Discount hardware stores operate with varying profits for different items. The wire and conduit are cheap, but the connectors, boxes and mudrings are more expensive. If you buy everything at a hardware store, or everything at a supplier, the supplier will save you money. I use a supplier that drops my order at my shop. I save an hour every time I use my supplier. The hardware stores carry common items that sell the most, but few of the odd items that we need regularly. If we don't use electrical suppliers they'll go out of business and we'll go out of business with them.
Dave
