Home Depot: 50% higher on plumbing??

This isn't too shocking.

Unless you need some really generic stuff, HD won't have it anyways. They do have better hours than the local plumbing or electrical supply shops though.

Luckily, there's three old school hardware and industrial supply stores within long walking distance of work, plus the plumbing supply house. If I need something M-F from 7:30 to 4:30pm, great, outside those hours it's a trip to HD, and then back to the real places the next day.

Then of course if you want chicken wire, warped 2x4s you won't feel bad about chopping up and imitation TSP, gloves and a light bulb, HD is pretty good. Even a good Ace will take you for serious ride on stuff like that.

It all comes down to how much you're spending. Not smart, but that's how it works for most people. If I'm buying a few t's, el's and nipples for a water heater I go to the closest place that has them. If I'm doing something that adds up to +$100, I shop prices. Always liked the local hardware stores, or the Aces's, but they have low visibility or are too far away. Good on you for noticing how easy it is to get nickle-dimed to death. Of course many local ma's and pa's will rape you if you let them. Caveat Emptor.

Make your case for buying at HD prices given the info above. Wait. Here's a better idea. Go f*ck yourself.

So you finaly discovered that HD/Lowes/etc. isn't cheap? What a surprise...

You need a post to figure out that people selling screws and nails in little plastic bags are more expensive than a home-grown hardware store selling (used to) them by the pound?

When HD first opened, a lot of hardware was sold by the pound. I would buy drywall screws 5 or 10 pounds at a time, from bulk but you could buy a 50 pound box.

A lot of people have him kill filed on RCM for being so ignorant.

Did he tell you that he tried to give himself a lobotomy with a drill press? He broke three masonry bits before the motor burnt up.

It's about damn time you got back to work! May many more contracts follow you home, where you can knock them over the head & sign them before they can escape. ;-)

It can be a tough choice sometimes. I was going to buy a miter saw in the $300 price range. The price at the local hardware/lumber store was $30 higher and the one at HD also offered a free RO sander with it. I asked the local guy to give me a break and split the difference and he would not budge. Well, $30 and a free sander (worth about $30) took me to HD for the buy. Much as I like to support local stores, they have to make an effort. I don't know what the markup is for the saw, but making $15 less is better than making $0.

We priced a dryer at HD, but bought at a local store and paid $25 more. They both offer delivery and carting away the old appliance, but the local guy I trust to do the hookup and installation so to me, well worth the extra few bucks.