My Experience Finding Hard-to-Find Parts in San Bernardino

Finding the right parts during an electrical emergency is stressful. I learned this the hard way last year. I needed an electrical parts supplier that could actually deliver when it mattered. Most places I called couldn’t help with obsolete components. Then I found electrical distribution and motor control specialists who understood my problem. This review shares my real experience working with a San Bernardino supplier that changed how I handle electrical sourcing.

Electrical Distribution & Control is a family-owned operation serving both local and nationwide customers. They specialize in hard-to-find, obsolete, and emergency electrical components. With years of experience in commercial and residential sectors, they offer recycled, reconditioned, and new electrical equipment.

What Made Me Search for a Specialized Supplier

My facility manager job involves keeping old equipment running. Our building dates back to the 1980s. Parts break down regularly. Finding replacements is always a challenge.

Standard suppliers stock current items only. They don’t carry discontinued parts. When you need something from 20 years ago, you’re stuck. Big box stores can’t help either.

I spent weeks hunting for a specific motor controller. It failed on critical equipment. Production stopped while I searched everywhere. Local shops had nothing useful.

Online searches led to expensive options. Some wanted $500 for a part worth $100 new. Others couldn’t guarantee compatibility. Shipping times were weeks, not days.

The stress of downtime adds up fast. Every day without that part costs money. My boss wasn’t happy about delays. I needed a real solution quickly.

How I Found Electrical Distribution & Control

A colleague mentioned this San Bernardino shop. He said they specialized in obsolete parts. I was skeptical at first. Too many dead ends had made me cautious.

But I called anyway. The person who answered actually listened. I explained my problem clearly. They asked specific questions about the equipment.

Within 10 minutes, they found what I needed. The part was in their inventory. Not a substitute. The exact component I required. I couldn’t believe it was that simple.

The price was reasonable too. About half what others quoted. They explained the part was reconditioned. Fully tested and guaranteed to work. That sounded fair to me.

My First Visit to Their San Bernardino Location

I drove to the shop the next day. The building sits in an industrial area. Easy to find with GPS directions. Parking was simple and free.

Inside, the place looks like a real working warehouse. Shelves packed with equipment everywhere. Not fancy, just functional. This isn’t a showroom. It’s a parts depot.

Staff greeted me right away. They pulled my order immediately. Everything was ready as promised. The part looked clean and properly stored.

I asked to see their inventory range. They walked me through different sections. Circuit breakers, contactors, motor starters. Brands I recognized and some I didn’t. New items mixed with reconditioned stock.

The variety impressed me honestly. Big suppliers don’t carry this selection. Especially not older discontinued items. Having options matters when you’re desperate.

What Sets This Electrical Parts Supplier Apart

The after-hours emergency service caught my attention. Most suppliers close at 5 PM. Emergencies don’t follow business hours. Having access late matters tremendously.

They offer on-site visits too. If you can’t identify what failed, they’ll come help. This service saves time and prevents ordering wrong parts. Very practical for complex situations.

Their recycling and reconditioning program makes sense. Older equipment still works fine when maintained. Why buy expensive new parts when refurbished works? It’s environmentally smart too.

The family-owned aspect shows in their service. They care about solving problems. Not just making quick sales. You feel the difference in how they operate.

Nationwide shipping extends their reach. You don’t need to be local. They’ll send parts anywhere. This matters for facilities outside California.

The inventory depth is remarkable. They stock items from major and minor brands. When everyone else says “discontinued,” they often have it. That’s their real strength.

Testing Their Emergency After-Hours Service

A motor failure happened at 9 PM one night. Our HVAC system stopped working. Summer heat made it critical. We couldn’t wait until morning.

I called their emergency number. Someone answered within three rings. I described the motor and what happened. They checked their system immediately.

They had a compatible motor in stock. Not the exact model, but functionally identical. They explained the minor differences clearly. I understood what I’d be getting.

They offered to meet me at the shop. Within 30 minutes, I had the motor. We installed it that same night. The system ran again by midnight. Crisis averted completely.

This experience proved their emergency service works. It’s not just a marketing claim. They actually help when you’re stuck. That reliability matters more than saving a few dollars.

Understanding Their Reconditioning Process

I asked about their reconditioning methods. Quality matters when buying used parts. They explained their testing procedures clearly.

Each part gets inspected thoroughly. They check electrical connections and components. Worn parts get replaced before resale. Everything gets tested under load.

They guarantee reconditioned parts. If something fails, they replace it. This warranty matches new equipment standards. You’re not taking extra risk.

The pricing reflects the reconditioning work. Not as cheap as scrap. Not as expensive as new. Fair middle ground for functional parts. Makes sense economically.

Some people hesitate with reconditioned equipment. I understand that concern. But these parts often outlast new cheap imports. Quality reconditioning beats poor manufacturing.

Comparing Prices with Other Sources

I track costs carefully at work. Every purchase needs justification. The numbers matter to management. Here’s what I found comparing suppliers.

That first motor controller I bought saved me $250. Online sellers wanted $500. Big distributors quoted $450. EDC charged $200 for reconditioned. Same functionality, lower cost.

New circuit breakers run $150-300 depending on amperage. Reconditioned versions cost $75-150 at this shop. Half price for tested working units. The math is simple.

