Exactly what did you ask him to bid on?

If possible, I would get stranded #12 and forget the rest, unless you have a problem "running" the wire. I'd use the #12 for everything.

The Rat. M80s, VP-150, QS8s, SVS PC 20-39+, OPPO, Onkyo 703s, Harmony 880 Sony 60" SXRD HDTV