Dominion Electric Supply vs. Lowes/Home Depot

[jjna]

I am getting ready to have an electrician mount 6-7 ceiling fans throughout the house. I noticed that the prices at Dominion Electric Supply on R50 are much higher than those at Lowes or Home Depot.

Does anyone have any experience with Dominion? Does it have fans that have better quality or simply higher prices because it is not a big box chain?

[afgm]

I've used Dominion quit a bit. The quality and selection at Dominion is going to be much higher than Lowes or Home Depot. They also have extremely knowledge sales people (which probably adds to the cost).

If you find the same item at both stores and know what you want you're going to get a better deal from Lowes or Home Depot. If you want a specialty item or need a higher level of assistance than the premium charged by Dominion is worth it. I like both sources for different reasons.

Now, with that said, if you are just looking for ceiling fans I see no reason not to find something you like and that is on sale at Lowes or HD. Especially if you are buying that many of them.

Don't go for the cheapest ceiling fan. They are noise during operation. I have Hunter and Casa Blanca fans and both are great. They tend to be more on the high end. They have been spinning for over a decade and still sound the same as the day I bought them.

[jjna]

Thank you for the advice. I actually didn't see a whole lot of ceiling fans at Dominion. Lowe's had a lot more option and most of them much cheaper. I wonder, though, whether I should just spring for the (seemingly) higher-end ceiling fans at Dominion.

Reading the reviews did not reassure me about the fans I liked at Lowes:

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?...llow&cId=PDIO1 ($70)

and

http://www.lowes.com/pd_331111-22716...&facetInfo=Yes ($180)

The ones I'm looking at Dominion are $115 each for the 5 BR fans and $440 each for 2 main level fans. I wonder whether they are worth the premium.

[afgm]

For me I'd be looking at low end Casablanca and Hunter fans. Based on my experience with the brands.

If you are just looking to purchase and then have them installed, a quick look on the internet showed some great deals.

I wouldn't be happy with the Lowe's fans you linked to.

[jjna]

Thanks again. I don't think I'll buy those Lowe's fans. Also I am having an electrician install them for me (along with a bunch of recessed lighting and other electrical services).

How does Lamp Factory or Lamps Plus compare to Dominion Electric Supply?