Why?

[hardworkingstiff]

I purchased a 100-amp 2-pole Square D breaker this afternoon from a supply house I deal with. I looked at the ticket, $73. I told the counterman I just purchased one of these a couple of days ago for $63. He changed today's price to $63.

On the way home, I stopped by Home Depot to see what they sold them for, $51.08.

Why to I have to pay more than a 23% higher price at the supply house (Hagemeyer) than I do at HD?

WHY WHY WHY?

It's frustrating that my customer can buy materials cheaper than I can at the "Electrical Supply House".

[480sparky]

Not everyone can be the Low Price Leader.

[cowboyjwc]

As much as I hate going in to the blue or orange store, I could always buy the material cheaper to do a service change at them than at the wholesale house.

And they can charge less, because of volume, where your wholesale house may be buying a 100 breakers, the box stores are buying 100,000 breakers.

[ultramegabob]

Home depot probly sells enough of everything they buy from Square D that they get better pricing on certain items than your supply house.

[cadpoint]

Thats when U need to open the little mini CPU and search your fav's and get er done...

[LarryFine]

Why to I have to pay more than a 23% higher price at the supply house (Hagemeyer) than I do at HD?

WHY WHY WHY?

It's frustrating that my customer can buy materials cheaper than I can at the "Electrical Supply House".Why can't you shop at HD?

[hardworkingstiff]

Why can't you shop at HD?

I think that's going to have to be the plan.

[220/221]

I have been getting screwed at the supply house counter since the 70's.

At The Home Depot , I can walk in, see the price, decide if I want it, take it to the front and pay for it. I can use the self checkout and not use anyones time but my own.

It's unproductive to tell some clown at the supply house counter everything you want and have him go get the stuff not knowing what it will cost. Asking in advance for a price is always an ordeal. At The Home Depot you simply look at the shelf.

We have a lot of stuff delivered from the supply houses but when I have to go get it, I'd much rather go to The Depot.

[LarryFine]

Home depot probly sells enough of everything they buy from Square D that they get better pricing on certain items than your supply house.
Sometimes, they even carry stuff the supply houses don't. For example, Lowes carries (or did) a SqD 200 main breaker in an R3 enclosure. The supply house can't even find the catalog number.

The last time I bought one, it was $127. The same enclosure and breaker separate (not sold together) add up to around $185. No contest for me; I'm getting it where the getting is the best.

[al hildenbrand]

I think that's going to have to be the plan.Lou, I've felt the same frustration with finding the low price for materials. I used to think, in the '80s, that my "wholesaler" was the only way to go, but when HD entered my area that all changed.

What I have found, is that I can't trust either place, across the board, which cheeses me off even more. I have to comparison price the slightly non commodity items. . .

[resistance]

I think that's going to have to be the plan.
Shopping there has it's up's and downs.

You need to talk to your supply house. If they aren't willing to drop your price, then move on. The only excuse they may give you is: You aren't buying as much as Tom and Jane's electric, so we can't give you the best price. If this is the case, then move on. I found that developing a relationship with the same supplier will help your pockets! I use Platt 95% of the time. I go to HD for some items, and I use other suppliers when necessary. Yet, sticking with Platt has rewarded me big on some jobs. I've even shopped HD, and told my supplier to beat the price, and they did. Yet, it's a known fact that they can't match some prices with HD-or any big box store-that buys in larger quantities. I tell you this. When the gas prices where up, everyone was in HD shopping for wire, because the electrical suppliers couldn't compete. It depends on what you are buying.

[TOOL_5150]

I get product from HD and lowes all the time. The only time I go to the warehouse is when I need something special, like a meter socket, or 12/4 MC... etc. In todays economy, I got to keep my prices low, so I can keep the customers' prices low so I actually get jobs.

~Matt

[active1]

No one asked why the Square D QO costs about 50% more than the other common plug in breakers.

