[DIYer4Life]

I'm still getting about 40% of my material from Home Depot (both store and website) because it's cheaper.

 

[DIYer4Life]

I don't really complain about customers price shopping. But for sake of argument, there is a difference.

When a customer price shops a contractor, it takes up a lot of that contractor's time. Even a quick estimate takes at least an hour of my time. A more in depth job at a further location could take up 2+ hours. The customers always like talking to me, even if they end up not giving me the job. A free source of information that makes house calls. :laughing:

Pricing shopping a supply house doesn't waste nearly as much time, usually only a couple of minutes and that person never had to leave their desk or counter.

 

[DIYer4Life]

That right there is a bunch of BS... he should of been giving you the best deal all along..

Waiting for a customer to complain tells me either he is not doing his job or he wasn't giving you the best price to begin with...

I don't understand what you mean by this. What, exactly, is the "best price"?

Not all suppliers get material at the same price, nor do they have the same amount of overhead and operating costs. And they also don't expect the same amount of profit. The price they sell it for is a mixture of all of those things.

We all know that supply houses change their pricing dependent on the customer, a large contractor will get better pricing then a smaller one because they will make the difference up (and then some) on volume.

So where does this best price come from?

 

[DIYer4Life]

A supply house buys material in bulk.. then adds a percentage onto the bottom line to turn a profit and cover costs...

A guy who spends $$$$$$$$ every month should get a much lower price than a guy who comes in once a week..

Brian is a big fish.. they should of made sure he got the best pricing on his orders..

Again, what is the "best pricing"? That's what I am asking you.

There is no actual number, it's just how low they are willing to go in that circumstance. Their best number that they could give him on a normal basis might be 10%, but for this one order they may be willing to go as low as 5% just to keep him as a customer.

By what you said earlier, if they gave him a better deal this time, they are doing something wrong.

That right there is a bunch of BS... he should of been giving you the best deal all along..

Waiting for a customer to complain tells me either he is not doing his job or he wasn't giving you the best price to begin with...