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Old 5th Apr 2018, 11:12 pm   #1
crackle
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Default DER or Domestic Electrical Rentals

It was my understanding that DER, or Domestic Electrical Rentals, started by renting domestic appliances, fridges washing machines etc.
But according to Graces guide they were formed in 1939 specifically to enter the TV market.

Can anyone shed more light on the domestic appliance rental side.

My enquiry was triggered when I noticed a DER radio up for auction on the web.

Thanks
Mike
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Old 5th Apr 2018, 11:38 pm   #2
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Default Re: DER or Domestic Electrical Rentals

We rented a DER telly in the early 70s when colour TVs were still considered too unreliable to buy. I can't remember the model but it had an ultrasonic remote which made the cat go nuts.
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Old 6th Apr 2018, 9:38 am   #3
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Default Re: DER or Domestic Electrical Rentals

My family rented a TV from DER in the 1950s. I remember when it was first delivered the rest of my family were watching the Eamonn Andrews program "This is Your Life" while I listened to "Journey Into Space" on the radio in another room. The radio was an HMV 1507 table radiogram that had a low volume fault at the time and so I had to listen with my ear to the speaker.

When I was 13 my Father left and the DER had to go back. That was replaced by an Argosy consul from a jumble sale that a new EY51 EHT rectifier brought back to life.
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Old 6th Apr 2018, 10:02 am   #4
crackle
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Default Re: DER or Domestic Electrical Rentals

Has anyone got anecdotes about other appliances, especially things like fridges and washing machines.
This is the DER radio I have seen.

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It appears to be a Ferguson 238A Thorn purchased Ferguson in about 1946 according to Graces Guide.
In 1938 Thorn acquired British Electric Domestic Appliances which made Mary Ann vacuum cleaners and Bedal washing machines. So did DER rent out these as well.
In 1939 Thorn formed DER, a small subsidiary to enable Thorn to enter the television business. Post-war this became the television rental arm of Thorn.

Mike

Last edited by crackle; 6th Apr 2018 at 10:31 am.
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Old 6th Apr 2018, 7:50 pm   #5
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Default Re: DER or Domestic Electrical Rentals

There's quite a bit about the history of DER in "The Setmakers" - in particular how just after WWII one of its new salespeople (who went on to be MD) refused to use an anonymous black van and had his painted red and emblazoned with DER logos - intent on pushing the rentals-business (which had traditionally been seen as only for those who were poor and couldn't afford to buy a set) upmarket.
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Old 6th Apr 2018, 8:14 pm   #6
crackle
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Default Re: DER or Domestic Electrical Rentals

I'll have a look at that.
In the mean time I have proposed DER as a new brand/manufacturer in the Radio Museum.
Thanks
Mike
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Old 6th Apr 2018, 8:34 pm   #7
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Default Re: DER or Domestic Electrical Rentals

Sir Jules Thorn comes to mind. I worked there many years ago.

They had the Royal Warrant and Her Majesty had the Thorn 2000's at Buckingham Palace.
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Old 6th Apr 2018, 8:36 pm   #8
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Default Re: DER or Domestic Electrical Rentals

I worked for DER in the 1980s.

A large number of people in the Newcastle area seemed to be the victim of burglary where their tellies were the only thing nicked. They received letters informing them they had to pay for the value of the set. I typed those letters. I could type them faster than the sheet-fed dot matrix printer could print, so I sent 100 letters to the printer and then went and had a cuppa while it caught up.
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Old 8th Apr 2018, 10:53 am   #9
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Default Re: DER or Domestic Electrical Rentals

My Nan rented their first tv set from DER when ITV first started in the Midlands in 1956. It had no name badge on it but I now know it was a Ferguson 204T. They had a show room in Hurst St, Birmingham city centre where we would go every month to pay the rental, 25 shillings or £1-25p if I remember right. It was a very reliable set lasting to about 1967 when the LOPTx finally died, so the engineer told us.

Alan.
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Old 8th Apr 2018, 11:06 am   #10
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Default Re: DER or Domestic Electrical Rentals

My Dad worked for DER around 1958 / 59. They gave him a Ford 100E van with a big sign on top. This apparently acted as a sail in windy conditions. It was pretty handy as we always had a "loaner" set available. All Ferguson if I remember correctly.

I had no idea that they rented white goods though the name is a bit of a clue.
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Old 8th Apr 2018, 11:58 am   #11
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Default Re: DER or Domestic Electrical Rentals

A slightly later version to the 100E mentioned by Barry, the Anglia 105E DER service van. J.
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Old 8th Apr 2018, 12:12 pm   #12
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Default Re: DER or Domestic Electrical Rentals

I remember SCO's for awkward customers. Service Change Overs, to try and stop them moaning.
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Old 8th Apr 2018, 12:17 pm   #13
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Default Re: DER or Domestic Electrical Rentals

I wonder whether the Domestic Electrical Rentals name was chosen with white as well as brown goods in mind but the former was never pursued?
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