Where are you located?

Large brick and mortar supply houses like Ferguson's are located all over the country. I've found they will match online prices, so its easier to work with the local representative unless you just can't find it there.

HD and Lowes also sell most of the products online and offer free shipping, but they seldom have a rep to work with locally. One advantage of HD and Lowes is that they have a liberal return policy, so if the product doesn't look and fit like you want, just take it back, no questions asked. However, during the Covid pandemic they may have changed the returns polity.

Bruce

Thanks, Bruce. I think there is a Ferguson's two hours from me. Time for a road trip!

I think I can do without the slider bar. I think I can get a handheld with a dock up high, and install a second dock lower for my 5 year old grandson. I don't really need all heights in between. One high and one low should work.

If the item number from the manufacturer is the same the item is IDENTICAL no if's and's or but's about it, no matter who is selling it. Period.

I love my hansgrohe long shower hose - and lighter weight than the usual type of hose with metal circles. So easy to wash the dog and the entire 6'x4' shower stall. "Isiflex Handshower Hose Techniflex, 80". Doesn't kink, and quiet (not metal rings so doesn't clank as it hits the tile wall.)

"What is it about this myth that causes it to refuse to die?"

The fact that it's not a myth. They do manufacture products exclusively for the big box stores that look just like the better versions. Sometimes they even have the same name. For example, Delta's kitchen faucet Foundations, #10900LF is listed on Delta's site as "only at Lowe's". They also have a Foundations faucet #B1310LF that does not have that designation.

As millworkman said, if the item numbers are the same, then they are the same faucet. But just having the same name does not mean they are the same or manufactured to the same quality.

I think you will be better served with a slide bar. Your grandson will not be 5 any longer next year, or any year after that.

@catbuilder "The fact that it's not a myth. They do manufacture products exclusively for the big box stores that look just like the better versions."

No, the Delta #10900LF and Delta #B1310LF have different handles. The #10900LF is labeled as "Exclusive" IN BIG LETTERS on the Lowes website and is not available on other sites. They are clearly different products.

For fixed shower heads - Speakman.

For handheld shower heads Grohe - but they don't seem to make them like they used to.

I mentioned Jaclo to you before, and my hose came from them. Very good quality metal hose. It has been in use for 8 years and shows no signs of wear, pitting or rusting. We have hard water.

wdccruise: exactly! Glad you understand now that they make different products exclusively for different retailers. I don't know how they label it on the website, but they certainly do not point it out on the store display.

I bought mine at Ferguson's, and I have Hansgrohe in my bathroom, and my brother selected Grohe for his. I like my hand-held shower better than I do his, but both are good and do not kink.

Ha! Probably because plumbing supply houses continue to tell people that. (yesterday.)

Thanks, Amanda. I think Isiflex Handshower Hose Techniflex, 80 will work for me.

Catbuilder, Good to know. I will look for exact numbers. My local Lowe's does not have any sliders so I will need to order online.

Cispa, yes, Thanks. I want to get several choices to compare.

Lars, I have an older Hansgrohe or Grohe shower head with hose that is 19 years old. It had a plastic hose that did not kink, but there is a crease in the hose where it bends. I can get a new and better hose for it probably. I had forgotten about it.

As of yesterday, Ferguson's is still closed. Our state opened up on May 1st, but not Ferguson's.

Chispa, I think I read that you had to move a drain set in concrete. If so, do you remember the cost to jackhammer and replumb the drain? How far did they move it? I am trying to decide if the cost would be worth it to change from a shower to a tub in a hall bathroom. Three plumbers said it would be easy, but none have given me estimates.