McMaster - Carr

[bsaint]

FANTAStIC customer service and Ive never been on hold dealing with them.

Good pricing but they don't list brands so its basically what functionality do I need when ordering.

 

[Super Mech]

I've bought from them before. Outstanding service is putting it lightly.

 

[jpeace3]

They can get stuff to you next day on regular shipping when UPS or Fed Ex cant get it to you with overnight charges. Great company.

 

[95riosnake]

I order a lot of hardware and components for projects at work through McMaster for two reasons: 1) EXTREMELY fast shipping - 99% of the time I order from them, it's on my desk before lunch the next day. 2) Their website is fantastic IMO, pick the length, OD, ID, Thread, Load capacity, etc etc... then you are even supplied with cad drawings in several formats if you need them before ordering. I am often looking for very specific components and their site is the best interface for doing just that.

 

[kjbenner]

I've never had anything but good experiences with McMaster.

Their website is the best out of all the supply houses, and probably one of the best designed sites out there, period.

Their email form says they'll get back to you within an hour, and they always have for me. And that's whether I'm emailing from my work account or my personal account.

Their shipping speed is great too. I'm in Cleveland, so if I order something before noon, generally UPS drops it off at the loading dock that afternoon.

 

[chris_1001]

Most every company I have worked for use them. They are the go to supply house. I even have a personal acct. with them.

 

[MartyO]

I concur with what has been said above.

 

[Davefr]

I agree and I love the detailed CAD drawings on many of the items they stock.

What I don't like is not knowing what they'll charge for shipping.

 

[chris_1001]

I agree and I love the detailed CAD drawings on many of the items they stock.

What I don't like is not knowing what they'll charge for shipping.

Excellent point about the CAD files!!! I use them all the time for hardware! Huge time saver!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[purplezr2]

I like Mcmaster too, nothing but good service and parts are here next day usually.

I have two issues for personal use. Would like to know shipping and would like to know brands on some items-nuts and bolts I could care less, actuator or motors I would like to know the brands.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Nothing but great experiences here, catalog is awesome. I have the app on my Ipad, and it's pretty good too.

 

[retrobuilder]

Another benefit is the hardware is commercial quality better than big box stores plus they have down load ready 3D solid model CAD files which means I don't have to model or obtain from a fastener file library.

 

[malibu101]

I looked at the McMaster-Carr site a few times but never ordered from them.
As was said in some posts above-I'd like to know the shipping costs.

To those that have ordered from them; Do you consider the shipping costs reasonable?
Bottom line-total money out of pocket. Factor in cost of gas if you have to run around to maybe find what your looking for instead of placing an order and having it delivered to your door in a fast time.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I looked at the McMaster-Carr site a few times but never ordered from them.
As was said in some posts above-I'd like to know the shipping costs.

To those that have ordered from them; Do you consider the shipping costs reasonable?
Bottom line-total money out of pocket. Factor in cost of gas if you have to run around to maybe find what your looking for instead of placing an order and having it delivered to your door in a fast time.

It is odd not knowing shipping costs until it ships, but I have never found them to be unreasonable. Then again, to find good hardware around here I would spend way more in gas anyway.

 

[_Dock_]

FYI on the OEM of an item, if you call and give them the item # they will tell you who the mfg is. Done this several times to make sure I was staying within a customers spec.

 

[rt dak]

If you email them with your order ahead of time they will tell you approximate shipping costs. I did this for some big cabinets I ordered.

 

[wingnut_1]

I order a lot of hardware and components for projects at work through McMaster for two reasons: 1) EXTREMELY fast shipping - 99% of the time I order from them, it's on my desk before lunch the next day. 2) Their website is fantastic IMO, pick the length, OD, ID, Thread, Load capacity, etc etc... then you are even supplied with cad drawings in several formats if you need them before ordering. I am often looking for very specific components and their site is the best interface for doing just that.

I have ordered from McMaster-Carr since 1994. Sometimes a few orders a week. I can only remember one time that I did not receive it the next morning by UPS and one time for a co-worker. I must add that these are all work purchases, so I do not care about the shipping when we need it the next day. If I add an item to an order for my personal use, my employers only charge me the cost of the item. As for the CAD files, very reliable and I can select the format needed (Solid Works 2014). Customer service has always been phenomenal when used. Thumbs up for sure !

 

[ddawg16]

Great company as well.....but kind of pricey....but worth it.

 

[BoostAddiction]

I agree with all of the above- I've used McMaster for many years.

The key for me, in addition to great service, is their web site. Speaking as a former IT guy (for 30+ years) their web site is a model of design that suits their audience pretty much perfectly. I really admire the effort that they have put into their site. It's what makes me keep coming back, over the years.

Like some others, I wish they would show shipping, but on the other hand, it's always been acceptable to me, so maybe it really isn't a big deal.

 

[Ign]

McMaster has always appeared bothered when I call for shipping charges, and in both cases their "estimate" was 50% off. Why bother if you can't get closer than that?

Their 2 day shipping rates are competitive, their overnight is OUTRAGEOUS. This is a real problem when a client wants something yesterday, I have to try to guess at what a ridiculous overnight charge might be, then double it and even still I might break even on the job.

McMaster sent me some warped aluminum channel once, I called them for a replacement and expected a call tag issued for the bad stuff. They told me return shipping was my problem and simply refused to consider a call tag. When I pushed the issue they said they would check the other stock on hand for straightness. They then called me back & said all other stock was within tolerance (so presumably mine must be too????) and Sorry Charlie. Never mind I had ordered this stock from them at least 6 times before and this piece was WONK.

I now use ORANGE ALUMINUM for this item and in the past couple years McMaster has lost at least $2k in sales from me on this channel. But that's the problem - McMaster DOES NOT CARE about $2000 in sales from a small guy like me, they cater to corporate giants. So I choose to shop with businesses that also value my business.

