Yeap good advise. I try and get good with anyone i buy off of.
I have spent somewhere between 15,000 and 20,000 at Lowe's this year. I have a good working relationship with a guy there. When i go in he takes care of me. Heck i spent 8500 in there the next morning i get a 10% off coupon. They refund and re-billed the order so i could get the 10# off the 8500. They also did it once on 4500 when i forgot my coupon.
Had a guy from a local lumber yard stop by he wanted my business i told him Lowe's pays me to shop there.

get to know the guy. If he helps give him something in return. When i got the 10% the 8500 i took the guy out for lunch.