I was ordering some bearings last week (Monday) and talked briefly (because she was busy) to Lynne about the OWWMers buying bearings there. She told me that on Mondays, it is not unusual to talk to over twenty of us about bearings. She really enjoys the fact that we call and ask for her, and she is glad to help us however she can. I noticed a little desperation in her voice though, and asked her if there was anything we could do to make it easier for her. She was hesitant, but I told her we were willing (I took it upon myself to speak for everyone without consulting anyone) to help her if we can, and to please tell us how to make it easier for her. I think this is the gist of the problems she encounters:
I think Bob V. mentioned that Accurate sells in volume to motor shops and the like. They really don't make a lot of money selling two bearings at a time, but they do it because of Lynne's willingness to deal with us. Really, think about it. If you buy two bearings for $7.00 each, even if they make 100% profit on them, that is only $7.00 profit for the order, and they still have to process the order and ship it. I"m not saying buy more bearings than you need, but limit your call time to reflect the size of the order. How can you do that? The short answer is to do your homework before you call. Don't call and put Lynne on hold while you find your calipers and clean the bearing and measure it and then do it again with the other bearings. The long answer is:
Leave the phone on the hook.
If possible, have your old bearings in front of you when you call.
Have a cheapo set of calipers from HF or Enco in front of you.
Have a bearing interchange chart in front of you. Here is one Bob V. downloaded (thanks Bob!):
http://www.owwm.com/files/PDF/FAQ/BearingID.pdf
Measure each bearing: The OD, ID and width of each race. Write them down in whatever measurement seems to be correct. Most bearings are metric sized, but there are special sizes out there that use inch sizes, even both on one bearing.
Note whether the inner race is wider than the outer race, and if it is on one side or both sides.
Note whether you want sealed, shielded, open, or a combination of them. Most of us use sealed for the lighter bearings used in woodworking tools.
If you can read the maker and #, look them up on a bearing interchange if possible. Don't worry too much about this, Lynne is pretty good at this. If you can't read the number, look up the sizes you have written down, and see if you can find a matching size.
Write down any questions you will need to ask her after you have her on the phone.
Have your customer number ready if you have one. If this is your first time ordering and you expect to order more in the future, you can have Lynne set up a account with your address/charge card info and she will give you a customer number and it will go faster the next time.
Decide how many you need of each size. If you can predict needing any other bearings in the near future, add them to the order now, because shipping is a big percentage when you only order a few bearings. I like to keep a good supply of bandsaw guide bearings and common motor bearings on hand. Lynne will ship using the USPS Small ($5.00) Flat Rate Box or any other size if you ask her, but only from the Chicago store, not the Dallas one.
Call Accurate and ask for Lynne. Remember, Mondays are a busy time for her, so be patient. If you don't have time to hold, give the order to another person if you have the numbers correct and have no questions, otherwise leave your phone number and she will call you back.
When Lynne gets on the phone, be polite but get down to business. Tell her you are one of the 'woodworking' guys/gals (she keeps a folder of our orders). Give her your name, address, credit card #, count and type of bearings you need. If you don't have all the info she needs, tell her you will call her back when you do. Remember, there is probably someone else holding on another line for her, so she really doesn't have time to wait for you to do a lot of looking/cleaning/measuring that could have been done before calling. That is me sounding snarky, not Lynne. She will try to answer any questions you have, and will call you back if she needs to research anything.
Tell her what your shipping preferences are. Remember they have a warehouse in the Dallas area for a lot, but not all, of their products. They are very good about getting things shipped quickly, you will be surprised.
Please don't read this as Lynne having any complaints or being in anyway frustrated with us. I could just tell that she could use a little more concise information from some of us to keep her orders moving and getting us the bearings we need. Lynne really enjoys talking and working with us, but she works for the owner and must make her time count for making money for him. I freely admit I am the world's worst at rambling on the phone, so count me as the worst offender out there, but I hope to clean up my act a little now. Let's take advantage of the great service and prices from Accurate by keeping the orders as easy as possible.
Accuratebearing.com
Toll Free 800-323-6548 or 630-543-2100
Fax Toll Free 800-323-3116 or 630-543-2116
E-mail:
[email protected]
Fax form in PDF format. Download and print for faxing an order:
http://wiki.vintagemachinery.org/GetFil ... rform2.pdf
[Edit: I just noticed that I have I.D. and Bore for headings; they are the same so ignore one of them]
so I generally need a color consultant or need to copy someone else's good choice of color scheme ... this is the best I have seen for the 14" bandsaw 
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