Don't forget your local electrical supply house

[jvitez]

I'm starting to buy material for my attached garage subpanel install while waiting for rest, splinting, and anti-inflammatories to get rid of my tendonitis. I want to stick with Cutler Hammer load centers as I want a door. Siemens, Federal Pioneer (yuk), and Square D are all sold here. Siemens never seem to come with a door, Federal Pioneer is way to junky, and Square D is the most expensive. So......

I buy a main breaker 30/60 Cutler Hammer panel, 100 amp breaker included, from Home Depot for $110 Can. They had a 100 amp main breaker 24/48 pre packaged set up with branch breakers included for $170, but I didn't need all the breakers so I thought just buying an empty panel would be better.

Today I'm driving by a local electrical supply house. I stop in, ask about CH load centers. I leave with a 20/40 100 amp main breaker panel, for $62.25 plus taxes! The 30/60 would have been only $1 more, but it was too big as I thought about it more. Back to HD, got a refund.

HD is close, but for bigger projects I'm certainly going to give these guys first crack from now on. YMMV.

 

[nate379]

Not that way here. I had to get some parts from the local place since Lowe's was out and it was $6-7 more for a $20 item.

 

[Ign]

YMMV is right. We've got a CED and American Electric here, neither cares to give me the time of day since I'm not a big account.........or an account at all for that matter. I go when I absolutely have to, but otherwise being treated like dirt is not something I actively seek.

 

[Identaltech]

YMMV is right. We've got a CED and American Electric here, neither cares to give me the time of day since I'm not a big account.........or an account at all for that matter. I go when I absolutely have to, but otherwise being treated like dirt is not something I actively seek.

Just a little trick that I use.
call the supply houses first.
"Hi I,m (instert your name) from the (insert some big company name) whats the cost of a (insert product)?
O.K can I pick that up at the desk?
when you get there pay cash.
dont charge it.
It works and you will get the corporate rate also.
works even better for me as the company I work for has acounts at all the supply stores around the state.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Just a little trick that I use.
call the supply houses first.
"Hi I,m (instert your name) from the (insert some big company name) whats the cost of a (insert product)?
O.K can I pick that up at the desk?
when you get there pay cash.
dont charge it.
It works and you will get the corporate rate also.
works even better for me as the company I work for has acounts at all the supply stores around the state.

I do it in reverse psychology. The electrical supply is right across the highway from our factory, I usually walk over. When I want something for myself, I tell them to give me a GOOD price on it, not what the company pays. Never had it fail to be cheaper, but then I BS and pick on them a lot when I'm there. I priced some T8 fixtures last week, which were $45, until I told them it was for me, was then $35. They jokingly have a pool on whether I retire before I get run over crossing the 4 lane on foot. Social interaction can have a big effect on your wallet. Some people never figure that out.

 

[jvitez]

The local flavour is most important for a lot of these issues. One big electrical supplier here has a large sign with their name and 'wholesale only" under it. I've also been to 2 contractor oriented plumbing houses with great service for little ol' me, not being a tradesman. I guess these places mostly deal with small contractors, so getting snooty doesn't work if there isn't a few huge contracts to keep the money coming.

Anyway, I like to support local independents as much as I can. This electrical supply place is getting more of my business and more word of mouth from me, that's for sure.

 

[nate379]

I have done that before when I go to a place for parts after work and I'm in uniform (Air Force).

This for the base?

Yup... though I'm just going to pay cash

Just a little trick that I use.
call the supply houses first.
"Hi I,m (instert your name) from the (insert some big company name) whats the cost of a (insert product)?
O.K can I pick that up at the desk?
when you get there pay cash.
dont charge it.
It works and you will get the corporate rate also.
works even better for me as the company I work for has acounts at all the supply stores around the state.