I hate it when people talk numbers instead of trade names!

don't walk into the supply house and say:

give me a hundred 1900's and 20 220's!


you sound like an accountant or something!

if it is flex call it flex it if it is a duck call it a duck!

we dont want to lose a very important part of our trade. pretty soon everything will be known as a number!

10-4 good buddy?

mustang


[This message has been edited by mustangelectric (edited 09-20-2004).]

[This message has been edited by mustangelectric (edited 09-20-2004).]

OK, no more "14-3". It's now "14/3 w/ ground NM-B".

Sorry

I always say the part number in the supply house. It eliminates any ambiguity as to what I'm after. If I said give me 4x4 j-boxes I might get Raco 190s when I wanted 232s. If I said I wanted romex box connectors I might get Arlington Black Buttons when I wanted Neer C-500s. I ask for a Neer ECO-105 instead of a 2" 200A clamp-on entrance cap because it's less words to say. After all, I'm trying to drink a cup of coffee while I'm there and the less I talk, the more I can sip.

"After all, I'm trying to drink a cup of coffee while I'm there and the less I talk, the more I can sip."

Mustang,


I can't see how this is a big deal.

I worked for a large distributor and I can tell you the language of the wholesale business is all part numbers. Of course, the trade name is important, but you don't input "flex" into the computer, you input part numbers.

Where I worked, a new counter guy wasn't considered "good and trained" until he had hundreds of part numbers memorized.

We had certain contractors who were pretty savvy with part numbers. They were the "easy" customers.

Believe me, having the customer call out part numbers was far easier than "I need a couple 4" squares."

"OK, what kind? Deep, shallow, side bracket, 1/2" KO's, combo???" And on it went.

Sorry, part numbers aren't going anywhere soon.

Peter

ok..ok..i see your point but how about only in the supply house..is that how you train a helper?

as far as what the big deal is...there is no big deal...i guess a 1900 is ok..

i just like to hear the lingo not the numbers..

when i first started in 76 we didnt have computers..we had a etch a sketch..

i think the number is ok in some context but it mostly depends on where your from i guess..some folks call it greenfield..imagine that!

mustang

Mustang,

OK, now we agree on something. When training an apprentice, they absolutely need to be taught and know the trade slang. No question about it.

My main point is that knowing the numbers makes part ordering 100 times easier.

Peter

Each manufacturer has a number for each part. Each wholesaler has a number for each part for each manufacturer whose parts they stock. Each contractor has a unique system, sometimes combining wholesalers' or manufacturers' parts, and other times not. Then, the manufacturers change their numbers, and we move to different contractors.

How many of you know what a squa0001 is? I'll give you a hint, it's smaller than a squa0003, and there is no squa0002 (actually there is, but it isn't electrical).

I insist on calling a duck a duck, and if I want to be specific, I ask for a Daffy, Donald or Daisy. duck0001 is b.s.

Not to stir things up, but I would like to learn / remember / know more Manufacturers' Part Numbers than the Hand-full I can remember right now!
This would be very helpful when making Material orders by Phone or Fax (or even in Person), and the Person receiving the order pulls the Correct Part per My Description.
(Minimize Re-Stocking and Returns + Loss of productive time or lower counter-production... sound like a P.M., huh?...).
The Communication Breakdown between Myself and Supply House Staff from Trade-Name / Slang terms vs. Stock Number / Possible Matches, has occured minimally (so far!).
At present, the percentage of mistaken orders would be <3% - which is great! I am striving for <1% or less!


The Persons working at the Wholesale House are more familiar with Part numbers, so I should be trying to give them proper information ... IMHO.

Any suggestions on the best method to obtain this new goal? Mfg. Manuals?, Ask the Counter Persons?
Any suggestions are gladly welcomed.

Scott35

I know T&B has a CD-ROM with their full catalog on it - as long as you can run Adobe Acrobat, it's actually pretty easy to use.

IIRC, most other Mfg's have them as well.

