So there it was on my doorstep; a medium-sized but heavy box. Opened it
up and there was the brang-new Grainger catalog. All 4,130 pages of it,
most in 4-color printing. Nicely bound in a heavy cover that could
probably withstand any kind of industrial solvents.

Having been a printer (offset) in another lifetime, I find it amazing
that they can continue to print and distribute this gigantic catalog.
Especially considering the tiny amount of business I do with them
yearly. This thing must cost them $10-20 each to mail out.


--
You were wrong, and I'm man enough to admit it.

- a Usenet "apology"

On Feb 4, 1:42*pm, David Nebenzahl wrote:
So there it was on my doorstep; a medium-sized but heavy box. Opened it
up and there was the brang-new Grainger catalog. All 4,130 pages of it,
most in 4-color printing. Nicely bound in a heavy cover that could
probably withstand any kind of industrial solvents.

Having been a printer (offset) in another lifetime, I find it amazing
that they can continue to print and distribute this gigantic catalog.
Especially considering the tiny amount of business I do with them
yearly. This thing must cost them $10-20 each to mail out.

--
You were wrong, and I'm man enough to admit it.

- a Usenet "apology"

Yeah, but isn't it great to have, if they don't carry it, then it is
almost impossible to find somewhere else.

On Feb 4, 2:42*pm, David Nebenzahl wrote:
So there it was on my doorstep; a medium-sized but heavy box. Opened it
up and there was the brang-new Grainger catalog. All 4,130 pages of it,
most in 4-color printing. Nicely bound in a heavy cover that could
probably withstand any kind of industrial solvents.

Having been a printer (offset) in another lifetime, I find it amazing
that they can continue to print and distribute this gigantic catalog.
Especially considering the tiny amount of business I do with them
yearly. This thing must cost them $10-20 each to mail out.

--
You were wrong, and I'm man enough to admit it.

- a Usenet "apology"

At the prices they charge they probably make back the price of the
catalog on one order.

"David Nebenzahl" wrote in message
s.com...
So there it was on my doorstep; a medium-sized but heavy box. Opened it up
and there was the brang-new Grainger catalog. All 4,130 pages of it, most
in 4-color printing. Nicely bound in a heavy cover that could probably
withstand any kind of industrial solvents.

Having been a printer (offset) in another lifetime, I find it amazing that
they can continue to print and distribute this gigantic catalog.
Especially considering the tiny amount of business I do with them yearly.
This thing must cost them $10-20 each to mail out.


I'm sure the price of yours is offset (no pun intended) by those of us that
spend thousands annually. What really amazes me is that the Grainger catalog
is imo the most well thought out and easy to use catalog I've ever used,
while their online catalog is the exact opposite. I know for a fact that
their original online catalog was redone by a second company, because it was
so bad, but the new one is no improvement at all.

--
You were wrong, and I'm man enough to admit it.

- a Usenet "apology"

"Limp Arbor" wrote in message
...
On Feb 4, 2:42 pm, David Nebenzahl wrote:
So there it was on my doorstep; a medium-sized but heavy box. Opened it
up and there was the brang-new Grainger catalog. All 4,130 pages of it,
most in 4-color printing. Nicely bound in a heavy cover that could
probably withstand any kind of industrial solvents.

Having been a printer (offset) in another lifetime, I find it amazing
that they can continue to print and distribute this gigantic catalog.
Especially considering the tiny amount of business I do with them
yearly. This thing must cost them $10-20 each to mail out.

--
You were wrong, and I'm man enough to admit it.

- a Usenet "apology"

At the prices they charge they probably make back the price of the
catalog on one order.

Not everyone is charged the same prices. They have a system of discounts in
several categories. When you maintain a certain buying level in a category
the price you're charged gets lower

On Feb 4, 2:54*pm, "RBM" wrote:
"David Nebenzahl" wrote in message

s.com...

So there it was on my doorstep; a medium-sized but heavy box. Opened it up
and there was the brang-new Grainger catalog. All 4,130 pages of it, most
in 4-color printing. Nicely bound in a heavy cover that could probably
withstand any kind of industrial solvents.

Having been a printer (offset) in another lifetime, I find it amazing that
they can continue to print and distribute this gigantic catalog.
Especially considering the tiny amount of business I do with them yearly.
This thing must cost them $10-20 each to mail out.

