I used Westbrooke Metals for over two years and it had always been a pleasant experience. In fact, I always went to Westbrooke because I liked the people and felt comfortable there even though it's a longer drive and more expensive than a larger metal supplier that's closer to me. Their prices for the exact same items had always varied from trip to trip, sometimes by quite a lot, but I never said anything.
The real problem came the last time I went to Westbrooke, and I do mean the last time ever go. I always had the material that I bought cut down to 6'-8' pieces to fit in my car. There has never been a charge for this, but even if there was a small charge I would have been fine with it; it's $1 a cut at the bigger place near me. No problem. Unfortunately, this time they tell me that there's a $5 per cut charge. That added almost $50 to a $50 order! Nearly %100 increase in cost! When I asked them about it they told me that's always been in effect and I'd always been charged that. I told them that I certainly hadn't and they, very professionally mind you, rather rudely told that I could pretty much go some place else if I didn't like it. These are the same people that I'd dealt with every time I'd been to Westbrooke.
So anyways, I didn't pay and instead went to the closer, cheaper place and got what I needed. After I got home, I pulled all of my invoices from my files for the last two years and verified that I'd never been charged the fee. On each and every one I paid almost half of what they tried to charge me this last time. If it's policy and they follow through with it it's one thing, but when they are inconsistent it sets a precident to the customer and they shouldn't get rude when their customer finally calls them on their inconsistencies.
I'd avoid Westbrooke and instead use Triple-S Steel if you need metal and you're in that area. The inconsistencies in their pricing points to a pretty unprofessional and poorly run business.
Evan read more
