What if you need a roll-off dumpster? Do you want to use a local company?

[hlthe2b]

2. Good for you. My guess, though is that the national companies pay the locals MUCH less than direct

sales to their customers, but they are contractually obligated to meet the requests of the intermediary. That may well be why you were initially told they didn't have what you need--i.e., that they hold back some "inventory" to fulfill that contract.

But, if you have to use a "middle man" company to get what you need, that is on the local company.

Subcontracts are the way of the world, but it can be problematic for small businesses as well as beneficial to consumers.