Construction supply vendor Recommendation

No fries

No fries

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2005
Location
Fort Mill
So we (work) have gone through a couple over the last decade and I am looking for a new one. The one we used most recently just got bought out by White Cap (1-2 years now) and I'm done with them.

We are in Charlotte and would prefer local.
Originally before everything went to shit they were on top of it and would deliver to the jobsite, with a minimum order of $50.00, that doesn't happen anymore. Plus they screw up orders take longer than they say it will and just are a PIA to deal with.

We still use Hilti who are getting over priced and next day is more like 3 days if the 3rd party freight carrier delivers it. Also Triangle Fastener only carry screws.

I know Grainger is local to us in Charlotte
McMaster Carr, Ensco, MSC, Fastenal, are industrial not construction but would have 80% of what we need.

I'm looking for a fair priced supplier to supply our construction needs, mostly fasteners, and other odd ball stuff our Drywall suppliers don't carry.

Anyone have experience with a construction vendor local or online that they could recommend?
 
Fastenal has been very hit or miss for me, to the point I see them as more of a last resort. The local Motion Industries branch has been decent for us, but honestly we don't use them for much. McMaster has always impressed me, I don't think you can go wrong there if price isn't a huge factor. Only downside is no local branch, but if the stuff you need isn't in stock, then that really doesn't matter much anyway. I'm ashmed to admit how much of our MRO and office supply stuff comes from Walmart and Amazon.
 
jeepinmatt said:
Fastenal has been very hit or miss for me, to the point I see them as more of a last resort. The local Motion Industries branch has been decent for us, but honestly we don't use them for much. McMaster has always impressed me, I don't think you can go wrong there if price isn't a huge factor. Only downside is no local branch, but if the stuff you need isn't in stock, then that really doesn't matter much anyway. I'm ashmed to admit how much of our MRO and office supply stuff comes from Walmart and Amazon.
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Yeah we use Uline, Costco (paper products) and office depot for office supplies. I didn't know Motion carried things other than bearings.
I needed some Red Head umbrella hollow block anchors recently, White Cap would only sell them in quantities of 200. I found them at Granger in 20 pc boxes. First and last time I'll probably ever use these abominations. Plus the epoxy gun cost me $300, that they didn't tell me I needed. Would have been $1000 more for the 140 that I didn't need.
 
No fries said:
Yeah we use Uline, Costco (paper products) and office depot for office supplies. I didn't know Motion carried things other than bearings.
I needed some Red Head umbrella hollow block anchors recently, White Cap would only sell them in quantities of 200. I found them at Granger in 20 pc boxes. First and last time I'll probably ever use these abominations. Plus the epoxy gun cost me $300, that they didn't tell me I needed. Would have been $1000 more for the 140 that I didn't need.
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95% of the employees at all of these places are just part number regurgitators, so don’t expect any of them to know if you need the special epoxy gun. Expecting any more than that is just setting yourself up for disappointment.
 
No fries said:
Yeah we use Uline, Costco (paper products) and office depot for office supplies. I didn't know Motion carried things other than bearings.
I needed some Red Head umbrella hollow block anchors recently, White Cap would only sell them in quantities of 200. I found them at Granger in 20 pc boxes. First and last time I'll probably ever use these abominations. Plus the epoxy gun cost me $300, that they didn't tell me I needed. Would have been $1000 more for the 140 that I didn't need.
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The key with Grainger is to get an account rep and talk to them and get your price setup.
Everyone talks about how expensive grainger is, but that is list.
We were setup as a .27 at my last gig. Meaning anything they price too you at $100 I bought at $27.

Just big talk your account rep tell them you buy $10-15k a month and they will set you up and most likely never chck your account again
 
Ron said:
The key with Grainger is to get an account rep and talk to them and get your price setup.
Everyone talks about how expensive grainger is, but that is list.
We were setup as a .27 at my last gig. Meaning anything they price too you at $100 I bought at $27.

Just big talk your account rep tell them you buy $10-15k a month and they will set you up and most likely never chck your account again
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We just use CC right now for Grainger purchases. Wonder what tier we can get on with an account

If they have what we need there is a possibility, we spend that with Hilti and we are trying to get away from them, prices are rising and availability is getting worse. I know this may be the case for all suppliers but we are looking to spread it out so we can react.
We buy screws by the pallet and also concrete nails minimum of $2500 a pop.
We are looking at Bosch as a supplier for tools as their rewards programs and tools are better than Dewalt and service seems to be better.
 
jeepinmatt said:
95% of the employees at all of these places are just part number regurgitators, so don’t expect any of them to know if you need the special epoxy gun. Expecting any more than that is just setting yourself up for disappointment.
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Thats true to a point, For us the construction suppliers salesmen we had would research for us when we had a unique situation and provide a recommendation or two. They would come to our office to drum up sales. The current one tragically lost 60% of his arms and legs to a bacterial infection. He is working part time and sadly he is not what he used to be. By no fault of him. He is a great guy and known him for 20 years. Lots of experience. But the company he works for is crap too and he can't do anything about it.
 
What about that fella on here with the awesome Ace hardware? Would they do or entertain commercial accounts at that kind of volume?
 
Volume could be $2-10K a month depending on service and what they carry. Quality screws and tools at a reasonable price. We prefer one salesmen that is knowledgeable and can help us when we call one point of contact.

We buy scaffold, ladders, drills, concrete and steel nail guns, chop saws, chop saw blades screws by the pallet, occasional concrete anchors, caulk trach buggies, drywall dollies vacuums.
 
jeepinmatt said:
95% of the employees at all of these places are just part number regurgitators, so don’t expect any of them to know if you need the special epoxy gun. Expecting any more than that is just setting yourself up for disappointment.
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Is that a 2 door or 4 door?

2wd or 4wd?
 
CasterTroy said:
Is that a 2 door or 4 door?

2wd or 4wd?
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Earlier today at auto zone I said I need a transfer case pump seal for a 94 jeep Cherokee and he ask was 2wd or 4wd
 
I think i found one. Hayden, is a group of guys that worked for Ram tool, started their own after it was bought out. Thanks for everyone's input.
 
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