One issue with circuit breakers is tthe deal the supply house has with the manufacture. The story I keep hearing is one manufacture says if the supplier sells only their brand they get a better price. Other times I hear a supplier does not cary a popular brand because the manufacture stipulates they can only sell their brand. So on my end I have to go out of my way or to a retail store to get one type of breaker. Or I learn fast that a supplier will sell a brand of breakers but at a much higher price. Perhaps because the supplier is not buying direct from the manufacture.

I herd Square D and Cuttler Hammer both play this game. I don't know about the others. One thing I liked about Siemens is the circuit breakers are available in more places for me and the prices are inline or cheaper then the others.

[norcal]

Why can't you shop at HD?


Perhaps the question should be "Why should one shop at HD?" They do compete w/ contractors...

Point to ponder.

[hardworkingstiff]

What I have found, is that I can't trust either place, across the board, which cheeses me off even more.

Go in the box stores and buy PVC for a great price, but start on the appurtenances and ........BAM........ 2-3 times more than the supply house.

[boboelectric]

When a customer is down, $20 bucks ain't gonna make him look for another price.

[LarryFine]

No one asked why the Square D QO costs about 50% more than the other common plug in breakers.Okay, I'll bite; Why does the Square D QO cost about 50% more than other breakers?

Perhaps the question should be "Why should one shop at HD?" They do compete w/ contractors...
Well, as far as I know, I've never lost a job to a big-box store. Plus, once I secure a job, who am I helping (or hurting) by buying each item for as little as I can?

I'd rather buy, say, a QO 200a main breaker in a 3R enclosure for $127 from a 'competitor' than the same two items seprately from a 'non-competitor' for %60 more.

Go in the box stores and buy PVC for a great price, but start on the appurtenances and ........BAM........ 2-3 times more than the supply house.
Nobody says you have to buy everything for a job from one place. I've bought conduit from one place and wire from another because it cost less, even with shopping.

Besides, when I have to improvise or just make a complicated assembly, there's nothing better than looking, touching, and putting together stuff with my own hands.

[Mule]

I purchased a 100-amp 2-pole Square D breaker this afternoon from a supply house I deal with. I looked at the ticket, $73. I told the counterman I just purchased one of these a couple of days ago for $63. He changed today's price to $63.

On the way home, I stopped by Home Depot to see what they sold them for, $51.08.

Why to I have to pay more than a 23% higher price at the supply house (Hagemeyer) than I do at HD?

WHY WHY WHY?

It's frustrating that my customer can buy materials cheaper than I can at the "Electrical Supply House".

To add to your frustration, I went to CED the other day and asked for a QO220(GFI), and they were out, so I went to another local supply house that has been having a struggle with customer service and thus losing customers to CED.

So I asked for the breaker and they had it..good deal I said!...they printed off my ticket and it was like $47 and some change??....I asked the new counter man, Is this right? Then he said that's the price they told me to give you. So out the door I went with the breaker.

Went back to CED later on in the day, and asked my regular salesman "WHY?"... He told me that this supply house does this often and has been reported to SQD with no apparent consequences. He went further on to say that the breaker is likely reported as a sale to a local industrial manufacturing customer that actualy has this low price structure.

So this burns my back side alot, but in the long run, I stick with SQD instead of C/H for what I think is a better value for my customer....

YEP MULE IS STILL ALIVE !!!

[bradleyelectric]

I purchased a 100-amp 2-pole Square D breaker this afternoon from a supply house I deal with. I looked at the ticket, $73. I told the counterman I just purchased one of these a couple of days ago for $63. He changed today's price to $63.

On the way home, I stopped by Home Depot to see what they sold them for, $51.08.

Why to I have to pay more than a 23% higher price at the supply house (Hagemeyer) than I do at HD?

WHY WHY WHY?

It's frustrating that my customer can buy materials cheaper than I can at the "Electrical Supply House".

