Plumbing Supply vs. Home Depot (delta fixtures)
Please help choose bathroom faucet for a Home Depot vanity - Bogleheads.org
I called Delta they said the faucets they sell at big box stores and plumbing stores are identical but why do seemingly all plumbers say they are not?
So I read here recently that the faucets Home Depot and other big box stores sell are a lesser quality, and brands such as Delta and Moen make a cheaper product specifically for these stores. Is this true? If so, where do you suggest to buy?
What is the water flow rate range for Delta Centerset Bathroom Faucets at the Home Depot?
What is the number of faucet holes required to install Delta Widespread Bathroom Faucets?
What are the shipping options for Delta Widespread Bathroom Faucets?
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Doing a big home remodel that will add two bathrooms. General sent me to the showroom for a plumbing supply company, ultimately settled on wanting to pick between two delta faucets that would match our style. I can't really pick between the two, so I was just googling them to get a sense of maybe one or the other was better reviewed or something to help pick, but noticed that the prices I was being quoted were way higher than Amazon or Home Depot prices. I asked the general about it, but got the spiel about how Home Depot gets a deal on crappier versions so they sell it cheaper. This sounds like one of those things that baby boomers tell you, but has no support, particularly given that they have the exact same model number.
For example, a faucet we are looking at is the Lahara 3538-SSMPU-DST (Home depot, lowes, amazon, and faucet direct are all selling something with that same model number for $201, but the plumbing supply is charging $279). I've scoured the internet postings and the spec sheet I was sent, to try and figure out if there is something that identifies it as a different model, but I got nothing.
The general seemed to mention something about the internal valves just being nicer or whatever, but again, even on something like that -- this "universal valve" (1725r10000unbx) on the order sheet is $37 from the supply company and $30-34 online.
Again, nothing is a TON (that $78 on the faucet is the biggest difference), but for two bathrooms it ends up being about $700 in difference. Again, the size of the project we are doing, that's trivial, but maybe I feel like I'm being taken for a ride. I guess just tossing it out to the internet to ask if there really is a difference is not the best, but at least you guys don't theoretically have a vested interest in what I buy one way or the other.
EDIT: Even going to delta's site and searching for the model number, and then going to "where to buy" for either of those, it gives me the whole list of wholesalers and home depot, etc.
I asked do their faucets at big box stores have more plastic parts vs plumbing stores and was told no they are identical, I asked if I examined them internally and everything would they be, the answer was yes, I even spoke with a manager. But why is it every plumber I've ever heard of recommends the plumbing store because they have more metal parts? 🤔