Frustrated by McMaster-Carr
 

Has anyone else had enormous difficulties with ordering things from McMaster-Carr and receiving a level of service that even borders on competent?

Since Kickoff, we've had nothing but problems with their service and I'm just enormously frustrated and wanted to vent somewhere.

On the day of Kickoff, we placed an order for several hundred dollars worth of drivetrain parts. When the order hadn't arrived a week later, we called to see what had happened to it, as we though we'd missed a UPS delivery, to find out that McMaster-Carr hadn't ever filled the order. Despite our receipt of a order confirmation via e-mail, the order was nowhere to be found in their system. We placed the order a second time and was told that it would be shipped Next Day Air -- but it was shipped ground, instead. After a third call, they reshipped the order and sent it via overnight.

Yesterday, we placed a second order and specified that it be shipped via Next Day Air. It didn't arrive today, so I again called to find out what the problem was only to be told that some of the products we ordered -- nitrogen filled gas springs --were not able to be shipped via air freight, so the whole order was shipped via ground. I feel like it would be the least common courtesy to call your customer and let them know that the shipping they requested was impossible or to otherwise explain the situation and give them the opportunity to make a decision regarding the shipment.

Again, they re-shipping everything (except the gas springs) via overnight air freight.

We've lost days and days of work time to this stuff and it's enormously frustrating.

Caveat emptor, I guess.

Re: Frustrated by McMaster-Carr
 

Well so far i have been satified with Mc Master. I suppose they have a warehouse close to my school because all the metal we ordered came with in 2 days. It could because we only ordered metal.

Re: Frustrated by McMaster-Carr
 

Thats weird...usually they send us whatever they have in stock, and leave the rest out and ship it separately (or the same thing, but replace "in stock" with whatever can be sent by the requested shipping method).

We placed an order on I think Monday after kickoff, and we received it 3 days later, which was surprising, considering it was by ground, and came from Norfolk, VA.

Re: Frustrated by McMaster-Carr
 

I have to agree I think this is odd... We have had them split up our orders before, but their shipping has always been very prompt. We quickly figured out to do the "no signature on delivery" in the comments... but other than that, no problems :-/

Re: Frustrated by McMaster-Carr
 

Anything we've ordered from Mc Master Carr has came within 2 days...we have yet to have any issues.

Re: Frustrated by McMaster-Carr
 

I have always had great experiences with McMaster. I have never placed an order that has not been in my hands same day (i am located in the same city as their warehouse so i pick up orders in person). I was very surprised one time when i called them with a few questions and they transferred me to someone who actually had a good knowledge of the product. They are almost always in stock of whatever obscure item it is i need and are always willing to send me a bill instead of requiring immediate payment.

They actually have a pretty cool setup. They have a partially automated warehouse with robots that pick many of the items. The boxes are robotically sealed as well. The place is absolutely massive with ceiling fans about 25' in diameter.

Re: Frustrated by McMaster-Carr
 

Never had an issue, actually, they were awesome to us already. We ordered that day, and picked it up there, it was actually ready the minute we were off the phone. They were also really cool about returning, which is usual. We usually get things next day or two days later. I guess its because its a 2 hour drive from the school to McMaster, thats with LA traffic. :)

Sorry about your loss time, hope your order goes through this time. We had a similar situation with the fuel cell battery thing this year.

Re: Frustrated by McMaster-Carr
 

I was getting annoyed after my McMaster order hadnt come in a week later. I later found out the school glitched and didnt place the order I requested :( Once it was placed the order was fairly fast.

Re: Frustrated by McMaster-Carr
 

Geez that doesn't sound good, sorry you had problems. We placed our order for this year's robot stuff last night, so I'll be sure to watch them closely. Thanks for the warning!

Re: Frustrated by McMaster-Carr
 

We've gotten results similar to most people here - we placed the order, got what was available immediatly, and got the rest soon afterwards. I hope it was just a mistake on their behalf, and not something that repeats.

-Guy

Re: Frustrated by McMaster-Carr
 

We've been more than satisfied with McMaster-Carr.

1. They're NJ warehouse is about 45 minutes from my school, which means we usually get ground-shipped orders the next day anyway.

2. They take purchase orders, which is the only way we can pay for things (we'll be getting a team paypal account + debit card next year)

3. They ship to us before recieving payment.

So we just call in the order, get the stuff the next day (I'll call it in at like 11am), then send them our money.

Re: Frustrated by McMaster-Carr
 

We've had very good service recently, shipped within one and three days. Unfortunately, we've been having a problem ordering lately, but I believe that's with the school's server, rather than McMaster. Overall, very good.

Re: Frustrated by McMaster-Carr
 

That's a real bummer Madison but we have had no problems at all with McMaster this year or any other for that matter. I have been placing orders with them left and right since kickoff and every one has shown up as scheduled in two days via UPS ground. I have placed at least 10 or 12 orders since kickoff. Our orders all ship from the Atlanta warehouse.

I have often wondered what McMaster thinks of all the extra odd orders this time of year and why they aren't a major sponsor of FIRST in the first place. Do they even know about FIRST and what all these orders are for this time of year?

Re: Frustrated by McMaster-Carr
 

We have ordered quite a bit from there pre season and maybe 5 or 6 different orders since kickoff and it all arrives when it is supposed to, we are satisfied with thier service.

Re: Frustrated by McMaster-Carr
 

We have had no issues either.

Sorry about your problems.