Buying electrical supplies

[Kapn]

I'm getting ready to run circuits for my shop and future apartment. I've always done small projects like adding a few breakers or making a new outlet and I've not geared up for a big project before. Should I go to Home Depot and get things as I need them or can I walk into a electrical supply store and buy it all at once?

 

[PCustoms]

Yes

 

[dogdog]

I'm getting ready to run circuits for my shop and future apartment. I've always done small projects like adding a few breakers or making a new outlet and I've not geared up for a big project before. Should I go to Home Depot and get things as I need them or can I walk into a electrical supply store and buy it all at once?

that dependents on what you wanted to do and how well you planned things, Wires I know how much I get and the BX or MC I get from electrical supply store are cheaper when paid cash. I get "most" from electrical supply stores, then what ever things like switch plates, connectors, boxes etc I know approximate what I needed I get from homedepot. in case I get extra and need to return that is if you are within the return period....

 

[Noltz]

Electrical supply store saves me a lot on wire, a little bit on fixtures and oddly very little on receptacles. I do know a guy who processes my orders but they're open to the public. I'd definitely come up with a list and bring it to a supply house for a quote. Retail for wire is terrible. I bought a spool of 14/2 just for my little projects here and there and it was less than half if I was buying 20m at a time.

 

[Bert_]

Lot of times the box store is cheaper on romex than the electrical supply

 

[sparky 1971]

Box stores are usually competitive, sometimes less, and sometimes a lot less on most residential grade supplies and romex, even with the supply house contractor pricing. It's the other way around for the commercial grade. On top of that, the supply houses I use really do a good job of sticking it to the guy that comes in off the street. I've seen them charge someone without an account a lot more what I can buy the same thing for.

For example, I was in one afternoon when the counter salesman asked if I wanted to sell a dimmer to a lady that was there for around $25ish. $25ish was what it was at Home Depot was charging for it, but it was out of stock. I told him to just sell it to her as a cash sale, but run it through my account for the pricing. My price was about $20.00. After she thanked me and left, I asked what that was all about and he told me that her price was going to be around $40.00. The reason for that is that they want to take care of their real customers, and don't want someone coming in after I charge $40.00 for it and finding out that I bought it for $20.00.

 

[nadogail]

Economics of scale are involved, Home Depot buys some parts by the car load, for routine residential stuff they are often unbeatable.

 

[75gmck25]

Also, don't assume you might get it cheaper through Amazon. It's fast shipping and usually good availability, but local suppliers or volume online suppliers are often cheaper for electrical, plumbing and other construction items.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Box stores are usually competitive, sometimes less, and sometimes a lot less on most residential grade supplies and romex, even with the supply house contractor pricing. It's the other way around for the commercial grade. On top of that, the supply houses I use really do a good job of sticking it to the guy that comes in off the street. I've seen them charge someone without an account a lot more what I can buy the same thing for.

For example, I was in one afternoon when the counter salesman asked if I wanted to sell a dimmer to a lady that was there for around $25ish. $25ish was what it was at Home Depot was charging for it, but it was out of stock. I told him to just sell it to her as a cash sale, but run it through my account for the pricing. My price was about $20.00. After she thanked me and left, I asked what that was all about and he told me that her price was going to be around $40.00. The reason for that is that they want to take care of their real customers, and don't want someone coming in after I charge $40.00 for it and finding out that I bought it for $20.00.

so they dont want to deal with **** hurt customers whom dont understand that a business needs markup profits to survive? smh

 

[NUTTSGT]

so they dont want to deal with **** hurt customers whom dont understand that a business needs markup profits to survive? smh

However, it's a way to lose a potential customer that would throw some cash towards a local business over the years and recommend others to visit the same business. When it comes to **** hurt, the only bitching is the business owner that is still **** hurt from getting a divorce 25 years ago. . . . even his own son that is taking over the other side of the business gets driven nuts by his attitude.

Sometimes it works both ways.

 

[sparky 1971]

so they dont want to deal with **** hurt customers whom dont understand that a business needs markup profits to survive? smh

Exactly. I can't speak for all of them, (I have accounts with five different SH's), but the one that gets 80% of my business doesn't want anyone coming in off the streets. There is another that I visit about once every three years when I need something Eaton that Menards doesn't have that won't even sell to someone without an account. I've run into the same thing with plumbing SH's for my own stuff. I wind up buying through a buddies account for 1/2 price.

 

[Innovate1]

When I was building I was able to set up an account with a local electrical supply by telling them I was the general contractor (and I was). But most things available at the big box store are going to be less there from what I saw (was almost 20 years ago). Internet sales weren't as big of thing then. You can probably get most of what you need on line or at the big box stores. I know the HVAC suppliers are really strict about not selling to individuals. When I called for some parts they would hardly talk to me, wouldn't give me pricing, etc but I was just wanting to know if they had it so I didn't waste a trip. But my employer is one of their suppliers and when I go in with my id there is no issue. The contractors get on them about selling to the public and cutting them out. Electrical supplies don't seem so strict but may charge you more. The few plumbing things I have needed to go to a distributor for didn't seem too out of line.

