You need to purchase supplies for building a backyard deck. Your boss gives you the supply list and asks that you get the best deal by buying from either True Builder or Quality Supplies. You call both stores, and they provide the price information that you put into the table below. Which store provides the lowest total cost, and what is the cost without sales tax?

a) The store which provides the lowest total costs is:

True Builders

b) The cost without sales tax is:

$407.48

Step-by-step explanation:

Data and Calculations:

Product                Quantity       True Builders               Quality Suppliers

                                               Price          Costs             Price          Costs

Bricks                      120        $2.20       $264.00         $2.25      $270.00

2 x 4 boards            40 ft     $0.75            30.00         $0.70           28.00

1 x 6 boards           120 ft     $0.60            72.00         $0.65           78.00

2 x 6 boards           30 ft     $0.80            24.00         $0.80           24.00

Paint                        2 gal.    $15.50           31.00         $11.25          22.50

Paint Brushes         2           $7.50            15.00          $9.75           19.50

Total costs                                           $436.00                          $442.00

Imputed Sales Tax of 7%                        28.52                              28.92

Without Sales Tax                              $407.48                           $413.08