I'm a pro decorator and my heart drops when people buy paint from B&M - it's not a bargain

A PAINTER and decorator has told how his heart drops when he’s asked to use paint bought from B&M.

Stuart McLean, 36, reckons punters believe they’re getting a great deal at the bargain store.

But usually the paint is such poor quality that it ends up costing them more in the long run.

Stuart, from Loanhead, Midlothian, said: “You know what B&M is like.

“My wife goes in for one thing and comes out with three bags full. You get suckered in.

“In the end the customer needs me to do so many coats it costs them more than if they invested in a more expensive paint in the first place.”

Bargain retailer B&M has become a smash hit with shoppers who flock for their cut price deals.

Stuart, who’s been a painter and decorator for 19 years, shares hints and tips on his TikTok page.

And he reckons not everything is as good a bargain as it first appears.

He said: “I’ve had some disasters. People get drawn in.

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“A tin of paint in B&M will say it works on PVC, wood and metal. That can’t be right. It can’t work on everything.

“There have been cases where I’ve told customers they would need to buy two and a half litres of paint.

But the coverage has been so bad they’ve had to go and get more and it’s taken about seven litres.”

Stuart, who runs S Mclean Decor, reckons he would never be able to pull up a punter about their paint buy.

He said: “I don’t know if I would have the brass neck to complain.

“I don’t think I would be able to say to someone that they’ve bought garbage.”

Stuart says most retail paints are a problem and he’s had issues with stuff bought from other stores too, not just B&M.

He urged people to fork out a little bit more rather than just going for the cheapest tin they see.

And he advised them to go to a proper paint retailer, rather than a discount store.

Stuart said: “Money is not everything and the dearest is not always the best.