Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Source for Metro shelving?

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 07-11-2009, 06:06 PM:

Anyone have a recommendation for a good (not overpriced) source for Metro or Metro-equivalent shelving?

Here is an example:
Product #ALESW504824BL

The above costs $168.19 at that particular site, yet the link below appears to have the same specifications and costs $200.12

Product #ALESW504824BA

Regardless, does anyone have a recommendation of a place to go to for good pricing? I am also looking for poles that are 96" tall instead of the default 72".

Posted by Mark Ogden (Member # 43) on 07-11-2009, 06:20 PM:

Metro shelving (and it's knock-offs) come in different grades of wire thickness which accounts for the seeming price discrepancies. There's a heavier gauge "commercial" grade that is more pricey.

I've bought a bunch of it from the local Container Store, of which there are locations in the Dallas area. They have a "starter kit" of the lighter grade stuff similar to what you posted for $119.00, but it's the shorter height. They move a lot of this type of shelving, though, and probably have a decent price for what you need.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 07-11-2009, 06:22 PM:

The shelves have to be 48" wide by 24" deep. Most places like Container Store only offer 18" deep shelves.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 07-11-2009, 09:55 PM:

Brad...check out Costco...that is where we often get our shelves.

CostCo Seville Shelves and things

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 07-11-2009, 10:21 PM:

I have some older Metro shelving made in the US in the mid-1990s. Fantastic stuff, very well-made, quality all the way. 48" x 24" too. Very sturdy.

I also have some more recent Chinese-made 48" x 18" Metro shelving purchased at Costco. While the new stuff is serviceable, it's nowhere near the quality of the old stuff. The wheels are cheesy, don't turn freely. The chrome finish on the shelves etc. looks very cheap. It literally looks like they took a "real" Metro shelf system and put it out to bid to Chinese manufacturers to find the cheapest copy that could still reasonably be called Metro. Clearly that's what Metro wants though, so Costo can sell them for $75, vs. ~$750 for the older US-made version.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 07-11-2009, 10:50 PM:

I didn't see the right side at Costco, but I gave up when I saw only 600 pounds per shelf. I need the stuff rated 1000 pounds (or more) a shelf and I don't need/want those cheezy casters.

Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 07-11-2009, 11:38 PM:

I used to deliver restaurant equipment and bar supplies when I was right out of high school. My brother has worked there for 20+ years and is still there. That company is very high priced though and even with having a family member working there, I still got a better price somewhere else. I think I even bought it direct.

Anyhow, there were definitely different grades of shelves. Also you can get them in stainless which makes them even higher priced. When we lived in our apartment I wanted one that was a specific size for our little kitchen. I called the company directly and put together a custom system. I bought longer poles for the back and put a half shelf at the top for spices and things. The front poles were shorter and I bought the specific size shelves I wanted so I could have a lower storage shelf and a waist high shelf to act as a countertop.

You can absolutely buy them in pieces and make your own custom shelving system. It wasn't badly priced either. I will look up the contact info I have and post it.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 07-12-2009, 08:16 AM:

Is this for warehouse or booth use? Louis

Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 07-12-2009, 09:19 AM:

I found my notes from when I bought my shelf in December of 2002. I spoke to Metro's Sales Department and they referred me to 125west.com. You can also call them at 888-921-9378. I just checked their website and they are still in business.

My shelving system is the Professional's Choice line and the whole unit cost me $217. Higher than what you listed but it was a custom size. I can't seem to find the weight rating anywhere on their website.

Ours is just sitting in the basement of our house now holding Christmas decorations. I would like to get some more standard size units to hold my prints.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 07-12-2009, 10:32 AM:

Metro shelves are typically 800lbs per shelf below 48-inches in width and 600lbs for shelves wider than that.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 07-12-2009, 12:29 PM:

Sort of a cross between both, Louis. However I do need the 1000 pound per shelf rating.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 07-12-2009, 01:52 PM:

quote: Our Grand-Poopie-BAH
However I do need the 1000 pound per shelf rating.

JFC! WTF RU going to put on them...Crushed Cars w/cadavers in them or your gold ingots from Ft Knox?

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 07-12-2009, 02:01 PM:

Phil, it is to store your porn collection for when you move to Texas.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 07-12-2009, 02:06 PM:

Great comeback! [beer]

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 07-12-2009, 02:20 PM:

I'm surprised you spelled that correctly.

Posted by Jason Burroughs (Member # 68) on 07-12-2009, 10:48 PM:

Grainger has about everything known to man.

Grainger