09-13-2009, 03:55 AM
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.
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.