FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Subscribe

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Plumbing Question

| Posted in General Discussion on May 20, 2000 12:58pm

*
My Question is, are plumbing fixtures for kitchens and baths, like faucets, that much better if you go to Plumbing Houses over Home Depot? I know that the manufactures are the same but I’ve recently observed a few premature leaks and failures in the Home Depot versions? I’m guessing that you get what you paid for and the Plumbing Houses are about 30% higher for comparable looking faucets.

Reply

Replies

  1. Guest_ | May 17, 2000 06:14am | #1

    *
    From when I worked at HD, I kinda had the same question. I spoke directly to a Moen rep and a Price Pfister rep, asking the same typical questions seperately, with no HD management around to cloud answers. I was told flat out that HD buys SOOO much that they just get that great a discount. The place that a supply house might be able to do you better is in custom/special ordering. HD does it too, but the bulk isn't as high, so pricing can vary. It also varies make to make. HD generally has a cost factor multiplier for each vendor. For example, Brand X lists at $150. Say HD's cost factor for Brand X is .75 - so your price is .75 x 150 = $112.50. Certain vendors cost (list) more to begin with, and combined with the different cost factors, products cost (retail) more or less across a range. 'Nuther example, Brand Y lists $130, with a .9 cost factor. You pay $117.

    Accepting the general theory you get what you pay for, Brand X ($150 list) is better than Brand Y($130 list). But, you can wind up paying less for a better faucet. I'm not saying this is normally the case, or even that it is the case. It is theoretical, as I have not worked there in 3 yrs., and have little idea what the current factors are, etc. The cost factors are set vendor to vendor, year to year. They can be based in part on sales of stock faucets, desirability of a brand, mucho other facets of faucets. (sorry, couldn't resist.)

    So, am I biased to HD? I don't think so. I generally do 90-95 % of my shopping there. They are cheap and there are 2 stores within 20 minutes open 24 hrs. That makes them tough to turn down. But, for bigger ticket items, especially of the special order variety, you'd be dumb to not compare prices. (That price guarantee usually won't apply to special orders.)

    Hope it helps, and now I'll yield the floor to the anti-HD crowd.

    Sean

    PS - Potential reasons you see more leaks in HD units. 1. Maybe more people are buying them there? The failure/quailty control rate is (probably) the same, so maybe you just see more out of HD overall? 2. HD will acept anyything in returns. That stuff SHOULD go back to vendor if it's defective, but if it appears OK and returning customer doesn't say something, it'll go on the floor. 3. Customers have a tendency to need a washer or O-ring, or ??? and they'll take it out of a new package on a shelf. So, one legitimate 'bad' faucet perpetuates into more 'bad' faucets. 4. People tend to be more vocal about complaining when stuff comes from HD or even Lowes. If a plumber installed it, they complain about the plumber. Plumbers don't usually shop HD (from what I've seen). My plumber recently installed a new shower for me, and it had a bad cartridge within a month. I know enough to complain about Moen, not my plumber.

    1. Guest_ | May 17, 2000 06:20am | #2

      *Phil, don't know about the quality of name brand fixtures, but as to price I can generally get things cheaper at a local dealer with the contractors discount. Even places I don't carry an account. I always ask and start shoping a new place if a reasonable discount is offered with a greater discount provided as I increase my shopping there. Wouldn't suprise me if there was a qualiy difference though. Everything in life seems to have bests and seconds, and where do ya thing they will pawn off the close but not exacts? Somewhere where an owner will call them up and ream them a new one for insulting his loyal customers, or a big D.I.Y. place where the stock guys don't know where the manager is? Reminds me of the flight school I went to years ago. The fuel truck would come by and get sample tested, if it failed the test they'd drive to the next cheaper FBO then the next. Sooner or later they'd find a taker and leave with an empty truck! Jeff

      1. Guest_ | May 17, 2000 03:55pm | #3

        *Interesting takes on Home Depot (and Flight School).If metal is better than plastic then what I recently heard from a builder/specifier is most interesting. A HD faucet might be 70% plastic where the same looking but different model # faucet at a Plumbing House might be 70% metal and 30% plastic. I'd like to think I could trust the plumber in this case.

        1. Guest_ | May 17, 2000 04:17pm | #4

          *I have found that with a few exceptions, (Sinks, tubs etc.) plumbing supply prices are lower. That makes the decision easy. Not having to sort through the HD inventory for parts that are often not in stock saves a lot of time. I don't shop HD for plumbing unless I only need a few items and am there anyway.

