Where do you guys buy hardware.

[EddieWalker]

Here in Tyler, we have a place called East Texas Fastener. They specialize in nuts and bolts of every size with great prices. If I want something really odd, or hard to find, I go online to McMaster-Carr. But most of the time, I'm already at Home Depot or Lowes, and usually find what I need there.

We have two Tractor Supply stores in Tyler, and another up the road about the same distance in a much smaller town of Gilmer. The original one in Tyler is horrible. Never have anything in stock, and nobody knows what it is, or if they ever sold it. The new one is just a few years old and night and day better. I went from never buying anything from TSC, to finding some great deals at the new store. And if they don't have it, like a 16ft green wire gate fence, the one in Gilmer does!!!

 

[sd455dan]

In our area
Fastenal or Tri-Con Bolt, and
- for simple grade 5 stuff Co-Op because it is under $3 a lb. bulk.

I Will not buy from Home Depot- because their by the Bolt price is just to high.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

We have two Tractor Supply stores in Tyler, and another up the road about the same distance in a much smaller town of Gilmer. The original one in Tyler is horrible. Never have anything in stock, and nobody knows what it is, or if they ever sold it. The new one is just a few years old and night and day better. I went from never buying anything from TSC, to finding some great deals at the new store. And if they don't have it, like a 16ft green wire gate fence, the one in Gilmer does!!!

When shopping at big box stores, if you have a choice always pick the one that opened most recently in your area. Corporate management really focuses on stores having smooth openings, they know that first impressions are lasting impressions. So when a new store opens they will move the most knowledgeable and helpful employees from other stores around the region to make sure the new store opens smoothly. So a store that has been open for a long time has had all of their good people stripped away.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

We have several choices beside Lowes and Home Depot around here. As stated before; HD is not a hardware store (confirmed) and I never go there for that purpose. Our Lowes is pretty good even have a the specialty bins. WILCO is a local farm store that has a huge fastener section with bulk graded bolts, True Value Hardware, Some tractor supplies, , good animal feeds and supplies and 10% military discount. Wilco has the best prices on bolts. Fastenal and Tacoma Screw are other good sources. Tractor Supply is the last place I will go as they are 20-30% more expensive across the board, no one knows anything, and real poor stock control. I will usually make a phone call to Fastenal and Tacoma Screw to make sure they have what I want. Lowes usually has what I want but again their stock control sucks and they only have the fast movers of a specific manufacturer.

Most places that used to be wholesale or contractor only now sell to anybody over the counter. They have tiered pricing based on quantity and/or resale. Usually (but not always) their public sale prices are higher than the big box stores and other hardware stores. Probably the web sales affect that business model as they sell to anybody at their retail prices

Ron

 

[ultrarunner]

We had a local hardware store that had most anything you needed in fasteners. A few years ago they became an Ace affiliate but he kept all his normal hardware. After 125 years and at least 3 generations he sold out to another Ace hardware owner. They have been closed since june one for remodeling. I'm going to be disappointed when they reopen.

My goto was the ACE that occupied a full city block with plenty of parking... opened in 1946...

It was sold and did not last a year before being shuttered... several other family hardware stores around here have closed for good too... and they had a lot of variety... sad to see them go...

I do shop Grainger a lot and no freight charges with a National Account.

 

[Wagtail]

Mitre/10 is my local hardware store and they have a general selection for home maintenance. For tractor stuff I'll drive into Scotsdale (1.45 hr one way) or a two hour trip to Longford.

Bunnings (with a 'B') is my go-to box-store hardware in Kings Meadows.

Anything else you'd like to know about Northern Tasmania?

 

[Garandman]

Ive bought stuff from Amazon a lot cheaper than HD & lowes.

Every time we need something, I try to buy an assortment. A lot cheaper in the long run then buying them bolt by bolt, not even considering travel time.

Buy more on eBay than Amazon.

 

[HillStreet]

Ace Hardware, Fastenal, or online at Bolt Depot for quantity like shear pins, etc.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Another vote for Fastenal, if I need quality AND quantity, and YES, they do sell retail. Great customer service, too.

But if it's just the odd piece, Lowes or TSC. Mine are pretty well organized. Well, ONE of the Lowes near me has a disaster of a plumbing department, but that's another story.

 

[sixdogs]

Mitre/

...

Anything else you'd like to know about Northern Tasmania?

I thought you would never ask. Yes, lots more pictures, more description of people and life there, types of farms, tractors farming, crops or animals produced, etc.