First off have been coming here for about 6 years with decent customer service. Came in to purchase 6 gauge standard expanded steel a few days ago. Was told over the phone that they were sold in 4x4 sheets. Got to the store and they said they could only sell it in full sheets of 4x8 (not a big deal). Ended up paying to have the 4x8 sheet cut. Got it home and realized the ends were even and the center was off by 1.75" (not even close to being straight), it was dome shaped. So 4" were wasted and I had to make two additional cuts to get it straight. Then brought it to my fabricator and it turns out it isn't even what I had ordered. It's flattened, not standard like what I ordered and confirmed (didn't know there was a difference). Came back to get the correct stuff and they said there was nothing they could do about my previous order because they had cut it. $180 down the drain for a piece that was not what I ordered and not cut straight. Not even a partial refund or anything on the next correct sheet. Had a good relationship with a few of the employees but this is the last time I do business here. UPDATE: Spoke with Shelby who provided great customer service unlike the female I had previously dealt with. Ultimately, a refund was issued and the mistake was corrected. Very disappointed that it took a bad review for them to finally correct their mistake, but am happy with the outcome. read more

I've been purchasing materials from this company for years, and they are my go-to supplier. Their pricing is consistently competitive, and their customer service is outstanding. Cynthia has always gone above and beyond to assist with even the most complicated orders, handling every request professionally and with a positive attitude. I highly recommend this company to anyone looking for quality products, excellent service, and a team that truly cares about its customers. read more

Awesome customer service, very well informed, friendly and well connected helping me get in touch with a very special order needed for one of my projects. I will most certainly be coming back for any metal needs in the future. read more

Like I said, in past post, I bought all the steel I needed to build a awesome gate that I ended up powder coating. These people have a great selection and are very helpful. They do their best to accommodate their customers. Thanks again. read more

Travis went above and beyond helping me with the material needed! As I'm not too knowledgeable about metals and the specifications , he had gave me a couple better recommendations which made my trip easier! Thanks , I will continue to go here even if it's a bit further for the assistance read more

I've been to a few metal supply stores and I think these guys are up there with the best of them. They offer competitive pricing and they're very helpful in finding what you need. I'm a novice at metal work, but I feel confident with these guys helping me out. read more

First time going to this business. Needed a small piece of aluminum. There is a rack with precut metal. Found what i needed in the rack. Cashier Travis was very friendly and knowledgeable. Price was excellent. I guess that's why they call themselves Competituve. Can't vouch for anything else although I expect they won't disappoint. read more

The team at Competitive Metals is outstanding. I worked with them to get a beam for my residential construction project and as a normal homeowner, this seemed like a daunting task. Nadia and Cindy sourced the exact beam I needed at a very reasonable price and got it to my home on time, as promised. Raul (driver) was equally outstanding to work with. Can't recommend this company more highly for any metal needs. read more

Competitive Metals - Competitive Metals delivery truck - Building Supplies Near Me - El Cajon, California

Great for plumbing needs too! Great customer service and materials. The team there are very helpful. Looking forward to continue using them. read more

Competitive Metals - Building Supplies Near Me - El Cajon, California

We needed a spacer on short notice to repair a custom suspension on an old muscle car. They knew exactly what material we needed to make it work and stayed late to help us out. The place is clean, organized, and the team is friendly and really helpful. The owner (Greg) was there, and he clearly cares about his business and customers. read more

They have very helpful and kind staff! I had no experience with metal work and they helped get me set up with what I needed.

I've been fabricating for about 15 years now and was a frequent customer at another local metal shop but after meeting Anthony and the staff at Competative Metal I will go nowhere else. Friendly, fast, reliable these guys know how to get it done! Seems like most employees just exist this day and age but Anthony goes above and beyond and obviously loves his job. Keep up the good work read more

Competitive has been our metal supplier for years. Their staff always goes above and beyond to help us out with whatever we need. Knowledgeable staff, great pricing and an amazing facility. Highly recommend! read more

Dillon was fabulous helping me today! I really did not know exactly what I needed he was able to guide me in the right direction, so I had what I needed for my new countertop. When I came back later that day he greeted me with a smile and retrieved my order. You have an excellent employee. Tell him I said Thank you and Good Luck when his new little girl arrives in October. I know he will be a good dad as he already is a Great Person. Margaret Bobo read more

Service is exceptional. Even though I only needed a relatively small order to build a residential handrail, I was really impressed with the very rapid replies for quotes and turnaround times for pick up. The staff are friendly and professional. read more

The guys and gals over there are super friendly and always search for the best prices. I appreciate you guys. The k you for serving San Diego read more

Jared helped me and answered every question I had. He is very knowledgeable and pleasant to work with. Jared is a people type person deserving of special recognition. It is people like him that keep customers coming back. read more

Helpful staff. Overly aggressive language in lobby signage regarding mask requirement.

