Is Home Depot cheaper quality?

[elihak7]

A friend mentioned me that in his field (he’s not the owner so no bios) he knows for a fact that the company makes a special run of cheaper quality for home depot and that’s the secret of discounted prices.
Is it true? What about appliances? same company same model #…

[thaber]

A friend mentioned me that in his field (he’s not the owner so no bios) he knows for a fact that the company makes a special run of cheaper quality for home depot and that’s the secret of discounted prices.
Is it true? What about appliances? same company same model #…

definitely not true of appliances. They buy in huge bulk and pass on the savings.
IME the most common reason for product numbers not matching is because they don't want you to comparison shop on items.
they, like every big box store, carry items of varying quality. each should be checked independently. to make a sweeping statement like that is ridiculous.

[elihak7]

definitely not true of appliances. They buy in huge bulk and pass on the savings.
IME the most common reason for product numbers not matching is because they don't want you to comparison shop on items.
they, like every big box store, carry items of varying quality. each should be checked independently. to make a sweeping statement like that is ridiculous.

Thanks,
So if I get the same company and model then elsewhere I shouldn’t be concerned right?

[thaber]

Thanks,
So if I get the same company and model then elsewhere I shouldn’t be concerned right?

I wouldn't be.

[bubkiz]

I have heard otherwise with regard to hot water tanks from 2 long time plumbers.
Rheem makes a special run for HD and some of the parts are of lesser quality vs. the models sold at at independent supply houses.

[Spoon]

I have heard otherwise with regard to hot water tanks from 2 long time plumbers.
Rheem makes a special run for HD and some of the parts are of lesser quality vs. the models sold at at independent supply houses.

I've heard the same regarding Delta faucets

[thaber]

I have heard otherwise with regard to hot water tanks from 2 long time plumbers.
Rheem makes a special run for HD and some of the parts are of lesser quality vs. the models sold at at independent supply houses.

I've heard the same regarding Delta faucets

With the same model numbers??

There are certain parts in each of those items that can be made cheaply e.g. Plastic vs ceramic.  Easy enough to check each item.
 I'm sure it's true for some, maybe many items, but sweeping generalizations are not reliable, and anything you're hearing from a supply house has obvious negios.
Lastly, home depot has changed their game behind the scenes in a big way over the last few years, and what was true a couple of years ago is not necessarily true now.

[aygart]

With the same model numbers??

There are certain parts in each of those items that can be made cheaply e.g. Plastic vs ceramic.  Easy enough to check each item.
 I'm sure it's true for some, maybe many items, but sweeping generalizations are not reliable, and anything you're hearing from a supply house has obvious negios.
Lastly, home depot has changed their game behind the scenes in a big way over the last few years, and what was true a couple of years ago is not necessarily true now.

A plumber showed me the difference between a Kohler faucet from HD and from a supply house. He pointed out that either one had a lifetime warranty and the replacement parts are the same.

[thaber]

A plumber showed me the difference between a Kohler faucet from HD and from a supply house. He pointed out that either one had a lifetime warranty and the replacement parts are the same.

I'm not sure I'm understanding - was it the same model number?
Kohler has a vast range of faucets. they make replacement parts to fit as many as possible.

[aygart]

I'm not sure I'm understanding - was it the same model number?
Kohler has a vast range of faucets. they make replacement parts to fit as many as possible.

Yes it was the same model number

[thaber]

Yes it was the same model number

IF it was exactly the same, (no added 'R' etc.) and produced around the same time, I can' argue. But as someone who bought and buys hundreds of faucets and thousands of items from a variety of sources, with a nice percentage being HD, I can't match the experience. the everybody says, or my plumber once told me, is not a rayah, they get kickbacks from supply houses and have much negios.



ETA: first google result -  https://terrylove.com/forums/index.php?threads/model-numbers-differences-at-home-depot.59283/#

[YitzyS]

definitely not true of appliances. They buy in huge bulk and pass on the savings.
IME the most common reason for product numbers not matching is because they don't want you to comparison shop on items.
they, like every big box store, carry items of varying quality. each should be checked independently. to make a sweeping statement like that is ridiculous.

*waiting for some DDFer to come along and allege that you own Home Depot and that is why you are sticking up for them*

[thaber]

*waiting for some DDFer to come along and allege that you own Home Depot and that is why you are sticking up for them*

literally LOL'd. well deserved like

[elihak7]

A plumber showed me the difference between a Kohler faucet from HD and from a supply house. He pointed out that either one had a lifetime warranty and the replacement parts are the same.

With a lifetime warranty why would you care?

[elazarmn]

With a lifetime warranty why would you care?

Changing a faucet isnt always a simple task

[avromie7]

With a lifetime warranty why would you care?

Because it's a PITA and you need to keep the paperwork.

[aygart]

Because it's a PITA and you need to keep the paperwork.

I have not needed paperwork