You hit me up on the very end of the thread so I couldn't reply to your comment! So, I'm replying here instead. Technically you're supposed to run it through the joists instead of on the surface, but not because people hang clothes on them. They could do the same thing if the wires are still exposed and routed through the joists. The real reason is to keep the wire away from screws and nails that would be used to install sheet rock or other finishing materials. Another reason is that if you were to ever want to put sheet rock in your basement to finish it out, now the wire is in the way and you would be sandwiching the wire between the sheet rock and the joist causing it to pinch. Make sense?

Aaaaah yes! That makes much more sense! I was thinking to myself "couldn't you still hang shit on it???" Lol... ok thank you! Luckily this is in my utility room so I never plan on installing drywall or anything... which is probably why the guy said "well since this is in a utility room it probably doesn't matter".... everywhere else in the basement I *did* run it through the joists, but there were soooo many runs coming out of the panel I didn't want to drill tons of holes... or a few huge ones. Thanks again! This makes sense now finally!

Glad to help, let me know if you got any other questions :)

Thanks! I'm sure I will lol