Dillon took care of my metal bumper build needs. The updated building is so nice and spacious with tons of parking. Shelby took great care of me with my account and overall great experience!! Great prices and they had absolutely everything I needed. They carry DOM tube!!! Don't go anywhere else for your metal needs!! read more

Absolutely the best metal supply shop in SoCal. I was referred to them by a racing buddy of mine. I own a brewery in Carlsbad and North Park. I needed a lot of steel plate and rectangular tube to build bar tops, belly bars, and our draft system at our new NP location. Shelby was super helpful and responsive. Best prices compared to EMS and IMS. Plus their crew onsite were very responsive. No wait time and friendly staff helped me load everything up. read more

So, I'm not a fabricator, welder, industry worker or anything of the sort. But, there's a few things I know about metal, metals to use, and odds and ends. First: via phone, they are very careful to ensure they know exactly what you're talking about before they commit to having something in stock - extremely good practice. Second: in person. Super friendly; especially for an industrial type supply place, they triple checked if I knew what I was buying and what I was using it for. Third: speed. In, ordered, paid, metal cut and out the door: 20 minutes. Fourth: price. For a piece of aluminum c-channel: 10 dollars cheaper than two other suppliers. Not a price match. Not a "we're earning your business". The price right out the door. Absolutely a great company! read more

Not sure what happened to my last review. Expect to wait, maybe they are short handed. I felt as I was bothering them in making a purchase. Ill spend my money somewhere else. read more

The crew is always awesome, service is fast, and prices are the best. I will not go anywhere else for metal in SD.

Great group of people. Nadia has been a huge help and is very knowledgeable. You really feel like family with these guys!

I used to think I sort of enjoyed buying metal, but now I'm not so sure. Had to rethink my attitude last week when I needed a couple pieces of aluminum to finish off a project. I was in a hurry, so I stopped by a metal supply shop that was on the way to where I was headed. The place reminded me of a funeral parlor. Nobody looked happy, and it seemed like the guys working the counter were wishing they could be someplace else. The selection and prices at that place weren't terrible, but I left feeling a little depressed, somehow dirty, and totally convinced that I don't like buying metal from people like that. No matter how much of a hurry I might be in, next time I'm going to Competitive Metals. If I'm lucky, Dillon and/or Jarod will be there to make the experience a pleasant one like they always do with their friendly, upbeat, and positive attitude. Sounds cheesy, but it's true. These guys seem to get personal satisfaction from helping customers get the materials and supplies they need at the best possible prices. For example, I don't think Dillon's official job duties even included working with customers the first time he helped me out, and one time when I told Jarod I was feeling guilty for coming in too close to closing time he instantly responded that it wasn't a problem and he just wanted to me to have the stuff I needed. Even in the rare cases when something you're looking for isn't in stock, these two guys will arrange to get it to you so quickly that you'll still be in a good mood when you pull out of the parking lot! read more

This place is great! I didn't realize how lucky I am to live nearby. I went in and had a somewhat small but precise order I needed. Different size pieces of metal cut to different sizes. The sales rep was Juan Cervantes, he took the time to help, find solutions, and was really pleasant. read more

We were recommended to Competitive Metals for a job in which we needed materials that would extend the steel racks at our local business. This was quite the undertaking for my husband and I with a lot of mini projects along the way to get the entire project completed. From our first interaction with Competitive Metals to the final one, they made their piece of the project easy, seamless and at very reasonable prices. The timing of completion of our order was quick and we were able to pick up the completed materials at their location which was very convenient for us! When I called on the phone for general information, follow up and to make our payment, the representatives were always friendly, answered all my questions and ensured we were a satisfied customer. We are so happy that we found Competitive Metals as they will be our go-to for any job at our business that would require their services. We love supporting local! Thank you for offering the community quality products, at great prices and with friendliness. Highly recommend Competitive Metals! read more

Competitive Metals - Our new steel racks! - Building Supplies Near Me - El Cajon, California

