Get Quotes Contact Us Sign In
Website
Call
Universal Electric Supply Co. was set up in San Francisco in 1992. Our mission has always been to be the premier source for lighting provides and equipment to the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Both of our pretty showrooms are pleased to display an extensive range of both domestic and commercial light fixtures.
Reviews (26)
Write a Review
Robert M.
Sep 25, 2021
They had most things you'll need electrically there. That's when it's not at White cap construction supply or Home Depot. Thanks!
Gun Grave
Aug 22, 2021
Because of the led light bulbs, the first transformer I bought didn't work. I called the store. the staff was very helpful allowing me to bring my ceiling light there to test it making sure that I got a correct replacement transformer. I would recommend this place to my friends.
David S.
Feb 22, 2021
You know. They got everything. And are out of stock on it from time to time. But what's great is, bring you old bulb, show it to any employee, and they will know exactly what it is and where to find it in the shop. Also they can recycle your old CFLs here for free (there's a box in the warehouse). Yay!
Brian K.
Dec 13, 2020
Excellent customer service, good prices, and huge selection! Definitely recommend this place for all your electrical needs.
Lydia H.
Oct 09, 2020
Wow great selection of electric parts. I have this commercial light bulb. I have a hard time finding this bulb at Home depo and Lowe's. This fluorescent light bulb had this base that usually you need to pay attention to it. Brought my broken light bulb and he clerk new exactly what I needed. Supper service
Zach S.
Aug 26, 2020
One of the best places to go for any electrical needs, the staff is very friendly and super helpful I go here almost every other day for work supplies I would highly recommend anyone looking for any electrical material from lights to wires to check this place out first
Yawny'S. Digest
Jun 11, 2020
Good selection, good prices, but really poor customer service. I had a track head fixture fail on me six months into service. They refused to exchange it because I bought it "last year"-i.e. six months ago. The manufacturer's warranty is stated as 1 year. But these guys just didn't want to bother. Also their sales staff is just plain rude. If you're OK with all that, then you might be OK with this place. But I definitely will not be returning.
Art K.
Dec 19, 2019
Fast. Affordable. Good stock. Customer oriented business. Parking. Convenient location. Many pros around this place all day long.
Marco Bra Usa
Nov 05, 2019
Horrible Custumer service, I was there to get some supplies and everyone disappeared on me, I ask the cashier, a lady on her 30's, that I need help find something and she said on a rude voice quote "you have to wait sir" than the guy that walk off on me came back and start to help the other guys that just showed up, and after I told him that I was there first he replied that someone was already helping me.

Than he ringed half of my stuff and I had to go back and ring the pipes that I told them I needed. I don't think they want any new business here, going to BK electric next time, always friendly stuff.
Jennifer T.
Aug 19, 2019
If you need basic a$$ stuff fine they are basically lazy will not research anything for you and only want to sell what is in stock ALSO NO REFUNDS only store credit so heads up on that Went in with fixture - had part number - dude said part number did not mean anything (to his dumb a$$ sure) and the part no longer exist went to CITY LIGHTS - he researched part number - they had it IN STOCK purchased moved on 3 wasted trips to Universal - they will sell you whatever they have - guessing maybe it will or won't work - then you get a dumb store credit when they know they probably sold you they wrong thing shameful
Felix Moreno
Mar 21, 2019
These guys have it all. Found EVERYTHING we needed to get the job done. ()
Jeff T.
Jan 08, 2019
The selection of recessed lighting on display here is HUGE. There must be 75+ models on display. This is important - you don't want to choose lights based on pictures in a catalogue. I don't know about any of the other sales people, but WINNIE was awesome - friendly, efficient, and extremely knowledgable. She took the time and effort to ask the right questions, suggest a few models that met my needs, explain the differences and help me select the right model for our home. Thank you!
T. P. M.
Sep 25, 2018
UES is our go-to electrical vendor. Winnie is the best - very competent, very knowledgeable, and takes great care of her clients. Very competitive prices, especially if you have a larger order. Great stock on hand. They sell rough electrical equipment such as wires, boxes, etc. They also sell specialty and custom light cans and fixtures from all the designer-spec'd brands.

Well organized. Very competent staff. If you're impatient and looking for "yes-man" customer service and naive smiley faces, this is not the place for you. Great electrical wholesale shop with straight forward people.
Gilbert G.
Sep 17, 2018
If you have questions or need help with making a decision then go elsewhere. If you want to be talked down to by unhelpful staff then this is the place to go.
Alan Humbert
Mar 20, 2018
Lots of light fixtures and bulbs for your needs. Also good selection on EMT and EMT accessories. Good selection on electrician tools. No so good on bits and impact related tool supplies. Only has SDS masonry bits.
Yevgeny D.
Dec 16, 2017
They have a lot of good stuff easy to get parking and different varieties if you need a different colors of the wires the prices are comparable two other suppliers which is good located in the good area easy to access. The only negative thing is if you buy stuff that you're not sure you're going to need the only return would be as a store credit and it cannot be go back to your credit card.

