As a landlord , I have to make decisions about purchase orders for my property. I contacted grainger to get a quote on a case of freon and was told they could not give me a price because I was not a/c certified. I explained that I would be having my maintenance tech make the purchase and arrange delivery, that I was just confirming what company had the lowest price to expedite the process so that when he finished the job he was working on he would know where he was going to pick up the materials. I can understand not selling the products to unlicensed amateurs but not being able to quote a price to the person who has to make the decisions about where money is spent I promise you is a huge mistake. read more

Grainger did some soul searching or something because they are back! Needed a capacitor for an AC compressor. Called and talked to a very polite english speaking woman. They didn't have the exact part ,but she connected me with a technical expert that provided a compatible part. Who then connected me with the store to verify inventory and pull the part before I arrived at the store. Paid over the phone and the part was waiting for me. Back on the job site and part replaced before lunch was over. I am back to using Grainger as my first call. read more

If you can't find it anywhere else, try Grainger. I used to think the prices weren't that great, so I don't shop there often, but their selection is incredible, especially for professional grade or unusual tools. I found EXACTLY the right size wall/ceiling registers for replacing some 25 year old rusted parts. read more

Eval could easily have been 5 stars. Good products, good price, good web transaction. Product shipped to store. Now we get to the store. Only two people working and each is tied up with customers that need mechanical/electrical/plumbing "therapy". I was lucky, I was first in line, I only waited 10-15 minutes to pick up an item. There were 6 people behind me. 6 x 10 = 1 hour wait for the last guy... read more

It's probably not fair to review the local outlet for a national problem, but since the local store is my only option for a review, here goes. I ordered an item through their website to be shipped to this store. The delivery was promised for today (12/8). I called the 800 number after placing the order online, without any email acknowledging the order. The really helpful guy confirms my order and the expected delivery date of 12/8. FYI, I'll note that you can't contact the store directly, only the 800 number. So, today, before leaving to get the item, I call the 800 number. After a bunch of hunting and pecking ensue, the phone representative tells me that the item isn't even due to be shipped until the 12th of December. The lack of ability to contact the local store, the terrible online ordering experience, and the changing delivery dates mean that Grainger is no longer an option for me. There are plenty of other online outlets where I can find most of this stuff. read more

As the sun set with a nasty orange glow in the Austin Hill Country on October 31st, (ok it wasn't quite setting, it only being 3pm, but winter was coming and you know, the sun sets earlier and shit), I hobbled into Grainger on my bad leg and was faced with a screaming mob of nobody. Grainger sells industrial supplies, and lots of em, and nobody needs a crowd of people in there when you're buying your acetylene torches, chemical-resistant gloves, and warning labels for your chop shop. The point is there was only one guy in there, and he was happy to help. Unfortunately the guy could not help me. This huge, catalog thumping place - which by the way has since moved from Neils Thompson to near the Bingo parlor and the pink gorilla at the southwest intersection of Lamar and 183 - was devoid of the few paltry things I wanted. "I'm making a last minute Halloween costume, " I said, "but Airgas on Burnet barely had anything for welding." "We have lots of welding supplies." Dude pointed to the rows and racks of things they had partially hidden behind a big translucent plexiglass wall. Some of the items were up front, but most of them you had to look in their catalog to get, after which Dude would wander in back and fetch said selected item(s) for you. "Ok, I want these goggles, in green, and some big white gloves, and boots like these, but in this color." Dude scratched his head, and said "heh, no man, can't help you there. We do have this pretty badass construction helmet with the American flag and an eagle on it, though. And this one is in pink." Me, baffled: "Well I can't imagine those are a huge seller." Dude: "No, I think they probably discontinued them, but still." Me: "Ok, thanks for um... stuff." I limped Quasimodo-like out of Grainger, the smell of no sweaty bodies coming out of the immediately adjacent brand new Planet Fitness gym not wafting by, and climbed back into Jane, my trusty grey Civic. She purred to life as I turned the key in the ignition, but let's face it, it's a pretty new Civic, unpimped. You could have heard a pin drop. There were still costume parts to be had. As I drove off past the rest of the slowly changing industrial park wasteland that are most of the side streets of 183 thereabouts, unbeknownst to me, I would soon be getting a surprise visit from Mia Wallace and Tiffany B, bringing housewarming gifts of gluten-free goodness and cheer. And it wasn't even Christmas yet. read more

I come here for my home air filter replacement once a year. I now realize I should have visited more often while I was a contractor. They have a great staff and fun equipment on the floor display while you wait in line. Great place overall. read more

