Anyone knowledgable about Fastenal?

[cubs-n-bxrs]

Originally Posted by ironman

Well it looks like members opinions and experiences are all over the map on this subject. Both good and bad results with most of the major providers of specialty items. I guess if you are satisfied with the one you've used before, stick with them. If not, all you can do is spin the wheel an take your chances.

As far as shipping costs go, I don't think anyone objects to paying the price as long as it is reasonable and up front. For instance, a while back I decided to purchase some lawn mower parts from a higher profile, small engine internet vendor. Their shipping charge was a set amount, rather high, but if your order totaled over a certain amount the shipping was free. My total was just shy so I added in a couple of pre-wound weed-wacker spools that are easily bought anywhere, to put me into free shipping.

So my order arrives, no mower parts, one weed-wacker spool. The invoice says mower parts are "out of stock, don't know when they will be in stock", the weed-wacker spool I got was "last one in stock, let them know if I want other one back ordered". They only charged me for the one weed-wacker spool but you guessed it, they charged me the set shipping charge, about 4 times the cost, for one weed-wacker spool.

They had my email and fone number on the order but did not contact me to see if I wanted to wait for a complete order or cancel. How do you avoid ripoffs other than not ordering from a vendor like this ever again?

With the exception of McMaster Carr pulling that split shipping crap on me I have really had no problem whatsoever with any on line orders. Ironman I guess the only way to get around the problems you discussed would be to go old school and call on a land line before placing a order.

[DoubleO7]

I just got a reply from McMaster-Carr about my inquiry about shipping charges.
The lady that replied claims they are about to ad shipping charge calculations in the near future.

I buy a lot of vehicle repair parts from RockAuto. Some stuff they show is in their warehouse and a lot of stuff they are evidently selling for other vendors.
Rock Auto shows what the shipping will be, where each part is coming from and the shipping cost from each origination site.
BEFORE you place your order.
Doing that allows me to pick the same part but a different brand.
Doing so you can buy the parts you want from one or two originations versus ten different originations.
Which if the minimum shipping charge is $5 per origination site, you can save a bundle.

If you order 12 oddball items from McMaster-Carr you might get them from three, four or even five of their warehouses, all charging a shipping fee.
And currently, they have no way to tell you that on their online ordering program.

[IHCadetCollector]

I hate to buy stuff online because of shipping costs. If you buy a few parts here and a few parts there it really adds up.

[CubDieselFan]

Originally Posted by Merk

I'm glad you had good luck shipping items using Fastenal. My local Fastenal didn't want to take the time to get a quote for me to send a 3 point Brinly plow. This store didn't want to mess with someone that needs only a small quantity of fasteners. I called a Fastenal store some 35 miles away for a quote. They finally got back to me 3 weeks later. They were the same cost as UPS. UPS shipped the plow to new owner in 3 days.

If I ordered items from McMaster-Carr before 6 pm I will usually get items the next day.

When getting a shipping quote from Fastenal, the stores do not set that up. They have another department that they use. It is called Third Party Logistics (3PL). I have posted the ladys contact info in another thread, I will see if I can find it and re post it. I shipped a cast iron rear from South Carolina and they did a great job as far follow up and keeping me up to date. It cost 70.00 to get it shipped. I have purchased bolts from Fastenal and they are on the high side. If you are not in a hurry they can be bought on that bay site, usually with free shipping.


Edit: This is the lady at Fastenal that I talked to. She handles the shipping. Spring Floyd, 404-346-9175. When she gives you a quote, she will save the info. so if it is something you are looking at buying, you can get a quote and then if you get it you do not have to go through giving her the info again.

[DoubleO7]

Last time I got a quote via my prior correspondence with Spring Floyd, someone else responded from her email account.
She may have moved on.
That was about two months ago.

And I think the shipping cost is based not only on size and weight but how much room they might have on that route.