Sometimes it's better to think outside the box!

[AndyM]

Sometimes it\'s better to think outside the box!

I ordered my deck materials from the local lumberyard the other day. When I got home, there was a flyer in the mail for Lowe's, showing higher prices on all of the 2 x and 5/4 x treated lumber that I had just purchased at the lumberyard.

The box stores have been able to convince most of us that their price are cheaper just because it came from a large box. I'm slowly learning that isn't always the case.

Let's try to support the little guys, the service is better, and you might be pleasantly surprised by their prices too!

 

[Junkman]

Re: Sometimes it\'s better to think outside the box!

Make sure to keep that wood covered and out of the sun. I have found that pressure treated lumber has a mind of its own and will twist and turn in less than a week if it is in the sun and not nailed down tight. I have also learned that it is next to impossible to keep the decking from checking. If some one has a magic trick to keep the decking from checking please let me know. I have put Thompson's Preservative on it and it helps keep the water from turning the wood grey, but it does nothing for checking or cupping. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

PS...... all my lumber comes from the local lumber yard and they take back all the bad stuff and replace it with good.... for whatever good it does...

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Re: Sometimes it\'s better to think outside the box!

Andy, I totally agree with you, and near as I can tell all the builders in my area agree too as they seem to frequent the independant local lumber yards. What I think the box stores are very good at is offering CONVENIENCE to shoppers. Our independant lumber yards are either closed on Sunday or offer very short hours. Saturday at the lumber yards is a day when they close early! And very few of the independants near my home are even open in the evening. I am often forced to go to the big box stores because they are all that is open. The box stores also excel in offering selection in other goods that some of the local stores can't match. All that said, I still like to deal with the local lumber yards when I can get there!

 

[goodoleboy]

Re: Sometimes it\'s better to think outside the box!

I like to use the lumber yard becuase they are cheaper and they help load the lumber. Lumber yards cater to the contractors and builders.

 

[Golfgar4]

Re: Sometimes it\'s better to think outside the box!

Yeah Andy, you found the secret!

If given the chance, I always go to the lumber yard. It may not be quite as convenient, but I know I'm going to get a good product with excellent, knowledgeable support. A couple of weeks ago I had to visit the local Home Depot for something, and I decided to pick up a couple pieces of 2X for a small project. They had the aisle where the lumber was located blocked off, supposedly because they were adding inventory. There was no one around. When I went to find someone to see about getting some help, I could only find a "kid". When I asked him for help, he said he worked in a different section and he couldn't help me. After about 5 minutes of wandering around looking for anyone that looked like they knew what they were doing, I gave up. But on my way out, I decided to stop and "rag" on the manager a little bit. When I explained the problem and the lack of knowledgeable help in his store, the guy replied that HE wasn't responsible because he wasn't in charge of hiring. And as far as the blocked aisle goes, well, they were protecting ME from injury while they stacking inventory.

Give me a decent lumber yard anyday! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[turnkey4099]

Re: Sometimes it\'s better to think outside the box!

Sorta goes sideways from the thread but...

I support the local lumber yard, have for 30 years. So do most people in town. This is a small country town with that typical helpful attitude and everybody knows everygody. What happens:

Business changes hands to an outsider. Makes BIG mistake. Closes down for remodel for two weeks and sends out a letter to all postal patrons telling them they have to fill out a credit application including bank references and social security numbers. They open and lo and behold no customers. They'll probably survive (own a big lumber yard 30 miles away) but it's going to take them years to build back up what they threw away with one letter.

Harry K

 

[Gatorboy]

Re: Sometimes it\'s better to think outside the box!

<font color="blue"> ( ... telling them they have to fill out a credit application including bank references and social security numbers. ) </font>

You mean they don't take cash or credit cards? Why else would you have to fill out a credit application?

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Re: Sometimes it\'s better to think outside the box!

Today's frustrating story in TRYING to deal with the local lumber yard goes like this . . .

I am having some remodeling done on the house so I need to pick up a couple screen doors. Naturally the type the lovely Mrs_Bob has her pretty little heart set on are "special order" doors. So I know I can get them at Lowes, but I also know they are a special order from Lowes. I call my local lumber yard, the same place I deal with on a regular basis, go to church with the owner, etc. etc. But I do not have a charge account with them. I'm a casual user, I order when I need stuff and pay for it on the spot, I don't need a credit account at the lumber yard. BUT maybe today I do??? I'm on the phone talking to the guy who knows all about the screen doors, he knows the exact model, even knows what colors it comes in. But he won't order it for me. Seems I need to give him a deposit. OK no problem I whip out my plastic money card and try to give him the # over the phone. No dice. He kindly explains I have to come in and put the deposit down. AHH, here is the rub. They close at 5pm. I usually leave work about 4:30pm. I work 20 miles away. Normal drive time is about 40 minutes when traffic is not heavy. No chance I can get there.

So I have to try to convice the lovely Mrs_Bob to go there. OR, I have to wait until Saturday when I can TRY to get there during their short weekend hours. Or I can swing into Lowes and buy it from them because they are on my way home, they are open early when I drive to work, they are open late, and they are on the main road that I drive every single day.

Sometimes you TRY to support the local guy and they just don't cooperate with you! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif With any luck, I can convince the lovely Mrs_Bob to swing in and put down the deposit, but between her teaching job, volunteer work, and all the various lessons & practices that our daughter attends, that will be tough too!

 

[EddieWalker]

Re: Sometimes it\'s better to think outside the box!

Andy, I agree completey. Home Depot has framing studs for $2.79 each. If you buy enough, they will load them for you, but wont offer a discount.

Lowes was the same price, same deal.

McCoys was $2.55, but gave me my contractor discount to $2.45 each. They also delivere for free with a $1,000 order. The best part of the delivery, is the forklift operator will stack your materials where you want them.

Cassity Jones is the favorite of most builders around here. There price was $2.75 and will deliver also, but no forklift. Just tilt the bed of the truck, and down it comes. The bottom boards always get busted, which they will replace if you bring them in.

The lumber mill agreed to match McCoys at $2.55 a stud, but I had to pick them up for that price. No delivery.

For plumbing supplies, I like Lowes, even though I can get it from the wholesalers, Lowes is still cheaper and easier to deal with.

Electrical really depends. For specialty stuff, I go to the wholesaler. For the basics, I like Lowes. For outlet boxes, Wal-Mart has the best prices.

 

[EarPlug]

Re: Sometimes it\'s better to think outside the box!

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If some one has a magic trick to keep the decking from checking please let me know. I have put Thompson's Preservative on it and it helps keep the water from turning the wood grey, but it does nothing for checking or cupping.... )</font>

Junkman,

Can't help with the checking but the solution for the cupping problem starts with the installation. The growth rings of the lumber must curve down. The "outside" of the tree should be up. This way when it try's to cup the nails/screws hold it down.

Jack