Price-shopping consumers - how far would you go?

[KiwiBro (deleted)]

Was thinking about this today whilst comparing quotes for the supply of building materials for a deck project. Local suppliers are getting spanked on price, by other reputable suppliers who are willing to deliver equally good lumber for less. For example, local suppliers are around $12k, non-local are about $10k.

If it were closer, I'd consider local but the premium is too high. But then how much of a premium would be acceptable to you, if any?

Also, I make a point of contacting everyone who quotes and let them know roughly where they stood compared to others. But this time around, I'm getting asked to identify the others and exactly where the differences are, and I'm not sure yet if I want to get into details like that with competitors as I feel it's privileged/private info.

This got me thinking; as consumers, should we be encouraging the dissemination of information like who what where how much so as to play our part in a fully functioning competitive market?

 

[Genius]

That's kind of a dick move on their part to be asking you for what the other quotes are.


When I talk to contractors to get quotes that's between us.

As long as you told them about the quality of materials that they are to use, their prices should all be close. Generally contractors get their materials from the same supply houses.

Certain guys have a name for themselves for doing great work, so their prices will usually be higher

 

[Jimmy in NC]

As someone that was a full time estimator, thats a ballsy move. I always gave out best price up front. Asking that says they have no idea where the competition is...nor where they should be.

 

[Magic_Man]

For me difference in price would depend on difference in service. How are any of the contractors to deal with ? Many lumber suppliers in my neck of the woods bring you a stack of lumber and what you get is what you get. There is one supplier that will trade out lumber that is deemed unusable and he usually does a good job of sending quality lumber the first time, of course his prices are higher.

As far as sharing quotes, call the person the quote came from and ask if you can share it. Most don't care, but you should always ask first. It's not as if prices are secret hidden knowledge, but it's a courtesy.

Now if you share the $10k quote with the $12k supplier and he drops to $10k immediately then he's overcharging. If he stands at his price or offers a small discount i.e. $500, he's doing honest business most likely with a higher overhead cost.

 

[jakethesnake]

I always pick through lumber. I'm not buying warped up lumber. They will always take it back whoever I buy from. None of their business what the next man charged. I agree you can tell them" I can get it cheaper ". But not disclose exactly whom charges What for anything. If local cannot compete within reason I go down the road.

 

[exSW]

When it comes to building materials I near always buy on quality and service not price. Glad I'm out of construction because it's harder than ever to find either.

 

[jakethesnake]

Good lumber Is hard to find

 

[KiwiBro (deleted)]

Thanks all. These are all reputable suppliers who have a track record with me or someone I respect. I was just surprised at the difference in prices and then more surprised by being asked to be so detailed with the quotes of competitors. For now, I've just given them a rough idea where they stood on price overall. In two cases their delivery charges were killing the deal.

It just made me wonder where others draw the line and if anybody else thinks much about their role in the functioning of a competitive market.

I also agree service is important.

Non-local suppliers were spanking the locals. So I have had to weigh up my role in supporting the non-local suppliers, thus taking the business away from locals who may not be there to supply the bits and pieces at short notice if I need something quickly. The other day I needed some 1 1/2" pipe fittings that my local had in store. But if I keep giving my larger orders to non-locals, maybe that local supplier will shut their doors and then I've got a long/costly drive to find incidental parts I may need urgently at some point in the future.

Also, I'm more convinced than ever before there's some $ to be made with my idea of a portable, small scale timber treatment plant, to produce treated pine lumber from the small plantations that are largely uneconomic for the big forestry crews to mess with. It drives me mad at how little the felling/harvesting crews are getting compared to the margins the actual lumber suppliers are making. It's a crazy disconnect for sure.

 

[USMC615]

Ideally you want to handpick all the lumber/posts if building any deck. If the lumber yard/supplier is loading it, the yard idiots will load up all the culls (waned, warped, twisted, crowned) lumber that folks have already been through and finish it out by grabbing the next boards/lumber that's easiest to get to. Deck building requires a little better look at lumber/deck boards/posts, than framing a house....you'll have your share of lumber to take back and exchange.

I've framed a many a house, built many decks and privacy fences back in my younger days. Again, framing is one thing...just seen the return of way too much materials/lumber way too many times for decks and privacy fences. As far as privacy fences go, you'll certainly see the return of a heap of fence boards. Lot of folks simply did not want the top nor bottom layer of bundles of fence boards that were delivered to the job site...band marks, cracked boards, etc.