The challenge of buying Canadian
Sat, 2008-10-25 14:18
#1
Lard Tunderin Jeezus
The challenge of buying Canadian
Sat, 2008-10-25 14:18
#2
Lard Tunderin Jeezus
So here's the thing: My better half wants a new screen door. Now we have a screen, one of those roll-across contraptions that she wanted a few years ago, when I wanted to buy a conventional door that provides some insulation in the winter. But now it's her idea, and I was sent out to buy one.
So I checked out Home Depot and Rona. At the U.S. based Home Depot, I can buy nice doors - all made in Michigan. And if I want anything other than white, it can take up to a month for delivery. We have stained wood, so we need brown or black.
So I drove farther across to Rona - a Canadian chain, where I thought I could find a Canadian-made door. Sure enough, they had them, and prices are similar - for the white doors in stock. They want a $100 premium to order a colour. And how long will it take?
That's right, the full month, again.
So I contact Rona to discuss this policy, but they don't return my call or e-mail. I'm getting ticked, so I e-mail the manufacturer, Aluminart. Their VP of Sales responds, but only to say that they're trying to get Rona to stock colours, but there's nothing he can do for now. I specifically ask whether dealers actually pay a premium for colours, but he chooses not to respond to this question on two separate e-mails.
Does he really expect me to pay a 30% premium without justification?
Why wouldn't both of these companies want to satisfy the demands of Canadians who care to Buy Canadian?
I just don't get it. Anybody got an explanation for me?
[ 25 October 2008: Message edited by: Lard Tunderin' Jeezus ]
Sat, 2008-10-25 15:06
#3
M. Spector
quote:
Originally posted by Lard Tunderin' Jeezus:
[b]Why wouldn't both of these companies want to satisfy the demands of Canadians who care to Buy Canadian?[/b]
Why would you expect a Canadian capitalist to give you a break simply because you are a Canadian? Do you think their first allegiance is to keep their fellow citizens happy and their second priority is to make their shareholders rich?
Sat, 2008-10-25 15:15
#4
NeoLiberal Liberals promised it would be better with NAFTA. It was such a resounding success that they didn't even bother telling us what SPP is all about.
Sat, 2008-10-25 16:37
#5
M. Spector
It's nothing to do with NAFTA or SPP. It's about a Canadian door manufacturer and/or a Canadian retailing giant charging Canadian consumers a 30% premium for any colour other than white.
Sat, 2008-10-25 16:40
#6
Lard Tunderin Jeezus
...when their American competition doesn't.
Sat, 2008-10-25 16:42
#7
It's simple, you can have your screen door any coulour you like, as long as it's white.
I'm assuming it's an aluminium screen door.
It could well be that the screen door company has to send it's product out to be top coated when people ask for a colour other than white, which is probably the colour used at the factory.
We do this where I work, because we still have an antiquated "E-Coat" system for the most part, and our new Powder Coat system isn't large enough to handle the entire volume. Powder Coat allows efficient colour change. (besides being a better quality paint finish) Changing over an "E-Coat" process is cost prohibitive for small batches. Aluminart may change over an E-Coat line for a large customer, like the Polish Navy.
I used to know what it cost us to send product out to be top coated, but I forget. I am certain it isn't a whopping 30% though.
I'd get a wooden screen door, and some paint.
Sat, 2008-10-25 16:42
#8
If you have an insulated metal door with good magnetic weatherstipping seals, you won't save $300 worth of energy by adding a storm door - not in your lifetime, anyway. If you want a screen door with lots of screen area for summer air circulation, that's another matter.
If your door is leaky and frosty, go for the real McCoy, LTJ.
Sat, 2008-10-25 16:48
#9
Lard Tunderin Jeezus
We already spent big bux on a fancy oak door with glass inserts - which is rather leaky. Thus the need for another seal on the outside.
Sat, 2008-10-25 16:51
#10
Lard Tunderin Jeezus
Tommy - so far as I understand it, the month delay is so they can batch the runs up.
Sat, 2008-10-25 16:54
#11
Doesn't explain any mark up then.
Sat, 2008-10-25 16:57
#12
quote:
I'd get a wooden screen door, and some paint.
Right on. You might even find faux oak (I was usually too late to make reasonable recommendations out there in the energy conservation world too.
Sat, 2008-10-25 16:57
#13
Actually, I think George makes a good point.
Can you do something with the oak door? There's no shortage of foams, weather stripping, etc out there, and they are much, much cheaper and effective.
Hard to say without seeing your place Lard.
Ug, reminds me, I have two windows on my porch to attend to, now that the furnace is on.
