Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
I can't answer directly but I can say this. I always start with McMaster Carr, even though I know that they are not always the cheapest and it's hard to tell the brand. But it's so easy to find things (better than any other website I've ever used), place an order and get it shipped. Very good product documentation that can be easily uploaded into my CAD system. They also respond quickly to issues through their contact form (e.g. modify an order that I just placed). Bottom line: their easy website saves me enough time to justify not going to a another site. If I'm buying something expensive, I might look on eBay but I better save at least $1/minute for the time I spent or it's not worth it (e.g. I found a rotary welding ground for much cheaper, saved about $100 over 5 minutes of looking).
So here's what I can say about MSC - their website has always been much less efficient at finding things for hardware, materials, simpler tools, etc. I spend way too much time looking for things. Now I do buy from them on occasion, but mostly in their sales brochures that I receive in the mail and see "Wow, good price on that DeWalt drill!" while I'm waiting TV.
I haven't been on their site recently but just want to offer up that perhaps it's better to use McMaster, but depends to some extent on what you're shopping for.
The Dude
What is going on with the MSC website? I can narrow my search on anything?
Is anyone else having a problem?
Not to be a jerk, but who cares? They are a vendor of last resort for me, screw them.
Not to be a jerk, but who cares? ...
I used to feel the same way. Used to............
May again someday.
But, after you connect with a decent rep. Get coded in to some decent discounts. Take advantage of the shipping upgrade (not as good as it was, no fault of theirs).
... MSC, not ... as bad as they used to be.
Been trying to get a rep and discounts for 30 years - never a reply, can't get the time of day. Gave up. They do have a great selection, just wicked overpriced. The web came along at just the right time.
You must be doing some serious volume with them. Good on you. But I'll bet if you shopped harder, you could do way better elsewhere, unless you're getting 50% plus off.
I get about 20~30% of cutting tools.
In red ^^^^^ Again, what is your time worth?...Especially when my time is factored in.
I hate to seem like I'm "sticking up" for MSC. There was a day when I considered them the devil.
But, last couple years? They have more than made sense.
The McMaster website is awesome, way better than MSC and just about every other site.
My time is worth $60/hr, at least, that's what I price it at. Only slightly more time to order on eBay than MSC.
A couple months ago, I broke an endmill and realized the backup was dull, so needed a couple endmills, fast. McCarr didn't have what I wanted, I ordered from MSC at $30+ and $40+, figuring they'd get it here in 2 days (they usually do, but never guaranteed). Kicked myself the next morning, shopped on eBay, ordered from California at $13 each, free shipping, wondering when the hell that was going to arrive, but didn't matter that much, it's a recurring job, I'll use them eventually, the MSC order will arrive soon. Got the news that afternoon that both MSC em's are back ordered, will ship direct from the factory and are 4 days out.
The eBay order arrives in 3 days, work really well.The MSC endmills arrive separately a week later, 2 shipping charges.
So yeah, my time is worth something. I spent $26 on eBay and 5 more minutes of initial work and saved about $75 over the MSC order. That was worth it. And as it turned out, I ended up saving time, too, since MSC put both orders on open account (not what I asked for) and sent two separate bills.
Brand name screws in volume are something I'll order from them again, but I'll look pretty hard elsewhere beforehand.
If you don't do enough business with them, you won't see the perks
"just about every other site." If there is a site better than McMaster's including their e-mail response time, I would love to see a link.
I'm not aware of a better, easier to navigate site, but that's doesn't mean it can't exist.
Back to MSC- DavidN gets free shipping over $25, I get free shipping over $50, and OldWrench is at $99. I wonder if it is actually related to volume, or some kind of random assignment.
Notice
This website or its third-party tools process personal data (e.g. browsing data or IP addresses) and use cookies or other identifiers, which are necessary for its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the cookie policy. To learn more, please refer to the cookie policy. In case of sale of your personal information, you may opt out by sending us an email via our Contact Us page. To find out more about the categories of personal information collected and the purposes for which such information will be used, please refer to our privacy policy. You accept the use of cookies or other identifiers by closing or dismissing this notice, by scrolling this page, by clicking a link or button or by continuing to browse otherwise.