local steel vs big supplier prices

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Gaspar_Gambler

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Ran into a price gap that's hard to ignore. Needed a chunk of A36, 3.75" x 6.5" x 16". Local small-town steel guy (20 miles away) quoted me $130. Big nationwide supplier (30 minutes away) has it for $44, or $59 shipped.

I get the whole "support local" thing, but that's almost triple the price for the same piece of steel. Hard to justify when you're trying to keep costs reasonable for hobby projects or even small-batch work. Do you folks ever pay the premium just to stay loyal to the local guy, or do you draw the line when the price gap gets this ridiculous?
 
Wow! That is a significant price difference in. When you are looking at a nearly three times markup for the same material, the choice becomes less about loyalty and more about simple economics for your project. There's cheaper option from the larger supplier. I appreciate you want to support local business but that price gap is just too much especially if you're going to buy a lot.
 
I get what you mean. I'm in LA and had the same thing happen when I needed A36 for a small forge. My local shop wanted almost twice what Online Metals charged, even with shipping. I like to buy local when prices are close, but for hobby stuff, I go with the cheaper option. Maybe ask your local guy if he can lower the price a bit, they sometimes will if you mention the other quote.
 
Get your bulk or fancy stuff from the big stores, but for everyday basics or those weird sizes, shop local. It keeps those hometown businesses going.
 
Oof, that's a huge jump. For me, anything that's nearly triple the price, I usually just go with the cheaper supplier
 
Gaspar_Gambler said:
Ran into a price gap that's hard to ignore. Needed a chunk of A36, 3.75" x 6.5" x 16". Local small-town steel guy (20 miles away) quoted me $130. Big nationwide supplier (30 minutes away) has it for $44, or $59 shipped.

I get the whole "support local" thing, but that's almost triple the price for the same piece of steel. Hard to justify when you're trying to keep costs reasonable for hobby projects or even small-batch work. Do you folks ever pay the premium just to stay loyal to the local guy, or do you draw the line when the price gap gets this ridiculous?
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I hear you on this! We all want to support the local guy, but that's not a small premium. I think its the difference between doing a project and not. Honestly, I'll pay a little extra to keep business local and build a relationship, but when the gap is that big, it stops being about loyalty and starts being about basic business sense. It's okay to grab the better deal and use the savings for something else in the shop!
 

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