BIg time penny pinching

[JDgreen227]

Guys, something that really ticks me off is when you buy something today that needs assembly and they NEVER, repeat NEVER provide any extra hardware in case you lose something or strip a screw head. I am putting together a hard top gazebo my wife ordered from Sears, it cost close to $1000, and the way it was packed and padded and packaged to prevent damage in transit is just fantastic. At least 200 separate parts and 400 screws, metric head allen bolts, and hooks to assemble it. HOWEVER, they supplied JUST THE NUMBER of hardware items needed to assemble it and because they are a unique color, the odds of getting a locally sourced replacement screw, hook, or bolt that match are very poor. I have never understood why vendors are so unwilling to include a few extra hardware items in the package of their products....ESPECIALLY when they are unique items one cannot find locally. Sure, I could probably call them and request a few "missing" hardware items and they would gladly send them to me, but why does one even have to call?

Anyone know why this is the case?

 

[kco]

I suppose they are trying to keep costs as low as possible, but I do agree they should supply extras of specialty items in large kits like the one shown.

However, I do recall extra fasteners in some items I've put together, and in those cases I've always had a first reaction wondering want the heck I forgot.

I have a couple of those magnetic trays to hold the metal parts for assembly.

 

[murphy1244]

I bought two shop stools from Sears and both came with extra bolts.

 

[JDgreen227]

I suppose they are trying to keep costs as low as possible, but I do agree they should supply extras of specialty items in large kits like the one shown.

However, I do recall extra fasteners in some items I've put together, and in those cases I've always had a first reaction wondering want the heck I forgot.

I have a couple of those magnetic trays to hold the metal parts for assembly.

Your post reminds me of a joke I read one time:

Her husband offered to fix the washing machine again, but she really wanted a new one. So when he took it apart to repair it, instead of taking some of the hardware (which he would catch on to) she added several parts to the mix. He had no idea where they went, so she got her new washing machine.

 

[radioman]

Your post reminds me of a joke I read one time:

Her husband offered to fix the washing machine again, but she really wanted a new one. So when he took it apart to repair it, instead of taking some of the hardware (which he would catch on to) she added several parts to the mix. He had no idea where they went, so she got her new washing machine.

that sounds like my wife ...... but unforunately I am "lucky" to bee stubborn. I will test it with the extra parts in my hand and if it works.... I just toss thee bolts somewhere in my extras pile :laughing:

Let me know how you like the hard top unit. I been hemhawing on building a sunroom or just go and get one of those hardtop units that I can bolt down to the deck...

 

[Lady Tonka]

The manufacturers do that because they CAN, and they like the mental image of messing with you.

I was too cheap to buy the hard-top gazebo I really wanted so I had to settle for this (pending project once hubby finds a free dish on CL):

Build a Gazebo Out of a Recycled Satellite Dish - DIY - MOTHER EARTH NEWS

 

[JDgreen227]

The manufacturers do that because they CAN, and they like the mental image of messing with you.

I was too cheap to buy the hard-top gazebo I really wanted so I had to settle for this (pending project once hubby finds a free dish on CL):

Build a Gazebo Out of a Recycled Satellite Dish - DIY - MOTHER EARTH NEWS

From what you have revealed about your hubby's handyman skills....I think you will have a long wait....:laughing:

 

[mjarrels]

Went through the same thing when the wife bought a cheap walmart grill that I had to assemble. Horrible directions and hardware. Worst part is the little tools that come with it, screwdriver and wrench. Cardboard tools would have been better quality. Dropped the grill top from the work bench and almost destroyed it. I expect that from walmart. Best grill I ever used was in the Philippines made out of cement and shaped like a casatle nut about two feet high.

mark

 

[Lady Tonka]

From what you have revealed about your hubby's handyman skills....I think you will have a long wait....:laughing:

Actually, I plan to turn the project over to his vet friend who DOES have handyman skills -- and a FREE sat dish he found today at a neighbor's!

 

[jinman]

I doesn't bother me one bit when extra hardware is not in a kit. What bothers me is when there are several items left out or the bag of hardware has busted and is rolling around inside a box that has been crushed and abused by shipping. I bought a cabinet one time that had a sealed packet of hardware in a tray all sorted and labeled for easy assembly. I was so happy that I wanted to find the Chinese guy who came up with that and kiss him on the lips.:laughing:

One time for my birthday, my wife bought me a tire changer from Northern Tool & Equip. She had it shipped. It arrived at my house hanging out of the box and all the hardware missing. When she called Northern Tool, their customer service rep suggested that she go to the nearest store with her receipt and they would let her have the missing hardware for free. She informed them that she bought online because the nearest store was 50 miles away and that she had no idea what the hardware was because the assy. instructions were in the missing hardware pack. After lots of hassle, they finally agreed to ship out some more hardware, but we only got a few bolts and no instructions. I had to find several things in my hardware stash to complete the assy.