- Joined
- Jan 18, 2018
- Messages
- 314
jbolt, all great points. Both the lack of transparency of shipping costs and the fact that they don’t display the manufacturer on their website are definitely two downsides to McMaster-Carr. As far as shipping is concerned, our situation in a Milwaukee may be somewhat unique. Milwaukee has always been a manufacturing center and MMC must send enough to Milwaukee from their branch in Chicago that that have a daily runs here with a private delivery service. As I mentioned earlier, I often get packages the same day if I order first thing in the morning, so I figure I am getting express, same day delivery without paying extra and I bet they pay less for their private service. It works for me but I would definitely like to see the shipping charge at the time of the order.
I find the fact that they don’t display the manufacturer much more of a problem. I figured that they just didn’t want you to know so you won’t make direct comparisons with places like MSC, Shars, Zoro, etc. but your point about multiple manufacturers is one I had not thought of and is a very good. When I have had a question about a manufacturer I have phoned them and they are happy to give me the information.
I couple of other positives for MMC: for me, they have been outstanding with returns even if the product was not defective and they have replaced defective items promptly even before they receive the defective item. Also, I find their website really easy to use and I love the detailed drawings that you can access. One of my sons does computer stuff for a living. I showed him MMC website a while back because I was so impressed. He agreed that it is a very impressive website and indicated that it probably was very expensive to build and maintain.
Last point, that I think has already been made, they are family owned, and I like that.
I find the fact that they don’t display the manufacturer much more of a problem. I figured that they just didn’t want you to know so you won’t make direct comparisons with places like MSC, Shars, Zoro, etc. but your point about multiple manufacturers is one I had not thought of and is a very good. When I have had a question about a manufacturer I have phoned them and they are happy to give me the information.
I couple of other positives for MMC: for me, they have been outstanding with returns even if the product was not defective and they have replaced defective items promptly even before they receive the defective item. Also, I find their website really easy to use and I love the detailed drawings that you can access. One of my sons does computer stuff for a living. I showed him MMC website a while back because I was so impressed. He agreed that it is a very impressive website and indicated that it probably was very expensive to build and maintain.
Last point, that I think has already been made, they are family owned, and I like that.