The prices are high, but the things are top notch and are mostly made in the USA. UU. I used to have a Fastenal account, but after a few years, there was a minimum annual sales requirement that was well above what I would use. But I could still buy cash at the store.
Today they told me that they only sell to people with accounts, but if they order online, they can pick it up there. I'll have to look into that. Our local Fastenal closed its doors to the public last year. Grainger was also local. A larger company bought them, took them to the parts counter and got rid of the telephone service.
Now you can only place an order online and you have to know EXACTLY what you need and they will ship it to you. I was there when they were making the changes and I came in through the back door, they had the callers working. The guy asked me if they could help me, he said I needed them, I had the O-rings in my hand. He said he was sorry, you had to place an order online.
I looked at him like he had three heads, told him you can't help me and he said no. I said I guess I'll take my business elsewhere. I'll never go back there. For me, a local place, Fastener Warehouse, has a huge inventory and allows you to wander down the aisles and choose what you need or help you find it. Their main activity is shipping or delivering large orders, but they are always ready to help the small buyer.
It is a family business; the owner is from a family of dairy farmers in Maine.
