Zoro - Declining Experience

[mobiledynamics]

Loved Zoro when it first came out. Promos made the sale purchase worthwhile.

Over the years, unless I'm being -picky- but their online account portal, etc is just klunky, not even up to date @ times, etc. Can't cancel a order when it turns out it's being dropped shipped and you call them 2 weeks later saying I can't wait for this item, and CS is saying it's being processed, can't cancel.

I dunno. Maybe it's just me. I've placed some orders, and sometimes 2-3 weeks later (me thinking it's just their dropship delay-cumbersome backend system), I will get a email saying orders cancelled due to non-inventory.

 

[TuxThePenguin]

All of those things have happened to me with them. I'm not too happy lately but I'm still placing orders from them because they have a good selection, and I still prefer them over Amazon. Their site is hard to browse, though the search function works better than Amazon and many other sites like KC Tool and Harry Epstein (too many sites return results for stuff that I didn't search for, and will bury the exact thing I did search for pages into the results - too much fuzzy logic in many search algorithms these days). Amazon is full of foreign sellers selling their garbage that is made with knockoff brand names and colors to look like known-good brands. And even if I'm specifically looking for tools, Zoro carries a lot more than most tool stores and hardware stores etc.

The difficult cancellation process has been annoying. I understand that consumers should try to minimize their need to cancel orders, but the process should still work when possible. I've created orders overnight (well outside of business hours), ask to cancel maybe 30 minutes later, get a reply early as heck the next morning that it's not possible. Um. Okay. I don't believe that, but whatever.

Orders are shipping crazy slow for me. It's been 10 days since I placed an order that included items that ship in "3 business days" and "5 business days" (10 real days is still greater than 5 business days). They are slow with their in house shipping. They are slow with their drop shipping (which might be more the fault of the drop shippers they use - I get that). They shipped an order of about a dozen "ships from zoro in 1 day" items after about 4~5 days.

Plus, very few coupons lately. Yes, I am on their spam list, and yes my email provider allows their domain and their messages don't get filtered to my spam folder. I did get a mailed promo a couple weeks ago which I used. A few months ago I got one of the "you left items in your cart" email discounts. But I've been getting no holiday coupons or individual emailed coupons. I see other people are having coupons emailed to them, which is annoying that I am not, though I figure they're probably getting those less often also.

Still ordering from them, but definitely not happy with them lately.

I'm hopeful they'll improve once the situation in the world calms down.

Edit: Placed an order yesterday afternoon (Eastern) and they shipped that one same day. I guess shipping speed has a lot of variability to it right now, regardless of what the actual ship time indicator says on the product pages.

 

[bob15]

I haven't had any issues with Zoro.

You must remember that with this covid virus, parts & inventory status is all over the place. There are business not working, some on limited schedules and some still struggling to catch up with past orders. Even a recliner chair I bought has a 12 week lead-time due to lack of fabric from one of the vendors because they were shut-down for a period of time.

To find specific items on their site, use Grainger to find the items, copy the manufacturer part number from the Grainger site and paste it onto the zoro search bar. Now that item will appear without dealing with the not-so-friendly zoro search engine.

 

[RTM]

To find specific items on their site, use Grainger to find the items, copy the manufacturer part number from the Grainger site and paste it onto the zoro search bar. Now that item will appear without dealing with the not-so-friendly zoro search engine.

This is how I discovered Zoro in the first place, I entered a part number from ereplacement parts, and it jumped right to the top of their search. Made the mistake of not ordering it that day, and could not find it again. Back to ereplacement parts for the number.

But yeah, I am getting lots of spam, more so now than before Covid. I've ordered stuff off their ebay portal, one came quick, in a plastic bag, the other in a gigantic box a week later. Both were roto hammer chisels. Go figure.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I haven't had any issues with Zoro.

You must remember that with this covid virus, parts & inventory status is all over the place. There are business not working, some on limited schedules and some still struggling to catch up with past orders. Even a recliner chair I bought has a 12 week lead-time due to lack of fabric from one of the vendors because they were shut-down for a period of time.

To find specific items on their site, use Grainger to find the items, copy the manufacturer part number from the Grainger site and paste it onto the zoro search bar. Now that item will appear without dealing with the not-so-friendly zoro search engine.

This also can result in finding that Grainger price is a bit lower.
Zoro search does indicate items that are drop shipped, and allows them to be filtered out.

 

[mobiledynamics]

I don't care about a lead time IF what is being stated to me is accurate upon time of purchase. Accurate being the keyword for me.

Waiting 2-3 weeks and then a email telling me's cancelled...it's should have been cancelled within 3 business days IMO if this was to be expected to be a inventory issue.

