I really cant understand why the price difference is so much

[dealtimeman]

Take for example this pump clutch for a 5cp cat pump. Can it be that cost for some distributors at wholesale is almost double that of the cost of other distributors?

It seems to me if I buy some parts at a pressure washing place it is cheaper than buying it at our carpet cleaning supply house.

At excel supply for 358.00
http://www.excelsuppliesonline.com/brow ... ,1596.html

At interlink for 373.66
http://interlinksupply.com/index.html?item_num=PCA34970

Found online with a quick search for 212.00
http://www.autowashonline.com/default.a ... =CAT+34970

 

[RGH269]

Re: I really cant understand why the price difference is so

I have used a local pressure washer dealer many times to repair pumps and heaters. Much more cost effective than the dist. and in a lot of cases more knowledgeable.

 

[Dolly Llama]

Re: I really cant understand why the price difference is so

Maybe John Olsen or one of the other candid and vocal distys will tell us why it "seems" like we get bent over on many products..

..L.T.A.

 

[Lee Stockwell]

Re: I really cant understand why the price difference is so

Air cleaner element for Performer 405 at major carpet cleaner distributors = $35 plus shipping

Same Fram filter for Nissan A-15 from local parts distributors = $4 plus change

It pays to check.

 

[Larry Cobb]

Re: I really cant understand why the price difference is so

Michael;

It is a question of the purchasing agent knowledge at the distributor.

Some carpet cleaning distributors offer the same reduced pricing on the clutches.

One distributor is buying from a TM manufacturer who buys from the clutch manufacturer.

The more savvy distributor has enough info & volume . . .

to buy directly from the clutch manufacturer.

For a single Truckmount ,

it requires buying from over a 100 different vendors.

Also, many "online vendors" do not stock the part in question . . .

and add on hefty shipping charges.

Warranty handling is another question to ask up front.

Larry

 

[dday]

Re: I really cant understand why the price difference is so

About five or six years ago I needed a water pump for a TM. A nearby carpet cleaning distributor offered the pump at $1500 by the time shipping & taxes were added in. I bought the same pump from a supplier to the pressure washing industry for $283 delivered.

I don't begrudge someone their price, so long as it is in the ballpark. But when it is out of this world, I balk.

 

[cleann4kids]

Re: I really cant understand why the price difference is so

Just because your in the carpet cleaning business, you dont need to buy
everything from the carpet cleaning supply store

I needed a o-ring for my wand, at the carpet cleaning store it was $17.95

I found it at Ace hardware for .3 cents!

 

[dealtimeman]

Re: I really cant understand why the price difference is so

I understand all points made as I source my parts and pierces from multiple sources but would like to support my distributors but there prices must reflect the overall market.

 

[Ross Buettner]

Re: I really cant understand why the price difference is so

All distributors for the most part sell at MSRP.

They get discounts (deeper for more volume or bulk purchases) for lines.

What amazes me is almost all of them are hard on the MSRP... less than that is where things get competetive.

Annnnd.. before anyone wants to take a jab... I was in wholesale for 15 years.

 

[floorguy]

Re: I really cant understand why the price difference is so

Air cleaner element for Performer 405 at major carpet cleaner distributors = $35 plus shipping

Same Fram filter for Nissan A-15 from local parts distributors = $4 plus change

It pays to check.

does nobody remember my rant a while back, when i posted prices of similar things....just like Lee did....maybe ill look for it again....


and yes i know they need to make money......and sometimes a few dollars saved isnt worth the headache of looking all over for it...

but a $200 + diff like on some things you damnnnnn skippy its worth it

 

[Larry B]

Re: I really cant understand why the price difference is so

It's because you are buying from a specialty store.

Buy it where you can save the money because no matter what BS your supplier gives about supporting them if they go under for over charging somebody will expand or open a new place to cover that area.

As far as warranties on parts (pumps, clutches, electrical items) they are not worth shit because if you need them the distributors will find any reason to say you voided the warranty.

Then you have other issues with a bunch of the CC distributors screwing you on shipping and telling you they have items in stock until you pay and find out they dont.

Another thing to keep in mind is there are very few parts on your truck mount that are made just for that machine and by doing a little searching you can save tons of money.

 

[renegade_cowboy]

Re: I really cant understand why the price difference is so

If the supplier is dealing with high volume items like chemicals you see a decent price, but when you need certain parts that they don't commonly use i can understand the mark up. Some suppliers will really stick it to you if you have no supplier competition, look at homeboy who got charged $600 to have a blower dropped off at the supplier.

The only thing I really buy at my local supply store is cleaning products.. certain odds n ends and for repair work.

 

[Larry Cobb]

Re: I really cant understand why the price difference is so

About five or six years ago I needed a water pump for a TM. A nearby carpet cleaning distributor offered the pump at $1500 by the time shipping & taxes were added in. I bought the same pump from a supplier to the pressure washing industry for $283 delivered.

I don't begrudge someone their price, so long as it is in the ballpark. But when it is out of this world, I balk.

The two pumps were quite different internally.

Carpet cleaning pumps are ordered with special "Teflon seals" . . .
that cost considerably more than the "standard pumps" the car wash guys sell.

Still, there should not be that much difference in price.

Our General pump with the optional Teflon seals is $479.

About $100 extra for the Teflon seal option.

http://www3.cobbcarpet.com/zen3/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=68&products_id=4796

Larry

 

[sam miller]

Re: I really cant understand why the price difference is so

Air cleaner element for Performer 405 at major carpet cleaner distributors = $35 plus shipping

Same Fram filter for Nissan A-15 from local parts distributors = $4 plus change

It pays to check.

The Mechanic taught me that one the one who worked for the disty. He's all like get it a autoparts store any old nissan b210 filter oil and air they are the same and a whole lot cheaper.

 

[Goomer]

Re: I really cant understand why the price difference is so

It's the same in any industry..not just carpet cleaning....buy a boat and go pricing anything labeled "Marine"...it's a benefit of having the Internet as a resource.

 

[floorguy]

Re: I really cant understand why the price difference is so

It's the same in any industry..not just carpet cleaning....buy a boat and go pricing anything labeled "Marine"...it's a benefit of having the Internet as a resource.

So why the F havent some places figured this out???

 

[Mikey P]

Re: I really cant understand why the price difference is so

Maybe John Olsen or one of the other candid and vocal distys will tell us why it "seems" like we get bent over on many products..

..L.T.A.

And maybe the tooth fairy will come clean about mom and dad... :roll:

 

[Larry B]

Re: I really cant understand why the price difference is so

[quote="Ruff Hewn":35j58be6]Maybe John Olsen or one of the other candid and vocal distys will tell us why it "seems" like we get bent over on many products..

..L.T.A.

And maybe the tooth fairy will come clean about mom and dad... :roll:[/quote:35j58be6]

lol

 

[Ed]

Re: I really cant understand why the price difference is so

The last place I look for parts and fittings is a distributer. A rebuild kit for a wand valve I have costs over $50 for an o-ring, a spring and a ball that can fit in 1/2 a matchbox.

 

[Doug Cox]

Re: I really cant understand why the price difference is so

Dultmeier.com.