Hardware store / home center savings tips

Julie Rains · 10-08-2008, 03:38 PM

Hi everyone, I have just spoken with a freelance writer who is doing an article on tips for saving money on home improvement projects for This Old House magazine, specifically ways to save money at the checkout counter when shopping at a home center, hardware store, paint store, etc. for home-improvement projects.

Here's her note that she asked me to share with the WB community:

Since I live in a small rental apartment in New York City, I haven't had much need to hang at Home Depot. So I'm tapping into your more experienced bargain-hunting brains to find out sneaky ways to save some dough.

What cost-saving tips have you stumbled upon? Is it better to shop in the mornings? Weekdays? Weekends? Are there certain times of the month/year where bargains are more easily found? Have you had better luck negotiating prices with smaller hardware stores than big-box chains? Are there credit cards with rewards points you recommend? An online coupon site you love? Have you developed an effective price-haggling strategy?

All ideas are welcome. My editor, for example, mentioned that sometimes you can buy paint that's been premixed and not picked up for a fraction of the regular price. That kind of insider info is what the story calls for. I may be reached directly at catgarr@gmail.com.

Y'all feel free to discuss here or send Cathy an email.

jdp · 10-09-2008, 05:32 AM

:lol:

I promise I'll try and remember to ask my insider at a bigbox home improvement store...there are lots.

purplefdu · 10-12-2008, 12:25 PM

*I'm a big fan of the cull cart for wood for projects. We've picked up MDF a couple times for .50 for a half sheet.
*The oops paint is great, go in Monday morning after a nice weekend or a long weekend when people are apt to have been buying paint. You can brave it during the weekend but its often a zoo.
*The moving packs at the post office have a send-in for a 10% off Lowes coupon (or home depot sometimes depending on area). You can request it by mail or online
*Ace hardware has rebates and a points card not too hard to get to the first $5 giftcard level
*homedepot mails out $/$$ coupons that are good on most purchases (no custom orders or fancy name brands)

72Tiger · 10-12-2008, 01:06 PM

At one time, Home Depot would match and beat (by 5%) lumber prices. I'm not sure if they still do this or not, but if they do, it is worth finding a low price, and then shopping it to Home Depot. They will call the other store to verify the cost and specifics of the product, and then discount it by 5%. It can add up big time if you are building a deck or something else that uses a lot of lumber.

Myscha Theriault · 10-25-2008, 12:26 PM

When I tried to get the discount coupons online, I had problems getting it through the system. But my realtor has said she could get some, as the stores send them to realtors to hand out to their clients.

10-08-2008, 03:38 PM	#1
Julie Rains Wise Bread Blogger Join Date: May 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 401 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (189)	Hardware store / home center savings tips Hi everyone, I have just spoken with a freelance writer who is doing an article on tips for saving money on home improvement projects for This Old House magazine, specifically ways to save money at the checkout counter when shopping at a home center, hardware store, paint store, etc. for home-improvement projects. Here's her note that she asked me to share with the WB community: Since I live in a small rental apartment in New York City, I haven't had much need to hang at Home Depot. So I'm tapping into your more experienced bargain-hunting brains to find out sneaky ways to save some dough. What cost-saving tips have you stumbled upon? Is it better to shop in the mornings? Weekdays? Weekends? Are there certain times of the month/year where bargains are more easily found? Have you had better luck negotiating prices with smaller hardware stores than big-box chains? Are there credit cards with rewards points you recommend? An online coupon site you love? Have you developed an effective price-haggling strategy? All ideas are welcome. My editor, for example, mentioned that sometimes you can buy paint that's been premixed and not picked up for a fraction of the regular price. That kind of insider info is what the story calls for. I may be reached directly at catgarr@gmail.com. Y'all feel free to discuss here or send Cathy an email. __________________ Wise Bread and Parenting Squad blogger

10-12-2008, 12:25 PM	#3
purplefdu Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: York Beach, ME Posts: 627 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Reputation: (29)	I'm a big fan of the cull cart for wood for projects. We've picked up MDF a couple times for .50 for a half sheet. The oops paint is great, go in Monday morning after a nice weekend or a long weekend when people are apt to have been buying paint. You can brave it during the weekend but its often a zoo. The moving packs at the post office have a send-in for a 10% off Lowes coupon (or home depot sometimes depending on area). You can request it by mail or online Ace hardware has rebates and a points card not too hard to get to the first $5 giftcard level homedepot mails out $/$$ coupons that are good on most purchases (no custom orders or fancy name brands) __________________ Homeward Bound Puppy Blog&Personal Blog* best general coupon site & organic grocery coupon help

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10-09-2008, 05:32 AM	#2
jdp Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 226 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (29)	:lol: I promise I'll try and remember to ask my insider at a bigbox home improvement store...there are lots.

10-12-2008, 01:06 PM	#4
72Tiger Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 301 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (38)	At one time, Home Depot would match and beat (by 5%) lumber prices. I'm not sure if they still do this or not, but if they do, it is worth finding a low price, and then shopping it to Home Depot. They will call the other store to verify the cost and specifics of the product, and then discount it by 5%. It can add up big time if you are building a deck or something else that uses a lot of lumber.

10-25-2008, 12:26 PM	#5
Myscha Theriault Wise Bread Blogger Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 65 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (15)	When I tried to get the discount coupons online, I had problems getting it through the system. But my realtor has said she could get some, as the stores send them to realtors to hand out to their clients.