On Dec 29, 3:58*pm, "Percival P. Cassidy" wrote:
Our old wooden garage door is not in good shape. Saturday we went and
had a look at the Clopay doors at the local HD and got a price including
installation. In the course of conversation I said, "Why Home Depot?
You're not the only people who sell Clopay. According to the Clopay Web
site, company name here sells their doors too." HD guy says, "If you
buy from us, they're the people that do our installations anyway."

Today I went to the other store and got a significantly lower price
(including installation) for what is in all material respects the same
door but with a different model number -- and they don't use (because
they don't recommend) the EZ-Set spring system that can be adjusted with
a power drill.

So two conclusions:

1. Buying from HD -- and the same quite likely applies to Lowe's as well
-- doesn't necessarily mean that you get some dumb-ass lowest-bidder
installer rather than somebody who knows what (s)he is doing.

2. Buying from HD -- and the same quite likely applies to Lowe's as well
-- doesn't necessarily mean that you get the best price.

Perce

I would never have expected the best price from HD.

My experience has shown that by talking with "real whatever stores"
you can typically get a better deal. Based on the specs for the
windows I bought from a real window store, I paid what would have been
"in-stock" HD prices for windows that would have been at least the
second level of "special order" windows at HD or Lowes.

You can typically get better lumber for the same or lower prices by
going to a lumber yard.

Plumbing supplies? I'll take the parts counter in the back of a
Kitchen and Bath Design Center over the plumbing aisle at a home
center any day of the week, except after 12 on Saturdays and all day
Sunday. :-(

The same goes for electrical supplies - use the parts counter at a
lighting design store for the best prices, selection and expertise.