Where to buy outlets and switches

[GSRinmyCRX]

any suggestion of where to get good prices on outlets and switches. I have been getting the standard stuff at home depot and lowes but I have to imagine there is a cheaper place to get GFCI, dimmers, 240v plugs, and other specialty stuff. I really like the outlets with the built in night light but for 20 something a outlet I am not sure its worth it.

Thanks.

Levi

 

[sberry]

You need to really sift thru the GFCI, the best price I found locally is Menards for about 10 a piece in 3 pack and it seems to change weekly. Bought some a month ago 33$ and last week about 29 I think.
I know you are going to get all kinds of opinions on this but,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I been doing this a long time and when I started out would have had a different view which I found may not have been as accurate and had little experience,,,, have removed and remodeled already some of my first work, have replaced a lot of old work.
I found the cheap **** to be as reliable as the rest of it,,,, I know,,, you will hear ******** to the contrary but I cant even remember the last time I replaced a replacement or relatively recent install and have use them on work benches where they see multiples of use cycles any home shop ever would.

I have a pretty fair pool to sample and have installed hundreds for others as well as have several hundred of my own,,, 3 or 400 maybe.

At 4$ for box of 10 devices it makes it painless to add extra or do new instead of used etc. Its painless to keep a box of them on hand and when you want it got it without keeping lotso money parked. On occasion I use a "better" one mostly for the backwire feature where old boxes are crowded. If you are using steel boxes I use a lot of 4x4 as they have a huge variety of covers, if there is a chance of anything going in them except common outlet and switches such as gfci use deep ones. Some new gfci are deeper than old and a welder recept needs one.
15A are fine, I am not sure how many pieces of equipment I own but its substantially more than most suburb types and do not have a single piece with a 20 end.

 

[pattenp]

Unless you are a contractor you are just as well going to the big box stores. It is a hit or miss as to getting items cheaper at an electrical supply as a DIY'er. You just need to check prices between the two.

 

[coljar]

I found better prices at my local electrical supply than HD or Lowes and some knowledgeable advice when I needed it.

 

[finn]

Most of the smaller local electrical contractors here just buy from Menards.

Larger, commercial contractors have their own stockrooms and buy from out of state distributors, who have box trucks and make weekly or biweekly route trips.

A couple of the large commercial contractors will resell to individuals, but at a price. Not very convenient, either.

 

[sberry]

I agree that the box stores are very competitive for this market. I go to the house on occasion but its out of the way and can be a pain due to hours, etc. A homebody can return at these stores too. Can buy a item or few at a time, got other things at the same place. They need to come up to speed and stock 90a breakers though. They have about everything else needed for avg garage/house.

 

[Evan(CA)]

I'm a pro and still buy from HD occasionally because they have a better price. The supply house is usually cheaper on most items but they will really gouge you on certain things. Most of the guys picking up material aren't paying for it so they don't care. I have my C-10 so it comes out of my pocket so I pay attention now. HD was 20 bucks cheaper per roll of 12-2 for example.

 

[Norcal]

I'm a pro and still buy from HD occasionally because they have a better price. The supply house is usually cheaper on most items but they will really gouge you on certain things. Most of the guys picking up material aren't paying for it so they don't care. I have my C-10 so it comes out of my pocket so I pay attention now. HD was 20 bucks cheaper per roll of 12-2 for example.

Supply houses can’t beat HD on Romex, cut wire in larger sizes are expensive and only offered in limited sizes at big box stores.

 

[sberry]

I agree, really hard to beat them on rolls of cable. They buy so much even big suppliers have trouble competing. Same for panels and breakers. They are usually a couple bucks higher on specialty fittings and don't always have all of them.
There are a few things to get by the box and get it over with. box connectors or clamps, buy 100 and a box of ground screws if you are using metal boxes. I like some spades or eyes for those too, so much easier to get a stranded wire in to the back of the box with them.
Lots of contractors buy cable from them. Guy told me one of the biggest outfits bought a whole semi load, went from the factory direct to them and another went half sies and split a load.