I'm retired and taking the welding class through Grossmont ROP at El Cajon Valley HS. I bought a welder and want to both practice and do projects at home. Competitive Metals is close and recommended by instructors in the class. I've been there twice now and received nothing but EXCELLENT service! They're great! I wasn't sure how you bought at a metals place. Dillon is a 'yard guy' and showed me around and made recommendations like precut versus cutting a larger sheet down. We walked the entire place with him showing me where items are at and getting the items I needed. Perfect! When it came time to pay, it was Bruce as the cashier. He was the cashier last time too. He's excellent too and very nice. He's also a welder and answered a few questions for me. So, I highly recommend Competitive Metals! read more

I went in to get prices for a whole slew of different pieces of steel, and i find out that customers cannot go in past the little showroom, for "insurance" reasons. How utterly ridiculous and pathetically insane! I've never been to a steel supplier, granted I'm from Oregon, but that shouldn't have any bearing on the matter. In Oregon, a customer is allowed to wander around, and peruse the goods. At Competitive Metals here in El Cajon the customers aren't allowed to. If you're a contractor, and you know exactly what you want, then that works out for you. As an individual custom furniture maker of steel, wood, and concrete pieces of furniture and other stuff, I NEED to be able to walk around and look at the various steel, and their prices. To not be able to do so is absolutely ridiculous, and for them to give the reason "for insurance" is dumb as hell. If that were the case, then all the lumber yards would have to do that, every big box store for home improvement, virtually every one of these type of businesses would have to do that. Like i said earlier, I'm from Oregon and every steel yard you go to you are allowed...actually you are encouraged to wander around. I hope all individuals like myself read this and relay their displeasure to the owner/manager, and they take their business elsewhere, I most definitely will be taking mine elsewhere. read more

If you need steel or aluminum for a project these guys most likely have it and will cut to your specs. I built a couple gates they had everything we needed even some good hinges. If you don't have truck and trailer they can deliver but I didn't need. read more

For someone who is new to the world of Metal Fabrication, this place rocks!!! Bruce was and is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. He was able to visualize exactly what I'm building and gave some very helpful pointers. I have dealt with Bruce a few times and he always had a moment to show me exactly what I was buying. Kudos to him for his customer service. "Power Trailer Dolly Project". read more

Every time I've come here to buy my metal for projects around the house I've been well taken care of. When I need advice everyone is knowledgeable and quick to offer help. Today the wrong metal was brought out to the truck and looking at the receipt it wasn't what I meant to order. Whether my mistake or theirs they were quick to get the right stuff and charge me the correct price. I appreciate the professionalism and focus on customer service. This is what keeps me coming back when there are other options in the area. Thank you! read more

I don't buy sheet metal often lol but I've been coming here quite often to pick up diamond plate sheet metal for my gyms and each visit they are super nice and accommodating. I never have to wait too long for them to pull the product and cut. The prices are really reasonable too, I've called around and they blow everyone out of the water. read more

My friend needed some metal parts for a custom fence project. On a Saturday, these guys were available, knowledgeable, polite and friendly. Everything you want in a successful business. For price and service, there is no better place for all of your metal needs. We were looking for specific parts (they happily cut to order at NO ADDITIONAL COST). We also saw a bunch of dune buggy stuff and welding fittings. These guys are smart and helpful and know what's up. I wish I could rate them higher. read more

Great prices, they have everything in stock for the metal construction business, Bruce, Nadia, David, Paul are the best

Wow top notch service and pricing. I came with a list of materials with necessary dimensions and they took care of the rest. Even helped me load it into the truck also. I will definitely be coming back for all my project needs. read more

I am newer to San Diego. I have been to almost every steel supplier around. This place is the best. Great customer service, and always willing to offer helpful advice! Do be afraid to ask questions if you are not sure what you need. Great prices too. I just wish they were closer to my shop up here in San Marcos. Worth the drive! read more

Juan was super helpful, super polite, and super communicative. Materials were delivered quickly and on time, and pricing was very reasonable. read more

We purchase a large amount of metal in various grades and thicknesses for our business, and Competitive Metals always has what we need to get the job done. Nadia is extremely knowledgeable, helpful, friendly, and always makes sure we good a good price, for the material we need, with very quick turnaround. Whether contacting the sales desk by phone, email, or in person, the staff is always ready to help you right away. If there is ever a time when Competitive does not have what we need on hand, they go out of their way to see if they can special order it for us, which helps our projects go smoothly. For excellent service and knowledgeable personnel, I highly recommend giving Nadia and the rest of the sales staff a call. read more

Great service and best prices in town! They have everything from chromoly to stainless and mild steel products. Be sure to check these guys out. read more