CEF Reviews 

29,306
TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.5

While we don't verify specific claims because reviewers' opinions are their own, we may label reviews as "Verified" when we can confirm a business interaction took place. Read more

To protect platform integrity, every review on our platform—verified or not—is screened by our 24/7 automated software. This technology is designed to identify and remove content that breaches our guidelines, including reviews that are not based on a genuine experience. We recognise we may not catch everything, and you can flag anything you think we may have missed. Read more

Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Looking at 3,481 reviews, reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Consumers consistently appreciate the fast and efficient delivery services, frequently noting that products arrive the very next day in excellent condition. People also find the online ordering process remarkably straightforward and consistently note the extremely competitive prices alongside the great quality of the items. Some reviewers were not happy with the external courier services, specifically mentioning significant delivery delays or packages being left outside without proper notification. Buyers also noted occasional frustrating issues with missing components, damaged packaging, or incomplete orders that required extra time and effort to resolve.

What people talk about most

Delivery service

Consumers find delivery service to be generally positive, highlighting fast shipping times and items arriving... See more

Product

Users describe positive interactions with product, consistently praising the high quality and great pricing.... See more

Order

Customers consistently note positive experiences with order processes that are quick and easy to complete... See more

Service

Reviewers highlight positive aspects of service, expressing consistent satisfaction with the helpful staff,... See more

Price

Clients share positive opinions on price, consistently noting that the company offers competitive rates and... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

First time I have used CEF, following a random online search for a hand combi-drill. After seeing what I was after, I checked out the company, terms and references / reviews. It was then time to bac... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

We increasingly used CEF to the point where they are the primary wholesaler our business uses today. A great local team in Stafford, who go the extra mile every time and don't quibble if somethin... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Ordered 6mm solar cable & 2x pair MC4 connectors; sadly only on pair in box with cable. Quick phone call to customer service (Sue?) who registered issue, followed up with a call back from Chris wh... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

My local store didn’t have the lights I wanted in stock but could see on their system 5 were available. Suggested I order online & would receive next day delivery. Arrived the next morning. So impress... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. #20 of 29 best companies in Electrical wholesaler
  2. #5 of 7 best companies in Cable provider
  3. #5 of 15 best companies in Electrical appliance wholesaler
  4. #16 of 24 best companies in Lighting wholesaler
  5. #7 of 8 best companies in Screw supplier
  6. #34 of 45 best companies in 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

At Trustpilot, it's all about human content. This business can also access our AI-assisted response tool which helps them draft replies.

How this company uses Trustpilot

See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.

4.5

All reviews

(29,306)

3,388 reviews in the last 12 months

Write a review
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

Items never received

Items never received. Rang up when order was running late for an update and was told someone would get back to me but they never did. Emailed customer services about the situation and got a call back a couple of days later, agreed to a refund which i am still waiting for nearly a week later so looks like have to contact them again.

6 August 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

Great turnaround

Needed some bits last minute. Ordered after hours and it arrived the following day. Can’t go wrong excellent service

12 August 2026
CEF logo

Reply from CEF

Thank you very much for your review Jack.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Helpful Delivery Driver

My mum wanted to get an air-conditioning unit and we found just the right one from CEF! The delivery driver was so good with it, as my mum is in her late 80's and lives alone, he carried the very heavy unit into a safe place in her home!

29 July 2026
CEF logo

Reply from CEF

Thank you very much for your review and feedback.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great customer service

Great customer service. Had a product which went faulty after a few weeks. Contacted CEF and a replacement was sent FOC the next day. My query was responded to by phone and email within an hour of raising it. Very impressed. An experience that means no hesitation in recommending CEF to others.

14 August 2026
CEF logo

Reply from CEF

Thank you very much for your review and feedback.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

I have no complaint about the item I…

I have no complaint about the item I ordered.
The delivery however was far from efficient. My order was placed on 28th July, despatched on 30th to be delivered next working day. I did not receive the order until 5th August.

28 July 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

Five-star all the way

Everything about this business - from product selection and pricing to its prompt and efficient delivery service is five-star

11 August 2026
CEF logo

Reply from CEF

Thank you very much for your review and feedback Mike.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great site

Great site, easy to use.

10 August 2026
CEF logo

Reply from CEF

Thank you very much for your review.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Has described

Has described

28 July 2026
CEF logo

Reply from CEF

Thank you very much for your review.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

In my experience

In my experience of using CEF was a positive one.
From using the website, advised of stock availability, good communication too, advised of equipment being shipped when getting the equipment sent to a local CEF store for pick up, dropped earlier than advised, arranged with staff on site when picking up once at store. Staff friendly,polite and item collected.
So all in all a really positive experience. Store itself was well stocked and staffed.
M

11 August 2026
CEF logo

Reply from CEF

Thank you very much for your review and feedback.

Best Regards
Adele Feller (Customer Services Manager)

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Item didnt arrive

Todays date is 16 august. I havent received my order yet. I checked the tracking website and last update was 'closed-no access' but I am unsure what this means as I'm a domestic residence ordering a replacement sensor. Paid for delivery within 1-2 days, noted overnight on the tracking site.l and ordered 11 August. Was dispatched pretty quickly, within a day on tracking site, but now 5 days since ordered and the item still not received.

11 August 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 1 out of 5 stars

I bought a Makita SDS drill machine…

I bought a Makita SDS drill machine with batteries, charger and box online. Expensive bit of kit.
1) I didn't receive notification that the item was ready to collect at my chosen store, I had to chase the delivery via customer services.
2) More importantly, when I did receive the item, I noted that the Makita box wasn't sealed, looked like it had already been opened. These items usually have a security seal on the outer packaging. The contents inside the Makita box, i.e., SDS drill, charger, batteries had no packaging whatsoever. They were just tossed inside, banging around in transit. Not a piece of cardboard, plastic, foam, polystyrene in sight. This machine isn't cheap, but you are certainly given the cheap feeling as a customer. My current machine had burnt out mid way through a job, I needed the new machine desperately, otherwise I would have definitely returned this one ! I hope I haven't been given a dud machine. Not happy at all.

9 August 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)

The Trustpilot Experience

Anyone can write a Trustpilot review. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and they’ll be displayed as long as an account is active.

We use dedicated people and clever technology to safeguard our platform. Find out how we combat fake reviews.

Learn about Trustpilot’s review process.

Here are 8 tips for writing great reviews.

Verification can help ensure real people are writing the reviews you read on Trustpilot.

Offering incentives for reviews or asking for them selectively can bias the TrustScore, which goes against our guidelines.

Take a closer look