Replies

1. 
   calvin | Mar 07, 2012 06:44pm | #1

   Well bob

   It's said that the box stores carry many of the "same" products as other suppliers but ............

   it's also said they are different.  Not in looks, but in the case of plumbing fixtures-in the guts.  Maybe plastic parts instead of brass, things of that sort.  Combo drain flipper-plastic instead of metal-that's an easy one to see.

   Also it's said that they change the number just a bit-which is what you have with the blades.

   Who knows about the blades-manufacturers produce goods for the boxes at a negotiated price point.  Perhaps there's just a bit less of carbide.  Tho I get all my blades resharpened-these are considered throw aways....................

   How much do they want for that blade at your local yard?  local hardware?

   When the boxes are all that's left and shipping is no longer "free", you might wish the yard and hardware was still there.

2. 
   [email protected] | Mar 08, 2012 07:12pm | #2

   First Guess

   My first guess is that they are identical.  The difference in number is part of how they get around the, "We will beat the price of any item you find for less somewhere else", advertising claim. 

   If they have a distinctly different catalog number the items are not the same, and you can't force them to match the competitors price. 

   HomeDesperate and Lowers have identical items that have catalog numbers differeing by one trailing number or letter.  The other thing they do is not stock the same manufacturers of similar items such as clamps.  One stock Jorgeys, the other Besseys.  I bought a bunch of clamps at half price when they switched in the late 90's.