Is There a Quality Difference When Buying a Kohler Bathtub from Different Retailers?

I've had much better luck with customer service when dealing with Build.com and Ferguson. If anything goes wrong during delivery or quality issues arise, they really step up to help fix it. I had a tub heater issue, and Build.com coordinated with Kohler to resolve it efficiently. I'd definitely choose them again!

Make sure to check the exact model numbers! I had a tough time finding a new toilet seat for my Kohler toilet. Turns out some items are exclusive to big box stores, and once they're discontinued, it’s like they never existed.

I live near the Kohler factory, and I’ve noticed that buying directly from them tends to be pricier than from other stores you mentioned. They seem to avoid direct customer sales to keep good relations with their wholesale partners; undercutting their own retailers wouldn't look great for business!

You're on the right track about the model numbers. If they all share the same part number, they should be the same. However, be cautious because if there's even a slight difference in the number, it may denote a store exclusive or a slightly altered version of the product. It’s common with places like Sam's Club or Costco where they have unique product variations.

In my experience, if the model number is exactly the same across retailers, the quality will be identical. So, feel free to buy from whichever store suits your budget and warranty needs best. Just keep in mind that some smaller retailers might offer different products altogether, which wouldn't match what you’re looking for.