I tried multiple times to obtain a catalog from McMaster. Essentially I was told to go on-line as I was not important enough for them to send me a catalog. Why they only printed so many. Who gets them must be more important.
I contacted MSC on-line and within three days, I received their “Big Book”. Believe me, it is a big book!!
Needless to say, I will not order anything from McMaster. My orders will go to MSC who is responsive to their customers and potential customers.
McMaster obviously does not want to spend any of their money for our money. I will boycott McMaster because of their attitude. Let’s support those businesses that support us.
BTW, I’m sending a copy of this email to both!
Comments?
A bad day woodworking is better than a good day working — yes, I’m retired!
Replies
>> Comments?
My understanding is that the General Discussion folder is for general discussion of woodworking topic. Non-woodworking topics belong in the Woodworkers Cafe folder. One might argue that this post could fit in the Tools for Woodworking folder, since woodworkers buy tools and supplies from both companies, but that's a fairly tenuous link to woodworking, in my opinion. In either case, it doesn't belong here.
Geez Unc --- what's the big deal where the guy does his venting?
I guess I was venting a little. Woodworking is my passion now along with hunting, fishing, my marriage of 33 years, and golf (not necessarily in order of importance). The woodworking game is changing daily and information is critical. It is hard to learn about the newest glue or varnish or measuring tool or hinge or drawer slide from a web site. It is painless to read about it in a mag or in a catalog. That was my point.
I do appreciate your response. Please read the added threads for more opinions from other woodworkers.
And yes, this is about woodworking, it is a "general discussion", and I still think this is the appropriate location to discuss. I do not read the "Cafe" as I do not like to lack of woodworking information and the rude, obnoxious posts. I had 33 years of living in a large city with too many rude, obnoxious people. I now live near a town of less than 1000. Never get asked for ID when I cash a check--no matter the amount. When we drive to to nearest large town (45,000) I need to show ID to buy a $5.00 item. But I also do not have a true woodworking retailer within less than 150 miles. So catalogs and magazines, and yes, even internet sometimes, are my main source of information.
Again, thanks for your post.
A bad day woodworking is better than a good day working -- yes, I'm retired!
I just got my first one from mc master. I still have not opened it. as others say their online catalog is great. MSC's is ok but a bit of a pain.
if anyone wants it for the cost of shipping just give me a scream (G)
Sorry you feel that tool supplier discussions don't belong in this forum.
Funny that I read a lot about Grizzly, Delta, Forrest, etc. in this forum. Why don't you also criticize the threads about them.
The Cafe is for politcal hacking and is in no way comparable to tools and woodworking.
You may not think it relates to woodworking but open your eyes and read your magazines that note "where to buy". Seems that a lot of mags mentions these suppliers.
Apology accepted!
A bad day woodworking is better than a good day working -- yes, I'm retired!
I like McMaster, everything I need I can find online. Why waste trees ?? I've probably ordered 3 times in my life from Grizzly, but they keep sending me telephone books in the mail. Hate that.
Falco
Grizzly will be glad to remove you from their mailing list if you just call them.
I do not want to spend hours (?) trying to find exactly what I need trying to find it on an internet site.
To each their own.
A bad day woodworking is better than a good day working -- yes, I'm retired!
Lee Valley will send you all the catalogues you could want and they do it gladley
was in the store yesterday & watched new customer couple ask for a catalogue if possible & clerk gave him all current and some past ones also what a haul he had.
I get their catalog along with probably 20 others. My catalog stack is probably 20 inches tall. When one is received, it is dated and the old one removed.
In the last week, I have ordered from three different companies and still need to order from one more in the next day or two.
I study the catalogs on the throne. Can't do that on internet. Catalogs are a woodworking information bonanza. The information contained range from drill speeds for forstner bits to how to use different finishes. Also can get a good look at new stuff.
I will buy from the companies that send me catalogs.A bad day woodworking is better than a good day working -- yes, I'm retired!
I think the on-line McMaster catalog is great. I'd hate to try to find what I need from a paper catalog. The McMaster on-line system is the nicest on-line system that I've seen anywhere! I was looking for bearings for a pump I have, and the search "bearings" gave me everything I needed in an easy to browse and understand format.
Compare this to Grizzly, where the on-line catalog is limited because it is too much like a paper catalog. Try looking for 5" hook and loop disks. You can end up getting screen copies of paper pages, and you have to page through them to see what you want. The on-line catalog at woodworker.com is only slightly better.
The beauty of computer inventory and catalog applications s that you don't need to make them work like their paper counterparts--you can make them support the process that people actually want to follow! McMaster does this well and will get my business. I suggest you try the on-line system and give up on the paper catalogs. They're expensive to make, and who can fault a company for not wanting to make so many? Just an added cost they would have to pass on to all customers. I'm glad they keep their prices low by not spending it on wasteful, inefficient and perhaps unnecessary glossy catalogs.
But hey, that's just my opinion.
Good point on passing on costs. Remember that catalogs do cost. But have you looked at how much programmers, web site developers, etc. get paid. Also the computer gear needed. Ain't nothing free! That cost also gets passed on!
Remember catalogs from Sears Roebucks, oops, I mean Sears. They stopped the free catalogs and went way downhill. How about Montgomery Wards, oops again, I mean Wards. Same story. There may be a lesson here.
A bad day woodworking is better than a good day working -- yes, I'm retired!
Try Fastenal. Boy do they have hardware. I'm partial to them as they have a store not 10 mins from here. Most items need to be ordered but I would have to deal with that anyway.
Thanks, I check them out.
A bad day woodworking is better than a good day working -- yes, I'm retired!
Being tight with catalogs is idiosyncratic with McMaster-Carr. I work for a large corporation and order thousands of dollars a year from them and I can't get a catalog of my own. We have several in our office which we share but make sure we get back.
Their website is truly amazing, though. It is the best online catalog for any business I've ever seen. And they seem to have everything. They take credit cards, and if I order before 4 pm I have the order by 9:30 the next morning. When I order from home it usually takes another day.
Their telephone service is first rate and available 24/7. They can fax additional information on products, and sometimes CAD drawings are available for download.
Not having a paper catalog is annoying, but everything else about them makes up for it.
I worked for a top twenty corporation for over 30 years. Yes, I could not get their catalog then also. Had to go to the company library to research. Could not use internet since we were in a secure environment and had no outside communications except through secure land lines.
A bad day woodworking is better than a good day working -- yes, I'm retired!
Try J&L, not a woodworking place but lots of marking and measuring tools, drill bits, other items with great costumer service and selection. I had a height gauge damaged in transit and they overnighted the replacement.
KDM
http://www.jlindustrial.com/
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