Since I don't have a laptop, and my Pocket PC has disappeared , my job box in my truck has a bunch of the mini-brochures from Erico, B-line, etc...

I feel your pain.

I used to work with a guy that did that on the job. If we needed switches, he would ask me "Do we have enough Cs115W's to finish the second floor"?

hi again...i think it is great if you want to learn the part numbers, i do pretty well on that

the reason i brought this whole silly thing up is that it seems that more and more we are replacing a name with a number..thats great in todays world. it does pay off to be able to make a parts list using only numbers...i do it...i always give a description too...

i do not mind helping the parts house guys..you have to keep them happy...

on the job speaking to a client or an asociate i will call out a number and get a dumb look..then say oh a box or a connector..

when you are dealing with a helper who is still a green horn, an X needs to be an X and EYS needs to be an EYS...a fishtape is a fishtape ...

thanks for the great replies...

interesting jibberish

mustang

So just run out to the truck and grab a length of unistrut, or kindorf, or versabar, or superstrut..... I usually work in part numbers, after I started off in the warehouse of my company I know it makes the other guys jobs easier. But I have seen a problem with trade slang or brand names used that don't exist in other parts of the country, the last job I was on in Florida I asked the EC for smoe chicklets and he gave me a blank stare, they are otherwise known as dolphin connectors. Maybe somebody knows them as something else, but part number is a part number anywhere in the country. Just my .02

Jim

I have a hard time remembering numbers so I rely on the guy at the counter to know the number. Hasn't been a problem. And if it is I just tell them to give me what I need, not what I asked for. lol
I do admire those of you that can recall all those numbers.

When I'm in the supply house or filling out an order to fax in, I always use the number if I know it. It assures that I'm going to get the right part. In the feild I use the trade name.

Someone else touched on this, but what about products with multiple trade names. What do you do then? What do you call those metal straps that will hold a box in the wall? I've always known them as Jiffy Clips, but I've heard them called F clips, Maddison clips and Battleship clips.

How do you order 1/2" x 1" staples? I always order SN-40's, even though our supply house has been sending us another brand (not Briscon) recently.

Not sure what you mean by this.

Here they have taught me that "Greenfield" is the flex without the insulation and "Flex" has the rubber insulation. If that makes sense. So Yeah I guess some people do call it "Greenfield"

So what the hell is a "1900" anyway?

Scott I think this is a '1900'



I just call it a 4" square with 1/2" KOs.

The whole thing varies a lot with the locale.

If you went to a wholesaler here in SoCA and ordered flex, you'd get FMC. If you ordered Greenfieldor a 1900, you'd probably get a raised eyebrow and a "huh?".

My material orders usually include a description, and a part # "or equal". That way I get what I want....usually.
Specific items will get a # and a "no sub".

The more descriptive your order, the better chance you have of having it filled to your satisfaction. I've had guys in the field call in orders for "stuff", "whatchamacallits (You know, Scott, like the ones you sent before)" .
That just doesn't work...S

When talking to the other people on the job I do not usually use part numbers.

But just as electure and Electric Eagle have mentioned when faxing in an order I give part numbers and just like electure I will say this part or =.

I think a lot of this has to do with if you are picking the stock up or having it delivered to the job.

99.9% of what I order is shipped to the job or shop. If it comes in wrong it will be at least 24 hrs before I get what I need. Add to that now I need to do paper work for returns.

Having learned the hard way I have a milk case full of catalogs I bring job to job just so I can use part numbers on matrial requests.

I did not know what a 1900 was, our number is Raco 232. .

While we are talking trade names does any other area use the term "Baldy"?

I remember no(and I mean none ) part numbers, thats what a parts guy needs to know. If I want a 1/2 hub bell box, thats what I ask for. If the parts guy is any good, he/she goes and gets it. I'm usually amazed with the wholesalers I deal as the parts guys know the numbers as soon as I say what I want.

Bob
we have a bunch of "baldy's" on the job - especially now with so many guys shaving their heads

Pierre