 

[Ilikeike]

I agree with the "declining experience."

 

[Steve_P]

Zoro has always been great for me. yeah, I don't order from them often as their prices generally aren't competitive, but when they have a good price I have always received my order in ~2 days. My last order was ~2 months ago and no issue- got it in a few days. When the pandemic started I needed a surge suppressor to work from home. Amazon price was ~$50 and they said it would take 4-6 weeks to receive it. Zoro was ~$60 and I got it in two days. Yes, I know that's 20% more, but I couldn't wait a month or more for it. I only order from Zoro a few times a year, but they are competitive on a few brands, and when you add in a sale, it's great. And their customer service is great if you need it.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Zoro does well for me, but I agree the search function can be a bit broad. Overall I'm happy with them.some things the just drop ship, so delays aren't exactly their fault.

 

[mikebaker1129]

I haven't had any issues with Zoro.

You must remember that with this covid virus, parts & inventory status is all over the place. There are business not working, some on limited schedules and some still struggling to catch up with past orders. Even a recliner chair I bought has a 12 week lead-time due to lack of fabric from one of the vendors because they were shut-down for a period of time.

To find specific items on their site, use Grainger to find the items, copy the manufacturer part number from the Grainger site and paste it onto the zoro search bar. Now that item will appear without dealing with the not-so-friendly zoro search engine.

Yes I use the Grainger site and paste the mfr # also. The Grainger site is easier to navigate and locate what you are looking for.

 

[coljar]

I don't order often with Zoro, but the stuff I've got from them wasn't anything I needed in a hurry and all in all my experience has been positive.

 

[Ign]

Their site will let you order things that shouldn't be shipped to your state IF you checkout as guest...but they'll still cancel it later. I don't blame them for the latter but they should just fix the former. That said, I knew I was trying to break the rules and I don't blame them and I wasn't upset - I blame my state gubermint

 

[dscheidt]

This also can result in finding that Grainger price is a bit lower.
Zoro search does indicate items that are drop shipped, and allows them to be filtered out.

If you have a good discount from Grainger, that will be cheaper than zoro most of the time. Zoro is Grainger, with a little bit of discount. Big customers get much better pricing, as you'd expect.

 

[matt_i]

I lol'd a bit, placed an order this week.

THe first 5 items came in 5 separate and identical sized boxes, including 1 allen wrench all by its lonesome It was free shipping but strange....

 

[Crawlin]

I like ordering from them. I am not in a hurry when I do order. Cant beat the coupons. Last thing I bought was a 1.5 yard self dumping hopper and used a 20% code. I saved like 500 bucks and shipped truck freight for free. How could they have even made money on that?

 

[yatg]

I assume everybody knows this, but in case you don't, Zoro is a subsidiary of Grainger.

Bought stuff from them in the past but nothing this year.

Last year placed a Zoro order for 2 8' 1-1/2" aluminum angles. Order delivered in a long tube. Few days later another long tube shows up. I figured they shipped each piece separately and put them aside. Opened the tubes several months later and found 2 pieces in each. Bonus!

 

[RTM]

Did not know that, feel less bad looking things up elsewhere and then buying at Zoro.

Thanks

 

[anndel]

I haven't bought anything from them and don't plan at all. Their shipping is sky high and only use 2nd day air instead of USPS Priority Mail which is waaaay cheaper. My first choice is Amazon, HJE, NAPA my local HD, Lowes, City Mill or my Snap-on driver.

BTW, Grainger owns Zoro.

 

[lardy1]

I made my first and only order to Zoro about a month ago. A Proto 90 tooth ratchet. I got 10% first time buyers discount and they were already the best price on the internet. It arrived two days later.

No complaints on my one time deal with them.

 

[Chucktin]

I ordered a Broan bath fan grill from a 'Zorro" website, same or different? got it in 2 days! Maybe they're close to us, in north Florida?
Anyway thanks to the OP and all others contributing, I'll be careful out there!

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

 

[cvairwerks]

I’ve reached the point that I get my order ready online, then call and verify what’s in stock and what is being drop shipped. Been bit by the website being wrong too often, and with too many vendors. I’ve got a panel overlay that has been on order since 3 July with a current ship date of 28 October. Original ship date was 6 July.

 

[Verg]

New zoro customer this year, picked up a bunch of tools (pullers, boxes, sockets, ratchets, screw drivers, pry bars)with 20-25% off coupons; Zero issues. Free shipping on the boxes, pry bars, and 30lbs of puller was greatly appreciated. Always amused when zoro + coupon +free shipping beats what used eBay goes for.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[jd_1138]

I haven't bought anything from them and don't plan at all. Their shipping is sky high and only use 2nd day air instead of USPS Priority Mail which is waaaay cheaper. My first choice is Amazon, HJE, NAPA my local HD, Lowes, City Mill or my Snap-on driver.

