On line Supply houses

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jmsbrush

jmsbrush

Senior Member
Location
Central Florida
Does anyone use supply houses on line?
What is the cheapest place you have found on line and how does it compare to your rates at the local supply house?
 
mikeames

mikeames

Senior Member
Location
Gaithersburg MD
Occupation
Teacher - Master Electrician - 2017 NEC
I have been to a few but never find what I need when I need it, in the time it takes me to go buy it in person. They are a PITA IMHO.
 
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highvolts582

Senior Member
Location
brick nj
i use sunstar ask to talk to mike martin i get wire nuts /hockey pucks and stuff and dont have any probs. but GFIs are important and its not worth the call back. some of the other cheapest devices will break if you tighten to hard they do carry cooper and leviton and lutron so im sure that stuff is kosher.
 
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wireguru

Senior Member
I can see the problem with ordering online for material you need that day, for a particular job where a shipping delay would be a big problem, where you are buying on credit, warranty, etc

But what about regular supplies you keep on hand such as wire nuts (not the chinese junk ones -ideal or something) 33 tape, hand tools, etc...stuff where a big savings can be realized over what the supply houses are charging.
 
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highvolts582

Senior Member
Location
brick nj
wireguru said:
I can see the problem with ordering online for material you need that day, for a particular job where a shipping delay would be a big problem, where you are buying on credit, warranty, etc

But what about regular supplies you keep on hand such as wire nuts (not the chinese junk ones -ideal or something) 33 tape, hand tools, etc...stuff where a big savings can be realized over what the supply houses are charging.
Click to expand...

hey i like my p12 tan wirenuts from sunstar i cant find difference between them and the ideal even have the same feel when you twist em. but your right a savings is a savings you can buy brand name stuff from online supply houses and if you need a lot of something say wiring track or town homes you know your gonna need it and alot of it theres nothing wrong with shopping around. quality is important. never buy 5 dollar GFIs...
 
electricmanscott

electricmanscott

Senior Member
Location
Boston, MA
highvolts582 said:
hey i like my p12 tan wirenuts from sunstar i cant find difference between them and the ideal even have the same feel when you twist em. but your right a savings is a savings you can buy brand name stuff from online supply houses and if you need a lot of something say wiring track or town homes you know your gonna need it and alot of it theres nothing wrong with shopping around. quality is important. never buy 5 dollar GFIs...
Click to expand...

Are you typing that with a straight face as you tell us you buy from Sunstar. :D
 
electricalperson

electricalperson

Senior Member
Location
massachusetts
i think sunstar sells preferred industries stuff. its cheap devices out of china. the gfci's we get have a spot on the box blacked out with sharpie. there isnt even a name on the box
 
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brittle

Member
Location
Acworth, GA
For residential service call work I use Sunstar GFI's have had zero call backs for 2 years. Buy weather proof boxes and covers, wing nuts, GFI's. For commercial accounts Hubbell, etc.
 
B

brittle

Member
Location
Acworth, GA
For residential service call work I use Sunstar GFI's; have had zero call backs for 2 years. Also buy weather proof boxes and covers, wing nuts. For commercial accounts I buy from the local wholesale houses and Hubbell, etc. With them, I've become used to not having anything in stock but everything is in a central warehouse, "I can have it here tomorrow by 7". I stopped by Mayer yesterday and the counter sales person couldn't supply me with a jumbo duplex cover. He said "we don't stock those" What the F#$%^!

Home Depot helped me out again.
 
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ultramegabob

ultramegabob

Senior Member
Location
Indiana
I buy from several differnt online suppliers, about the only things I buy online are Wirenuts, Exit/Emergency Lights, and H.I.D. lamps and ballasts, I buy a case at a time to have on hand for service calls. I havent had any problems with anything I have bought yet.
 
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hillbilly

Senior Member
I've been installing a lot of the dark brown switches and receptacles lately......mostly in log cabins.

The local supplier (or the box stores) don't stock very many items in this color, so, I've been buying them online.

The selecton is good, and even paying freight, I'm saving money, not to mention the time involved to go pick it up.
It's really nice to order the parts and come home a couple of days later and find them sitting at the shop....no hassle at all.

I mostly use this site http://www.doityourself.com/icat/electricallighting

They have a good selection of "speciality" plates, and most of the products are name brand.
The service has always been good too.

Hope this helps

steve
 
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