On Dec 23, 11:48*am, "JoeSpareBedroom" wrote:
"Robert Allison" wrote in message

news:Ndwbj.8955$GV4.3403@trnddc05...





Oren wrote:
On Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:50:02 -0800, Paul MR wrote:

The last time I bought a gallon of mineral spirits (about 18 months ago,
I believe) it cost $2.50. *That was very high I thought at the time.
Yesterday in Lowe's, I noticed the cheapest brand was selling for $8.00!
Is there any reason for this other than plain greed and price gouging?
Paul in San Francisco

Nest time you're in the store; price Kerosene. +35 bucks for 5 gal.

:-))

I was shocked to see that in the Lowes the other day. *I was afraid that
the price had gone up to that universally, but was pleasantly surprised to
find that my regular supplier still has it for 4.75 per gallon. *Once
again, the big box stores are much more expensive than the real suppliers.

They make big money on the accessories. Their paint prices might be
competitive, but they hope you won't be knowledgable about prices for items
like thinner.

It's more complex than them hoping you won't know going prices for
items. Big box stores have a convenience aspect to them, as well as
buying less quantities of each item because they stock so many
different products. If you need 1 gallon of Kerosene, the convenience
of buying it while you're buying paint, and a couple of 2x4s, and a
drill bit, and a couple light bulbs is probably worth the extra 2
bucks, rather than trying to find a kerosene dealer, drive to it, and
spend extra time... all to save 2 bucks.