84 Lumber...Thoughts or Comments??

[hobbyfarm]

We just had an 84 Lumber open up here. Problem is, it's "on the wrong side of the tracks". /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif The railroad access road next to it is barely a road at all, plus at either end of the road it's a pain to turn into (to the point that you HAVE to WANT to get in there). I'm thinking that maybe as time goes on, they'll fix the road and get better access.

My question...Is it another "box" store or just a lumber store. How competitive are the prices?

 

[billbill1]

Topeka, Kansas used to have (and may still have) an 84 Lumber. I went there once and it was simular to the Payless Lumber stores that went out of business a few years back. Some tools but mainly building supplies-hard to compete with Lowes and Home Depot these days it seems.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

There's a couple 84 Lumber stores near here. They've both been around since the early 1970's. Must be doing SOMETHING right. They stayed relatively small, compared to THE BIG ORANGE BOX. From what I know of them, they tend to deal mostly in lumber, and not all the fluff that Home Depot and Lowes carry. I see their trucks delivering to many new home sites, so I'd about bet they cater to builders.

 

[Freds]

Yep, I agree with everything Farmer said.

The one by me is competitively priced with L and H-D and a lot closer, so I consider that, too. That said, I just re-sided my house last year and put new exterior doors on and the local 84 couldn't come close to warranty and quality of materials that a specialized supply house had and the prices were all but equal.

 

[BubbaJr]

I went to the one near here when it first opened up in January several years ago. It was about 15 outside, and maybe 16 inside. Are all the other ones open to the elements in the showroom? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif


As far as prices, I could match or beat their prices at the locally owned lumber yards. That was the only time I was there. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[jwstewar]

There are a few of them around here. I have an ex-brother-in-law that is a Construction manager for them. He makes pretty good money working for them. He mainly deals with contractors and can cut his "good" customers a deal on items that will typically beat blue and orange. Now as far as me walking in the door, their prices are usually a little higher on most things - but not always. I was able to buy a 4" DeWalt hole saw for $15 vs. $21 at Lowes for an off-brand that I wasn't sure would fit my mandrel. So as they say, It Depends. BTW, I no longer get the "family" discount since the Sister-in-law and him divorced on not so friendly of terms. Considering she was 20 and he was 45 it is amazing it lasted almost 2 years and only 1 kid. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[hobbyfarm]

Hmm,
So it looks like people "try" them once, but no repeat biz. Maybe not worth the effort. I guess once is enough to see.
Thanks to all for your replies.

 

[ScottAR]

We had one for about 3 years... they closed last month. I tried to like them but they made that nearly impossible. Their lumber was higher than my regular place and I usually had to hunt for an employee.

My regular yard also is an ACE hardware and I nearly get run over by employees that act like they want to help me.

They were open on a Sunday and my regular place wasn't so I would give them a shot those days before driving 30 miles to Lowes or Home Cheapo. They never had ONE piece of hardware I wanted. Maybe I want weird things but Lowe's and Cheapo had em. I finally started immediately to Lowe's instead of across town first and then to Lowe's. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Their building is for sale. I'd like to buy it and name it
"Scott's giant buiding." /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[thatguy]

We have a few 84's still around the central VA area, but it has been +15 yrs since i have been in one. I read an article a few months back (in usa today I think) that they are like the largest supplier to contractors in the US. I was very surprised and have always wondered how they were staying in business..

 

[Nasty135]

Here in Md. there has been one in an old town by the tobacco barns that has been there for years and years,and they just built a new building next to their old one ,they must be doin OK at this location even though Home Depot just opened this spring less than a mile away...

 

[RedDog]

Farmwithjunk pretty much nailed it.

I bought my pole barn kit from them 40x64x12, and would do it again if the need comes about. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif They delivered it when I wanted them to, (except for maybe once or twice when I called and all the trucks were already out). I was constantly changing stuff and they would just add or subtract from my bill.

RedDog

 

[EddieWalker]

I pretty much agree with what everyone else has said. I had one in CA, close to where I used to live. Mostly they were more pricey with less selection. On a redwood fence I built, they had the most beautiful clear boards I've ever come across AND they were cheaper than Home Depot!!

Unfortunatley that was a fluke, cause I never came across anything like that again.

There isn't one near me in Texas, so I haven't been to one in years.

Eddie

 

[Bird]

We have one very close to us. I think I've gone shopping there 3 times and haven't bought anything from them yet. Each time they either didn't have what I needed or their prices were too high.

 

[Kozmo38]

84 Lumber is not in a class with the L or HD due to one reason. There is no corporate structure at the top. No Board of Directors. It is Joe Hardy Owner. It is the single largest lumber company in North America.

I will agree with those that have said that the prices are usually higher. THat is probably due to the business was started with the contractors and large projects in mind. It was never meant to be a Superstore as the others.

 

[KubotaSteve]

We have two 84 Lumber's within 5 five miles of me. They were here before Lowes and Home Depot but seemed to change their philosophy and aimed more towards the contractor as the other two cornered the market on do it yourselfers. It seems the lumber is better and the staff is more knowledgeable for the most part. The best part I like is all their lumber is outside under roof and there is no loading lumber twice (once on those carts and then into the truck) You drive the truck up and load it up. They are more customer oriented. I stopped in one day to get some trim boards and was in and out in 5 minutes.

 

[rogdan]

BIL used to work for them and they are all about contractors. They get the business because they go to the site for orders and deliver the next day if not sooner. Forget service if your not making a major purchase, I stood around with a couple boxes of screws in one here for 15 minutes while they looked past me to contractors, never been back.

 

[hobbyfarm]

I kind of thought something was "different" about it.
When I pass by there, they don't have too many vehicles in the parking lot.

 

[gws]

84 lumber has been around ohio for some time. They are not your big box HD/LOwes, They are your very basic lumber yard with some other misc building items.