Home Depot vs supply house - Plumbing Zone

gear junkie · 09-14-2008, 12:06 AM

Didn't want to get the "customer supplied material" thread off track so I started this one. What's the difference between a delta faucet from HD vs fergusons? The only thing I see is that HD is cheaper in cost. Used to be that a delta faucet from fergusons came with a brass pop up but this is no longer the case. Why buy a garbage disposal for 173 from ferguson when I can get the same one at hd for 164?

Plumberman · 09-14-2008, 12:10 AM

Down here its the same, but you sacrifice quality by buying from home despair and blowes. The same exact brand of faucet is cheaper but the internal pieces are plastic or not even there. Plus they don't carry repair parts for a lot of what they sell. Fergs will as do other supply houses. Its cheaper but you get what you pay for.

Killertoiletspider · 09-14-2008, 12:17 AM

For the guys that do service work, buying from the home centers is funding your competition, they are trying to undercut your pricing and steal your customer base. Our company has no fear of competition from the home centers and we still don't buy from them unless we have no choice.

Wiser · 09-14-2008, 12:47 AM

Lowes tub/shower faucets do not have integral stops. Plus you are funding the competition - our Lowes & Home Depot will do the install too at a price most plumbing companies won't accept as fair. They sell cheap products and offer cheap plumbing service.

thekctermite · 09-14-2008, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plumbcrazy

Lowes tub/shower faucets do not have integral stops. Plus you are funding the competition - our Lowes & Home Depot will do the install too at a price most plumbing companies won't accept as fair. They sell cheap products and offer cheap plumbing service.

Their subcontracted installers are often the bottom of the barrel bottom-dollar outfits. I cringe every time I know I have to inspect their work, because it is often sub-par. A couple years back we had to call a meeting with a box store manager due to the level of their installers' workmanship...We had done several inspections with huge dents in the water heaters. Vents not connected. No shutoffs. On and on and on. The whole thing was shady.

22rifle · 09-14-2008, 09:31 AM

Delta lav faucet from Blowes will have a cheap, stamped, 22 gauge brass pop up.

The one from Fergies will have a machined brass and 17 gauge pop up.

**Bill** · 09-14-2008, 12:24 PM

I was told by someone that the difference is that when a manufacturer makes several hundred thousand of a product there will be some minor defects in some of them. These defects do not really hurt the operation of the product, but the name stores do not want them because it will hurt their business. So the quality controll people take these not quite up to snuff products and put them on the back shelf. After they have a trailer l;oad or so they send out offers to bid on the lot from Lowes and home depot ans other such places. The highest bidder on the lot gets them. Take it for what its worth because I certainly dont have sound backing to prove it. I do know however that when I build a house and install say Schlage locksets purchased from Lowes they dont last a year. Now when I get the same lockset from the Lumber Yard here in town which costs about 3.00 more they last forever.

Redwood · 09-14-2008, 02:59 PM

Big box stores often specify options they want in what they sell. It's no secret and if they get it a few bucks cheaper they have the lower price...

Here is the word straight from the Moen website FAQ's
http://www.moen.com/consumersupport/FAQs/

Quote:

Do all Moen products consist of one standard of quality regardless of whether the distributor is a retail or wholesale supplier?
Moen's production line does not differentiate between wholesale and retail models. There is only one grade of brass, only one grade of cartridge and only one grade of warranty coverage - the best. While the numbering system for Moen's wholesale distributors and retail distributors may vary and subtle installation and trim differences may exist (these may include, but are not limited too, packaging, threaded or slip-fit style tub spouts and metallic or non-metallic drain assemblies). The quality and limited lifetime warranty against leaks, drips, materials, and workmanship remain the same for all of our products.

GrumpyPlumber · 09-14-2008, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redwood

While the numbering system for Moen's wholesale distributors and retail distributors may vary and subtle installation and trim differences may exist (these may include, but are not limited too, packaging, threaded or slip-fit style tub spouts and metallic or non-metallic drain assemblies).

Just a little, eensey weensey detail there.

Plumberman · 09-14-2008, 06:18 PM

Lets face it faucets and plumbing parts from the big box stores are junk.... bottom line.

09-14-2008, 12:06 AM	#1
gear junkie Ridgid tool user Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: CA but use IPC Posts: 1,027 My Photos	Home Depot vs supply house Didn't want to get the "customer supplied material" thread off track so I started this one. What's the difference between a delta faucet from HD vs fergusons? The only thing I see is that HD is cheaper in cost. Used to be that a delta faucet from fergusons came with a brass pop up but this is no longer the case. Why buy a garbage disposal for 173 from ferguson when I can get the same one at hd for 164? __________________ Ridgid

09-14-2008, 12:24 PM	#7
Bill Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: I have no idea! Posts: 5,868 My Photos	I was told by someone that the difference is that when a manufacturer makes several hundred thousand of a product there will be some minor defects in some of them. These defects do not really hurt the operation of the product, but the name stores do not want them because it will hurt their business. So the quality controll people take these not quite up to snuff products and put them on the back shelf. After they have a trailer l;oad or so they send out offers to bid on the lot from Lowes and home depot ans other such places. The highest bidder on the lot gets them. Take it for what its worth because I certainly dont have sound backing to prove it. I do know however that when I build a house and install say Schlage locksets purchased from Lowes they dont last a year. Now when I get the same lockset from the Lumber Yard here in town which costs about 3.00 more they last forever. __________________ Virginia Plumbing Codes Virginia Department of Licensing Ones intellect can often be summed up by his own words Everything in the known universe is governed by "Cause and Effect", there is no getting around it. Think about what you do before you do it.

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09-14-2008, 12:17 AM	#3
Killertoiletspider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2,411 My Photos	For the guys that do service work, buying from the home centers is funding your competition, they are trying to undercut your pricing and steal your customer base. Our company has no fear of competition from the home centers and we still don't buy from them unless we have no choice.

09-14-2008, 12:47 AM	#4
Wiser Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 913 My Photos	Lowes tub/shower faucets do not have integral stops. Plus you are funding the competition - our Lowes & Home Depot will do the install too at a price most plumbing companies won't accept as fair. They sell cheap products and offer cheap plumbing service.

09-14-2008, 09:31 AM	#6
22rifle Master Plumber Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,053 My Photos	Delta lav faucet from Blowes will have a cheap, stamped, 22 gauge brass pop up. The one from Fergies will have a machined brass and 17 gauge pop up.