84 Lumber...Thoughts or Comments??

hobbyfarm · Nov 2, 2005

We just had an 84 Lumber open up here. Problem is, it's "on the wrong side of the tracks". /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif The railroad access road next to it is barely a road at all, plus at either end of the road it's a pain to turn into (to the point that you HAVE to WANT to get in there). I'm thinking that maybe as time goes on, they'll fix the road and get better access.

My question...Is it another "box" store or just a lumber store. How competitive are the prices?

billbill1 · Nov 2, 2005

Topeka, Kansas used to have (and may still have) an 84 Lumber. I went there once and it was simular to the Payless Lumber stores that went out of business a few years back. Some tools but mainly building supplies-hard to compete with Lowes and Home Depot these days it seems.

Farmwithjunk · Nov 2, 2005

There's a couple 84 Lumber stores near here. They've both been around since the early 1970's. Must be doing SOMETHING right. They stayed relatively small, compared to THE BIG ORANGE BOX. From what I know of them, they tend to deal mostly in lumber, and not all the fluff that Home Depot and Lowes carry. I see their trucks delivering to many new home sites, so I'd about bet they cater to builders.

Freds · Nov 2, 2005

Yep, I agree with everything Farmer said.

The one by me is competitively priced with L and H-D and a lot closer, so I consider that, too. That said, I just re-sided my house last year and put new exterior doors on and the local 84 couldn't come close to warranty and quality of materials that a specialized supply house had and the prices were all but equal.

BubbaJr · Nov 2, 2005

I went to the one near here when it first opened up in January several years ago. It was about 15 outside, and maybe 16 inside. Are all the other ones open to the elements in the showroom? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

As far as prices, I could match or beat their prices at the locally owned lumber yards. That was the only time I was there. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

jwstewar · Nov 2, 2005

There are a few of them around here. I have an ex-brother-in-law that is a Construction manager for them. He makes pretty good money working for them. He mainly deals with contractors and can cut his "good" customers a deal on items that will typically beat blue and orange. Now as far as me walking in the door, their prices are usually a little higher on most things - but not always. I was able to buy a 4" DeWalt hole saw for $15 vs. $21 at Lowes for an off-brand that I wasn't sure would fit my mandrel. So as they say, It Depends. BTW, I no longer get the "family" discount since the Sister-in-law and him divorced on not so friendly of terms. Considering she was 20 and he was 45 it is amazing it lasted almost 2 years and only 1 kid. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

hobbyfarm · Nov 2, 2005

Hmm,
So it looks like people "try" them once, but no repeat biz. Maybe not worth the effort. I guess once is enough to see.
Thanks to all for your replies.

ScottAR · Nov 3, 2005

We had one for about 3 years... they closed last month. I tried to like them but they made that nearly impossible. Their lumber was higher than my regular place and I usually had to hunt for an employee.

My regular yard also is an ACE hardware and I nearly get run over by employees that act like they want to help me.

They were open on a Sunday and my regular place wasn't so I would give them a shot those days before driving 30 miles to Lowes or Home Cheapo. They never had ONE piece of hardware I wanted. Maybe I want weird things but Lowe's and Cheapo had em. I finally started immediately to Lowe's instead of across town first and then to Lowe's. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Their building is for sale. I'd like to buy it and name it
"Scott's giant buiding." /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

thatguy · Nov 3, 2005

We have a few 84's still around the central VA area, but it has been +15 yrs since i have been in one. I read an article a few months back (in usa today I think) that they are like the largest supplier to contractors in the US. I was very surprised and have always wondered how they were staying in business..

Nasty135 · Nov 3, 2005

Here in Md. there has been one in an old town by the tobacco barns that has been there for years and years,and they just built a new building next to their old one ,they must be doin OK at this location even though Home Depot just opened this spring less than a mile away...