Home Depot Or Local Specialty Stores?
I currently have rental property and want to diversify, so I am pursuing rehabbing. I currently purchase my supplies for my rentals at Home Depot & Menards. As I begin rehabbing, what has been the experience people have had as far as pricing, service..etc from specialty stores versus these "Super Stores?"
Big Box vs. Specialty stores is easy:
Big box = lower prices, larger selection of generic products, low customer service, 50/50 shot at a correct answer to a question, easy returns, cheap delivery.
Specialty stores = higher prices, smaller selection of specialty products, high customer service, 95% chance at a correct answer, not as liberal return policies, more expensive delivery.
I use HD & Lowes for tools and minor supplies.......for larger orders, I deal with suppliers that cater to the contractor.
I have never been impressed with HD or Lowes lumber. Taking materials back is a pain in the rear without a receipt.
Then there are the delivery charges.....which I think are ridiculous.
If I am going to spend tens of thousands of dollars at anyones stores.....I expect free delivery.
Special orders and scheduling I have found to be wanting at both HD & Lowes.
As far as price.......I get better prices, better products and service from my specialty stores.
NC
i fancy home depot for the prices since they buy bulk and usually have a wider variety of what i'm looking for
I HATE HOME DEPOT. They are not really that much cheaper on most stuff. There customer service completely stinks and by the time you figure the value of your time wasted in the checkout line you could buy anwhere cheaper.
The 50/50 estimate on the odds of a correct answer is WAY too high, more like one in five.
That said I still shop there sometimes, mostly when otherwise would mean trips to three different stores.