 

[gtae07]

Whenever possible I avoid buying from places that require me to "get a quote". It's a PITA and I often get the stinkeye for not being a "pro".

 

[nadogail]

Big Box stores have been very accommodating about allowing both small quantity purchases, late in the evenings and Returns.

Wholesale Houses, have not been so accommodating to the DIY crowd.

 

[Jim greengo]

Around here I buy most common electrical supplies from menards,they have a much better selection than hd anyway.
I usually buy service wire and specialty stuff through supply house though.

 

[Bert_]

The big draw for a contractor to use the supply house is they bring the parts to your shop. No time wasted running around for parts it's just there.

There's a few things I will get elsewhere, a 200A 1ph enclosed circuit breaker comes to mind. I can get a Midwest one through the electrical supplier, $415. Or I can go to Menards and buy a sq d one for $190. The sq d breaker is a lot better anyway. I get close to Menards a few times a year so I just buy the 2 or 3 they keep in stock.

 

[southalabama]

Our local electrical supply house treats non tradesman like ****. They have multi tier pricing and attempt to screw the non professional. I’ve been responsible for more electrical supply purchases than a few custom home builders I know yet I get the red headed step child price. I’m a slow learner. Last time I went in needing unistrut they told me how long the lead time was because they had to get a minimum order for the steel truck to deliver. I ordered from zoro from their parking lot.

 

[Innovate1]

Our local electrical supply house treats non tradesman like ****. They have multi tier pricing and attempt to screw the non professional. I’ve been responsible for more electrical supply purchases than a few custom home builders I know yet I get the red headed step child price. I’m a slow learner. Last time I went in needing unistrut they told me how long the lead time was because they had to get a minimum order for the steel truck to deliver. I ordered from zoro from their parking lot.

Should be lots of places to get unistrut - it's used for a lot of things besides electrical. I think I have even seen it at the big box stores.

 

[sparky 1971]

The big draw for a contractor to use the supply house is they bring the parts to your shop. No time wasted running around for parts it's just there.

There's a few things I will get elsewhere, a 200A 1ph enclosed circuit breaker comes to mind. I can get a Midwest one through the electrical supplier, $415. Or I can go to Menards and buy a sq d one for $190. The sq d breaker is a lot better anyway. I get close to Menards a few times a year so I just buy the 2 or 3 they keep in stock.

And for those of us that don't have a shop, or at least a shop that is within 30 miles of where the work is, they jobsite deliver. Or an order can be called in and picked up on the way through. I can even text an order in if I would like, but since I am one of the last six people on earth to carry a flip phone, I don't text more than a few words at a time.

 

[NakeDiesel]

I do my own plumbing and electrical. I get 90% from lowes/home depot and the remainder from supply houses. I live an hour away from all of them. I shop online for prices for most of it. Last few years stock has been **** at all of them. I have a few places I get better prices than locke, but I can usually get it there if noone else has it. They are just higher than everyone else.

With lowes and HD, I get my military discount so that factors into pricing for me. I don't pay state taxes anywhere with my farm tax card. If I'm running service wire, I'm calling around getting pricing per foor from everyone.

 

[Just_Steve]

I buy mostly from HD only because returns are so much easier.

 

[NakeDiesel]

You guys return things? I have tubs full of electrical supplies divided up by pvc, emt, rigid, plumbing supplies, etc... the big stores are an hour away, so I try to keep parts and supplies on hand for projects.

 

[56Mark]

I would say at least check the supply houses. I am finishing my basement right now and needed 50' of 14-3 for 3-way switches. Lowes was $67, local hardware was $77. Lowes by the foot was $.88, so $44 and online it showed they had it. I went to Lowes, and they told me they didn't sell it by the foot but I think he just didn't want to mess with it (my local Lowes has went to **** in the last year). Lowes also didn't have the 50' rolls in stock. I left and called City Electrical and they sold me 50' for $35 and I am not an electrical contractor. I have been to City several times and always had good pricing and the guys working there can help if I need advice, unlike the monkeys at Lowes.

 

[southalabama]

Should be lots of places to get unistrut - it's used for a lot of things besides electrical. I think I have even seen it at the big box stores.

I’m in a one horse town. It’s a geographical oddity if you will. It’s about two weeks from everywhere. Not that bad but an hour drive. Pre covid and metal increases zoro would deliver for no surcharge. I stacked up some 20’ pieces. Truck dropped it off at the office. Secretary wasn’t amused when they stacked it down the hall. Big boxes have it but it’s 75 miles round trip.

 

[Innovate1]

Not familiar with Zoro. I looked at their web site and "about us" but still not really clear. I looked up copper material somewhat randomly and found they list material from companies that have their own web sites. I drilled down a bit and selected a copper tube although "plastic" showed up several places on the page. The length (96) was listed but not much else, not even ID and OD. Zoro number is G607083649. It listed Online Metals and a part number so I looked it up on the Online Metals site which confirmed it was indeed copper and gave the ID, OD, and other details with price $15.33. Zoro is $21.09. I didn't dig into shipping. So it isn't clear to me why I would use Zoro rather than just the actual source. Seems a bit like Amazon with a more industrial focus. Can someone explain why I might use them? I did see that over $50 is free shipping - is that the main advantage?

