1st visit to Fastenal was exciting!

[Gale Hawkins]

Home | Fastenal

Fastenal opened in Murray a few years ago yet I had never stopped in but I did today. I am looking for fancy ways to mount some muffin fans behind the RV fridge and was looking for some metal options.

They will sell any of their metal stock by the inch so that was cool. If you have never visited one but drive pass one then check it out to get an image of what they stock, can order or will make to order.

Some say they are high but for me having it locally is makes it worth more. :thumbsup:

 

[crbr]

I would like to see a picture of a muffin fan.

 

[travis potter]

I shop at their store and have found that they have or can get special nuts bolts and a lot of special items. You pay a little more for some things but at least you get quality stuff.

 

[some zilch]

fastenal has outrageous pricing on everything. i go there all the time to buy things for work, and almost have a hard time spending my employer's $$ b/c i know i can go elsewhere and buy the same thing for 1/3 the cost. i would never spend a dime of my personal $$ at fastenal.

 

[texasjohn]

Went there once, was impressed by their stock and depressed by their prices.

Went back to purchase only once when I REQUIRED a really weird metric bolt and couldn't find it at Home Depot/Lowes.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I know TSC is lower priced on common fastners but I do not go there for common stuff. They had the metal stock I was looking for and cut 6' of stock into 8 pieces for me to my measurements.

They are into the uncommon and I hope they charge enough to stay in town.:thumbsup:

 

[kyspartan]

they are crazy high i only go there when i cant find some bolt or nut with some crazy thread anywhere else

 

[mjncad]

I bought a few things from Fastenal when I couldn't wait for a McMaster-Carr, MSC Direct, or ENCO order to arrive.

Compared to McMaster and MSC Direct, Fastenal's selection is just so-so. Any specialty industrial supplier is going to be higher than 'Big Box Mart;' but that's the price you pay for selection compared to Depot and Lowe's.

In order of preference I buy from:

McMaster-Carr, 90%+

MSC Direct/Enco, ~4% each

Fastenal, <1%

 

[smfcpacfp]

they are crazy high i only go there when i cant find some bolt or nut with some crazy thread anywhere else

Wouldn't it be more cost effective to visit Fastenal in the first place rather than spending time and travel money searching elsewhere?

They have over 1 million different items in their inventory. People who buy more product do get much better pricing. I bought stock in Fastenal many years ago. I have this theory that companies who sell boring, but necessary products make good long term investments. Fastenal is a good example of success using this investment approach.

 

[Kays Supply]

I went to them once. I wanted a few special bolts. They would only sell by the box. I have not been back.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

They have over 1 million different items in their inventory. People who buy more product do get much better pricing.

I buy my fair share of stuff at Fastenal, Most of the steel in my Power Rake came from Fastenal, ALL nuts & bolts come from there...actually, pretty much everything I buy be it Safety Glasses, Grinding Wheels, Nuts, Bolts, ReBar, etc all come from there...Reason? Its the cheapest & easiest place for me to do my business.

I went to them once. I wanted a few special bolts. They would only sell by the box. I have not been back.

IMO, thats the problem with Fastenal...your experience vary's from store to store. All stores are corporate owned, but dont forget these guys are paid comission. Not saying this is the right thing to do, but its the cold reality...If you were on comission, who would you rather service...someone like me or a large corporate account (I have both) who is there all the time for everything, or some John Doe who comes in twice a year to buy 1 bolt?

My single biggest suggestion to deal with Fastenal is to make nice with the sales guys and do business there on a regular basis.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I guess service must vary from store to store. I got 7 foot of metal cut into 8 pieces and 2 large flat washers. When I asked I was told they priced at the EACH price but did have box prices too. The manager helped the guy run the ban saw.

If I had a shop and could stock some metal and had a saw Fastenal might not be the place for me either but being able to walk out with my metal cut to order is HUGE to me.

Having a local business I know how hard it can be. I have my staff to shop at Office Depot first for equipment and supplies because I want them to stay in our small town too.

 

[txdon]

They have some really nice soft ear plugs that I can't find at the box stores. I usually buy a handful.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

If I had a shop and could stock some metal and had a saw Fastenal might not be the place for me either but being able to walk out with my metal cut to order is HUGE to me.

You say that...but its cheaper & easier for me to just order what I need cut to length right from Fastenal when it comes to "odd steel" sizes...for example, I bought some 3"x6" x 1/4" Wall tubing for my power rake...buying 24' at my local Steel Sypply of it would be a waste of space & money to me...its not like I use that size every day.