          1. Guest_ | May 18, 2000 03:54am | #5

            *One other thing to consider is the response to a problem that might occur with any part. My supply house will do all it can to satisfy me and quickly take care of any problem that arises. Probably see the same guys behind the counter too. Try that at any discount house. The turnover in the trained associates itself would discourage me. No offense intended Mr. P.Also, those of us brought up on the family owned hardware, lumber yard, etc would never encourage anything that seems to weed them out. Not to mention waiting in line for some help behind some dufus complaining how his 2x4 was only 3 1/2" wide. No offense to you legitimate DIY'ers.Offensively yours,Small guy patronizer.

          2. Guest_ | May 18, 2000 06:02am | #6

            *No offense taken. I know about turnover there, as I myself was not there less than a year. Eye opening experience, though. I also forgot to mention one reason I shop there. I am a DIY (I'd like to think of myself as the legitimate kind) and I feel different in HD, or Lowes, or etc. vs. smaller outfits. In the smaller outfits (supply houses, not True Value types) I get a vibe of not being welcome, I guess because they're more used to contractors. At HD, I get a vibe of superiority, because I don't think I'm one of the dufuses (dufi?). Of course, I'm known to be wrong on that too. I realize it's me (psychologically) more than an actual issue of treatment. But it is comforting anyway.Sean

          3. Guest_ | May 19, 2000 06:25pm | #7

            *probably obvious reflection but:I tried to get a cheap storm window for my basement at HD. They ordered it and three weeks later got my window. Made wrong (to hang vert, instead of horiz) and missing the expander strip and the screen that I paid for.No problem, I figured, they're cheap and not gonna be real good at 'details' I'll just toddle on down there and get this straightened out.The rest of the story is really long. 5 trips back to HD, very friendly people who can not help me promising to straighten it out. They always called me when they said they would and never forgot about me but kept not getting the parts I needed or in the right shape.The window is finally installed (this started in December and ended in April), after I reworked it myself to make it fit (access to a machine shop). The screen was finally made to the right shape (on the third or fourth try, forget which) after I personnaly measured it and watched them write it down to give the mfr....I like the 24 hrs part and pretty big selection. But I learned a great lesson: always go to the local guy for a custom item. Any % cost increase will be worth your while without a doubt.Interesting side light: several very healthy local hardware stores in town. They do not seem to be suffering from the HD or Lowes, in fact we had two big box stores go out of business in the last 3 years! Makes me feel good to see the local guys do well.

          4. Guest_ | May 20, 2000 12:58am | #8

            *"Yes," to all; I fully agree with those statements. I just think it is misleading, cheap, (you call it what you will), that the manufacturers make guts of a fixture cheaply and sell them to compete WITHOUT letting you know until after the failure that there is a difference. Keeping the local plumbing supply house in business,Phil

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Fastener System for Solving Deck Fascia Board Expansion

A special drill bit and color-matched fasteners lets composite or PVC deck fascia boards expand and contract to minimize warping.

Featured Video

How to Install Cable Rail Around Wood-Post Corners

Use these tips to keep cables tight and straight for a professional-looking deck-railing job.

Related Stories

  • Podcast 486: PRO TALK With Builder and Remodeler Mason Lord of HVP in Kent, CT
  • Get Stunning Views With Folding Glass Doors
  • Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Episode 20, Ian Schwandt, TDS Custom Construction
  • Step-by-Step Install Prehung Exterior Doors

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • 2021 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Outdoor Projects
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 309 - Aug/Sept
    • 10 Steps to Install Crown Molding on Cabinets
    • How to Get Sturdy Walls Without OSB
    • Choosing the Right Construction Tape for the Job
  • Issue 308 - July 2022
    • Pretty Good House Book Excerpt: Copper Farmhouse
    • 10 Dos and Don'ts for Electric In-Floor Heat
    • A Sturdy Rail for Outdoor Stairs
  • Issue 307 - June 2022
    • How to Raise a Post-Frame Home
    • Trimming Deck Stairs
    • Evolving an Energy-Efficient Envelope
  • Issue 306 - April/May 2022
    • Framing Stairs to an Out-of-Level Landing
    • Building a Zero-Energy Home for Less
    • Good-Looking and Long-Lasting Traditional Gutters
  • Issue 305 - Feb/March 2022
    • The Steady Surge in Residential Solar
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: William B. Rose
    • How Good Is Your Air Barrier?

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2022 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in