wrote:

On Thu, 11 Nov 2010 01:16:42 -0500, "Michael A. Terrell"
wrote:


"F. George McDuffee" wrote:

On Thu, 11 Nov 2010 00:01:45 -0500, "Michael A. Terrell"
wrote:

Try your local Fastenall store. Only problem is they like
to sell boxes of 100.
http://www.fastenal.com/web/home.ex

I have had no trouble buying single items from the local Fastenal
stores.
==========
Must just be my local Fastenall.


It could be. But then, I've only ought from them for a couple years
and some things might be by the pacakage only.


[...]

I find Fastenal problematic at best.

There are two branches within reach of here. One I will not use at
all. The other is more helpful but it tends to be a continuing
struggle to get what one wants without having to have 100 units of
it.

Furthermore, what it shows in their on-line catalog bears no relation
to what is available from or through the local branches at least
quantity-wise.

Not so long ago one was able to walk into a branch and pick up common
stock like mild steel square rods of several dimensions etc. Now the
shelves stand empty, still labeled with the items they previously
contained. Yet the manager blames lack of stock on "shortage of
storage space". BTW this particular branch is housed in a space the
size of a small hangar with a few shelves huddled round the middle.
The rest is completely wasted.


That branch may have low sales, resulting in lower acceptable stock
levels. I have never found an empty slot for steel rod or angle at the
store I use.


Having said that, I had good luck there yesterday, they had all the
stuff I wanted including metric lock washers (at $3 I did not mind
getting a 100) and a retaining compound they told me last week they
would not have.


I buy most small hardware by the 100 package. Only oddball threads
or very rarely used sizes are bought in small quantities. It isn't
worth the trouble to pick up the exact quantity of something you need,
when you'll need more in a couple weeks.


One has to count one's blessing when one finds them especially now
that McMaster-Carr will not ship to new customers in Canada.


Canada! Well, what do you expect? Those polar bears never where
reliable at delivering packages, anyway. ;-)


--
Politicians should only get paid if the budget is balanced, and there is
enough left over to pay them.