Is there any one more reliable?

[formariz 11,987]

Friday at about 5PM ordered a 6 feet bronze bar from McMaster Carr. Immediate confirmation and delivery scheduled for Monday. Get home today and BAM, there it is less than 12 hours later and on Saturday. 

[953 nut 55,184]

McMaster-Carr is the best.          Some people complain about the shipping cost but for service like they provide it is well worth it.  I have placed a couple of orders in the early evening and had the package on the porch the next day by noon, well worth it.

[Handy Don 12,212]

49 minutes ago, formariz said:

 BAM, there it is less than 12 hours later and on Saturday. 

The service is their stock in trade, really, and to me not that shocking since there is a McMaster depot in central NJ probably within 30 miles of where you live!

[ri702bill 8,316]

Duh - you are in NJ, they are in NJ..........  But yes, to your point, I too have recieved items a day earlier than quoted from them.....

[JoeM 7,873]

I ask McMaster how they could deliver so quick sometime. They told me some of their warehouses have UPS depots inside. off the shelf and on the truck.

Plus I have to add no junk, mostly US made items.

[formariz 11,987]

6 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

The service is their stock in trade, really, and to me not that shocking since there is a McMaster depot in central NJ probably within 30 miles of where you live!

Yes I am extremely familiar with it since I used to personally pick up items from there during my travels . They are 65 miles away. I have however ordered items from vendors much closer to me than they are and never once I have received the items in this time frame. Ordered on a Friday right at closing time. Order fulfilled and shipped same day. Granted that they have the UPS trucks parked on all of their docks all day. One gets full another one replaces it immediately. Any other vendor would also be charging overnight and or Saturday delivery charges. Those alone for this oversized item would be in the hundreds of dollars. $27.95 shipping. 

[ebinmaine 67,420]

Excellent. 

Even up here in the sticks Mcmaster-Carr has been great. 

 

Agreed with above on the great quality product too. Some of McMC products are at a premium price. 

I've found that one gets what you pay for.  

 

 

 

Another company I've had very similar results with is Bolt Depot in Hingham MA. 

Not quite as fast but always on time and always good product for a very fair price.  

 

[squonk 41,067]

I get a call a day before Thanksgiving. School has a critical air handler that blew it's belts off. Takes 5 of one size. 3VX530. They have another unit the same model, same age ect. They want the belts replaced on that too plus enough spares for both. So where do I get 20 of these belts? I don't want Grainger's Dayton crap. I call McMaster. " We got 63 of them and they are Gates brand". I tell him I have to have them by Fri. AM as the school is closed. I have keys to get in and can shut everything down without causing a ruckus. He says they have the UPS truck there and they are all ready being pulled for loading in the truck.

 

Fri after T giving. No Belts. Call MMC and they say yes the belts left but the Nor'Easter forced UPS to pull their trucks off the road. Only time I never got what I ordered in 2 days.

 

We had an old guy at work that always got names and phrases mixed up. Instead of saying "opening a Pandora's box " he'd say "opening a pan of boxes"  or he would say "She smokes like a fish!"    He would call MMC "Master McCarr" 

[formariz 11,987]

15 hours ago, ri702bill said:

Duh - you are in NJ, they are in NJ..........  But yes, to your point, I too have recieved items a day earlier than quoted from them.....

The point here is that they consistently ship faster than anyone else out there. In fact they ship faster than most take to just process the orders. Their communication is immediate including tracking numbers. In addition to all that they always include item’s spec certificates. Who else does that without requesting ? Even requesting it is a problem with most not even understanding what is being requested. The arrangement they have with UPS is unique. Essentially they ship overnight or second day without charging for that service. 

Edited September 10, 2023 by formariz

[ri702bill 8,316]

Just now, formariz said:

The point here is that they consistently ship faster than anyone else out there. In fact they ship faster than most take to just process the orders. Their communication is immediate including tracking numbers. Ia addition to all that they always include item’s spec certificates. Who else does that without requesting ? Even requesting it is a problem with most not even understanding what is being requested. The arrangement they have with UPS is unique. Essentially they ship overnight or second day without charging for that service. 

Cas - I gauge the overall price to get the item to my door from them versus buying the same locally (if I can find it) Paying more for shipping than the purchase price of the item does not sit well with me.

Had the occasion to drive by the Mahwah New Jersey McMaster-Carr facility back in the 1970's. Their building was painted the same colors as their paper catalog - thought that was cool....

[953 nut 55,184]

14 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

(if I can find it)

             That is the problem. Most hardware stores only stock items with high demand and if you look in the little Hilmand drawers the chances are you will find every size but the one you need.

[pacer 3,169]

Agree with all - McMaster is ...... great! I live in La and still get most items next day!

 

And, if you cant find ?? item. McMaster more than likely has one/it.........

 

But.... I do wish they would offer more choice in quantity, I just cant use 100 of so many of the pieces.

[squonk 41,067]

You want to complain about shipping? One vendor I use charged us $35 to direct ship a humistat form a manufacturer to the shop in 5 days. No bigger than your average wall thermostat. I use them because they know where to find stuff. I could buy a lot on line but I have to go thru all kinds of red tape with the Co. card plus the tax exempt status requires about 5 signatures before I'm allowed to use a new vendor. 

Edited September 10, 2023 by squonk