I HATE Fastenal :rant:

[John T]

2 flap discs
1 box of 500 rivets
1 pack of 5 Lenox steel blades...

$93.87

I know, it's my fault... I paid the bill and walked out the door with the bag.

But I got home and started checking prices and quickly realized I got my pants pulled down.

It's all getting returned tomorrow.

but anyway,
The place ***** because:

When you walk in, the guy at the desk is on your heels like a lost dog.... asking what you need.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT I NEED AT THIS POINT.
get off my neck and let me look around. You got a whole store full of cool stuff.

WHAT??? are you afraid I'm gonna stuff a fender washer in my pocket when yer not looking?
Good Grief.

And NO Prices on anything. one of the main reasons why I screwed myself today.

Lenox 624R Blades- $25. something..

Amazon/ same thing... 12 bucks.

Like I said,
It's my fault.... But never again.

piss off.


{RANT OFF}

 

[franzdom]

I LOVE Fastenal, but they are a supplier, not a retailer to me. As a supplier they are miracle workers, super nice and helpful.

 

[SMKS]

Fastenal and similar places aren't made for walk-in customers. They're geared at business relationships where the businesses get discounts and rely on fast service.

As you found, they're often a really bad deal for normal customers.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

Fastenal and similar places aren't made for walk-in customers. They're geared at business relationships where the businesses get discounts and rely on fast service.

As you found, they're often a really bad deal for normal customers.

I have the exact opposite service. now I know I'm not buying tools but..

I just got back from Fastenal literally 10 minutes ago. I walked out with a handful of nuts and bolts I needed for 10 cents. most of the time when I go there they don't even charge me for the hardware I get.

 

[PugetDude]

I know, it's my fault... I paid the bill and walked out the door with the bag.

Your rant is misdirected...

 

[CobraChevelle]

Fastenal is geared for wholesale customers. They always have or can get the hard to find ****.. Sometimes I can't wait for amazon when i need it NOW. Over time these places will go away or shut there doors to the public because of "online". Only matter of time.

 

[John T]

Your rant is misdirected...

No doubt.

But YOU read it.

LOL...


Yeah,
I hear what ya'll are sayin.

It was on my way home and very convenient.

live N learn.

 

[Kevin54]

that's Fastenal for ya. High prices. I had to buy (2) 3/4" anchor bolts for concrete and they only sell them by the box. For a box of 10 it was going to cost me right close to $100. I went to our local concrete place and bought 2 for $10. Buying there was 50% cheaper than Fastenal.

Now the funny part is......I go in every few months to buy something and while I'm in there, I'll check out their trash barrel. I've never paid over $30 for a barrel of scrap metal, nuts, bolts, and whatever else is in there. There may be a few taps, some hydraulic fittings, anything they sell. If a bag breaks open, they don't bother picking things up, they just sweep it up and toss it in the trash barrel. The last barrel I bought has 10 of the anchors I needed hence going in to buy 2 more a few weeks ago. So that $30 barrel saved me $70.

A few month back, I bought a Lista look-a-like, 9 drawers, that they were going to scrap, and only paid $30 for it.

So on one hand I can ***** about the high prices, but on the other hand, I love Fastenal because I always score some nice goodies that saves me quite a bit of money somewhere. I have all sizes of nuts, bolts, and washers that will last me for quite a few years, and all total, I probably have less than $125 in everything including the cabinet. I can't complain about that at all.

 

[drivesitfar]

Fastenal has a great shipping service for big and heavy items if you are able to them on a pallet.

we have another big company (Tacoma Screw) that sells nuts and bolts and other items in their stores without any prices on them so they want businesses to call up their orders. i can't say i buy stuff that often from either Fastenal or Tacoma for small orders, but volume i call or walk in and usually leave happy.

 

[franzdom]

We have Fastenal vending machines at work with all sorts of goodies in them

 

[CGarcia]

Fastenal and similar places aren't made for walk-in customers. They're geared at business relationships where the businesses get discounts and rely on fast service.

As you found, they're often a really bad deal for normal customers.

I know this about a lot of places, so why have a showroom, retail place or whatever it's called? Just don't sell to the general public.

 

[John T]

Fastenal is geared for wholesale customers. They always have or can get the hard to find ****.. Sometimes I can't wait for amazon when i need it NOW. ..

True.

I usually go to a local biz. called the nutty factory. They have the same stuff just cheaper.... a little farther travel..

But, yeah... gotta admit... If I plan ahead, I buy 90% of my stuff online.
it's the world we live in.

Hell, in the old days you used to talk to real people about tools and garages ..... Now I'm talking to you guys... LOL !

flap discs/ grinding wheels, You absolutely cant beat lehighvalleyabrasives.com

 

[PugetDude]

I know this about a lot of places, so why have a showroom, retail place or whatever it's called? Just don't sell to the general public.

If John Q. Public wants a galvanized 7/16" x 9-14" left hand thread Grade 8 socket head cap screw and is willing to pay their price, why not? You're not going to find it at your local Walmart, HD, Lowes, TSC, etc.

