online supply stores?

[wolfstrike]

i was wondering if you buy any supplies online and what sites are the best.

Johnstone's usually doesn't put their prices on anything.

all the other sites i've seen seem kinda expensive.

[corny]

amazon.com or ebay

If I was dying and johnstones was the only place I could get the antidote I guess I would have to die because I wouldnt give johnstone one red cent of my money. They are high on everything......and for work...they never seem to have what I need...I can even call them to verify something in stock...show up a half hour later and its...we can order it for you...or...I can have one sent up from our so and so store.....

try another supply house...surely you have more than johnstone in your area...

[jpb2]

Have thought of our Company trying it. Prob is we would have to safeguard it to pro only as that is one of our core beliefs and would be tough to do

[dec]

Have to agree with corny ....... I hate Johnstone Supply.

Their prices SUCK. In areas where they know they dont have much competition they nail ya.


I would love an on line site as long as it not like most of them where you paying retail pls shippngs. Half the prices look like the price after it was flat rated lol.

[jpb2]

Price is not important if the distributor provides value. If you cannot find that in your area I am sorry

[condenseddave]

Originally posted by dec
Have to agree with corny ....... I hate Johnstone Supply.

Their prices SUCK. In areas where they know they dont have much competition they nail ya.


I would love an on line site as long as it not like most of them where you paying retail pls shippngs. Half the prices look like the price after it was flat rated lol.

BUT, BUT!

You get that cool glossy flier once a month, just like Kmart!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Johnstone Supply is huge hunk of sh!t, born in hell.

May they die of contagious testicular cancer.

[dec]

Originally posted by jpb2
Price is not important if the distributor provides value.

Ya well if their price is high enough ........ you wont be copetative with anyone.

Even if their value is they have everything . It wont do you a whole lot of good if everyone gets the idea you are overpriced.

Ya I know that you can provide more and better service, value for what they are getting . But if your paying some way over blown price It makes it almost impossible to get the markup you should get to stay in business yourself.


Just being the distributor provides value does not mean price does not matter at all. Once that distributor figures out you dont care what they charge...... your in trouble.

You can tell me differant , thats fine , I have my opinion on that.

[jhthornt]

I have purchased alot this year, mostly on line. I found no single online store to be cheaper on everything, you have to shop, and sometimes the brick&mortor is cheaper after shipping and handling.

I used EBay for a vaccume pump and recovery machine and leak detector and wet bulb and amp meter and fluke meter. ACSource is the best price on SuperEvac packages. I use CC Dickson alot. Johnstone gets some of my businees too, but they are usually high.

I understand that prices will be high at Joneston till you have a one on one with a store manager. if the manager is impressed, the Johnston price can become very competitive.

[jtrouse]

Originally posted by jhthornt
I have purchased alot this year, mostly on line. I found no single online store to be cheaper on everything, you have to shop, and sometimes the brick&mortor is cheaper after shipping and handling.

I used EBay for a vaccume pump and recovery machine and leak detector and wet bulb and amp meter and fluke meter. ACSource is the best price on SuperEvac packages. I use CC Dickson alot. Johnstone gets some of my businees too, but they are usually high.

I understand that prices will be high at Joneston till you have a one on one with a store manager. if the manager is impressed, the Johnston price can become very competitive.

I agree with jhthornt. I would add the one below. It has been a additional source for me.

Frosty-Freeze-A-C-Products-Company (an Ebay store)

[NormChris]

You guys are pretty difficult. Each Johnstone Supply is independently owned and operated. They set their own pricing.

The Johnstone Supply I have dealt with has been great on pricing and honesty. Don't paint with such a broad brush.

[jeepnjo]

Hey guys, check out "www.galarson.com". See if there is one near you! Family owned for over 70 yrs.

[mr magu]

Originally posted by NormChris


You guys are pretty difficult. Each Johnstone Supply is independently owned and operated. They set their own pricing.

The Johnstone Supply I have dealt with has been great on pricing and honesty. Don't paint with such a broad brush.


All the bagging was bumming me out, but I just read this thread today. I have always had good service and pricing from JS. I do think the relationship with your distributor is the key, and I use a variety of sources including Aircold, USAir, Heating and Cooling Supply and Burke Engineering. I get the monthly ads from alot of them, and Johnstone is very competetive. It may be the area I'm in (SoCal) is so competetive that they all have to be close in price, kinda like gas stations in the same neighborhood.
I have paid too much for parts when the supplier is geographically close to the job, it's worth it, and besides, you can build the little bit extra into your estimate. If in doubt, call. That saves the surprises when you go to pick up the goods....

[heatair]

I almost hate to ask this, but who pays for the parts you use? The customer, right?

While I can agree that some wholesalers are higher than others, convience is the key. If I have to drive to the Carrier distributor for a control board that Johnstone has AND I have to drive right by a JS, where's the value?

I'm sure I'm opening a can of worms....

[jpb2]

No heatair you get it. In my original post i was too vauge.We plegde to be within 5% of the market average and also pledge to bust our a** to service our customers. It works for us and our customers.

[edward301]

One of my biggest customers, is 3 blocks from Johnstone
Supply, so I go there a lot. I know the manager very
well, and I usually go when they are slow.

If I purchase several things, and they are pricey,
the manager gives me an additional discount over
Johnstones regular wholesale price. I usually
quietly suggest the price is kinda strong, and he
gets the hint.

Can only do this with the manager, he know me, and
I make sure he waits on me when I purchase things
that I know are going to cost $$.

I do spend a lot there, have been going there for
many years, so that helps.

[scooters45]

We have a local Johnstone where I'm at and I have too say I'm going too stop using them.
There nice enough guys but when they don't know you have too be licensed too do service work and the fact I know they sell to unlicensed contractors and I see walkins with compressors their hurting my business.
We have at least 10 supply houses in the area and they an 1 other are the only ones that dont require your license on file before a sale.