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+--- Thread: Local vs. Home Depot (/showthread.php?tid=6138)
Local vs. Home Depot - Kahunascott - 09-13-2009
I needed 13 -10’X 1” EMT for tent poles. I went to WESCO (Local electrical supplier) and even with my contractors discount they were $9.31 ea. ($121.03) And, I went to the local guy first.
Went to Home Depot and they were $6.67 with no discount ($86.71)
I saved $34.31 just on one purchase.
I can’t support the local businesses with this type of savings at a chain store.[B)]
If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it cost when it’s free
RE: Local vs. Home Depot - DanielP - 09-13-2009
If you think that EMT is expensive locally, just wait 'til you see what it costs when Home Depot is the only guy in town.
I have had the same experience here on the mainland and what I will generally do is go to my "preferred" supplier and show him. He will generally go to my account on the computer and change from the "default Contractor's discount" of 10% to 25-30%. Pays to chat with the owner.
Dan
RE: Local vs. Home Depot - dakine - 09-13-2009
Not that I know specifically about what you purchased, but there may be something to say for the quality of materials used in the products we buy. I have had a number of experiences where thinking I was saving at the big boxes, I ended up with stuff that looked, and initially, worked the way it was expected to, but in the long run wore out, or corroded, or something that suggested the grade of metal, quality of plastic, method of assembly, something! wasn't up to the standards that one would expect. I personally don't think some of the newer manufacturing economies have developed the expectation of quality that we have in the products we buy here in the USA. And we, the american consumer, have for a large part, been lulled into lowering our expectations of quality in exchange for quantity. But the cost of labor may not be the only thing that is being manipulated, may not be the only corner being cut, to create what seems like a better deal.
RE: Local vs. Home Depot - mikewj - 09-13-2009
Unfortunately it has been my experience that some local businesses don't even attempt to be competitive, particularly when representing manufacturers who restrict the number of suppliers in an area. In building my house in HPP, I wanted to buy Toto toilets. The quote from a local 'authorized' dealer was MSRP + 20%, plus freight. I bought the same items from an authorized dealer in Denver and had them shipped by UPS. 3 toilets, and I saved more than $1,000 over the local quote, landed price.
Similarly with lighting fixtures; local quote for an in stock item, but a different color, was the stock price plus freight, and I was asked to wait until they re-ordered before I got the items, meaning that the additional freight charge was pure profit to the seller! Again, I bought from the mainland at $30 less per fixture. Even with freight I saved about $60.00. I would love to shop locally, but in many instances, I just can't afford local prices.
Regarding Home Depot, it is my understanding that all stores in the chain pay an averaged freight cost, so that Hawaii pricing is very close to mainland. I recall standing in my local Home Depot talking to my on Island builder, who was in Home Depot in Hilo, and finding the item cost in Hilo was actually LESS than California for the items we were looking at. Again, when Home Depot came to Maui, the costs at Ace Hardware miraculously became competitive! My point is, shop carefully but widen your scope. Most items can be shipped from anywhere in the world at fairly reasonable rates and in a timely manner. My procedure is: first, the small local operator, second the 'big guys' local or national, third, time on the Internet. I don't object to a reasonable upcharge to support a local company, but when we get to hundreds of dollars I can no longer afford to support the home boys.
RE: Local vs. Home Depot - David Shaw - 09-13-2009
Mike: My point is, shop carefully but widen your scope. Most items can be shipped from anywhere in the world at fairly reasonable rates and in a timely manner.
This is sometimes true, but way too often, I have found that the company selling the product I want to buy charges a 2x-5x multiple of the product price to ship it! I try to get them to use USPS parcel post or UPS 'ground' but they are 'unable to accommodate' me--"We just don't do that". I have resorted to imposing upon friends to receive my package and send it on to me using parcel post.
Anyone know of a way to work around the 'killer shipping cost' issue?
-dwajs
RE: Local vs. Home Depot - PaulW - 09-13-2009
Always pay the lowest price possible, no matter where it comes from or how you get it.
Your wallet and the economy will thank you.
RE: Local vs. Home Depot - ric - 09-13-2009
I agree, save your $$ and it will be better for everyone, . . .plus you'll have more $$ to spend on other local stuff, if that's your thing.
RE: Local vs. Home Depot - rbonplaza - 09-13-2009
Any update on the new Lowe's coming to Hilo?
RE: Local vs. Home Depot - tgalarneau - 09-13-2009
For shipping from the mainland where they won't use USPS you can try this service where they will receive and forward your package via USPS.
http://www.alohaforwarding.com/
I haven't tried it but it looks good and run by former Hilo residents.
RE: Local vs. Home Depot - mikewj - 09-13-2009
When I bought items from the mainland, using an Internet search, I did find some companies who didn't have a clue about shipping. However, most of the time I was able to find a vendor willing to ship for a fair price. Amazon told me they 'didn't ship outside of the United States' when I tried to have them ship to Hawaii. However, they have now fixed that, and I routinely have them ship to Hawaii. I believe that companies on the mainland will now do anything they can to make the sale, so we are now being seen as a revenue source rather than a pain in the a--. In my case, I cannot get items delivered to my home by USPS, I guess their trucks and drivers are too delicate for the 'rough roads' in HPP, although UPS and FedEx are happy to deliver to my door. Guess who I specify, given the choice?
If you plan on buying a lot of items from the mainland (building a house, for example) it might be worthwhile to open an account with Fedex and/or UPS, so whomever you buy from just has to package the item and call the carrier to ship it on your dime. Worth a thought?