Knowing competitions material price

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Tiger Electrical said:
The thing that bothers me more than anything about suppliers is that you talk to Joe & the price is $50. You talk to Jim & the price is $55. My best solution is to always talk to Joe. You'd think the price would be the same, but apparently different salespeople have different markups.

Dave
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most salesmen are commission based...you do have to watch out...
 
I don't deal with Graybar much anymore either.

I pretty much email my materials list to 2 supply houses. I like the people at both locations. They know the game, low is low; you get one shot at it. Give me your best price upfront and if it is the low price, you get the order. They both offer great service.

Trying to equate electrical installation services to parts supply service is like comparing apples and oranges. Materials are a commodity. Commodities are sold on price. Good service is worth something, but is it worth 10%, 15%, 20%?

With the slowdown in construction, you may find you have the time to self perform the service your supplier is providing for a lower price on the materials.

Let's face it. Supply houses are stocking less. They can get what you need in a day or two (specialty items that years ago used to be stock). I'm not trying to beat them up, but face it, if another qualified reputable EC beat your price by 10%, would you expect the customer to buy from you? I wouldn't.
 
Rewire said:
I have locked in prices on most items I use regularly so salesmen are not an issue some items like ground rods I buy in bulk at a price that I negotiate.
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that's the best way to go...
 
hardworkingstiff said:
Let's face it. Supply houses are stocking less. They can get what you need in a day or two (specialty items that years ago used to be stock). I'm not trying to beat them up, but face it, if another qualified reputable EC beat your price by 10%, would you expect the customer to buy from you? I wouldn't.
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yep, everything is a day away...a lot of supply houses are going to the Central Distribution Center...and if you don't happen to be at the CDC, you can have the part tomorrow...

as for the other EC and 10%...it all depends on the sector of the market you are in...New construction and bid work, yes it will make a difference (unless you have a fantastic relationship with the customer)...but service work (both commercial and resi) it really won't make a difference at all...
 
hardworkingstiff said:
How about in a market where prices are falling?
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it's been my experience that i can always renegotiate...but usually, my negotiated price is still lower than the falling price...

i.e. we uses a ton of twist-locks...i pay under $6 for a HBL2311 (20A 125V TL)...my price at grainger is $22.46/ea....that price would have to fall A LOT for me to worry about renegotiating.

Now, wire, is a different story. But wire is negotiated job by job, not locked in for a period of time.

when we did a lot a resi work, we were paying $106 for a Sq D QO 1PH MCB w/ cover, we were paying $3.50 for a QO120...

Again, not really concerned if the retail prices dropped, we were still well below them...
 
emahler said:
as for the other EC and 10%...it all depends on the sector of the market you are in...New construction and bid work, yes it will make a difference (unless you have a fantastic relationship with the customer)...but service work (both commercial and resi) it really won't make a difference at all...
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True, I don't do service work so I never considered it. :smile:
I guess I'm stuck in my groove.
 
hardworkingstiff said:
True, I don't do service work so I never considered it. :smile:
I guess I'm stuck in my groove.
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don't feel bad, most of our industry is stuck in their "groove"....unfortunately, their 'groove' is stuck in the 70's.....:D
 
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