BTW, Grainger owns Zoro.

I use mostly ebay, local Napa, GJ classifieds, local mom and pop lumberyard (carries some nice tools in their store). HJE is good too, I have used them.

I can't think of the name, but there's a large tool seller on ebay (was a thread about them on GJ). They combine s/h and have great prices on basics.

 

[TuxThePenguin]

I can't think of the name, but there's a large tool seller on ebay (was a thread about them on GJ). They combine s/h and have great prices on basics.

Cripe Distributing?

 

[yatg]

I ordered a Broan bath fan grill from a 'Zorro" website, same or different?

I'm guessing different.

 

[RivennHewn]

Placed a couple hundred dollars worth of clamps in my cart last night.

Got my 15% off coupon via email this morning.

Zoro was about $50 less than Grainger, before the 15% discount.

Says they are in stock, and should ship today.

 

[Chucktin]

No it was "Z-O-R-O". I just wasn't paying enough attention.[emoji45]

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

 

[darkzero]

To me it seems like this all started after they changed to their current logo. I like the old logo much better. I never really had any problems ordering from Zoro though & I have made a few purchases from after the logo change but I don't buy from them as much anymore. I miss their older days when they had a lot more deals. But I understand, they need to make money.

At least their search engine is better now, it really sucked before.

 

[RTM]

Just like a pusher, get you hooked on lower prices, then they slowly creep up once you are hooked.

 

[jd_1138]

Cripe Distributing?

That's it. Thanks.

 

[reader2580]

I haven't had any issues with shipping from Zoro. I placed my last order maybe eight weeks ago and everything was listed as in stock. It all shipped the same or next day and I had the items in my hand the next day with the free shipping. (UPS Ground is one day Chicago to Minneapolis now.)

I only use Zoro if the price beats anyone else.

 

[Luciferi]

Just ordered on last Saturday, shipped Monday and had it on Tuesday.

I haven’t been getting very many coupons though, and the ones I do get are low percentage with high minimum. I had to leave items in the cart to get a 15% off.

 

[Skin]

Just like a pusher, get you hooked on lower prices, then they slowly creep up once you are hooked.

Prices were always hit and miss. Coupons have definitely gone away. I think there was one 25% all year. The 15% and occasional 20% dont entice me since tax chunks 6% out so generally there isnt much of a deal to be had vs shopping ebay or a retailer that consistently keeps lower pricing. Some of the minimums are also mind boggling. They sent me some welcome back coupon a few weeks ago for 20% off a $799+ order.

 

[RivennHewn]

Zoro for the win!

Best price I found, free shipping, 2 day delivery.

If you’re asking for better than that, you need to grow up!

 

[PatY]

I was shopping for a Simpson power washer this spring and decided on one. $699.00 everywhere I looked. Zoro was $689.00 and I was able to use the 15% off coupon. Took the price to $586.00 so I ordered.
When I received it the plastic cover on the wand was cracked so I sent an email and they immediately had a new one on the way. I called to tell them it seemed like a hassle to have a whole new washer sent for just one part but it had already shipped. Zoro customer service gave me another 10% off the purchase price for my trouble taking my final price $517.50. All I did was swap the wands and the UPS guy took the "new" washer back as a return.
All in all I have zero complaints with Zoro.

 

[Newell33]

My father-in-law ordered a work table from them a couple of months ago. It was listed as in stock. They kept saying it was on the way, and after a couple of follow up phone calls they eventually told him that the legs had shipped, and that the table portion was shipping in a couple of days. A couple of days later he received notification that the entire order was cancelled. The whole thing was a bit shady so I've stayed away from them.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Never had an issue, still the best price on Duracell Procell batteries I've found.

 

[cbracer]

The good deals are getting less and less. I purchased a lot when they first came out, but as their prices keep rising and coupons less and less, I haven't bought anything in a while. Most price checks I do end up higher than other places. sad I really did enjoy them years ago.

 

[demarpaint]

The good deals are getting less and less. I purchased a lot when they first came out, but as their prices keep rising and coupons less and less, I haven't bought anything in a while. Most price checks I do end up higher than other places. sad I really did enjoy them years ago.

My feelings exactly. Over the years I made quite a few tool purchases from them, lately that money is being spent elsewhere.

 

[wayne55]

I'm currently trying to buy 2 oven bake elements that after I placed the order, they now show out of stock. Tried to contact them via email 3 days ago and still waiting. I have had good luck in the past with several orders, though.