On line Supply houses

[jmsbrush]

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?

 

[480sparky]

Does anyone use supply houses on line?
..........

Not me. Warranty is an issue.

 

[mikeames]

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.

 

[highvolts582]

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.

 

[wireguru]

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.

 

[highvolts582]

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.

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]

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...

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

 

[jmsbrush]

I have never heard about sunstar. Are they junk?

 

[Rewire]

Sunstar is a good place to get cover plates

 

[electricguy]

I have never heard about sunstar. Are they junk?

I would search the forums for sunstar ,I
havent read much good about them.

 

[480sparky]

Here's some of the threads about them:

http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=100536

http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=104614

http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=79213

http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=89313

 

[electricguy]

Mr Brush
reading though a lot of the old posts on this forum be very leary of products sold on line from your state.

 

[electricalperson]

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

 

[wireguru]

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

I cant believe someone just admitted to using those GFIs :grin:

 

[brittle]

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.

 

[brittle]

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.

 

[ultramegabob]

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.

 

[hillbilly]

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

 

[zog]

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

That sounds like a big counterfeit flag to me.

 

[petersonra]

That sounds like a big counterfeit flag to me.

more likely you are getting a name brand product without the name.