Overall to have a lot of tools in stock that the electrician need like a Greenlee or Klein tool or any major electrical brand. Overall during the business hours when they are very busy in my opinion they do not have enough stuff so you have to wait at least 30 minutes to get your order placed
Alex Monkey
Nov 14, 2017
They have just about everything in electrical supplies, and they deliver!
Alex C.
May 02, 2017
We went there looking for recessed lights. They had some LED retrofits, but they were strewn around the warehouse in seemingly random locations, with none of them on display in the showroom. They also did not seem to have any standalone trim pieces. The guy in the warehouse was practically rolling his eyes in annoyance that I would even dare to ask him a question about where to find something.

He tried to pawn me off to the lighting department, but there was only one associate working there, and she couldn't be troubled to give me the time of day either. Nothing but shitty customer service from a shitty business. Next time I'll shop someplace else.
Chloe A.
Apr 04, 2017
Robin Greene is the worst lighting sales rep ever. She's nice and helpful when you talk with her face to face, but getting her to follow up is next to impossible. She never emails or calls back when you try to follow up on your order. Good luck trying to get her on the phone or get her to even respond. She disappears into a black hole once the order is placed or once you try to get a price quote.

I called and emailed several times asking if the order I placed came in. She never responded. I finally showed up onsite and it was sitting there for a week and I needed it a week earlier. They said they would call when the order came in but that never happened. She just doesn't care and is a huge waste of space in the massive showroom. You'll know what I mean when you see her.

I also don't like their prices. They originally didn't give me contractor prices even when I placed a large order and asked for contractor prices. They finally gave me contractor pricing and even then, it's higher than other electric supply stores. I ended up going to service lighting bay area in Daly City. It's a one man shop but the service and prices are much better than universal electric supply. I'm never going back to UES ever again.
Mark R.
Feb 15, 2017
They don't do returns. About all they are good at is wasting your employee's time. person that answered the phone knew nothing. They said send your guy over and tell him to ask for Terrence. Terrence was busy with 4 customers he is helping now 8:30 AM. I said I will send guy but have Terrence call me so my guy knows what to buy. Terrence never calls.

Finally an hour later a woman calls instead of Terrence. Because of the poor service I was going to go ahead and just order from Amazon Prime but my guy misunderstood and went there anyway. He asked for Terrence but Terrence was too busy to help him. The guy who helped him showed him a package of two and said they are $1.79 so I said go ahead and get them.

Then he calls me and says they were $1.79 each. When they rang him up he was charged $1.79 each. I can buy From Amazon Prime for $0.43 each with free shipping and no tax for 20 of these and no tax and have it delivered to me. So Universal wants me to pay 4.33 times as much as I can get on internet. For that they should provide better service. Why have someone answer your phone that can't help? They need to fire that person and hire more Terrences.
Nate K.
Dec 15, 2016
Worse place ever, be really careful when you decide to go their cause first of all they are a lot more expensive than anybody else, employees are really rude. And they don't do any return, your lucky if you get an exchange or store credit.
Ben A.
Dec 13, 2016
Very helpful. I went in to replace a part for a under-cabinet light fixture and they found an updated replacement and gave me instructions for how to install it (since it had fewer wires than the original). Works great!
Derek B.
Apr 05, 2016
I was recommended by my electrician to check out this place after I visited Lamps Plus. I was able to get comparable product (track lighting system) for much cheaper. It's obvious that they cater to a predominantly contractor/electrician clientele but if you know what you're looking for and did your research, their in-house lighting experts are easy to work with.
David Auerbach
Feb 24, 2016
Really knowledgeable staff and endless selection, but service could be a bit better.
Paul F.
Oct 30, 2014
Universal is the best electrical supply house in San Francisco, without exception. They are totally no nonsense professionals and they have come up with amazing stock and inventory when I really needed it. they have never let me down. Terrance, Winnie, everybody at the front counter I cannot recommend them highly enough. Universal electric supply, my favorite store.
Rachel B.
Aug 16, 2014
I used Universal to order my decorative lights in my home that I was remodeling. I also ordered the recessed lights from them as well. Winnie was extremely helpful in getting me quotes for the different lights I wanted to inquire about. I actually called at least 5 other places for quotes on the same lights and Universal was BY FAR the cheapest bid.

After I placed the light order Winnie kept me updated when they would arrive, etc. My husband actually went to the shop to pick up the recessed lights and Winnie was very helpful pulling on those lights for me (as he has not knowledge at all about lights, ha). They don't allow you to return custom ordered lights as one of our lights didn't fit when we got it in. but that was totally our fault for not measuring the space before we ordered it, not theirs. Just FYI :). Use them, they will save you money!