I'm sure the price of yours is offset (no pun intended) by those of us that
spend thousands annually. What really amazes me is that the Grainger catalog
is imo the most well thought out and easy to use catalog I've ever used,
while their online catalog is the exact opposite. I know for a fact that
their original online catalog was redone by a second company, because it was
so bad, but the new one is no improvement at all.

They ought to copy McMaster-Carr's online catalog. It ain't perfect,
but it's pretty darn good. My main quibble with McM-C is the fact
that they don't show brand names or mfgr. part numbers. In fact,
Grainger could just copy just about everything else that McM-C does,
including easy online ordering and delivery (although if they used
anyone but UPS, that would be even better) and not being jerks about
not being a big corporate customer. I always feel guilty when buying
stuff for personal use from Grainger, because the first thing they ask
is "who do you work for?" whereas McM-C just takes my order and the
stuff shows up outside my front door, usually the next day. And I've
been ordering a LOT from McM-C lately (well, not a lot in terms of
dollar sales, but a lot for a homeowner, probably one order every
month or so) because it's just so much more convenient than driving
around to all the different hardware stores, not finding what you're
looking for, then ordering online anyway. (it's been real bad since
Chesapeake Marine Fasteners closed...)

I just got my Grainger catalog today as well, although I must not be
on the Mr. Happy list as mine was just softcover. Haven't flipped
through it yet but I'm sure that day will come soon enough.

nate

On Thu, 4 Feb 2010 12:44:27 -0800 (PST), N8N
wrote Re New Grainger catalog:

when buying
stuff for personal use from Grainger, because the first thing they ask
is "who do you work for?"

Yeah, I don't like that, so I stopped buying from them.
--
Work is the curse of the drinking class.

Caesar Romano wrote:
On Thu, 4 Feb 2010 12:44:27 -0800 (PST), N8N
wrote Re New Grainger catalog:

when buying
stuff for personal use from Grainger, because the first thing they ask
is "who do you work for?"

Yeah, I don't like that, so I stopped buying from them.

Well, that's their intent. They're set up wholesalers and really just
don't want retail business (which translates to generally small, random
orders).

--

On Feb 4, 5:55*pm, Van Chocstraw
wrote:
David Nebenzahl wrote:
So there it was on my doorstep; a medium-sized but heavy box. Opened it
up and there was the brang-new Grainger catalog. All 4,130 pages of it,
most in 4-color printing. Nicely bound in a heavy cover that could
probably withstand any kind of industrial solvents.

Having been a printer (offset) in another lifetime, I find it amazing
that they can continue to print and distribute this gigantic catalog.
Especially considering the tiny amount of business I do with them
yearly. This thing must cost them $10-20 each to mail out.

It's amazing. I ordered a small thing (forgot now what it was) from a
third party that came from them and next time I turn around I have one
of these giant catalogs in my mail box. They must be hurting for business..

Grainger seems to be doing pretty well:
http://www.marke****ch.com/investing/stock/gww

One of Grainger's competitor's, MSC, also puts out a huge honking
catalog. Their stock seems to have its ups and downs, but it didn't
have a total meltdown like a lot of companies in the downturn.

R

On 2/4/2010 12:44 PM N8N spake thus:

In fact, Grainger could just copy just about everything else that
McM-C does, including easy online ordering and delivery (although if
they used anyone but UPS, that would be even better) and not being
jerks about not being a big corporate customer. I always feel guilty
when buying stuff for personal use from Grainger, because the first
thing they ask is "who do you work for?" whereas McM-C just takes my
order and the stuff shows up outside my front door, usually the next
day.

Well, all you gotta do is open an account with them. That's what I did.
I'm basically a handyman, a one-guy operation with a business card. I
gave them my contact info and bingo! I had an account. No grilling, no
request for my business license (don't have one).

I probably buy less than $100 worth of stuff from them a year, but I
still get good service (and the catalog) from them.

I just got my Grainger catalog today as well, although I must not be
on the Mr. Happy list as mine was just softcover.

Mine was softcover too; but it's a heavy cover, either varnished or
laminated in some kind of plastic.

Plus the catalog makes a great doorstop if you need one.



--
You were wrong, and I'm man enough to admit it.

