclose whom, not me)

A series of lies and faux assurances that never materialised were given by the courier, and allegedly the delivery took place the same time that CEF & I were in conversation about the delivery being “AWOL” CCTV proved their lie of which there were many. A second order was, after the weekend, couriered out by another company which arrived as assured and the original still ‘missing presumed lost’.

My only gripe with CEF is that websites and ‘information on hold’ messages push the fact that “Next Day Delivery” is available… but when mentioned to the front-line call team, the well rehearsed mono-syllabic script about “small print and 3 days” is repeated like a stuck record.

Hats off to the Call Centre Supervisor who took over the matter, but was also constrained by the ‘small print’ initially.

For a £15M profit making organisation, I would expect a little more compassion and understanding than the ‘small print’ excuse their staff are expected to repeat, and by the way, re-record those ‘on’ hold’ info-mercials on the phones to realistically reflect the ‘Next Day’ delivery T&C’s.

Apart from that, CEF do offer good market comparative pricing and the stock is always of good quality… recommend? YES, but maybe collect from a store instead !!!

17 June 2026
CEF logo

Reply from CEF

Thank you for your review.

We apologise that on this occasion we have not provided you with an acceptable level of service.

Our customer services team will be in contact with you.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Easy to use web site

Easy to use web site, fast ordering system and prompt delivery.
Thanks.

17 June 2026
CEF logo

Reply from CEF

Thank you very much for your review Marion.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Price was good

Price was good. Delivery was quick and an email to confirm delivery. Very good.

3 June 2026
CEF logo

Reply from CEF

Thank you very much for your review Colin.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

delivery not so good

buying was easy however, the item was delivered to the wrong unit, Fed ex rang me to let me know CEF had put Unit 1 on the instruction and not Unit 16 which was on my order receipt. CEF didn't tell me this. Got the impression it was being strung out by CEF until Carlo stepped in and sent another Order out. I felt like i was not being believed even though it was their mistake. But anyway, Thankyou Carlo

17 June 2026
CEF logo

Reply from CEF

Thank you for your review Mark.

We apologise that on this occasion we have not provided you with an acceptable level of service.

Our customer services team will be in contact with you.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

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