TIL comparing two HVAC suppliers saved me $400 on a commercial job

I needed parts for a big install over in Dearborn last month and always used Detroit Supply out of habit. On a whim I priced out the same unit at Midwest Mechanical and the difference was wild. Detroit Supply had the compressor at $1,200 while Midwest had it for $850 with the same warranty. The funny thing is I always figured the bigger name meant better service but Midwest actually had the part in stock same day. Detroit Supply made me wait three days for a special order I didn't really need. Now I'm checking prices at both places before every job and it's saving me at least a couple hundred bucks a month. Has anyone else found better deals by switching up their regular supplier in the metro area?

2 comments

2 Comments

patricia_singh8118d ago

Learned that lesson the hard way after paying $200 extra for a part I could have walked across the street for.

taylorm8918d ago

@patricia_singh81 I started calling the local shops first after getting burned on a $50 hose once... turned out the dealer wanted $90 and the guy two blocks over had it for $20. Now I always check the little hardware stores before anything else, saves me a ton of hassle.