Fastenal and Danhar Tool

[the fab shack]

I had to play phone tag with the local Fastenal store for a good week or 2 to see if they can warranty acouple Armstrong tools that were not purchased through them. After calling Danhar about the situation, they said they CAN warranty them, but they must be sent to the factory, reviewed and then given the yay or nay to replace them.

Our Fastenal also sells Craftsman and others and were told if I were to return even a Craftsman tool which is made by Danhar also, it too would have to be sent back and made sure it was warranty-able.

Is this standard Fastenal protocol or is this what Sears and other places that carry a Danhar tool will become?

[Merkava_4]

Most industrial stores will have a factory representative come by once a week or so to take care of the warranty claims; Fastenal is just being ridiculous.

I'd box them up and send them to Armstrong with a note explaining the reason for return if it were me.

[MAD]

My local Fastenal outlet will warranty Craftsman tools but only if the part # matches the number in the Fastenal Craftsman tool catalog. For example, they will not take back the older ratchets with the oil hole because the model# does not match the newer similar looking ratchets.

Also of interest, I did see that they had rebuild kits for Craftsman ratchets available for sale outright. The price was quite high though. The kit for the 3/8" double paw round head fine tooth ratchet I priced was around 14 bucks. A far cry from the one cent repair kits that used to be on the shelves at Sears.

[eschoendorff]

I have never been impressed with Fastenal. If I were in your situation, I would see if there was another Danaher distributor in your area, or simply send your tools back to Armstrong.


Why anyone in their right mind would buy Craftsman tools at a place like Fastenal ( other than the simple convenience of having a corporate account) is COMPLETELY beyond me...

[chad s]

I have never been impressed with Fastenal. If I were in your situation, I would see if there was another Danaher distributor in your area, or simply send your tools back to Armstrong.


Why anyone in their right mind would buy Craftsman tools at a place like Fastenal ( other than the simple convenience of having a corporate account) is COMPLETELY beyond me...

Ya, Fastenal blows. We do a lot of work at the 2 major Baltimore sports stadiums. There is a Fastenal across the street, and we needed some hammer in concrete anchors. We brought an example of what we needed to buy 20 of, and the goon at the desk said they didnt have them. One of my co-workers found them sitting on the shelf while looking for some other stuff. They dont know their inventory. They wont break up a box, you gotta buy 100 screws, even if you need just one.

Fastenal carry's a very limited selection, at exorbitant prices.

We now go to a family owned nut and bolt shop thats on the same block. They know their inventory, they will sell you as much or as little as you need, and they sell better quality hardware at real wholesale prices. Their selection/inventory is literally 100 times the size of Fastenal.

Fastenal tries to sell to pro's, at more than retail prices.

[Stuey]

They wont break up a box, you gotta buy 100 screws, even if you need just one.
Yup. I ordered some screws from their website for in-store pickup. A few days later I was notified that they arrived. I went to pick them up. I authorized $5 or so for 150 screws on the website which didn't mention any quantity restrictions. They charged me for 500 screws and shipping fees for in-store pickup. I was on the way home when I turned around and returned them. Went nearby to Lowes and picked up 200 somewhat compatible screws.

Even McMaster and other places that usually cater towards industrial customers mention minimum quantities.

At the store they did have some specialty fasteners, but they weren't well organized and were priced for desperate people. I'd rather wait a day and order from McMaster than go back to Fastenal.

[fourfeathers]

I like Fastenal fairly well. We used to use Lawson products, and had a sales-guy come by. Lawson will UPS the stock to you, charge you, and then charge you UPS again for back-ordered stuff. Order 100 washers, costs $3.00with $5 shipping! Fastenal will carry it in, bill me $2.50, stock it, and say thanks.

[MAD]

I guess their prices depend on what kind of discount your company can arrange. The branch my employer deals with is always cheaper than anyone else for most fasteners, they deliver free every week day, and they never have a problem breaking a box open and selling any amount I ask for. Last week I needed some of these socket head cap screws:

http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/detail.ex?sku=1123255

My price was less than 9 cents each in whatever quantity I needed.

[Coach James]

Our fastenal will break boxes for smaller quantities, but our local True Value carries almost the same selection at a much lower price. Only thing our fastenal carries over True Value is strap toggles. And Fastenal prices on hand tools are :wtf:!!!!!!!

Coach