Question 1

How do I place an order?

Accepted Answer

As we are not an online store, ordering is done via our comprehensive catalogue and our order enquiry form. Please refer to our How to Order page. Thanks!

Question 2

What is your minimum order?

Accepted Answer

We are mostly a wholesaler, with a minimum wholesale order of 240 GBP.

For orders under 240 GBP,  please add 50% to the wholesale prices in our catalogue.
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Our minimum retail order is usually 50 GBP should you order directly from our catalogue or alternatively please visit our eBay shop billington784961.

Our minimum order to the EU is 125 GBP. However you can buy tubes for less than that value by going directly to our eBay shop billington784961.
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Minimum order rates above exclude VAT and postage.

Question 3

Can I speak to someone?

Accepted Answer

As we are a small team, our preferred method of contact is via our Contact Us form. However, if you prefer to speak to someone, please call 01403 784961. For international callers +44 1403 784961.

Calls will be answered Monday – Friday 09:00 – 17:00 excluding UK Bank Holidays.

Outside these hours, or if we are on a call, we have an answer phone service from which you will hear a short recorded message. During working hours, usually you should be speaking to one of our team within a minute or two.

If you require a quote, please submit this via our Order Enquiry form.

Question 4

What forms of payment do you accept?

Accepted Answer

Payment may be made by Bank Transfer, Wire Transfer, TT, Wise, PayPal,  Debit and Credit Cards.

If paying by bank transfer / draft please contact us for our bank details. A 10 GBP admin fee applies for transfers from outside the UK.

If you are outside of the EU, there will be an 1.5% administration fee for credit cards, and 4.5% administration fee for PayPal. Sorry, PayPal incur higher fees. Please contact us for our PayPal details.

Question 5

Where do you ship to?

Accepted Answer

Our customers are worldwide and across different continents. If there is a way to get the order to you we can ship there!

Question 6

What are your delivery charges?

Accepted Answer

Within the UK:
 5.00 GBP minimum postage and packaging is charged at cost, most postal packets are sent recorded delivery. We will be pleased to provide a quotation on receipt of your final order requirements.

15.00 GBP for 24 hour COURIER SERVICE  if required.

Outside the UK (Export):
10.00 GBP minimum postage and packaging is charged at cost, we will be pleased to provide a quotation on receipt of your final order requirements.

The 'Signed on Delivery Service', which is an extra 4.00 GBP, is now compulsory for all overseas parcels. COURIER SERVICE is available if required.
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Courier service is available if required. We will be pleased to provide a quotation for express or expedited services on receipt of your final order requirements.
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Please allow 7 days from receipt of your order for quality control, testing and despatch.
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Please take into consideration any delays outside our control by post and customs.

Despatch is usually quicker than 7 days and we will do our best to help if you have urgent requirements.

Question 7

Can I collect tubes and valves from your premises?

Accepted Answer

As a wholesaler we do not have a shop front. However, collections from our premises can be arranged strictly by appointment.

We require a minimum notice period of 3 working days to allow for stock retrieval from our buildings, alongside quality control and testing.

Should your order be urgent, we will endeavour to be flexible on timings and assist where we can.

Question 8

Can I reserve items?

Accepted Answer

We do not usually “reserve” goods. Our policy is that reservation of stock is done on a case-by-case basis depending on the client business history and the type of valve concerned.

For clients who have paid thousands of pounds (GBP) in the past, we sometimes reserve goods for a maximum of 6 weeks.

After 6 weeks we will write and expect your confirmation of order and payment or shipping instructions within two weeks. Failing this, your goods may be returned to stock and offered for sale elsewhere.

Question 9

What tester do you use?

Accepted Answer

We take pride in our quality control and testing. As such our tester is the AVO VCM163. One of the best testers in the world.

Unless stated otherwise, all tubes are tested prior to despatch.

Question 10

Do you price match?

Accepted Answer

Our prices are amongst the cheapest of any of the major tube suppliers. At our discretion, for orders over 500 GBP, we will usually match the prices of any dealer who actually has that tube in stock at that price. Send us an email link or quote and we will do our best to match the price.  Brand quality etc must be the same.  
 
Because of the increasing scarcity of some tube types, one often sees a price on someone's website, but they do not have that tube in stock, and may not have for some time. When they have the tube in stock again, it’s very likely to be priced in line with the up to date market price.

Question 11

Is it safe to buy tubes and valves made in China and Russia?

Accepted Answer

Yes!  Some excellent tubes & valves are currently being made in China and Russia . We stock only those tubes we know to be reliable.
 
 We’ve supplied USSR & Chinese made tubes for over 40 years. We also have excellent test facilities and all our tubes have a no fuss guarantee.

Although we are not currently buying new stock from Russia, we have a reasonable supply of historic purchases.
 
Some suppliers on  auction websites  are  'here today, gone tomorrow' so they won’t be trading in the future to handle any guarantee issues . We’ve been  trading  since 1981 and intend to be here long into the future.

BILLINGTON EXPORT LTD

FAQs

Frequently asked questions