Never understand why so many people want to bash a business model they don't agree with. If you don't like it, don't shop there. Others may welcome their service, selection, etc.

 

[PugetDude]

flap discs/ grinding wheels, You absolutely cant beat lehighvalleyabrasives.com

 

[bobcatdan]

No love for fastenal here. Not our main supplier, but we had an account for random things, preferably now. The store is joke. Never once did I go in there and they have it. Next shipping was often twice the price of three bolts I needed. Biggest thing that made me laugh, the store by me stocks nothing over 6" long bolts. Yeah I know you don't use a 8" long bolt everyday, but still, the store is 98% ******* bolts. I figured out early on the store is a joke on the on site service is the bread and butter. Ha, everybody I talk to who deals with them says they **** big time. The only bright spot is one super hot sales chick who is as flirty as she is hot. Saw her from a distance once and it was nice.

 

[Bronson]

I have been in there a few times, they have been very helpful.
Several times, they haven't even charged me for small stainless fasteners for My sailboat.

 

[shanny19]

I DON'T KNOW WHAT I NEED AT THIS POINT.
get off my neck and let me look around. You got a whole store full of cool stuff.

WHAT??? are you afraid I'm gonna stuff a fender washer in my pocket when yer not looking?
Good Grief.

:

EXACTLY!!!! you've summed up every single time how I (a joe blow with money) get treated at an industrial supply or welding store. "Oh, we don't know you, and you don't have an account, and you probably want to steal from us, and you wouldn't know what to do with this spool of wire if we shoved it up your farmboy *** now would you???"

I would love to buy local. I would. But the internet saves me from asshats like that on a daily basis.

 

[CobraChevelle]

Fastenal is a little higher than some other places. We also have a local company called Packer Fastener. There slogan is "we have the largest nuts (and bolts) in town"

 

[A_Pmech]

Fastenal... Yich!

 

[ZRX61]

Haven't set foot in the place since they took three ******* months to warranty a 1/4in drive GW ratchet... Haven't bought any GW tools since then either.

 

[DieselJH]

Fastenal has the best drill bits I have been able to find locally. I can't remember the brand but they where thousands of times better than anything from Home Depot/lowes or any other local hardware store.

 

[User_Name]

As an end user Fastenal isn't my first choice for anything, but unlike Grainger, they will sell to me without hassle when I'm in a bind. They're a useful resource when time matters.

 

[justanengineer]

Sounds like a personal problem with one location, not sure why someone would feel the need to trash a chain bc of something like that, but they often do.

I haven't had any issues with Fastenal, theyre more expensive than some and cheaper than others depending on the item as every other retailer is. I buy from them every few weeks, they've got my folks' business account on file and know where I work, so that gets me a good discount that I then pay cash/credit for. I don't browse/window shop/bs much their or at any other store, I leave that to the ladies, but admittedly I work a normal 50-60 hour week and theyre only open 9-5 so its usually lunch time when I go. I go with the purpose of buying something, most of the time I check prices online, call ahead, and the local counter goons pack it up for me before I get there. No, industrial supply houses generally are not public friendly bc simply stated....have you seen the general public lately?

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Fastenal is geared for wholesale customers. They always have or can get the hard to find ****.. Sometimes I can't wait for amazon when i need it NOW. Over time these places will go away or shut there doors to the public because of "online". Only matter of time.

Kinda what I was thinking.

I just ordered in the latest batch of shop supplies from our supplier (competitor of Fastenal).
Due to financial concerns lately - watching where we spend - I have been having our rep send me the order in quote form with prices to ensure we check it all in correctly when it arrives and to also to check prices and be sure we are not getting screwed.

Total for this order roughly $4300.00 over double my normal number. For nuts / bolts / wire ties / brake clean and so on..... So I started checking some things. Turned out 95% of the items where the lowest price I could find anywhere. A few things where a few bucks higher than I could buy from the OEM (like a toggle switch or a relay) which is still under "list" price, but that was it......their retail prices are much higher, I know. I ordered a rush shipment once recently when we ran out of special item we get from them. We got charged nearly double for it than what we pay for an normal order. When I questioned the rep, he said they treat those orders just like a retail customer.....so yeah.....I'm not gonna walk in to the counter for anything if I can avoid it......

 

[exmaxima1]

Almost without exception, Fastenal is TWICE the price of McMaster-Carr on nuts & bolts.

 

[Fugio]

They are REALLY expensive, yep!

Our local store is literally next door to ACE Hardware. ACE isn't nearly as cheap as the bix box stores, but it's still WAY cheaper than Fastenall.

Fastenall is good for one thing...getting really unusual hardware you can't find elsewhere. Like last year, I needed a 3ft piece of grade 8 allthread. 11 bucks! But where else would you actually find such a think locally? Nowhere.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I'm glad we have Copper State. They cut some locations after 2008, but they will spend some time with you getting the bolts you want. I'm usually after automotive **** that's metric; Fastenal has no advantage.