- a Usenet "apology"

On 2/4/2010 2:49 PM Caesar Romano spake thus:

On Thu, 4 Feb 2010 12:44:27 -0800 (PST), N8N
wrote Re New Grainger catalog:

when buying stuff for personal use from Grainger, because the first
thing they ask is "who do you work for?"

Yeah, I don't like that, so I stopped buying from them.

Well, think about it a second: why do you suppose they ask that? It
could be that they're just wholesale assholes. It could also be that
probably 80% of the people who come in there are working for someone who
has an account there, so the first order of business is to establish
whose account their stuff is going to be charged to.


--
You were wrong, and I'm man enough to admit it.

- a Usenet "apology"

David Nebenzahl wrote:
On 2/4/2010 12:44 PM N8N spake thus:

In fact, Grainger could just copy just about everything else that
McM-C does, including easy online ordering and delivery (although if
they used anyone but UPS, that would be even better) and not being
jerks about not being a big corporate customer. I always feel guilty
when buying stuff for personal use from Grainger, because the first
thing they ask is "who do you work for?" whereas McM-C just takes my
order and the stuff shows up outside my front door, usually the next
day.

Well, all you gotta do is open an account with them. That's what I did.
I'm basically a handyman, a one-guy operation with a business card. I
gave them my contact info and bingo! I had an account. No grilling, no
request for my business license (don't have one).

I probably buy less than $100 worth of stuff from them a year, but I
still get good service (and the catalog) from them.

I just got my Grainger catalog today as well, although I must not be
on the Mr. Happy list as mine was just softcover.

Mine was softcover too; but it's a heavy cover, either varnished or
laminated in some kind of plastic.

Plus the catalog makes a great doorstop if you need one.



Chuckle. I use mine (from 2 years ago) as a monitor stand, at work. I
fell off their list about then, and have felt too guilty to try to get
back on, seeing as how my current duties don't include personally buying
stuff. Love leafing through their catalog, though, and visitors to my
cube that recognize the name give me a grin when they see it.

--
aem sends...

dpb wrote:
Caesar Romano wrote:
On Thu, 4 Feb 2010 12:44:27 -0800 (PST), N8N
wrote Re New Grainger catalog:

when buying
stuff for personal use from Grainger, because the first thing they ask
is "who do you work for?"

Yeah, I don't like that, so I stopped buying from them.

Well, that's their intent. They're set up wholesalers and really just
don't want retail business (which translates to generally small, random
orders).

--

Yesterday I received my Mouser electronics catalog. Almost the size of
Grainger, just bigger like a phone book, and they send 3 or 4 catalogs a
year! They take single item orders, it could be 10 cents, and ship it
very cheap USPS. No service charge. How do they do it? Their
warehouse is all run by computers and robotics. There is a very good
chance that most anything you buy from them has never yet been touched
by a human. No one even touches the packages until they are picked up.

I haven't been out all day (sick with a cold), maybe the Grainger
catalog came today? I'd better check before tomorrows mail comes!

On Thu, 4 Feb 2010 16:59:50 -0800 (PST), RicodJour
wrote:


Grainger seems to be doing pretty well:
http://www.marke****ch.com/investing/stock/gww

One of Grainger's competitor's, MSC, also puts out a huge honking
catalog. Their stock seems to have its ups and downs, but it didn't
have a total meltdown like a lot of companies in the downturn.

R

I checked the MSC catalog a couple of times and found their prices to
be a bit higher on what I was going to order. Other prices were
almost identical. .

David Nebenzahl wrote:
So there it was on my doorstep; a medium-sized but heavy box. Opened it
up and there was the brang-new Grainger catalog. All 4,130 pages of it,
most in 4-color printing. Nicely bound in a heavy cover that could
probably withstand any kind of industrial solvents.

Having been a printer (offset) in another lifetime, I find it amazing
that they can continue to print and distribute this gigantic catalog.
Especially considering the tiny amount of business I do with them
yearly. This thing must cost them $10-20 each to mail out.



Well at the prices they charge, I don't think they have a profit problem.

At the prices they charge they probably make back the price of the
catalog on one order.

BOY CAN YOU SAY THAT AGAIN

My problem with Grainger, I dont buy a lot from them, but USED to buy
cases of 100 buck motors at a time

Grainger STOPPED giving quanity discounts unless you buy 3 grand worth
or stuff a year.

so granger is now the LAST place I buy at...

