Is online steel cheaper than a local supplier long term ??

[tedmagnum]

I'm in the process of starting to make a lot of stuff.

In the past, I'd just buy offcuts from Ebay or recycle stuff for small projects.

I'm now looking to buy in semi-professional quantities.

There are loads of so called "cheap metal" online suppliers and their prices look pretty good.

I'm also lucky to live in the Merseyside region so there is A LOT of industry and a lot of suppliers (Big ship/boat building, repair etc).

My local suppliers don't do price lists as their prices change weekly depending on the market so it's hard to gauge their prices compared to online.

Soooooo...

Any suggestions ???

 

[madkayaker]

Local stock holder will be cheeper than the online suppliers

 

[Welderpaul]

Honest answer?

No. They are a total rip off. From what people have posted on here, they charge around 2 to 3 times what we buy it for.
Find a smallish stockholder, work out what you want first, then ring them for prices. Haggle a bit because they are unlikely to offer you their best price at first.

 

[tedmagnum]

Good...

That actually makes me happy. Even though it would be convenient to order on-line and wait for a delivery, I like the thought of building up a face to face relationship from my supplier.

 

[Welderpaul]

Always the best way.

Once you know them its as quick, if not quicker to pick the phone up to the supplier and order what you need than do it online.

 

[Fintray]

Always the best way.

Once you know them its as quick, if not quicker to pick the phone up to the supplier and order what you need than do it online.

That and delivery can be quicker to, of course you could always collect it yourself. As Paul said prices online can be a big shock compared to a small local supplier.

 

[madkayaker]

Plus your local yard will have a scrap pile you. Can rummage through for beer fund

 

[wombar]

Yup, online prices are mostly pretty ludicrous. I got a quote a while back from an online company and they were a good 2-3 time more expensive than anyone locally.

Saying that, it always pays to get a couple of quotes locally to ensure the P is not being taken. I got some quotes before Xmas and one company who shall remain nameless really tried it on with their quote.

We're not talking a little bit more expensive, we're talking internet prices expensive (i.e. £100 at my regular place, £300+VAT from these jokers). They asked if it was for business or private use and I stupidly told them it was for private use. They were just out to gouge me, pure and simple. I told them their quote was ridiculous when they called back a couple days later.

 

[Keith 66]

Interesting, there are three local companies one on Canvey charges outrageous prices one has diversified into other stuff & also got expensive. Both are more expensive than online suppliers.
The third lot out at Rawreth buy in whatever you want, cut to size if required & are reasonably priced. Also worth talking pound notes, tends to oil the wheels of industry

 

[tedmagnum]

Well... I've done some phoning around. Metal4u an online website want 70 quid for 6m of hbs.

My local supplier (merseymetals) want £48 for 7.5m.

I think that sums it up for me. That's over 25% difference without even considering postage.

 

[steve.h]

I found a place called Forest Metals, they have a limited range of flat, square and round, they sell itin 3m lengths, the shipping costs wernt that bad either, they werequite helpful as well. I will be using them again.
HTH
Steve.

 

[tedmagnum]

I found a place called Forest Metals, they have a limited range of flat, square and round, they sell itin 3m lengths, the shipping costs wernt that bad either, they werequite helpful as well. I will be using them again.
HTH
Steve.

I just checked it out...

My local supplier will do 7.5M of 50x50x3 for £58

Forest metals will sell 6m for £45 INC postage.

So Forest are actually cheaper than my local supplier... AND that's delivered.

Cheers for that. I might use them

 

[Welderpaul]

1 length of 50*50*3 = £20.75 each we pay. Free delivery

Ouch!

 

[marc.w]

1 length of 50*50*3 = £20.75 each we pay. Free delivery

Ouch!

Wow, That's a big difference! but how many lengths are you buying at a time? Is it large orders?

 

[Welderpaul]

Thats for one length, delivered. I had a full bundle in a couple of weeks back, 17 quid a length.

We do order a reasonable amount of steel, we probably have 2-3 deliveries a week, and perhaps 1-2 full artic loads a month.
They still don't sell it to us at a loss, so goes to prove the criminal mark-up that is put on sections when 'Joe Public' buy it.
It's an in joke at the place we use when public wander in for stuff, they have competitions to see who can get the highest price for stuff. Annoys me tbh especially when it is cash in hand/immediate up front payment. They have to wait 60 days to get paid from us.

 

[madkayaker]

And stand the risk of you going bust etc before payment

 

[brewdexta]

Just checked my first order from our local supplier, it was a 500 quid order but its small potatoes compared to Paul's but I still got 50 x 50 x 3 at 19 quid +vat per 7.5m length with free delivery

 

[chunkolini]

Try a big supplier.
I get mine from Dyfedd Steel, a large company and they were happy delivering very small amounts and soo much cheaper than anywhere I tried.
I used to get a guy in a massive artic looking for Unit 3, thought I was mad when I said it is Flat 3.

 

[ukracer]

Just checked my first order from our local supplier, it was a 500 quid order but its small potatoes compared to Paul's but I still got 50 x 50 x 3 at 19 quid +vat per 7.5m length with free delivery

These are prices I have been quoted.

80x40 3mm x 7.5M @ £36.00 each
40x40 2.5mm x7.5m @ £19.00 each
50x25 3mm x 7.5m @ £19.00 each
25x25 3mm x 7.5m @ £14.00 each
50x5 flatx 7.5m @ £13.00 each

What would your 40/40 at 2.5 work out at?

 

[snowcat]

Our local suppliers used to have one person on the front desk for cash customers, One day I went in there having already priced with my normal rep and asked him to do a price (out of a matter of interest) he quoted me 5x of what I was paying with someone else in the same building!!!

Mind they've recently replaced the fierce little Scotsman with something much easier on the eye

Always kid a stockholder that your buying BIG, Next month your pricing 20T of material etc, keeps em keener, know the correct name for all the sections your buying, ask them to invoice to a company sounding name and never ask if it includes VAT as there smell you as Joe public straight away.


Talk like trade, and you would be amazed at the price difference.

BTW Paul what was your stockholder quoting for that ERW??