I live in a city of about 300k, and as far as I know there’s only 1 PW dealer within 45 min of me. I’ve only joined this forum recently, but I’ve been researching equipment and business for over a year.
I went to my local dealer a week ago for the first time, and on a 10 scale I’d rate the experience as a 5 or 6. They weren’t rude and didn’t do anything wrong, but they just didn’t impress me. We were talking about pumps, and I mentioned brands he said he’d never heard of. We talked about surface cleaners, and he said he’d never heard of using 4 tips. Stuff like that. I just don’t know if they’re the kind of place I want to try to establish a relationship with.
I’ve lost track of how many people have recommended Russ from Southside Eq., and I’ve also seen PowerWashStore.com & Pressure Washer Products out of Florida mentioned a lot.
Just trying to figure out what I should do when it’s time to make a purchase.
I live in Tallahassee Which is abt 300k aswell and had to drive up to Georgia chemical outside of Atlanta. Was beyond impressed there. I needed a 4gpm by the start of next week so took the 4 hour drive but would’ve ordered Online if that wernt the case. Either way they were super helpful and informative
I’m new to this industry and still in the first stages, but the little bit of interaction I’ve had with the only close place was pretty bad. I’d love it if there was a good option local, but nothing so far. It’s all internet for me, just shopping for freight and shipping deals.
I buy everything online that I can’t get at a builders suplus center(plumbing). I live in the boondocks, so the closest PW supply place to me would be hours away.
I’ve bought almost eveything through pressuretek, he answers questions. I’m not knocking southside at all, only tried ordering from them once and they were on a 2+ week delay so I cancelled my order.
Southside is still on that 2 week delay I put in an order on the 16th of july and it still hasnt shipped… southside seems to have a bit larger selection than pressuretek but almost all of my stuff common comes from pressuretek, always fast with getting the orders out
Send Russ an email or just call the store. I had a delay on a new bar for my SC (upgraded to 4 nozzles). There’s a problem when you pay with PayPal right now, it doesn’t calculate the shipping. One call and he had it to me 3 days later. IMO his prices are competitive, and the customer service is worth paying a buck or two more.
I called the order in because their website wouldnt take my card… I also called back on the 28th and he said hed get it out that day and didnt happen… my past experiences with him have been fairly good so dont let this be the reason you dont buy from him just one experience of many
Bingo. I called Russ last month instead of using the website like I normally would. Needed a skid base quickly and he told me two weeks out also. Then he asked me when I needed it, I told him 5 days and he replied that he’d move the order up. Got it in 3 days.
As far as online ordering I buy from PressureTek first, Southside Equipment second. Bob and Russ both have their respective strengths in selection but PTek has more items I use frequently. Both sell quality chemicals.
I order from Pressure Washer Products every once in a while because they have a huge selection of fittings. I did order a Whisper Wash from them this year, they have good prices and always in stock.
My advice on your local dealer is this: If they’re not totally inept but understand the basics of washing, pro equipment and quality customer service then build the relationship. Doesn’t matter what brands they carry. Worst case you just don’t go there anymore. Say you’re on a job and something breaks, you have no backup part. Who do you call? Maybe the local dealer has it. Just go in every once in a while and buy some QCs or something and shoot the breeze, it may be beneficial down the road.
He had an employee quit which caused some of it and also covid is causing shortages everywhere in almost all things.
I’m in Houston and Best Buy has zero audio receivers in stock, refrigerators are 2 weeks to 3 months out, washer and dryers the same. Home Depot and Lowe’s are also affected. All furniture stores are the same with stock, and it’s affecting the used market too. Lake Charles in LA is where everything ships in for Houston and it’s operating at 25% capacity which creates the shortage. I’m sure other ports are affected as well.
I live in a big metro area and just wasn’t impressed with the selection and pricing locally. The Hotsy dealer was the most pleasant to work with, but their priced were quite a bit more than what I wanted to spend. The Landa dealer was just OK but didn’t have the machine is was looking for in stock. The MiTM dealer didn’t seem that interested in selling me a machine and walking me through the other items I’d need. They seem to have a strong rental business there so that may be the relationship I try to foster in case I ever get into a bind and need to rent something. A couple others sold different brands, likely custom labeled Pressure Pros but their pricing was ridiculous and their focus is more on the oil fields.
After doing this research I filled up my cart on the Pressure Tek website and shot them an email to review and walk me through it all. They were happy to do this and a few days later I got the first part of my order. It looks like they have 2 different warehouses or use a fulfillment company for some things but no big deal, the communication and tracking was great. Several weeks later the machine arrived and the service was great here as well. Pressure Tek is a few dollars more on some items but their service is worth it.
I gave Pressure Washer Products a hard look as well and it appears they have excellent pricing. I did see some feedback on this forum around some service and delivery issues so I was a little nervous buying from them. I bought my Whisper Wash from PWP and the process was great.
I don’t know of any stores close by to where I am located in central South Carolina, but I’ve been running with a Home Depot washer for over a year now and have purchased several “accessories” and “necessities” through Pressure Tek. Elemonator, GP Hi-Draw downstream injector, j-rod with nozzles, 100-ft of pressure hose, gutter brightener, stainless quick disconnects, the 270 degree brush, etc and each transaction I’ve made over the internet with Pressure Tek has been great. Easy to understand and navigate point of sale, quick shipping, and packaged well.
You’d be helping the rest of us out, too!
