Price for Black Iron Pipe?

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Giles

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I sent my wife to purchase one stick each of 1/2 and 3/8 Black Iron Pipe from a local retailer.
These were 21 foot length of pipe.
She was charged $27.77 for the 1/2" pipe and $121.13 for the 3/8" pipe.:(
I called to see if a mistake was made and was told that the price for 3/8 pipe was higher because demand was less, and the 1/2" was bought in bulk!!
Does this make sense:confused:
 

Jimbo

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Thus is the way of the world. Why does a 30 gallon water heater cost the same or more than a 40? Same reason.
 

hj

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quote; Why does a 30 gallon water heater cost the same or more than a 40? Same reason.

And a 6 gallon heater could cost more than either of them. NO ONE uses 3/8 pipe anymore, so if he had a stick of it, he probably has had it for years, paying "storage" and losing "interest" on the money he paid for it. But she paid 1992 prices for the 1/2" so you probably did not lose as much as you thought.
 
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Tom Sawyer

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Ahh yes gentlemen but the real question here is; what in hell is he doing with 3/8" black iron? Last time I used any has to be twenty years or more ago when we were piping commercial gas control lines on process boilers.
 

Gary Swart

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Why 3/8" is a good question, but I would ask another. Are you attempting to DIY a gas line? If so, bad idea. Hire a pro for gas work.
 

Hackney plumbing

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I sent my wife to purchase one stick each of 1/2 and 3/8 Black Iron Pipe from a local retailer.
These were 21 foot length of pipe.
She was charged $27.77 for the 1/2" pipe and $121.13 for the 3/8" pipe.:(
I called to see if a mistake was made and was told that the price for 3/8 pipe was higher because demand was less, and the 1/2" was bought in bulk!!
Does this make sense:confused:

You got ripped off. Simple as that.
 

hj

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quote; You got ripped off. Simple as that.

When you need something and there is only one guy who has it, he can charge whatever he wants for it, regardless of whether it is a length of 3/8" black pipe, or a carburetor for a 1933 Indian motor cycle.
 

Hackney plumbing

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quote; You got ripped off. Simple as that.

When you need something and there is only one guy who has it, he can charge whatever he wants for it, regardless of whether it is a length of 3/8" black pipe, or a carburetor for a 1933 Indian motor cycle.

Who said that guy was the only one who had it? You can charge what you want most of the time but when your prices are high,expect to get called a rip off.
 

Giles

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All the black iron pipe is to be used for special applacation of parts made with a Lathe and a wire welder. Most small lengths will be used as spacers. I have since returned the 3/8 and I purchased solid steel which is close to the same OD but will have to be drilled. The 1/2" can be used by cutting to proper length.
 

hj

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quote; Who said that guy was the only one who had it?

How much 3/8 black steel pipe have YOU seen anywhere, lately? That is why I said he is probably the only one who had it probably had a party when he sold it. He probably wished he had time to put an "under new ownership" sign in the window when he saw it coming back again. We once had a plumber who was cutting hanger rods to suspend a pipe. After a "long" time he asked where we got the hollow rod. He was cutting our 1/4" black steel control pipe instead of the solid rod.
 
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DIYPlumber90

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quote; Why does a 30 gallon water heater cost the same or more than a 40? Same reason.

And a 6 gallon heater could cost more than either of them. NO ONE uses 3/8 pipe anymore, so if he had a stick of it, he probably has had it for years, paying "storage" and losing "interest" on the money he paid for it. But she paid 1992 prices for the 1/2" so you probably did not lose as much as you thought.

Yeah in reality there was a give and take in that.. But either way sorry for hearing such steep prices.. I really wish inflated prices were adjusted to our salaries!!
 
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