I went to 2 different Fastenal stores looking for some bolts to finish my Rack and Pinion job, but they no longer allow walk in customers in. It's all call in orders (and not little things like most customers like me) and you have to pay with a card. They accept NO cash! I also asked about shipping things and was told that was changing as well. I guess I'll have to order online then. Makes no business sense to me. The local store always had a few people in at all times. Now ,the parking lot is empty.. This is a crazy world anymore..
That's nuts, pun intended. I've never been in the Fastenal locally because we have a shop called Diamond Screw and they have had every nut, bolt and washer I've ever needed.
Same here. I no longer use them for work supplies. If I have to order, McMaster-Carr is far more convenient.
Yea I couldn’t figure out their business plan last time I dealt with them either. Strange but I think hugger is correct, they went wacko after the covid debacle
99% of their business has always been stocking factories and other local industrial type places. The stores are a mini warehouse for that side of the business. There's no money for them with walk ins, never has been...
If I need something out of the ordinary I generally use McMaster-Carr. Not cheap, but I can usually get it the next day, via UPS. For the standard grade 8 hex head bolts, washers and nuts I go to Menards and buy in bulk. I gave up on Fastenal several years ago.........
I have a great relationship with my local Fastenal.. The manager is a car guy, which helps and Wendy, the lady who does the shipping for me is great.. Yes, during covid they closed the doors to walk ins.. and I think they found that it really did not hurt they bottom line, as was stated, they have always been more industrial oriented. My place is very cool.. I want to drop something off for shipping, and the documents not there yet, or Wendy is not around to figure out the charges.. no biggy, we will catch you next time. Can't get by to pick something up for a few days.. no problem they store it for me.. I've developed a "walk in the back door" relationship with them over the last decade. And with an account, the pricing can't be beat... easily a 30-50% discount over other online sources or the local hardware store.. if you compare the same products.. most online retailers substitute low cost offshore product to appear to be "cheaper"... Fastenal gives you full disclosure about the country of origin for the parts... I buy converter bolts and washers from them by the hundreds, all of them American made. But as with every business like this with many locations, a lot of how it's perceived by the general public depends on the people running that branch. I have went into other branches over the years, and encountered less than friendly, and sometimes not very knowledgeable, people running the place. JW
Yes its the local management that falters.Here we had a plce in the next county and it was good.Moved a lot closer to me like less then 10 minutes.So I go there and they do n't ship,they take your info they give you the trucking co. that I will use and that's it, I will have to deliver my parts to the truking co..So I told him Wha do I need you for that,you get a cut of my $ for doing nothing? Bruno.
I agree 100%. It was a handy store to stop in and buy tools and other supplies. Our local store is still stocked. Someone will meet you there if you want to get something. Maybe you should get in touch with the local sales rep.
I have one close to my house and another by where I work. The one by my house only deal in selling by the box. The one by my job has a walk in counter for small purchases. I also have a tractor supply store near me that have a variety of bolts. We use to have an Ace that had all kinds of nuts and bolts, even polished button head bolts, they closedown to be replaced by a circle K which has other gas stations within 1/4 mile of it.
I used to go there to buy stainless bolts, nuts, washers and odd bolts I needed. Now, I need a kinda hard to locate bolt for my Wilwood brakes and the Rack conversion kit. It's a tapered head, hex bolt 1/2' -13 x 4 inch bolt. Your typical Lowes, Home Depot or Menards doesn't have them or if the do.. it's not in stock. I order from Mcmaster Carr and just lately found a place called the Bolt Depot.. Looks like I'll just have to adapt to the new times now..
Circle K is taking over here in Alabama. Every time I turn around they are building another one! They have two right across the street from each other! And some, like you said, within a 1/4 mile of each other. Back to Fastenal… We had a great one not too far from my house but for some unknown reason, they closed it.
They seem to be all over the place and don't seem to sell much. I went in a few months ago and they said I had to tell them exactly what I wanted....I said not sure....no browsing now. Are they still best place to ship larger items? I shipped a few large outboard motors a few years ago with no issues.
When we lived in Cape Coral (FL) we had a local Fastenal that was great. Now that we are in Naples, there are none near me. I now use Albany Fasteners in Albany Georgia. They are great and their product is top quality.
Interesting. I hadn’t had a need to visit the store in person in last few years. Not too surprising really. As others have said, I’d imagine walk-in business is not a lot of their volume. It was nice when I did need something but since there are several options closer by it would be rare that I go there for personal needs. For work, Grainger or McMasterr are pretty convenient with selection and most common items available next day.
The Fastenal here (las Cruces NM) has never offered "third party shipping". Am guessing they simply don't want the hassles associated with it. There is fine print on their website, stating that individual locations can "opt out" of the third party shipping. They have competition here, as well. Copper State and New Mexico Bolt and Screw.
