I don't understand the reasoning for marking up above MSRP. It's not just MSC that does this though but I do see it more commonly in machining & industrial supply. But in these markets they don't use MSRP, the state list price. It's bad for business IMO, it's like they want to deter one time or low volume buyers. Knives is one of my hobbies, some manufacturers won't let dealers sell their knives for higher than MSRP or they'll drop them.
There was a time where my logged in price with MSC was the same as their list price on their website which as you know are very high. Then later I started seeing discounts and this was before they closed Enco. But after they closed Enco my logged in prices got way better. I brought this up before here, there are others that get the same pricing as I do & some even better.
I asked my salesman at the local MSC why that was cause sometimes he said the system showed my prices (on certain items) as being the lowest they were allowed to sell for & a discount code would not further reduce the price. He thought it might have to do with how much I buy & how often. Sometimes I go their weekly.
Back in 2008 I purchased a set of replacement top jaws for my Bison 5" 6-jaw. Called Toolmex, they gave me all the details & pricing, when I said I would like to order they told me I had to go through a dealer. I went through MSC. When I called MSC they asked me what I was quoted from TMX. I told them, they gave a me a slightly better price with free shipping, drop shipped from TMX.
Recently I purchased a bunch of Pferd files that everyone on the net sold for full list price. MSC's price was cheaper, I used a coupon code that gave me a little bit more of a discount. Not in stock, to be drop shipped by the MFG, no shipping fee. Should be here today as a matter of fact.
I also bought an OSCA hammer that they did not stock. Same, thing, my price was a bit cheaper than everyone else on the net, coupon code again for a slight discount, no shipping charge, also should be here today.
A month or 2 ago I purchased a Skoda live center from MSC, way cheaper than anyone else without a discount code (didn't work anyway). Dropped shipped by Sowa tools, free shipping.
MSC has treated me so good I can't help but to shop with them. Again, I just don't understand why others don't get the same experience.