McMaster Carr shipping

[newbury]

I'm putting this under rural living because I know a lot of people have to mail order stuff which is not carried locally.

I needed about 30 U-bolts like:National Hardware #677-3/8 in. x 4 in. x 7 in. Zinc-Plated U Bolt Plate with Hex Nut-2192BC 677 SQ U BOLT ZN at The Home Depot

Local stores didn't have them. Home depot couldn't promise delivery before the 28th. McMaster Carr (MC) said tomorrow (which has become today), which works for me. They were $3.86 at MC vs $3.60 w/ free shipping at HD. I could live with that. MC estimated shipping charges as $7

Hi George,



Shipping charges are calculated based on the weight and dimensions of each package, and we cannot determine the exact charge until after an order has shipped.



The estimated shipping charge to ship 30 u-bolts (3060T49) to you is $7.00.





Haydee

in an email.

I get the bill today and shipping charges are $10.48.

I know the difference isn't BIG but for those who use it how accurate or exorbitant are their shipping charges?

I'd like to order more "stuff" from them but if their shipping estimates are off by 50% I want to be able to take that into account.

 

[oosik]

Sound about right to me. I think shipping charges cover more than the cost of the carrier. It must cover any handling the seller must perform also. About a month ago I ordered a new baseball type cap from a major on-line merchandiser. The cap was $21 and shipping was $14.95. It was simple ground UPS delivery - now that seems like a lot.

 

[Brant]

I order from McMaster all the time. I find their shipping charges to be very fair and reasonable. I do not think they make much on shipping. Rates have gone up. McMaster is super fast and convenient and they charge a bit for that.

 

[wolftree]

McMaster-Carr is an old and righteous company to deal with. With the way so many rip you off on shipping like the baseball cap, McMasters-Carr's being off by $3 is good to hear. I would buy from them at any opportunity.

 

[newbury]

Sound about right to me. I think shipping charges cover more than the cost of the carrier. It must cover any handling the seller must perform also. About a month ago I ordered a new baseball type cap from a major on-line merchandiser. The cap was $21 and shipping was $14.95. It was simple ground UPS delivery - now that seems like a lot.

That's what I'm concerned with.
Most places give a shipping cost calculator on line or have "flat" rates. But I don't want to get in the situation where I'm buying it from MC to save $50 only to find they charge me $55 more in shipping.
I was pleasantly surprised at the $7 estimate I got via email and slightly perturbed at the $10.48 I was billed.

 

[charlz]

I also don't like that they do not give a actual shipping cost a purchase time but I have not had an issue with any of the purchases I have made as far as shipping goes. They are not one of the places that charge you $35 shipping on a $5 part.

 

[HeLa]

I order from McMaster all the time. I find their shipping charges to be very fair and reasonable. I do not think they make much on shipping. Rates have gone up. McMaster is super fast and convenient and they charge a bit for that.

^^ THIS

i've never gotten a shocking shipping charge from mcmaster. maybe this is why they can do it as they do.

 

[SirReal63]

They are one of the good ones to buy from, many others use shipping as a profit subsidy, and that is ok too, no complaints because i want these businesses to stay around. Too many have gone away in the past 10 years.

I ordered a couple S100x8 buttresses from Global Industrial for my oddball totes, 2 of them is $28.50, shipping is $16.41 and while I would prefer to not pay that much for shipping on a product that won't even ship for at least two weeks, I won't complain too much, I at least found them in this country.

 

[s219]

As shipping costs go, that's not too bad of a difference, especially on a $115 order. I wouldn't be too mad in that case. Knowing what it costs to ship, and how some companies take advantage, even $10.48 seems very good and fair to me.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I also don't like that they do not give a actual shipping cost a purchase time but I have not had an issue with any of the purchases I have made as far as shipping goes. They are not one of the places that charge you $35 shipping on a $5 part.

They charge by actual package weight. A low $ order that is heavyweight wont be a bargain except by their promptness.
larry