Tips on buying *stuff* in FIRST

[=Martin=Taylor=]

ALWAYS deliver parts to a personal residence rather than the school. Some schools don't receive boxes/mail on the weekends.

Its always frustrating to do nothing all weekend and then receive all the parts on Monday

[MrForbes]

Delivery address might depend on how the parts are paid for, though! For example, anything purchased by our school with a PO needs to be shipped to the district receiving office.

[Dick Linn]

If you can use some of the sizes of these surplus aluminum jig plate, they are a bargain:

http://www.sandsmachine.com/alumweb.htm

Local metal suppliers usually have a pile of "dings and drops" or "shorts" and may give you a good deal on some of that. At least you may get the quantity price on regular stuff if they know you are a FIRST team.

[vivek16]

Ok, the main supplier we use is discountsteel.com

They have a local warehouse that is close enough that we can just go pick it up. Their metal prices are from two years ago (online anyways) so you will save a little if you order online and go pick it up yourself. I think they have warehouses in Minneapolis, MN and Fortsworth, TX

thanks, Vivek

[JudyVandy]

Rankin Automation in Broomhall, PA, gives FIRST teams a really nice discount on 80/20. We found them really nice to deal with, too.