CEF - COL Reviews 29

TrustScore 4 out of 5

4.1

Unit 21, Westside Centre, London Road, CO3 8PH Colchester, Stanway, GB


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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Our local CEF store in Colchester is our favourite supplier. Steve, Louise, Chris and the team are always so warm, friendly and helpful. They've always gone above and beyond to provide a first class... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I must take this time to shout from the rooftops about the two Harry’s and Jordan that have literally gone above and beyond to help us today. These boys have truly delivered excellence and they... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Very helpful and friendly staff. Delivery was exactly when we required it. Would highly recommend CEF

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Some items were out of stock. They gave me a choice of cancelling or waiting for stock. I opted to wait and the back order items were delivered ahead of their expected schedule. No fuss and they di... 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 - COL

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

  • Unit 21, Westside Centre, London Road, CO3 8PH, Colchester, Stanway, United Kingdom

  • 01206 214710

4.1

Great

TrustScore 4 out of 5

29 reviews

5-star
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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Easy to order, good price.

Easy to order, fast delivery and well packed. Good value too!

June 4, 2025
CEF - COL logo

Reply from CEF - COL

Thank you very much for your review Duncan.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Probably the best customer experience…

Probably the best customer experience I’ve experienced in an electrical wholesaler

August 19, 2025
CEF - COL logo

Reply from CEF - COL

Thank you very much for your review Richard

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Don't use web order unless your not in a hurry

Placed an order with my local store. They decided to make it a web order instead of fulfilling it themselves. This resulted in a delay caused by them and FedEx where the 2 parcels were packaged by CEF together, collected by FedEx together and then for some reason delivered separately although I still don't have package no 2

August 11, 2025
Unprompted review
CEF - COL logo

Reply from CEF - COL

Thank you very much for your review and feedback Anthony.

We apologise that 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

Very helpful and friendly

Very helpful and friendly staff. Delivery was exactly when we required it. Would highly recommend CEF

July 15, 2025
Unprompted review
CEF - COL logo

Reply from CEF - COL

Thank you very much for your review and feedback Paula.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I must take this time to shout from the…

I must take this time to shout from the rooftops about the two Harry’s and Jordan that have literally gone above and beyond to help us today.

These boys have truly delivered excellence and they need to be highly commended for their efforts.

You have made a huge impact on something that has been planned for a while.

Well done and thank you

July 2, 2025
Unprompted review
CEF - COL logo

Reply from CEF - COL

Thank you very much for your review Danny.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)



Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great service team at CEF

Great service team at CEF
Good product knowledge

May 19, 2025
CEF - COL logo

Reply from CEF - COL

Thank you very much for your review.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I ordered a drum of cable via amazon

I ordered a drum of cable via amazon . I peel off just a bit to connect from both sides . Then I realised that I don't need the cable anymore so I returned whole drum , but because I peel off a bit the shop open a fraudulent case on amazon suggesting that I take 1kg of cable and then returned . No I didn't take any cable of the drum but they call me a thief . On the end they got a drum of cable and money returned from amazon a lousy liar.

April 3, 2025
Unprompted review
CEF - COL logo

Reply from CEF - COL

Thank you for your review and feedback Daniel.

I am afraid no contact details are provided against this review and your order number is not noted for me to obtain, 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

Ordered online to pick up in store

Ordered online to pick up in store. The staff at the Colchester branch were helpful and friendly. I won't hesitate to use CEF again.

April 8, 2025
CEF - COL logo

Reply from CEF - COL

Thank you very much for your review Nicholas.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Always helpful

Always helpful, very knowledgeable, delivery is always prompt and on time.

March 7, 2025
CEF - COL logo

Reply from CEF - COL

Thank you very much for your review.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Awesome company and staff

Awesome company and staff. Always knowledgeable and friendly

December 5, 2024
CEF - COL logo

Reply from CEF - COL

Thank you very much for your review and feedback Keith.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Out of Stock!

Firstly I did a click and collected at your Colchester Branch only to subsequently discover there was no stock of that part! Secondly I then ordered it on the website and payed for next day delivery. It was delivered 4 days later!

April 18, 2024
CEF - COL logo

Reply from CEF - COL

Thank you for your review and feedback Robert.

We apologise that 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

Our local CEF store in Colchester is…

Our local CEF store in Colchester is our favourite supplier. Steve, Louise, Chris and the team are always so warm, friendly and helpful. They've always gone above and beyond to provide a first class service! They've responded quickly to our requests and even driven to other stores to collect items that we have needed urgently and delivered to us. They've sourced products for us that are not in store or on their website, responded to email queries outside of office hours or during the holidays...
Calsberg don't do electrical wholesalers but if they did it would be CEF!

January 18, 2024
CEF - COL logo

Reply from CEF - COL

Thank you very much for your review and feedback. I will ensure your review is passed over to the Colchester Branch.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great next day service

Great next day service. Would buy again with the same service

November 29, 2023
CEF - COL logo

Reply from CEF - COL

Thank you very much for your review.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I paid for an MCB on Monday 20th next…

I paid for an MCB on Monday 20th next day delivery and it did not turn up with any notifications as to why it didn’t or why there was a delay. I went to collect it today and it was not in store. I want a refund for the next day delivery costs and an explanation. Also when it will be available for collection.

November 20, 2023
CEF - COL logo

Reply from CEF - COL

Thank you for your review and feedback Jamie.

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

Some items were out of stock

Some items were out of stock. They gave me a choice of cancelling or waiting for stock. I opted to wait and the back order items were delivered ahead of their expected schedule.
No fuss and they did what they said they would do. Can't ask more than that - sensible prices too!

August 8, 2023
CEF - COL logo

Reply from CEF - COL

Thank you very much for your review and feedback Martyn.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Have always been great to order from…

Have always been great to order from and delivery.
Items easily searched.
Never missed a beat on stuff needed quick

July 6, 2023
Unprompted review
CEF - COL logo

Reply from CEF - COL

Thank you very much for your review and feedback Adrian.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

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