Count me as the one dissenter in this thread - McMaster can **** it. If your name isn't Toyota and you think McMaster cares about you, you're kidding yourself.

 

[Davefr]

It is odd not knowing shipping costs until it ships, but I have never found them to be unreasonable. Then again, to find good hardware around here I would spend way more in gas anyway.

Once I ordered a very small item and in the "shipping instructions" box I told them to ship USPS First Class Parcel.

They totally ignored my instructions and sent the item UPS!!!

It wasn't as bad as some expensive UPS rates but I was upset.

I like McMaster but they really need to get a handle on shipping costs and make it available BEFORE you place your order. I can't think of any other online vendor that's can't determine shipping cost before the order is placed.

 

[Ign]

Once I ordered a very small item and in the "shipping instructions" box I told them to ship USPS First Class Parcel.

They totally ignored my instructions and sent the item UPS!!!

It wasn't as bad as some expensive UPS rates but I was upset.

I like McMaster but they really need to get a handle on shipping costs and make it available BEFORE you place your order. I can't think of any other online vendor that's can't determine shipping cost before the order is placed.

MSC does next day air saver (UPS) at ground rates. AWESOME for machine tooling, and we all know machine shops can't be waiting for cutting tools. I always chuckle when someone recommends McMaster for cutting tools - they're over-priced with limited selection.

I can open the MSC Big Book (which they'll actually send to anyone BTW - try that w McMaster) and choose twist bits from Cleveland, Hertel, Precision Twist, Chicago Latrobe, Triumph and others. Or McMaster's site says "Yeah we have a bit that size."

 

[Joey Stalin]

MSC is definitely better for machining parts, but that's kind of what they specialize in. McMaster is great for...everything else. I've found their hardware prices to be very competitive with anyone else that has that stuff in stock, you only get a big price break on hardware when you're buying 10,000+ nuts, not 2 or 3 hundred. Their distribution warehouses must be amazing, I'd love to see them featured on Modern Marvels or Amazing Factories.

I work in prototyping, and for us, McMaster is an absolute goldmine. Need a hinge, clasp, bolts, O-rings, lanyards, and bearings to put something together, like, right now? McMaster is where you go.

 

[bsaint]

I misordered a part last Thursday and they actually took the time to send me (1) 5/16 set screw lol.

Does anyone know if McMaster has a west coast distribution center?

 

[Hafen_Kafer]

Yes they're in Santa Fe Springs.

 

[Skin]

I looked at the McMaster-Carr site a few times but never ordered from them.
As was said in some posts above-I'd like to know the shipping costs.

To those that have ordered from them; Do you consider the shipping costs reasonable?
Bottom line-total money out of pocket. Factor in cost of gas if you have to run around to maybe find what your looking for instead of placing an order and having it delivered to your door in a fast time.

Problem is shipping companies use weight based rates. McMaster sells so many fasteners and other items, not to mention varying quantities, its unrealistic to expect them to weigh every individual item for predetermined rates.

I did some hardware restocking last week and ordered sizes from 10-14mm in 450 washers, 550 bolts, and 450 nuts. Price worked out to about 7 cents each, shipping was $16. Ordered Thursday at 3pm and had everything in my hands the next day at noon. Oh and it was all US made and of very good quality compared to the off the shelf stuff I have access to.

Great company as well.....but kind of pricey....but worth it.

Pricey for specialty yes precisely because its specialty (mil-spec stainless for example). Not for basic grade 5 or metric 8.8/10.9. McMaster is basically offering whole sale pricing compared to your local hardware store or even compared to big box stores, many of which are now even pushing chinese/taiwan made fastener hardware.

 

[Boiler]

They are pricey compared to industrial suppliers though. The convenience is worth a fortune however. I wish granger and fastenal would copy their website. They've had probably the most useful website on the whole www, and they've had it since the early days. Even if I don't order from them I use their site when I'm dreaming up a solution to a problem and I need ideas for the right part. For custom and prototype machines they are a mainstay. Eventually we will replace them with someone cheaper however, once we get in production, typically

 

[michaelrc51]

I buy lots of hardware from them. The prices are good, not like over priced Grainger stuff. I have found Fastenal to be hit or miss and they don't stock so many sizes of hardware.

I am lucky, I live 10 minutes from their Robbinsville, NJ warehouse so I don't have to worry about shipping.

For tooling stuff MSC blows them out of the water.

 

[dakotart1984]

Lucky for me I live near their Chicago warehouse. That place is a fortress! The will call desk is always nice, they will pick anything for you and let you see it before you commit to buy. Its quite the automated operation. The ladys working the counter there are so good, it feels like you are talking to a robot at times.

 

[LG63]

I looked at the McMaster-Carr site a few times but never ordered from them.
As was said in some posts above-I'd like to know the shipping costs.

To those that have ordered from them; Do you consider the shipping costs reasonable?
Bottom line-total money out of pocket. Factor in cost of gas if you have to run around to maybe find what your looking for instead of placing an order and having it delivered to your door in a fast time.

Up until about a year ago shipping costs were very reasonable, in fact I thought they were cheap compared to other vendors. Within the last year I've noticed shipping has crept up and now I think they are charging the full retail UPS rates. I suspect their big accounts get a break on product and shipping costs.

 

[APEowner]

McMaster doesn't charge for shipping. They either pre-pay and add shipping as a service to the customer or you can charge it to your own shipping account.

 

[richla]

Dating myself a bit, I have used them for hard to find items way before the internet, you called up and spoke to a real person, confirmed part number, pricing, etc. Thirty years of transactions.
Flawless performance in all those years. Great company.