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Retailer Seeks Product Advice

1.8K views 5 replies 5 participants last post by  KUJAWA RSK  
#1 ·
My company operates a chain of convenience stores in Western Pennsylvania. Last year we got caught without enough ice melt and spent a lot of time running to Lowe's / Wal-Mart / Mom & Pop hardware stores / etc looking for product. This year I was put in charge of finding/buying pallets of product to use/sell at our stores. ok, ok enough background...

What do I get? Rock salt, calcium chloride, potassium chloride, magnessium chloride, Peladow? And what are the differences? All these choices are making my head spin....HELP ME PLEASE!:confused:

Most of our lots are asphalt (except one which is ALL cement) with cement pads around the pumps. So I want to reduce the likelyhood of damage from an inferior product.

As far as plowing contractors go, we don't (or haven't been able to find) people who do this full time. We use local guys who do it as a side business and don't have salting equipment.
 
#2 ·
Well, that last part should get you some response from contractors in your area. As far as what to use as a deicer/anti-icer, I recommend Magic Salt which is a treated salt which won't damage your asphalt or concrete. If you don't get any response from someone in your area, email me and I should be able to put you in touch with someone. Also be able to steer you to a source for the Magic Salt. If you're interested in looking into it more on your own, do an internet search for "Magic Salt".
 
#3 ·
I plow all the Casey's General Stores here and they tell me to use salt even though it is all concrete. They don't want to spend the extra money on cal-chloride. SInce you are a convenience store you should be able to buy product in bulk and save a ton of money. Just buy one or two pallets of mag-chloride or calcium chloride and keep them at the store with the concrete. Send good ole rock salt to the rest of the locations.

How many stores do you have?