Just a follow up with my recent experience. I wanted five ball bearings, run of the mill stuff, two oil seals and a big L16 polyvee belt. Tried Brammers (who did seem much more interested in the job than BSL were last time I tried) and Eriks. The expensive item was the belt (around 80 quid, roughly half the total), Eriks were quite a bit cheaper by about 20 quid. The bearings, brammers were slightly cheaper on each one. The killer was one of the oil seals, Brammers quoted me about 7 quid, Eriks wanted about =A335!! It's not a very common size, I think it was going to be made to order. I pointed this out & they tried again, & did eventually beat Brammers total. Based on that one exercise, I'd be happy dealing with the local branch of either.
Tim