 

[75gmck25]

Another dealer site I ran into when buying supplies for concrete parging was White Cap Building Materials. They don't have as many locations, but seem to be like a big box that is focused on building materials only. They are the "back end" (whatever that means) of the HD supply chain, but they don't carry all the other non-building stuff that you would find at HD or Lowes.

 

[Buckaroo5]

Bought a lot of romex in August/September and found that Home Depot was quite a bit more expensive than Menards. I have been told that Home Depot has quite a lag in adjusting their prices as copper fluctuates and copper had recently gone down. Menards keeps a closer eye on this as do the electrical supply houses so it can cut both ways depending on recent changes. Good to comparison shop if you are spending a fair amount of money.

 

[Poolshark314]

I think it'll come down to just figuring out how much each place wants for the same items. I went to a City Electric Supply once thinking I was saving money on 2" conduit and it ended up being $44/10 ft stick. The same at Home Depot was ~$27 at the time. Was a no brainer to walk away

 

[Buckaroo5]

Not familiar with Zoro. I looked at their web site and "about us" but still not really clear. I looked up copper material somewhat randomly and found they list material from companies that have their own web sites. I drilled down a bit and selected a copper tube although "plastic" showed up several places on the page. The length (96) was listed but not much else, not even ID and OD. Zoro number is G607083649. It listed Online Metals and a part number so I looked it up on the Online Metals site which confirmed it was indeed copper and gave the ID, OD, and other details with price $15.33. Zoro is $21.09. I didn't dig into shipping. So it isn't clear to me why I would use Zoro rather than just the actual source. Seems a bit like Amazon with a more industrial focus. Can someone explain why I might use them? I did see that over $50 is free shipping - is that the main advantage?

Zoro is the retail internet operation for Grainger. They have 15% off and occasionally 20% off discount codes floating around. If you can find something that is competitvely priced and apply the coupon, you can get a very good deal. They have, however, added exclusions to the coupons. I find that they can be good for expendable supplies and components - not so much for name brand tools. I was buying quite a bit from them a couple of years ago but their pricing even with the coupon doesn't seem as good recently. For generic electrical and plumbing components, you could save some money if you are buying a lot. Unfortunately it can be a fair mount of work to find the stuff you are looking for given their website. Don't forget Amazon - they can be good but I am very careful when not sold and/or fullfilled by Amazon themselves - lots of counterfeit items out there.

 

[WillyBoy]

Zoro is the retail internet operation for Grainger. They have 15% off and occasionally 20% off discount codes floating around.

Good to know. I wasn't aware of this, thanks.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Already mentioned, but I've always found big box stores to win on residential materials, and supply houses to win on commercial.

I've also found (not just with electrical) that supply houses are glad to sell you a big order regardless of what it's for. They get pissy when you're there "wasting their time" buying just a couple small items.

 

[Innovate1]

When I was building the detached garage a couple years ago I needed a large radius PVC 90s. Found a local supply house that I hadn't used before said they could get it and gave me a decent price. Don't recall exactly how it went down but they tacked on a huge shipping charge without any mention of it and even though I picked it up at their location. And it was more like 18" radius than 24". I could have lived with the difference in radius but was really put off by the huge charge for shipping - think it about doubled the price. Went back to return it and think I used the radius as the reason. They reversed the charge without much argument. I am sure I was a pain for them but it goes both ways - they should have at least mentioned the additional charges. Needed several more before the project was done and ended up doing several bends myself because they just didn't seem to be available in under 2".

 

[Kapn]

Big Box stores have been very accommodating about allowing both small quantity purchases, late in the evenings and Returns.

Wholesale Houses, have not been so accommodating to the DIY crowd.

I think this is the real answer. I'm definitely a Friday night grab it so I can be ready Saturday morning. Unless there's a substantial discount to be had, I think I'll stick with my Home Depot runs.

Thanks for all the input.

 

[Innovate1]

I think this is the real answer. I'm definitely a Friday night grab it so I can be ready Saturday morning. Unless there's a substantial discount to be had, I think I'll stick with my Home Depot runs.

Thanks for all the input.

That's a good start but there are things that the big box stores aren't going to have for bigger projects or are quite a bit more expensive (larger wire comes to mind). On big expenditures I would check on line. wireandcableyourway.com is a place many here use.

 

[NakeDiesel]

For large purchases or large wire I've gone with Graybar, they have good prices, but it's hard for me to get to them normally so I have to take off during the day to get there to pick things up.

So normally it's lowes or home depot for the normal projects. But like the current project I'm working. I'm putting up a 20' stand alone tower that will house my starlink dish, digital tv antenna, a 2.4g directional antenna pointing a 1/4 mile to my gate and a 5g directional antenna pointing 50' to my shop's 5g antenna. all those wires will be encased in 1" pvc conduit up the tower over to the house underground and then up via 1" rigid. Couldn't find the rigid ******* in the lengths I needed at the box stores so ended up ordering them online so I wouldn't have to buy a 10' piece of rigid and make my own and thread the pieces.