Fastenal, just like most places, has their available product completely catalogued, and their staff can't offer help outside of what you can find on their website; same as Autozone. I'm sure their stock at their central location is great, but their outlying store in Mesa has low stock.

***** for individuals. Great for buyers who get delivery.

 

[Mr. T]

If you have an account and do a decent amount of business with them you can really beat them up on price. I do it all the time. Of course when you do this it tends to show up when they feel like it. Alas, I don't have much choice.

Other than that, meh. As in meh service, meh delivery and meh this would have been easier dealing with some one else.

 

[zcbauer89]

I hate my local Fastenal, mainly because their employees are asshats. I travel further to go to a decent Fastenal, but only if the need arises.

 

[Gazedo]

I go to fastenal all the time. But I use a lot of large and unusual stainless hardware and fittings. I also only go for work and I am on the account. Great selection great service.

 

[AA/FC]

I hate Fastenal too. I always say "they only stock stuff I don't need". I can't tell you the number of times I have walked out of my local store empty handed. I have a charge account with them but haven't been able to use it in several years.

 

[xxaler]

I guess it's not in the states, but all 5 Fastenal locations near me (within 70km) are all commercial business only. No walk-in sales, no open box sales, and minimum purchase of $50.

The first time I went in to the closest one since they changed to this model (Aurora) as soon as I walked in the door the bitchy girl asked "What company are you with?" No, good morning, no how can I help you, straight to her cunty point. I see absolutely no reason to deal with a place like that. I go to Bolts Plus now for everything I need.

 

[HMCFab9]

I was in my local Fastenal store today.
BEST experience I've ever had in a Fastenal store!

Very friendly employee, helpful, knowledgeable, took time to show me their new products
(they have a big selection of Milwaukee now)

No minimum order, no minimum purchase & they will sell to anyone who comes in the door & the price I paid on stainless bolts wasn't bad.
I'm a happy customer.

 

[thaas4488]

Beats the **** out of grainger.

Everything you want at a time you don't need it.

 

[sailah]

When I lived in Pittsburgh I had accounts with Grainger and Fastenal. Grainger was great for things I needed that day like a bandsaw blade or cutting fluid. Fastenal usually had a nice selection of metric taps which is why I was going there.

Last time I ordered from them I needed a certain Loctite product, maybe some type of anti-seize. They didn't have it on the shelf, but had it at their warehouse. No problem, they said they would have it tomorrow. I show up and look at the invoice. $25 for the Loctite, $75 for shipping. On their truck that delivers to their store everyday. I handed them the loctite back and drove 1/4 mile to Grainger and picked it up there for $25.

Funny thing about Grainger in Pittsburgh is that it shares the same parking lot with Cheerleaders, which is a gentlemens club. I remember pulling out of there at teh end of a work day and my wife drove by and saw me. I had to show her the receipt and I still think I slept on the couch.

After I discovered McMaster, nothing else really compares. Their shipping was next day in PA, they had everything and prices were fine for me as a home owner. Although now that I live in MA, there is a store called Bolt Depot right down the street. They have a big online presence too. If I call stuff in or order online, it's ready in 20 minutes for pickup. Plus no minimums or shipping. They have a great selection of 316 stainless which is what I use on my boat all the time. And about the friendliest staff you could imagine.

 

[rockinacummins]

I have the exact opposite service. now I know I'm not buying tools but..

I just got back from Fastenal literally 10 minutes ago. I walked out with a handful of nuts and bolts I needed for 10 cents. most of the time when I go there they don't even charge me for the hardware I get.

Not me. They won't sell me a single nut, washer, or bolt. They wanna sell me a 5 pound bag of each. No thanks.

Told them not to go to lunch until I came back. I bet they're all dead by now.

 

[PMD1966]

Needed some bolts for a project. Fastenal price $3.91 each. McMaster-Carr price $1.19 each.

 

[Coach James]

Our fastenal has high prices, but the staff is friendly and will open boxes and sell me a few parts of I need them. Our Tru Valu has a great hardware selection so I usually go there instead.

I know that I'm not Fastenal's target customer so I don't get annoyed about their prices.

Coach

 

[dlcwent]

I find Fastenal to be a great place and I have a business account with them, so I'm not sure of the "walk in" prices, but I think they're on par with any other quality store. You get what you pay for.

 

[Zeke]

I know this about a lot of places, so why have a showroom, retail place or whatever it's called? Just don't sell to the general public.

Well, it's not like they're in the mall.

2 local stores to me. One is in a warehouse and you go in through the roll up door. Went there once to check it out and it was first, a mess, and second, a mess. Talked to the guys for a few minutes and decided the local hardware store still has about all I ever need.

The other store is on a side street in a ****** area. Big sign looming from the rafters, "Minimum Cash Sale $25." Highest I've ever seen at a wholesale place is $10. And I've paid the minimum of $5 for a half dozen 25 cent items when it was 5 and when I needed what they had and couldn't easily find. I have to drive 20 minutes to get to this place so the economy is lost anyway.

Best place for any hardware is online.