You are so right. The Home Depots and Lowes have really gotten greedy, and you can do a lot better by shopping alternatives for some items. With 35 apts and a bunch of commercial tenants, I’ve come to value HD Supply (HDSupplySolutions.com), a catalogue-only seller of everything the big boxes have and more. They will send you a 2-inch thick catalogue, take orders by phone, and deliver the next day or two (free for over $150 orders) right to your house or business. They are not affiliated any more with Home Depot. Generally cheaper prices, more in-depth inventory, and free returns, including shipping, if you are not happy.
Also, go to WalMart for commonly-used items, as a cheaper alternative to Home Depot and Lowes. Even Dixieline is competitive price-wise now, and offers far better service and presentation than the frustrating Home Depot.
