CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

WanMan · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 9668

McMaster-Carr came up on an AVS search relating to masking material for screen walls. I noted a particular product and proceeded to build and place an order for a sample material.

I never done business with them before, but when I chose to use a credit card I was stunned when all of a sudden the order was placed when I had not actually expected to be done with the checkout.

Noting I was a first time customer, I was not asked to create an account with them. Then I noticed no SSL indicator in my web browser (Firefox 3.6.8). For a company like this, which may have the most of its business transactions via P.O., the idea of a credit card system is unacceptable.

In fact, I not wonder if this site is even legit. I wasn't prompted for methods of deliver, nor even given a cost of delivery (just the product). WTF is that? I did get an email order confirmation, but this is about as wild as an online purchase can present itself.

BTW, the product ID is 88015K33 for anyone looking for some black velvet with adhesive backing. I will be comparing this to some flock I ordered here.

**ecrabb** · Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 11:00 pm Post subject:

McMaster-Carr is definitely legit, Wan. I've ordered from them before, and so have several people I know and work with. They've been around for decades and were always totally catalog/phone-based... They're an OLD company that existed LONG before the interwebs, and I think added their basic e-commerce back-end quite awhile ago - it's showing its age. I just looked, though and the window where you enter payment information was definitely SSL...

SC

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5198

I bought my aluminum uni-strut for my projector mounting from them. And have also bought various bits and pieces from them. Their catalog is HUGE!!

zaphod · Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Posts: 1808 Location: Cloverdale

we deal with them all the time here at work. crazy big catalog.

check out the lift carts. i'm trying to figure out how to work one into PJ ceiling installs.

jkruger · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 2434 Location: Carlsbad, CA

I buy from McMaster every day and spend about 5K/month with them. They are too legit for words.

Sparky015 · Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 12:30 am Post subject:

One of their distribution warehouses is about 10 minutes from my work. I normally order from them and do a will-call pickup. Incredible company. I buy all my nuts and bolts from them. Their website has really come along in the last 10 years as well. Definitely legit company. I buy from them over Grainger any day.

WanMan · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 9668

Well, this is good info. I wonder why I was not asked to setup a login, or the lack of SSL key in the browser. Very strange.

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 3:21 am Post subject:

Sparky015 · Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 11:09 am Post subject:

Wan, their login and pay process is a bit different than how most do it these days. The IT guys on here can probably better explain it, but it seems they use your browser cookies rather than a true login process. Probably not the most secure way, but keep in mind the majority of their biz is to companies, which is why the PO field is there.

perisoft · Joined: 29 Aug 2007 Posts: 2907 Location: Ithaca, NY

My company uses them a ton, and has since it was a different business and I was 0 years old. We could heat our house with McMaster catalogs. For me, asking if they're legit is like saying, "Hey, I was looking for a car and saw this Ford company web site... are they even real?" Smile

**kal** · Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 12:31 pm Post subject:

My only complaint with McMaster-Carr is that they no longer ship to Canada! (Only for long-standing customers). When I bought of stuff from them for my home brewery I had to use a US -> Canada mail forwarder.

Other than that I love this company. I love all the detailed info on their website too. Makes buying from 1,000,000's of parts really easy.

Kal

WanMan · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 9668

So, no one cares about the lack of SSL? Hmm, interesting ...

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5198

Sparky015 · Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 1:16 pm Post subject:

I guess it never really bothered me much, especially when I generally place the order and then pick it up from Will-Call within 30 minutes. Just something about the locality that never made me think of lack of SSL.

You should see inside this place. They just have guys on skid steers with onboard computers, and they just go around grabbing parts for orders and dumping them on this conveyor belt system that looks like something from the Jetsons. Next time I'm in there to pick up an order, I need to snap a picture or two. Pretty amazing.

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5198

You must be skimming and not reading...

THE PAYMENT SITE DOES USE SSL.

There...maybe he will see that.

Sparky015 · Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 2:07 pm Post subject:

I think we posted at the same time, so I didn't see your last.

zaphod · Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Posts: 1808 Location: Cloverdale

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 3:42 pm Post subject:

WanMan · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 9668

WanMan · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 9668

Ok, this one continues to be bewildering. When FedEx delivers with the pair of guys [that I do not trust], the packaging always shows up damaged. I previously refused an item and these two conduct their FedEx Ring & Run sh*t. Today, they really wanted to make sure I didn't catch them and they got lucky--couldn't run down the stairs any quicker.

The McMaster-Carr item is delivered. The bottom of the box with six copper staples had five of them compromised as if someone wanted to get into it. The side of the box was a bit crushed as if someone kicked it with a steel-toed boot.

And yet I ordered this thing yesterday at 5PM my time, posted this thread, got an order confirmation at 5:56PM yesterday with no idea how it was going to come, and now at 3:28PM the next day it is here, beat up but here.

This is by far the strangest ordering and delivery experienced I've ever had. Smile