Choosing a Supplier in a Strange Locations

            I am not advocating that this is the only method I use to get materials to a new project in a location where I’m not knowledgeable of suppliers. I still order on line materials but there are times when it is best to go to a brick-and-mortar location and purchase the materials. How do you choose a supplier in a strange location in which you’re unaware of the suppliers.

            A quick solution would be a big change do-it-yourself store. Have you ever noticed that the big developers usually are seen purchasing products from these big chain stores. Have you ever asked yourself why. If you wish to become a big developer then you need to start thinking and acting like one.

You may not be able to do it on their scale but you can do it on yours and you may learn a few things in the process.  Big developers desire to the value of homes in the community to grow so for them to shop the huge chain stores would be counterproductive. Those stores send their profits back to their headquarters. These build value in their communities and takes it from yours.

            I am not talking about Ace hardware Stores. they are many times locally owned. I’m not taking about a local chain store like Hirsch Pipe & Supply, I shop at Hirsch anytime I am in a location with one nearby. I am talking those huge nation and sometime multiple countries chain stores.

            Let’s say you roll into a strange community and you don’t know anyone or none of your subcontractor know suppliers in the area. How do you choose a supplier. Go shopping. Don’t go in your best clothe go as a worker. I am a real estate broker and general contractor. I am not a paper tiger. I am a hand on contractor. I work with the crews I assemble for the project. I go into a supply house and I see how they treat me. I see if they are knowledgeable of their products. I see if they attempt the up-sales or are they honest. I get price quotes. I also do it more than once. It may cost me a few hours but I go to places that earned my trust. “

How many times have you been to one of those big chain stores and have to wait for 30 minutes or more before one of their “pro’s” and when the individual shows up, they couldn’t pour water from a boot if they were told the instructions were on the heel, I like it when I’ve finished loading up and then one of the employees comes over to ask if I need help after they finished chatting with someone while you did it. Why is it they seem to hang out in the restrooms? Those local shops seem to have knowledgeable people concerning their products and the trade they supply material for.

            Note: Images on this blog site are from a free source or taken by the author. No image or group of photos is intended to represent the people the author serves. The author does not care about Race (that is a politically correct term that he does not like because we are all of the same Race, the Human Race. He prefers the term ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender, marital status, disability, genetic information, national origin, source of income, Veteran or military status, ancestry, citizenship, primary language or immigration status.) He is a service provider for all people. We will all rise together when we band together and help one another. Joseph Erwin is a Real Estate Broker, DRE # O2131799, and a CA general contractor # B 696662. He’s a member of the CRMLS and The East Valley Association of Realtors located in the Inland Empire region of Southern California.