ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Trade Name or Number?

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...