Copper prices - again

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peter d

peter d

Senior Member
Location
New England
Paid $45 for a coil of 12/2 recently at a supplier. So I checked out those big box stores that everyone loves to hate and they were charging $39. So the supplier wasn't too "wack."

I'm not complaining though. Just wondering what people are doing about. Are you planning runs more carefully, overkilling less? Or just eating the cost or passing it along?
 
Re: Copper prices - again

The problem I'm having with this is how the supply houses value their inventory. Let's say they get a truck load of 12/2 this morning at a cost of $40.00 per roll (which they sell to us for $45.00 per roll), if the price of copper goes up at noon they revalue their inventory to meet the new cost irrespective of what they spent on the original load. Gas stations are currently doing the same thing with the price of fuel. Hell of a wind fall isn't it ? You're better off fueling up in the morning.

I'm going to try this on my customers "Hi, if you get this estimate before 12:00 PM on friday my price to wire your addition is $5,000.00. However, if at noon the price of copper goes up the cost to you will increase by $500.00. I wonder how many jobs I'll get ???

BTW I purchased a roll of 14/2 and 12/2 a couple of weeks ago at my regular supply house. I had occasion to go to Big Orange for other reasons and happened to pass by the electrical dept. The cost for both rolls was $14.00 less. I purchased the wire there and returned the others to my supply house. I'm all for everybody making $$$ but don't rake me over the coals !!!
 
Re: Copper prices - again

Put a line in you bid that the number you quoted is tied to the price of copper or only good for 30 days etc.
 
Re: Copper prices - again

Originally posted by iwire:
Put a line in you bid that the number you quoted is tied to the price of copper or only good for 30 days etc.
Click to expand...
The way things are going, I think the price could only be good for 30 minutes.
:eek:
 
Re: Copper prices - again

Back in the 80's we had to put escalation clauses in all of our bids because of price volatility.

Couldn't do that with military or other government bids, though, which made them interesting. :eek:
 
Re: Copper prices - again

I know a lot of ECs hate them, but for things like this I go to Lowes or HD and stock up on it. In the Michigan market, the supply houses cannot touch Lowes or HD prices on these type of items.

I posted on a recent form that I have a buddy that works at a local supply house. He gets an employee discount that is better then ANY contractor price and Lowes and HD still beat his discount on wire and Square D products!!!

While some people don't like to wait in line, I simply go there about once a month with an empty van and stock up, works every time and more money in my pocket.
 
Re: Copper prices - again

I just bought some 1/2" EMT at menards yesterday. $1.98/10 feet section.

Was not all that long ago it was like 69 cents.
 
Re: Copper prices - again

Been longer than you think ;) and it was as high as $3 about 6 months ago.

As to buying from HD,we did it often.Keeps supply houses in line.Was buying homeline panels with breakers for almost same price as supply house wanted with no breakers.Pick up 6 and load cart with wire.The cheap blue box's i will pass on.Also used a place called Barnetts out of miami and saved a lot on things like outlets and can trim,plate covers.Saving $$$$$$ is part of the game.
 
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