Msc/enco Worried?

I will never understand what the big deal is for some of you!

I had one issue, and that was because I had a pre-existing MSC account that prevented me from logging in when my ENCO account was ported over (same email address).

I've ordered a few things and the only difference I've seen is that MSC doesn't have the free shipping offers running all the time. Personally, I don't think that's a bad thing because I have more than a sneaking suspicion that is what drove them under.

Good luck with finding a different place to buy stuff from that's any better.

  • kbc - bad website, ok price
  • Travers - website is worse than kbc, has a lot of no name brands and good brands are more expensive than other suppliers
  • Wholsale Tool - decent prices, ok website, a lot of no name stuff
  • Penn tool - selection is pretty limited in some areas, the new website is bad, but still way better than what they has a few years back
  • McMaster - some times they have good prices some times they are ridiculous, Iv'e never cared for the ambiguous house brand they have going
 
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Dan_S said:
I will never understand what the big deal is for some of you!(snip)
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Multiple bad transaction experiences combined with high prices and poor and inadequate product descriptions -- for a start.
 
I was able to get my new account set up and I am getting a discount off regular list. I am not sure how competitive that will be. I will definitely be price comparing with other sources.
Robert
 
Dan_S said:
You are really not going to like a lot of the others then, a lot of them won't even give a manufactures part #.
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I have looked at the catalogues and online stores of just about everybody out there, and have bought a thing or two from quite a few sellers. You are correct, Dan, that other sources of supply also have issues that are not acceptable. This thread, which I started, is about MSC/Enco.

I have no idea how big of a percentage of total business hobby-machinists and small commercial shops are to these supply companies. Probably not too big at most suppliers. Regardless, most companies want to get and keep every customer they possibly can, alienating nobody who might spend money there. A hobby machinist is much more likely to pay attention to the dollars he is spending and how he is being treated than a buyer for a large corporation, who is likely coddled nicely anyway. Hobby machinists are spending discretionary income on their purchases and can stop buying completely at any time if they so desire. I know how to do that...
 
Enco was my primary place to shop aside from ebay, I am sad they are gone but I can live without. I personally love MSC.

Yes MSC's initial advertised prices are high but for me I find better prices from MSC than at most machining related suppliers. I might find better prices on Amazon but only for very little as they don't carry much. MSC has almost everything.

I've been buying from MSC as long as I have from Enco but not nearly as much. Not sure how MSC's account discounts work but when I log into my account the price is cheaper on pretty much everything.

There used to be a Rutland local to me that I used to go to. MSC bought out Rutland & moved the location to a bigger building even closer to my home. My salesman at Rutland moved to MSC as well. My salesman always takes care of me, gives me a further discount when he can, & I never pay for shipping, not even on freight items.

For example, the last item I purchased a few days ago was a spindle lock for my mill, $99 listed on their website. Log into my account & my price is $69. My salesman further discounted it to $55. Had to be brought in from a east coast MSC warehouse but no charge for that. Of course the level of discount depends on the specific item but I never even look at they sales/discounts/free shipping anymore.

I was just at KBC this last Friday. Was 1.25 hrs drive each way. Worth it as I went to pick up a machine that was $200 off & no one else carries. That specific location looked old on the inside but not on the outside, not very organized. I only buy from KBC when I need to. Otherwise I'll look elsewhere first & usually find a better price & service.

I also have a Travers that is not far from my local MSC which is very close to me. I personally hate Travers. They're not helpful, kind of rude, & their prices aren't that great. Maybe cause I don't work for a shop and am just a hobbyist is why I get treated thag way. But MSC treats me very well, shop or not, and from every guy behind the counter there.

I guess I'm lucky to have a MSC outlet local to me to save on shipping. But even if I didn't I would still buy from them. MSC is my #1 now (aside from Amazon & ebay) but Nemic is my #2. They have great prices but they don't carry a alot & their website is not that great IMO.
 
I'm just thankful that I got a lot of my must haves that I would buy from Enco before the end. I will miss the 20% off with free shipping deals. Great when buying a few small items as shipping can kill you, take McMaster-Carr for example.

When I do have to buy in the future I doubt I will buy from MSC. I have a local supplier that has better prices than MSC and no shipping so lucky there. I do miss Enco though.
 
I think many of the suppliers are realizing what the combined business of the small and home shop business is. I would point to the large investment in hand out tools many suppliers are and have given to the YouTube channels. They would not be sending out large gift boxes and product samples aimed directly at this market if they did not value the business.

Aside from that Ive had nothing but trouble with MSC, promised discounts not applied, failing to honor shipping discounts. I also find their pricing to be high and the 30% off codes only apply to large purchases. This tells me they are not interested in the small shop trade


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I don't even look at MSC's discount codes anymore. 90% of the time they don't even work for me. My salesman said he's tried applying them to my orders, sometimes my price with my account is cheaper than when the discounts would normally get you. Yes I do know their price tactics are much like Grainger, Zoro, Fastenal, etc where some of their prices are higher than retail but I never pay those prices.

Here's a test....I'm just curious. I currently have these 2 items in my cart with no codes applied. What prices do you guys see on them?

Item #00265389 Starrett 91C tap wrench. List $120.24, my price $98.40

Item #46820825 Pferd 10" file. Qty 10 min order, list $24.78ea $247.80, my price $156.10

$98 for the 91C is cheaper than anywhere else I have found online. Starrett sells it for $116. I see then on ebay for $100 used.
 
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