McMaster Carr shipping

newbury · Jul 18, 2014

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 · Jul 18, 2014

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 · Jul 18, 2014

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 · Jul 18, 2014

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 · Jul 18, 2014

oosik said:
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 · Jul 18, 2014

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 · Jul 18, 2014

Brant said:
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 · Jul 18, 2014

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 · Jul 18, 2014

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 · Jul 18, 2014

charlz said:
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

tcartwri · Jul 18, 2014

My favorite company to order from. They should give seminars on how to properly handle internet orders and shipping. If I order before 3pm, it is sitting on my desk by noon the next day.... and I'm in Ottawa.

You can expect an order from HD to take 3 days to a week to get to you.

charlz · Jul 18, 2014

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

Good to know! Thanks!

downsizingnow48 · Jul 18, 2014

I order something from McMaster Carr pretty much every week, because they have lots of hardware that is hard or impossible to find locally, and because quality is very good. Shipping costs seem reasonable to me. For Sacramento, most things come from Los Angeles, and I get it the next day or day after.

Ken45101 · Jul 19, 2014

I do like places that have "free" shipping, you know there will not be any surprises. As said, M-C is good for having just about everything, and it is quality stuff. They are the fastest shipper I know, I've been amazed at having stuff delivered less than 24 hours after I order it. They do seem to be on the more expensive side though, so I don't order too often from them.

OTOH, there are places like Amazon with "free" shipping that takes a week to get out of their warehouse. I do like, however, like Amazon Prime since it's two day "free" shipping and pretty reliable. But, I almost always make sure the prices are competitive. Sometimes a good deal, sometimes not.

As for the OP's difference in estimated vs actual shipping, you might give them feedback to let them know that you are unhappy with the inaccurate estimate. Since they are more of an industrial supplier, most of their customers probably never notice, or care.

flusher · Jul 19, 2014

downsizingnow48 said:
I order something from McMaster Carr pretty much every week, because they have lots of hardware that is hard or impossible to find locally, and because quality is very good. Shipping costs seem reasonable to me. For Sacramento, most things come from Los Angeles, and I get it the next day or day after.

Same here in the North Sacramento Valley. MC is my go-to supplier for the stuff I need for my numerous DIY projects here on the farm. No problems with shipping cost or delivery time.

SPYDERLK · Jul 19, 2014

Ken45101 said:
I do like places that have "free" shipping, you know there will not be any surprises. As said, M-C is good for having just about everything, and it is quality stuff. They are the fastest shipper I know, I've been amazed at having stuff delivered less than 24 hours after I order it. They do seem to be on the more expensive side though, so I don't order too often from them.

OTOH, there are places like Amazon with "free" shipping that takes a week to get out of their warehouse. I do like, however, like Amazon Prime since it's two day "free" shipping and pretty reliable. But, I almost always make sure the prices are competitive. Sometimes a good deal, sometimes not.

As for the OP's difference in estimated vs actual shipping, you might give them feedback to let them know that you are unhappy with the inaccurate estimate. Since they are more of an industrial supplier, most of their customers probably never notice, or care.

Like you say MC is an industrial supplier. Up to ~20 yrs ago they did not sell to the public at all. Since their catalog includes virtually all non food items in existence this was a major loss. Iv been so relieved since at not having to use subterfuge to buy from them. As far as Im concerned, by their reputation and current actions they deserve the respect not to be lumped with advertising sellers whose performance package is miniscule by comparison. As public "parts" purchasers we can find a better deal on A part by looking around. I find my time is usually worth more unless I know right where to go and only need a specific item. A variety of specific items is MC every time. The only "Free" shipping deal I can see for them is above a $ figure at or below a weight. Still, the 20 line wide ranging order of 1 or 2 of each is its own penalty on the supplier -- and they take that in stride mostly.
larry

B7510HSD · Jul 19, 2014

I guess I don't get what the problem is when they said..

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.

newbury · Jul 19, 2014

B7510HSD said:
I guess I don't get what the problem is when they said..

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.

I'd expect maybe a 10% difference on an estimate, but not 50%.

EddieWalker · Jul 19, 2014

I'm a huge fan of them as well and consider them the best source for bolts and just about everything they sell. I still shop around for a better price, but if I need it as soon as possible and it's something important, this is where I go and pay what they want.

Eddie

MtnViewRanch · Jul 19, 2014

I'm pretty sure that they charge cost on shipping, so that box that your stuff comes in is not in those shipping charges either. I have no idea how much stuff any of you actually ship, but I UPS stuff out almost everyday. I quote every order that has to go out and that is what I charge. I have had the quotes come back differently for the same exact items going to the same address on the same day. Change days and some times the costs change also. I'm sure that UPS has their ways of figuring things based on the volume that is going to a certain area.

Anyway, what I'm getting at is that it is impossible to know to the last cent what the costs are going to be until the time that shipping tag is printed out.

Would you really want a set cost and have the company constantly be making profits on the shipping charges? Would you be upset if they had quoted you $50 and then charged $53. You are looking at it as a 50% increase, look at it as a $3 increase and move on.

Good luck with all your future purchases.