Best Shipping Rates

tcolborg

New member
Just curious as to who you guys think has the best shipping rates on pressure washing gear? I want to purchase from our distributors, but find that the shipping in many cases makes it a tough decision to not just buy local. So what do you guys think?
 
Shipping has never made a purchase even remotely close to buying local. I think most distributors get a decent rate, just try and order everything you can together.
 
I think that shipping a hot water skid is somewhere between $250 and $350.

For the large items that have to be sent by truck, there are many different options like picking up at their dock locally which saves you some delivery and liftgate fees.

With the internet pricing, I have never seen but one local company anywhere close to the prices we have with the great vendors that are here at PWI.

You always get better shipping prices when you order more so keep the regular stuff and spares on hand all the time.
 
Even with shipping, buying online will save you a lot of money.

Think about the local vendor that is selling spray nozzles for $10.00 to $17.00 each when you can buy them for as low as $3.50 more or less depending on the vendor and if they are on sale.

Plugs and couplers......most local only have the brass as they are the cheapest for their customer at about the same prices as the spray nozzles listed above.

Unless you are buying wands/lances that are about 8' long, the shipping is not too bad.

I think if you ask most of the guys that have been in business a while, most will say that they buy almost everything online.

It is good to support your local vendor if/when you can as he might be the guy repairing your machine if you need repairs and cannot do them yourself. Repairs is another thing, From what I hear, Russ at Southside has a good video on repairs. I have not seen it but based on Russ's reputation, I would think it would be a great way to learn how to repair whatever the topic is about.
 
Powerwashstore.com has free shipping for orders over $50. Of course that doesn't stop me from ordering from Russ or Bob once in awhile. Southside equipment and Powerwashstore are definitely my two favorites. Southside Equipment has a little bit of an advantage for customer service because you get to speak directly to the owner who is extremely knowledgeable about everything he sells, while Paul on the other hand is usually busy being a contractor. Not that Bill doesn't give good customer service, he definitely does, but Russ is just hard to beat in that area. Powerwashstore.com has a slight advantage on price due to the free shipping. Bob is number 3 on my list, mostly because I have known Russ and Paul longer. Elemonator is my new favorite house wash and I love F13, so Bob will probably be hearing a little bit more from me. You have 3 great choices there, and you can't go wrong either way. You give one of them a chance, and you will never go back to buying from a local distributor because you'll realize you were paying much more for worse customer service in most cases.
 
All the local vendors here are total rip offs. If I need something today then I'll buy it locally. If I can have it overnighted or wait a few days then I'll order from Bill, Bob or Russ.
 
I can't speak for all vendors, but your right to think that buying at that local place is higher, (and if your paying 10-17 bucks for a tip then your being ripped off for sure).....however there is another thing to think about. As a former store front/shop manager I got calls constantly from people asking me who I would recommend to do some cleaning. Guess who I always recommended without fail...?, Yeah one of a half dozen of my better customers that did that type of work. Yes I charged 6.50 for a tip, and yes I was doubling what I paid, but unlike some companies I had a store front, with overhead, and several employees, with families, and a community that I participated in. Now that I build machines for people and don't actively do these things anymore, I can afford to drop ship you some parts at 10-15% over cost. I guess my point is sometimes spending that extra 200.00 a year over what you would have spent will actually pay off in the relationship you build with you local supply company, you will have to be the judge of that.
 
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