Any plumbers on here?

[krd7_99]

In the process of building a house...plumber suggested to go to a plumbing supply store to buy fixtures; we made our selections and got a list of model #'s with retail prices. I decided to search the model #'s online and found some things to be nearly 1/2 the price at either online websites or Home Depot/Lowes...
According to my plumber, the products from the "big box stores" are made of cheaper parts/quality. He can get me a discount by ordering through the plumbing supply store, but nowhere near the savings I can get by buying online.
My question is how can that be if they are the EXACT same model #?

Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[funKYcat75]

I've been known to lay some pipe in my younger days.

 

[UKGrad93]

I got a similar line when I built my house 13 years ago. The plumber told us to pick from the store where he did all of his business. Not much choice. He told us that we could get stuff from somewhere else, and he would install it, but if there were any problems or something broke, then he would not be responsible. I should've complained long and loud to the GC, but young, dumb... Seemed like he was hinting that he would probably break any fixtures that we bought.

We ended up just having him install standard contractor stuff. I've since replaced faucets and mechanisms in toilets in 4 bathrooms and need to replace the kitchen faucet.

 

[krd7_99]

I've been known to lay some pipe in my younger days.

I was thisclose to putting that line at the end of my post...figured someone would use it, ha.

 

[slick rick.ksr]

The big box stores carry the lower grades of Delta, American Standard, Kohler, etc.Do your homework on the manufacturers web sites and talk forums. Get the best you can afford and that's all you can do.

 

[Supreme Lord Z]

Buy the most expensive plumbing you can find that has a "no return" policy then order extra. You should be fine.

 

[crazyqx83_rivals88013]

I got a similar line when I built my house 13 years ago. The plumber told us to pick from the store where he did all of his business. Not much choice. He told us that we could get stuff from somewhere else, and he would install it, but if there were any problems or something broke, then he would not be responsible. I should've complained long and loud to the GC, but young, dumb... Seemed like he was hinting that he would probably break any fixtures that we bought.

We ended up just having him install standard contractor stuff. I've since replaced faucets and mechanisms in toilets in 4 bathrooms and need to replace the kitchen faucet.

Did you have plans or any kind of reasonalbe contract?

 

[UKGrad93]

Did you have plans or any kind of reasonalbe contract?

We were basically buying a spec house, but made the deal with the GC before ground breaking. The guy was building a subdivision. We asked for some specifics like Pella windows and doors and a few other things. We were both working full time and going to grad school, so I don't remember a lot about the contract.

 

[BankerCat12]

This is the Paddock. Why are you worrying about this? My plumber on the "other" end of my estate. Is yours off grounds?

 

[crazyqx83_rivals88013]

We were basically buying a spec house, but made the deal with the GC before ground breaking. The guy was building a subdivision. We asked for some specifics like Pella windows and doors and a few other things. We were both working full time and going to grad school, so I don't remember a lot about the contract.

Well... Lesson learned, I guess. You didn't do sometging crazy like give him the whole balance up front, right? I'd laugh at the concept of the plumber breaking fixtures. He would be replacing them until he managed to install one without breaking it or I'd tell the gc i was walking away from the deal over an incompetent plumber.

 

[UKGrad93]

Well... Lesson learned, I guess. You didn't do sometging crazy like give him the whole balance up front, right? I'd laugh at the concept of the plumber breaking fixtures. He would be replacing them until he managed to install one without breaking it or I'd tell the gc i was walking away from the deal over an incompetent plumber.

No money up front. Plumber was just an a-hole. The gc was building a lot of spec houses, so that's what the subs were used to. They usually just put in contractor grade stuff. I should've hired a custom builder, but didn't think I could afford it.

 

[trueblujr]

Do what he suggests and go to the plumbing supply store. Home Depot and Lowes carry lower grade versions with plastic parts that break. Pay a little more and get faucets with all brass fittings that you can't get at a big box store. If you buy online make sure it specifies that its all brass.

 

[arasco]

Do you have a general contractor and an already agreed upon price for the construction? Are you working on an allowance for each subset of finishes?

My guess is that the plumber gets a volume incentive or rebate or something at year end. He also probably gets good service from the supply store and they do handle things for him if there's a need for a return, etc....If they are indeed the exact same model number and it truly comes out of your back pocket, then force his hand, but know you will have to manage the issues with Lowes or who ever.