Emergency service costs more anywhere. But their after-hours pricing stays reasonable. No crazy markups for night calls. They charge fair rates even during emergencies.

Shipping costs stay standard. No hidden fees or surprise charges. What they quote is what you pay. Transparent pricing builds trust.

Overall, I’ve saved my company thousands. Across multiple purchases over a year. The savings add up significantly. Budget managers appreciate these numbers.

What Could Be Better

Honestly, their website needs work. It’s basic and hard to navigate. Finding specific products online is difficult. You really need to call them.

Inventory isn’t always listed online. You can’t browse their full stock digitally. For complex searches, phone calls are necessary. This feels old-fashioned sometimes.

Hours could extend slightly. They close at standard business times. A bit more flexibility would help. Though their emergency service compensates somewhat.

Organization in the warehouse could improve. Finding parts takes time occasionally. Staff knows where everything is. But visual organization could be clearer.

No online ordering system exists. Everything happens by phone or in person. For routine reorders, online would be convenient. This might turn away younger buyers.

These aren’t dealbreakers though. The core service outweighs these issues. When you need hard-to-find parts, you’ll work around website limitations.

Real Situations Where They Saved the Day

A panel board failed at our oldest building. The brand stopped making that model in 1995. Standard suppliers laughed when I described it. Electrical Distribution & Control had one in stock.

We needed specific sized conduit connectors. An odd metric size from European equipment. Three weeks of searching got nowhere. They found them within a day.

A vintage elevator controller died. Original manufacturer went out of business. Replacement meant $15,000 for entire system upgrade. They sourced a compatible unit for $800.

Building inspector required specific breaker types. Code compliance issue from a renovation. We had two days to find them. They delivered everything needed same day.

Each situation could have caused major problems. Downtime, expensive upgrades, code violations. Their ability to source obscure parts prevented these disasters. That’s worth more than any price savings.

Understanding Their Customer Service Approach

Staff actually knows their products. They don’t just read specs from a screen. Real knowledge from years of experience. Ask technical questions and get useful answers.

They admit when they don’t have something. No false promises or guessing. If they can’t help, they say so. Honesty prevents wasted time.

Follow-up happens naturally. They remember previous orders. Often suggest related parts you might need. This proactive approach helps planning.

Returns are handled fairly. If a part doesn’t work, they make it right. No arguing or blame games. Simple solutions to real problems.

Communication stays clear throughout. They explain technical details in plain language. You don’t need engineering degree to understand. This matters for non-specialists.

Who Should Use This Supplier

Facility managers definitely benefit. Old buildings mean obsolete parts. You need suppliers who stock discontinued items. This place fits that need perfectly.

Maintenance contractors find value here. When client sites have unique equipment. Having access to broad inventory helps. One-stop sourcing saves time.

Industrial operations with legacy equipment should consider them. Upgrading entire systems costs too much. Keeping old equipment running makes sense. The right parts supplier enables this strategy.

Electricians doing renovation work need this resource. Old buildings hide surprises always. Having a source for vintage parts prevents project delays. Jobs finish on time more consistently.

DIY folks might use them occasionally. If you’re working on older homes. Finding the right parts matters for code compliance. They can help residential customers too.

My Current Relationship with Them

I order from Electrical Distribution & Control regularly now. They’re my first call for unusual needs. Standard items I buy locally. Challenging items go through them.

They know my voice on the phone. Recognize my company name immediately. This familiarity speeds up ordering. They understand our specific needs.

I’ve recommended them to colleagues. Several facilities managers now use them. Word spreads in our industry. Good suppliers get repeat business naturally.

My boss appreciates the cost savings. Monthly reports show reduced parts expenses. Downtime has decreased too. These metrics matter to upper management.

The relationship feels like a partnership. Not just vendor and customer. They care about our success. We value their reliability. That’s how good business works.

Final Verdict and Recommendations

This electrical parts supplier delivers on their promises. Finding obsolete and emergency parts is their strength. They do this better than bigger competitors. The family-owned approach shows in their service.

Pricing stays fair without being cheapest. You pay for reliability and knowledge. That’s worth the difference versus unknown online sellers. Quality beats rock-bottom prices every time.

The San Bernardino location serves a wide area. But nationwide shipping makes them accessible anywhere. You don’t need to be local. Their services work for distance customers too.

For anyone dealing with older electrical equipment, bookmark this company. When standard suppliers fail, they often succeed. Having this backup option provides peace of mind. You know where to turn during emergencies.

Visit https://edc-electrical.com/ for their contact information. Call them when you’re stuck. Explain your situation clearly. They’ll tell you honestly if they can help. That straightforward approach builds trust.

Would I recommend them? Absolutely yes. They’ve solved problems others couldn’t. Saved money repeatedly. Responded during emergencies. That’s everything you want in a supplier.

The industrial sector needs more companies like this. Specialists who understand real-world challenges. Who stock what others consider unprofitable. Who answer phones during emergencies. These qualities matter more than slick websites.

If you work with electrical distribution and motor control equipment, try them once. You’ll likely become a repeat customer. That’s what happened to me. One successful order led to ongoing partnership.

My experience has been consistently positive. Not perfect, but reliably good. That consistency matters most in business relationships. You need suppliers you can count on. Electrical Distribution & Control has proven themselves repeatedly.