On Feb 5, 10:39�am, Steve Barker wrote:
David Nebenzahl wrote:
So there it was on my doorstep; a medium-sized but heavy box. Opened it
up and there was the brang-new Grainger catalog. All 4,130 pages of it,
most in 4-color printing. Nicely bound in a heavy cover that could
probably withstand any kind of industrial solvents.

Having been a printer (offset) in another lifetime, I find it amazing
that they can continue to print and distribute this gigantic catalog.
Especially considering the tiny amount of business I do with them
yearly. This thing must cost them $10-20 each to mail out.

Well at the prices they charge, I don't think they have a profit problem.

some years ago a new beancounter made them more efficent Turned of
all the phones at the branches, and set up a central info call in
number. It was TERRIBLE. The phone reps couldnt answer the questions
since they didnt have the merchandise to look at.

a friend worked at grainger and retired, he reported they lost 20% of
their gross sales. and never got them back.......

mr efficency beancounter got fired, no doubt moving on to muck up
another company........

On Feb 5, 1:18*pm, " wrote:
On Feb 5, 10:39 am, Steve Barker wrote:

David Nebenzahl wrote:
So there it was on my doorstep; a medium-sized but heavy box. Opened it
up and there was the brang-new Grainger catalog. All 4,130 pages of it,
most in 4-color printing. Nicely bound in a heavy cover that could
probably withstand any kind of industrial solvents.

Having been a printer (offset) in another lifetime, I find it amazing
that they can continue to print and distribute this gigantic catalog.
Especially considering the tiny amount of business I do with them
yearly. This thing must cost them $10-20 each to mail out.

Well at the prices they charge, I don't think they have a profit problem.

some years ago a new beancounter made them more efficent Turned of
all the phones at the branches, and set up a central info call in
number. It was TERRIBLE. The phone reps couldnt answer *the questions
since they didnt have the merchandise to look at.

a friend worked at grainger and retired, he reported they lost 20% of
their gross sales. and never got them back.......

mr efficency beancounter got fired, no doubt moving on to muck up
another company........

damn, sounds like what happened to our service dispatch...

nate

On Feb 6, 3:03�pm, "DanG" wrote:
Is he the same bright bulb that put the index in the middle of the
book? � I've almost gotten used to it, so I'm sure it's time to go
back to the old system at the back of the book.


INTENTIONAL like moving everything in a grocery store around every
few years.

it get you wondering around buying other stuff you wouldnt of
otherwise looked at

Is he the same bright bulb that put the index in the middle of the
book? I've almost gotten used to it, so I'm sure it's time to go
back to the old system at the back of the book.

--
______________________________
Keep the whole world singing . . . .
DanG (remove the sevens)




wrote in message
...
On Feb 5, 10:39?am, Steve Barker wrote:
David Nebenzahl wrote:
So there it was on my doorstep; a medium-sized but heavy box.
Opened it
up and there was the brang-new Grainger catalog. All 4,130
pages of it,
most in 4-color printing. Nicely bound in a heavy cover that
could
probably withstand any kind of industrial solvents.

Having been a printer (offset) in another lifetime, I find it
amazing
that they can continue to print and distribute this gigantic
catalog.
Especially considering the tiny amount of business I do with
them
yearly. This thing must cost them $10-20 each to mail out.

Well at the prices they charge, I don't think they have a profit
problem.

some years ago a new beancounter made them more efficent Turned
of
all the phones at the branches, and set up a central info call in
number. It was TERRIBLE. The phone reps couldnt answer the
questions
since they didnt have the merchandise to look at.

a friend worked at grainger and retired, he reported they lost 20%
of
their gross sales. and never got them back.......

mr efficency beancounter got fired, no doubt moving on to muck up
another company........

On 2/6/2010 10:51 AM spake thus:

On Feb 6, 3:03�pm, "DanG" wrote:

Is he the same bright bulb that put the index in the middle of the
book? � I've almost gotten used to it, so I'm sure it's time to go
back to the old system at the back of the book.

INTENTIONAL like moving everything in a grocery store around every
few years.

Or maybe not. With a book the size of that catalog, it's actually easier
to open it up to the middle than to have to wrestle it onto its front to
look in the back.


--
You were wrong, and I'm man enough to admit it.

- a Usenet "apology"