Because you don't eat their donuts, bring them crab cakes, and tell them jokes and anidotes.

[bradleyelectric]

YEP MULE IS STILL ALIVE !!!

Hi Mule. Hope all has been well.

[resistance]

Nobody says you have to buy everything for a job from one place. I've bought conduit from one place and wire from another because it cost less, even with shopping.

Besides, when I have to improvise or just make a complicated assembly, there's nothing better than looking, touching, and putting together stuff with my own hands. This is pretty much what i was saying.

[vegasbaby]

The company I work for sends price and availabilty to several warehouses. Maybe we can do this due to the tremendous volume we have. We try to spread the wealth and yet stay competitive. So I rarely use the big box stores

[Mule]

Hi Mule. Hope all has been well.

Hello ford tractor man.....

[SEO]

Good to see you posting Mule. Hope you have been busy making money.

[Mule]

Good to see you posting Mule. Hope you have been busy making money.

Thanks, The slow economy finally hit here localy, two or three months ago. its been pretty slow, but most EC's are still floating as far as I know. We are doing fine, just a much smaller back log than usual......while larger EC's have been laying off.

[jmsbrush]

Glad to see you back Mule:smile:

[active1]

Okay, I'll bite; Why does the Square D QO cost about 50% more than other breakers?


Well, as far as I know, I've never lost a job to a big-box store. Plus, once I secure a job, who am I helping (or hurting) by buying each item for as little as I can?

I'd rather buy, say, a QO 200a main breaker in a 3R enclosure for $127 from a 'competitor' than the same two items seprately from a 'non-competitor' for %60 more.


Nobody says you have to buy everything for a job from one place. I've bought conduit from one place and wire from another because it cost less, even with shopping.

Besides, when I have to improvise or just make a complicated assembly, there's nothing better than looking, touching, and putting together stuff with my own hands.

Sorry I don't know why the Square D cost more. But their still selling plenty of them. Guess they're just smarter.

[cowboyjwc]

Perhaps the question should be "Why should one shop at HD?" They do compete w/ contractors...

Point to ponder.

They don't compete w/contractors, they sub out to contractors. A lot of local guys work for HD or Lowes or even Sears. Figure out how to get on their contractor list.

[MarkyMarkNC]

Square D has all kinds of pricing structures.

- They have "profiles" set up for specific customers that buy a lot of gear. These are negotiated with your supply house sales guy. Even if you don't buy a lot of stuff, you should be able to negotiate pricing that is comparable to or lower than the big boxes on some things (panels, breakers) and much lower on other things (disconnects)

- They have "job' pricing. On any project with gear around $500.00 or more, your supply house can submit this to Square D as "job" and get significantly reduced pricing on the total package. The pricing on many things are cut in half or more on a job specific package.

- They have "stock" pricing. If you don't have a relationship with the sales guys at a supply house, this is more than likely the price you are getting. Nine times out of ten, you are better off going to the big boxes, instead of buying at your supply house. In some cases, your supply house is paying Square D more for an item than you can buy it for yourself.

All of the major gear lines work in similar fashion. Bottom line is, most people would be well served to develop a relationship with a supply house, and negotiate pricing with their sales guy. Unless you are passing all of your costs on to the customer, you are giving a lot of money away needlessly.

[izak]

all this being said,

try pricing a 4 lamp t8 electronic ballast at lowes, HD or Ace hardware.

anywhere from 28 to 40 dollars and i can get the SAME Advance ballast at ANY supply house in town for less than $20

[Rewire]

We buy everything through our supply house and have it delivered either to our shops or to the job sites going to get anything is just not cost effective.

[brian john]

I purchased a 100-amp 2-pole Square D breaker this afternoon from a supply house I deal with. I looked at the ticket, $73. I told the counterman I just purchased one of these a couple of days ago for $63. He changed today's price to $63.

On the way home, I stopped by Home Depot to see what they sold them for, $51.08.