Sat, 2008-10-25 17:13
#14
quote:
Originally posted by M. Spector:
[b]It's nothing to do with NAFTA or SPP. It's about a Canadian door manufacturer and/or a Canadian retailing giant charging Canadian consumers a 30% premium for any colour other than white.[/b]
Thank goodness it wasn't a Canadian-made ski-doo or car. They'd have gouged him for thousands of dollars more on this side for the same make and model. What's afta NAFTA? Hopefully not another Liberal dynasty.
Mon, 2008-10-27 06:22
#15
Fidel, I know you've got a thing about NAFTA but what does it have to do with this discussion? The issue seems to be a Canadian store that doesn't stock doors in any colour but white and levies a significant surcharge to if you want anything else. It seems about as far removed from a NAFTA issue as you can get. [img]confused.gif" border="0[/img]
Mon, 2008-10-27 07:26
#16
Lard Tunderin Jeezus
Well, there is also the issue of American retailers in Canada who refuse to deal with Canadian suppliers...
Mon, 2008-10-27 08:33
#17
Lard Tunderin Jeezus
Speaking of which, does everyone know 'Lowe's', the new Yanqui invader in the home improvement market? The company heavily advertising their 'best price guarantee'?
I happened to drive by one on the weekend, and said, wtf, let's check it out. Their screen doors come all the way from South Dakota. They charge at least $150 more for similar product, and $90 more than the competition for installation.
But installation is 'contracted out', so the guarantee doesn't apply. And no one else in Canada imports their products from South Dakota, so no Canadian consumer will ever manage to collect the "difference in price plus 10%" they so cheerfully advertise...
Mon, 2008-10-27 09:10
#18
We are familiar with the problem. Where we are, almost every house had an aluminium screen/storm combo door installed back in the seventies. They are good doors, but ugly as hell. After looking around, we painted ours.
BTW, we did see a brown one available in either Rona or Home Building Supplies (not Home Depot) but I can't remember which.
Mon, 2008-10-27 10:19
#19
quote:
Originally posted by abnormal:
[b]Fidel, I know you've got a thing about NAFTA but what does it have to do with this discussion? [/b]
You're right. According to public opinion polls, Chretien's NAFTA is a little more popular than screen doors on submarines. So I guess we're screwed on the screen door thing.
Wed, 2008-10-29 05:38
#20
I work at an aluminum extruding facility and some of our customers are in the window and door manufacturing business. We extrude, put holes in the product, paint any color and even anodize according to our customer needs all for a cost. Our customers then assemble the product to your needs as a consumer. When you go to a store and see white doors one of the reasons is because this is the cheapest paint that can be purchased through the wholesaler. In the modern day manufacturing facilities also do not like to keep stock items in the building it reduces the space for other projects among other reasons we the extruder would have to charge a premium to the window and door manufacturer (we charge by the kg) light weight color order and this is where the premium comes in for a different colored door. I hope that I have shed some light on the subject
Wed, 2008-10-29 05:54
#21
Lard Tunderin Jeezus
Do you have any idea of what that premium might realistically be, as a percentage?
It seems to range from nearly nothing (Home Hardware, Home Depot) to 30+% (at Rona) to anywhere from 50 to 100% (at Lowe's, depending on the SKU).
[ 29 October 2008: Message edited by: Lard Tunderin' Jeezus ]
Wed, 2008-10-29 06:31
#22
Depending on the color and volume of paint that the manufacturer needs ordered, paint from our suppliers can be as high as 70% mark up and normally it is a 2 week delivery from the time we receive the order from the door company. the color of paint is what is the most expensive we deal with over 200 colors. Your typical color of brown would be 10% because it is a common color and we would have it in stock where as aquamarine would be on the high end.
Wed, 2008-10-29 06:37
#23
Lard Tunderin Jeezus
So is that the difference in the cost of the paint alone, or of the final delivered materials for assembly?
Wed, 2008-10-29 06:43
#24
Sorry about that, It is the total cost for us as the extruder. Whether the door company adds a premium I am not sure.
Fri, 2008-11-28 01:39
#25
My guess is it's because it involves several people to send the order, paint the door, package the door, ship the door and receive the door, and contact you to tell you it's ready.
Perhaps if they hired illegal immigrants to do the job, you could have the door at a price more to your liking.
Fri, 2008-11-28 08:00
#26
Lard Tunderin Jeezus
Actually, I got the exact door I wanted, at the price I wanted, by ordering it through the local Home Hardware, and waiting 3 weeks.
(I'm installing it with my very handy bro-in-law this weekend.)