On buying metal sheets, I had better luck at a regional chain than the big box stores. They let me pick through the stack for straighter panels, which saved me some headaches later.
That’s a good point about picking your own panels. I once ordered a batch sight unseen and ended up with more waves than the Atlantic during hurricane season... lesson learned. Anyone else notice some places try to sneak in “handling fees” too? Between that and delivery, it’s almost like they’re charging by the decibel of storm noise.
it’s almost like they’re charging by the decibel of storm noise.
That cracked me up… feels pretty accurate though. I’ve run into those sneaky fees too, especially when I tried to get a small order delivered. The “handling” cost was nearly as much as the panels themselves. Has anyone found a supplier that actually lets you skip delivery and just load up yourself? Or is that just a pipe dream these days?
I get what you mean about the sneaky fees—they really do add up fast, especially on small jobs. But I’ve actually had a different experience with a couple of local suppliers. Maybe it depends on the area, but around here (Midwest), there are still some places that let you pick up orders yourself—no delivery or handling fees tacked on if you’re willing to do the heavy lifting. The catch is, they usually want you to call ahead and sometimes they’ll only do it if your order’s above a certain size... which can be annoying if you just need a few panels for a shed or patch job.
One time, I showed up with my brother’s old trailer thinking I could just load up and go, but they made me wait until their forklift guy was available. Ended up chatting with another DIYer in the lot for almost an hour. Not ideal, but at least I didn’t get dinged for delivery.
I wouldn’t say it’s a total pipe dream yet, but you might have to hunt around and be flexible with timing. The big box stores seem less willing these days, though—probably more of a liability thing than anything else.
That lines up with what I’ve seen—if you’re willing to deal with the wait and do your own hauling, some of the smaller local yards will still work with you. Around here (central Illinois), there are a couple of ag suppliers that’ll let you pick up, but they’re strict about calling ahead and sometimes you have to wait for their one forklift guy, just like you said. It can be a pain if you’re only after a handful of sheets for a repair.
Big box stores used to be more flexible, but lately they seem to push delivery or curbside only. Liability’s probably part of it, but I also think they just don’t want folks wandering around the back lot. If you’re just patching a shed or lean-to, I’ve had better luck with local lumberyards or even checking with contractors who might have leftovers from bigger jobs. Sometimes you can get a deal that way, though it’s hit or miss.
Bottom line—if you’ve got the time and don’t mind a little hassle, local’s still doable. Just be ready for the occasional long wait in the lot.
I get what you’re saying about local yards, but honestly, I’ve had just as many headaches with them as with the big box stores. Last time I needed a few panels after a hailstorm, the local place wanted me to wait almost two hours just to load up—and then charged more than Lowe’s. I know people like to support local, but sometimes it’s just not worth the hassle or the price difference, especially if you’re dealing with storm repairs and need stuff fast. I’ve actually had better luck ordering direct from a regional supplier online and picking up at their warehouse. No waiting around, and the prices were way better. Just my two cents...
