Hacks for discounted materials for flips

[David Baier]

I'm curious if anyone out there has any tips, hacks, or relationships with contractors who get materials cheap. Any experienced house flippers here that have found ways to get bulk discounts other than buying materials in large quantities at home depot and lowes etc?

[Eric M.]

I love to buy clearance items, use coupons and rebates, buy the "used" Amazon stuff, etc. for my "finish" materials. Trying to get better quality items for lower prices.

It feels like you get a deal in the moment, but I find it doesn't pay off in the end. It eats up your time and attention. Recently I needed door knobs and I could get them for $22 on Ebay instead of 35 in the store. But only 1 or 2 at a time. I needed 11 and it ended up just eating up so much time to collect what I needed and a couple came dinged. Just a PITA. Often you buy things that you think are a great deal but you end up not using them or they are poor quality. You maybe can return them but it all takes time. 

I often end up keeping them thinking I will use next project. But they sit around.