You shouldn't be coming here to shop around like you would at Home Depot or Lowe's. I daresay nobody ever buys anything from the storefront; colorful items are out just so you don't feel like you're walking into the cold concrete building that it is. I needed a new capacitor for my AC unit, and Home Depot and Lowe's don't carry such things. The staff was helpful, and I was out in ten minutes. Did I get overcharged? You bet I did! About 3/4X the capacitor's worth; the total cost was about $42. But when your AC is broken in the dead heat of a Texas summer, you don't want to wait two days for something to ship to your home. They got supply and demand going for them. Grainger is targeted at industries and businesses, so you have to visit them on a weekday during business hours. You could probably call in and ask if a specific item is in stock. There was a line when I went midday, so it's best if you can visit the store and corner a staff member to help you face-to-face. Cons - Crappy hours - Expensive pricing Pros - Has niche-y items in stock, or otherwise can order/ship rightaway read more

I was looking for Pro-flex 9000 and 9002 anti-vibration protective gloves. Google suggested that Grainger carries them. On Saturday, I phoned Grainger's 24/7 customer service number. I specifically checked on the store's hours, and asked if they had these two specific gloves, IN STOCK, and I was careful to specify that I meant in the store. They told me that they do. Now, I really need these gloves, immediately. I left work early Monday and went to get the gloves. They didn't have them in stock. I spoke with the manager, and she said, "Well, that doesn't mean we actually HAVE them". Not we have them HERE. I asked, what earthly good would it do me to have them someplace else. She pleasantly thanked me on the way out the door. They didn't have any OTHER anti-vibration gloves "in stock", either, and Grainger doesn't actually carry a very large stock of them. Also, the stock clerk I originally spoke with seemed perpetually confused. He had no idea what an anti-vibration glove is, and after viewing the catalog I can see what would confuse him, and he couldn't look up for example proflex 9000. This company are liars and they don't have a whole lot of actual stock. You should have seen the gloves they DID have, maybe ten kinds, all basic plain leather and what not that you could get in Home Depot or Walmart. read more

Grainger is proof that with good customer service people will pay any price. I've used Grainger for 15 years now, off-and-on. This supply chain deals with commercial/industrial items...motors, fasteners, electrical, tools, hvac, safety, etc. They have a good web service and are quick to ship, usually in a day or so...if it's not in Austin already. Actually...now that I think back...I recently had a small problem there. I walked in, ordered an item at the counter, and after a couple of days had not rec'd a confirmation email. I called and followed up. It appears the counter guy never submitted the order...it didn't exist. The woman on the phone was very courteous and apologetic, and Grainger picked up the tab to overnight the item to my house. It arrived about 8:30am the next day...keeping the job on schedule. They have a great catalog...maybe what they are best know for. If they weren't so expensive I'd give them 5 stars If you know exactly what you are after and your budget is tight then look elsewhere. But when time is money...Grainger comes through. read more

I tried a bunch of HVAC supply stores and none of them would sell me a capacitor. Grainger did. In/out in about 5 min with a capacitor that got my AC running for under $20. read more

Stopped in this morning because I didn't know they had a store in Austin. I order from Grainger online so I figured I could save some money on shipping. It was surprising to see how little was on display and honestly it was incredibly overpriced. The associates at the front didn't even acknowledge us or look up the entire time we were there. No "Hello" or "Can I help you?" They just ignored our presence. Its safe to say customer service doesn't exist here so unless you know exactly what you want and can look up the item yourself stick to the online experience. Hey guys,thanks for nothing! read more

I went to several places in Austin for an A/C Capacitor, and all of them said "Sorry, you have to be a licensed Contractor". Um, I've never bought a muffler and had someone said that I had to be ASE Certified to buy one. I'm very knowledgeable and careful with electricity, but it's not a safety issue; just an excuse to decrease competition. Grainger isn't having any of that. I was in and out in 10 minutes, with the part I needed, for under $17. The gentleman who served me was great; not talking down to me like I was an idiot. If I wasn't able to purchase this in Austin, I would have had it in 2 days from any number of online stores. For folks like Furgusons and Johnstons; wake up. For the rest of us, go to Grainger's. They'll take care of you. read more

Contrary to the previous review, I had a fantastic experience at this store. It's an industrial supply store, so don't think you're going to start shopping here routinely like you would at Lowes or Home Depot. I went in for a screwdriver that Home Depot didn't have (and the guy there sent me here to find it). The staff were fantastic and plentiful. Yes, the store was packed, but I can understand why. read more

I recently ordered by phone a pair of safety goggles from this company. They were to be delivered to this store and be ready for pickup the following day. When I arrived the next day, I found that the product was not there. However, a very efficient employee named Jesse escorted me to a counter. He checked in the computer to see if similar goggles were in stock. I also asked him about a respirator. He went back into the warehouse and returned with several kinds of goggles and respirators. I tried each and then selected the products just right for me. I was very grateful for his knowledge about them and for his polite manner in treating customers. read more