John,
I too have lost several old supply houses around here. Luckily mine friends are hurting, but they are still open. I can just go into the supply house, walk around the counter and get anything I need. The guys there all know me and trust me. They all love to bust my chops too.
I can take it and I bust them all back.
I can't do that with the big box stores. Now granted my supply house can't buy box cars full of wire either. So the big box store has a better price on their wire. Also my supply house will still deliver parts to my house or to the job site when you need them.
What was the advertisement going around this week? The announcer says that the Saturday after Black Friday is Local businessman's day. He asks us all to shop at a local store. I still try to shop local when I can, although I know that I can't get everything local anymore.