Why to I have to pay more than a 23% higher price at the supply house (Hagemeyer) than I do at HD?

WHY WHY WHY?

It's frustrating that my customer can buy materials cheaper than I can at the "Electrical Supply House".


Why not?

Several years ago I bought a 2000 amp GE CB it was $28,000. 2 months later I bought a GE switchboard with 2 GE 2000 amp CBs, that is copper bus and enclosure plus the 2 CBs $25,000.00

[weressl]

I purchased a 100-amp 2-pole Square D breaker this afternoon from a supply house I deal with. I looked at the ticket, $73. I told the counterman I just purchased one of these a couple of days ago for $63. He changed today's price to $63.

On the way home, I stopped by Home Depot to see what they sold them for, $51.08.

Why to I have to pay more than a 23% higher price at the supply house (Hagemeyer) than I do at HD?

WHY WHY WHY?

It's frustrating that my customer can buy materials cheaper than I can at the "Electrical Supply House".

In real estate it is : LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

In retail it is: VOLUME, VOLUME, VOLUME

[brian john]

In real estate it is : LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

In retail it is: VOLUME, VOLUME, VOLUME
And location a supply house downtown may charge more that one out in the burbs due to increased rents, higher wages and because they are there.

[dreamsville]

I buy a lot from wholesaler Graybar. I also buy stuff from HD, Lowes because they're handy to the job, open late and open on weekends.
I tell my counterman at Graybar what I saw a $ on a particular item at the big box and he'll check his computer and usually beat the price if he can. But commodity stuff is hard to beat at the big box. :grin:

But in my area when it comes to conduit, wire and the unusual stuff you just cannot beat your local supply house. I've developed a good relationship with my supply house. Their knowledge and willingness to track down hard to find and hard to get items, and do some of my legwork is worth something.

I've yet to find too many retail floor people that can come anywhere near the knowledge of a good seasoned counterman at a supply house. A good counterman stays up on the newest and best stuff. And has saved me money at times because he will say, "why you doin that way, do this and this and it will be cheaper and quicker". That's worth something to me. :smile:

[hardworkingstiff]

A good counterman stays up on the newest and best stuff. And has saved me money at times because he will say, "why you doin that way, do this and this and it will be cheaper and quicker". That's worth something to me. :smile:

My experience is lawyers have stopped most of these guys from speaking up. A lot of counter guys don't have a clue as to how this stuff works, just tell them what you want and they'll see if they have it.

[hardworkingstiff]

The job where I was using these (2) 100-amp 2-pole breakers is 40 miles from home. I needed to stop in Lowes to pick something up so while I was in there I checked for the price on the QO2100. It was $45.xx. WOW, $73 at the supply house ($63 after I complained) and less than $46 at Lowes.

I called Square D and asked why. They said it was because Lowes, HD, buy these items in much larger quantities and get a much better discount.

I guess I'm a BB store shopper now.

[dduffee260]

I am going to HD today as a matter of fact. I am going to buy a lawnmower. I bet my supply house cannot get me that. Just like I bet HD cannot get me a 12 bay MCC or a 4500 Amp distribution panel.

The reason we don't send employees to HD for electrical parts is they spend too much on candy bars and beef jerky while waiting in the contractor line to pay out.

Oh and also, hello Mule. Long time no see, I hope things are going spiffy for you my friend. If you need anything pm me.

[480sparky]

..........The reason we don't send employees to HD for electrical parts is they spend too much on candy bars and beef jerky while waiting in the contractor line to pay out........

As long as it's their money, what do you care?

But if it shows up on your account.........

[augie47]

they also get to shop for lawnmowers while there :D

[dduffee260]

As long as it's their money, what do you care?

But if it shows up on your account.........

Exactly, it does show up on our accounts. Have you ever tried to go through a HD statement and figure out what some of the misc part are? It is a challenge. We have about 12 to 16 HD accounts so it can get time consuming.