McMaster Carr shipping

[RedNeckGeek]

McMaster's prices are generally higher than local suppliers, but they carry a much better selection and many things for which I've yet to find an alternate source. But between the higher price and expensive shipping, I always try to find an item somewhere else, especially if there's no hurry. Usta be that their shipping was a one or two day thing, but in the last few months, even outside the holiday window, packages have taken 3 - 4 days, and sometimes things arrive damaged from careless packaging. Amazon seems to have more and more of what McMaster carries, but their "free" shipping is at least a ten day affair. So I'll try Amazon or do a google search, then McMaster if that fails. YMMV...

 

[Ken45101]

Yes, Amazon's free shipping is definitely on the slow side UNLESS you join their Amazon Prime. With Prime, they provide free two day shipping.

Yes, Amazon Prime does cost you $99/year up front but if you would otherwise be paying for shipping, it has been well worth it to me. You don't have to wait until you get a big enough order to qualify for their (slow) free shipping. If you need something that's only $5 or $10, you can order it and get it within two days. It may even save me some money since I don't add on enough additional items to qualify for the other "free shipping".

It has definitely saved me more than $99 this year in fuel costs hunting for something locally, which I probably can't find anyway. With Walmart, TSC and Lowe's being a 20 mile round trip, it doesn't take too many trips to cover the $99 and that assumes I can even find it locally.

 

[Don H]

I order from McMaster several times a year. I've never had a problem and their selection is better than anywhere else I know of.
As far as Amazon goes, they just built a facility in my state which means I now pay state sales tax AND shipping so I avoid Amazon if at all possible.