 

[bluelifer]

In the process of building a house...plumber suggested to go to a plumbing supply store to buy fixtures; we made our selections and got a list of model #'s with retail prices. I decided to search the model #'s online and found some things to be nearly 1/2 the price at either online websites or Home Depot/Lowes...
According to my plumber, the products from the "big box stores" are made of cheaper parts/quality. He can get me a discount by ordering through the plumbing supply store, but nowhere near the savings I can get by buying online.
My question is how can that be if they are the EXACT same model #?

Anyone have any experience with this?

It wouldn't surprise me to see two different products with the same name/model number at two different stores. It happens in a lot of industries. If you don't get an answer that satisfies you, go buy the same item from each store and compare them.

 

[krazykats]

Stay within your builders confines, or his subs, because what you save today could cost allt more in time if something goes wrong.

Consider it like insurance. Sure you may spend on something that doesn't seem justified been if you need the benefit of the cost and try to pinch pennies it could really scre you.

 

[Get Buckets]

Stay within your builders confines, or his subs, because what you save today could cost allt more in time if something goes wrong.

Consider it like insurance. Sure you may spend on something that doesn't seem justified been if you need the benefit of the cost and try to pinch pennies it could really scre you.

 

[krazykats]

You love to follow me around huh?

Do you know what going and buying on your own does while building a house? In most cases it gives the builder the out to say "didn't you go on your own with that decision? I can fix it but I'll have to charge you now"

And that is absolutely fair.

 

[Get Buckets]

You love to follow me around huh?

Nah just see you posting stupid ish in multiple threads on the reg. I certainly see why you didn't make it as an accountant.

 

[krazykats]

You do? Interesting that you follow me on a message board and stalked my accounting career.

 

[Get Buckets]

You do? Interesting that you follow me on a message board and stalked my accounting career.

Err no to both. Good talk though, see ya around next time you muse on financial matters.

 

[Tinker Dan]

I am getting ready to have a house and "workshop" built in the spring. I will definitely be hitting up the Paddock experts.

And yes, I know I will get tons of grief and B.S. mixed in with the good advice. One of the many reasons I love this place.

 

[krazykats]

Where at?

 

[Tinker Dan]

Where at?

I am not sure if the question was for me. But in Bracken County. Just outside of Augusta.

I don't want to hijack the OP's thread. I can start a new one if the question was for me.

 

[BankerCat12]

Where at?

Between the A and T on preposition street.

 

[Chuckinden]

If you're married or intend to be, I would never buy the most expensive fixtures. Within ten years the wife is going to want all of them changed because they're "out of style".

 

[80 Proof]

Big box stores use their massive buying power to hammer down manufacturer prices even further. This happens by replacing brass/metal parts with plastic ones. I've found it true in fixtures as well as power tools.

 

[Goose59]

I was a plumber for 15 years. Its unlikely that a manufacturer makes two versions of the same product that are of different quality, and then puts the exact same parts number on them. That would be too confusing for manufacturing, shipping and repair. If the big box store part has exactly the same number and is sold in the same timeframe (part designs do change over time), then it should be exactly the same part.

It is relatively common to make two end items that look the same outside but have different quality parts inside, but the manufacturer will then use a different parts number to differentiate. The parts number variation may also be used to identify differences in warranty coverage, rebates or other administrative differences.

 

[krd7_99]

I was a plumber for 15 years. Its unlikely that a manufacturer makes two versions of the same product that are of different quality, and then puts the exact same parts number on them. That would be too confusing for manufacturing, shipping and repair. If the big box store part has exactly the same number and is sold in the same timeframe (part designs do change over time), then it should be exactly the same part.

It is relatively common to make two end items that look the same outside but have different quality parts inside, but the manufacturer will then use a different parts number to differentiate. The parts number variation may also be used to identify differences in warranty coverage, rebates or other administrative differences.

Thanks all...I did call Delta directly as well and as suspected they told me that no matter where you purchase from, as long as the model #'s are the same then there will be no difference in the 2 products. I am guessing the plumber is getting some sort of kick back if we buy through the supplier they suggested...thanks again for the info!