Got quotes from 5 lumber suppliers for an Ipe/Cumaru deck. Here's the spreadsheet.

Spent two weeks getting quotes for a 600 sq ft deck, 5/4x6 tropical hardwood, a mix of 8 and 12 foot lengths, about 780 BF total. I'm leaving the prices out since they move around constantly and honestly that wasn't what decided it for me. What I actually compared was whether they had certified moisture content, factory sealed ends, the right length mix in stock, and ship time. Here's how they stacked up. my supplier (MD): all dimensions in stock, certified at 12 percent MC, factory waxed ends, about a week to ship. Advantage (NY): 5/4x6 only, listed as kiln dried with no cert, ends not sealed, around ten days. Local yard (NC): 1x6 only, no cert, no sealing, in store. DecksDirect (MN): in stock, moisture content unknown, about two weeks. Brazilian Direct: in stock but unknown MC, no sealed ends, three weeks out. I went with my supplier. The certified moisture content was the big one, I've been burned by wet boards before, and the factory sealed ends saved me hours of field sealing on 780 BF. They also had the length mix without substituting. The unknown moisture content from the cheaper options is exactly the gamble that cost me a 15 to 20 percent cull last time.