Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: McMaster exposed

Lew,

There have been so many posts on this topic already that I'm not sure I
can add anything useful. Also, it seems to be a surprisingly contentious
issue and I'm not in the mood to fend off a lot of venomous criticism
from folks who have McMaster-Carr on their "list". All that said, what
you need to do to get a catalog is to write a letter, laser printed
(envelope too), on bond company letterhead if at all possible, something
like this:

***

McMaster-Carr Supply Company
P.O. Box 440
New Brunswick, NJ 08903-440


Dear Sirs,

Our firm has recently opened a new engineering office in our plant, and
we would like to recieve a copy of your most recent full line catalog
and a credit application form. Attached please find our bank information
and trade references. If you require any further information, don't
hesitiate to call or write.

Sincerely,


_______________________
Lew Best, Purchasing Mgr.
Best Coin Laundry Mfg., Inc.
<street address>
<city>, <state> <zip+4>
<phone>
<fax>

Enclosures: Credit Information

LB/m (my wife, a long time secretary before we got married, explains
that this means that "LB" dictated the letter, and "m" typed it)

***

The next page (laser printed on copier paper) should be something like:

***

CREDIT INFORMATION

Best Coin Laundry Mfg., Inc.
<street address>
<city>, <state> <zip+4>
<phone>
<fax>

Bank:

Third National Bank
<street address>
<city>, <state> <zip+4>
<phone>
Routing Number: xxxxxxxxx (the first nine digits on the bottom of your
checks between |: and |: )
Account Number: xxxxxxxxx (the last nine digits on the bottom of your
checks before the ||' )

Trade References: (you need at least two)

Manhattan Supply Company
<street address>
<city>, <state> <zip+4>
<phone>
Account Number: xxxxx

Acme Detergent Co. (or whoever else you're on terms with)
<street address>
<city>, <state> <zip+4>
<phone>
Account Number: 123...

Ozone Electrical Parts Distribution
<street address>
<city>, <state> <zip+4>
<phone>
Account Number: 456...

***

A nice finishing touch would be to use a postage meter rather than a
first class stamp. They may (but probably won't) call your bank to
determine if your account is real and your trade references to ask about
your credit worthiness (typical info is credit limit, highest balance,
and average number of days to payment).

All this may or may not get you a catalog. Whether or not McMaster's
catalog policy is wise or fair is unimportant, it's just the way things
are. MSC and McMaster are two different companies even though their
product lines somewhat overlap. MSC has "specials", mails out monthly
sales flyers, a $25 minumum order, and solicits business from
individuals. Several years back, when they added guaranteed one-day
delivery, MSC shipped me a box containing two coffee cups and a copy of
the previous day's New York Times to prove their point. I like MSC a lot
and buy most all of my tooling from them (although I haven't bought much
of that for the last 3-4 years). McMaster has none of the above and I
like them best of any company I have ever dealt with. They have almost
anything you could want in stock, and even if you order at 4pm, it still
comes the next day.

Anyway, just some thoughts on the matter. Good luck with your new shop!
My biggest client builds industrial washing machines and it's a good
"clean" business ;) .

Matt

LEW BEST wrote:

> "From: LEW BEST [mailto:bcl@...]
> Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2001 11:41 PM
> To: atl.sales@...
> Subject: catalog
>
>
> Hi
>
> I'm in the process of setting up our repair/maintenance shop for our
> Laundromats. I've had you recommended as a supplier for our machine shop
> supplies.
>
> We're not a big operation, will probably order mostly online but would like
> to get a catalog to keep at the shop. I have a computer at the shop but not
> internet access (online at home only) and feel the catalog would be a
> valuable reference source at the shop.
>
> Would it be possible to get one? I've been told it's available on CD,
> either that or paper would be great.
>
> Thanks
>
> Lew Best
> owner, Best Coin Laundry"