[M.D. Holloway]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Likely HD is actually more expensive. The big box stores are quite smart, they do extensive market research to determine what customers price shop and then price/advertise these items accordingly. When you're replacing a toilet, what do you price shop? Do you compare prices on toilets, or do you compare prices on wax rings, bolt sets, and flex lines? They price some major items very low, sometimes even at a loss, then heavily mark up the accompanying required parts. So you get your toilet for less, then spend an extra $20 buying the parts to install it.

I used to manage a small lumberyard/hardware store in central KS, I frequently see small items selling for 2-3x what we sold them for. Pay attention to the little stuff next time you're there. Hardware, fasteners, fittings, etc.

Kinda like the Happy Days episode when the Dad went away (on vacation or a convention or gall bladder...) and either Richy or his Mom took over the shop. They rane a huge special on paint, lowered the price to cost but raised the price of brushes and ended up making a huge profit. The ol 'Lost Leader' concept taught to every first year marketing student