I've been a customer since 1991. When I ordered Lawrence Metal Products pedestrian barriers in 1991, I asked for a catalog. They wouldn't send me one. So I told them to cancel the order or send me a catalog. They decided to send a catalog. Today, I asked for a catalog. I got the same smarmy reply from three people: "I apologize, but we print a limited supply, so we don't have one available." "Don't have one available" isn't a necessary consequence of "we print a limited supply" without some interceding action like distributing all the catalogs. I went back and forth a few more times and didn't succeed in getting a catalog. I couldn't get anyone to say, "we won't send YOU a catalog" though that is clearly what they meant. Googling around a bit, I found that they seem to have an annual purchase threshold ($) that results in catalog automatically being mailed or not. So why don't they JUST SAY THAT? It's not clear why they don't allow their lower volume customers to BUY a catalog. That would eliminate the friction described above. Their smarmy stock response is extremely irritating and off-putting. I cancelled my pending order and will rebuild the order at Grainger tonight. read more

I have been a customer since 1991, across three different employers. McMaster was the first to have a great website for finding and ordering hardware and tools, and they are still knocking it out of the park today. They are very quick to respond to email inquiries, often within an hour. The range of inventory that they stock is truly amazing; if they don't have what you need, you can probably get along without it! Thanks read more

Absolutely the best! All suppliers should model their customer service, and stock ordering system. This place has everything under the sun and if they don't have it you don't need it! No seriously in my line of work you need things fast and don't have days to wait (Ahem, Grainger!) for a specialty screw, fitting, or tool,. McMaster will have it pulled and ready for pickup in usually about an hours time. now that's service. I think this is where they get all the pneumatic pistons and parts for Myth Busters! The catalog is huge and 99.9% of the items are in stock. Well hidden in Elmhurst if not for the 3' X 3' sign. I guess if your this good you don't need Signage! http://www.mcmaster.com/# read more

McMaster-Carr - Hardware Stores Near Me - Elmhurst, Illinois

Amazing selection of industrial supplies. Good prices and quick delivery. There is also a will call pickup at this location. Their website is easy to navigate and easy to find what you need. On-line ordering is also quick and easy. Had no problems when needing to return a item read more

I was referred by Piedmont and my alma mater to buy supplies here. Mixed feelings towards McMaster-Carr. When I first bought glue for welding, I had a good experience - The staff was very friendly and helped me to pick the right glue. However, for the second order, I have yet to receive the plastic-cutting blade that I ordered two weeks ago. McMaster-Carr, where is my blade? P.S. I will still order from McMaster-Carr, since it is the biggest industrial supplier. Nonetheless, I hope that it would keep up with the order better. Item(s): 4 Decor: N/A Service: 1 read more

I have been purchasing materials from McMaster-Carr for a few years, primarily as a small-partsmaker and hobbyist. The quality of their offerings is excellent, pricing is very reasonable, and shipping is quite fast. Only recently did I ever have a need to work with their customer service, and I was quite pleased. On a recent order, the products arrived in three separate packages, two of which were 6 feet and 8 feet in length due to the length of the bar stock I ordered. UPS of course charges additional handling fees for each "unusually shaped, or irregular package," and these separate long packages drastically increased the total shipping costs. The product could easily have been combined into one 4" mailing tube. I contacted customer service by email, requesting that in future orders they please consider combining such packages to reduce expenses for both McMaster-Carr and the customer, in packaging materials, time, and shipping costs. They replied almost immediately, apologizing and very generously offering a full credit of the shipping costs! This response is more than I expected, and certainly more than fair. I am very pleased to see that their quality products are matched only by their exceptional customer service, and I hope to increase my business with McMaster-Carr. read more

So first of all, I have only one experience to base this review on. I did my research on their website and found a butcher block counter top I wanted to purchase. I live locally so opted to get it in person rather than pay for shipping. I had no idea what I was getting into prior to going, and am thankful I read the other reviews about the tiny signage. I would like to add that you want to follow signs for will call (the second entrance) rather than "visitors". Once inside I could see that this wasn't a place where I could grab a cart, wheel it to the butcher block and grab one. All the orders are waiting at a will call service desk. The helpful man behind the counter explained that I could have places the order online and it would have been waiting for me (to do so, place your order on the website and under shipping click for more options and select will call). Since I hadn't done this, he sent me over to a wall of phones to place my order and I was told it would be ready in about an hour. After waiting nearly 45 minutes it wasn't ready, and since I had an appt I had to get to, I had to return the following day for pick-up. Overall, I am this far happy with the product and the level of customer service. Next time I'll place the order ahead of time. read more

The BEST service in the industry on anything you need. They deliver same day and never let me down!

This is the only online business I know of that does not calculate shipping charges before you buy. Not only that, but they don't give shipping options, either - they choose. I had to give my credit card info on good faith (my own fault) trusting that the shipping would be reasonable for my 8oz package. Instead, the shipping charges came to more than the price of the item! And they don't tell you for 2 days after it ships. Seems like a sleazy way to run a business. read more

where else you going to find that bulk quantity of butyl rubber sheeting or the correct aircraft-grade 4130 alloy steel tubing you've been dreaming about? damn you must really be busting some big jobs to need this stuff! read more

I have been ordering from here for over 10 years now. Great product, great customer service. Whether I call in my order or just show up, have it shipped or pick it up, I have never had a problem. I will continue to be a customer for many years to come. read more

The website interface was good for selection of parts but that's where the joy ended. McMaster-Carr's online website did not calculate shipping before signoff which means your card will be charged an undetermined amount. On top of that I made my order and heard nothing back from McMaster after almost ten days. I emailed to enquire about the tracking number for the shipment and received an automated message saying I would receive a reply in 2 hours. 2 days passed so I sent another email. Finally I received a reply that my order had been rejected because "Due to the complexity of U.S. Export regulations, McMaster-Carr only accepts orders from our established customers in Canada. We're sorry we can't help you." I constantly order from online websites that somehow manage to get parts over the border. This was unacceptable. It would be forgivable if they contacted me, listed this limitation on their website, or made any effort at all. As a result of this experience I have looked around to various review sites and found very low review scores across the board. read more

If you are in Canada - forget it - a quote form a recent email inquiring as to shipping costs: We will not provide a quotation or accept your orders. Lauren 330-995-5983 I think that their customer service, needs some "customer service" training ! read more

Terrible service. I arrived there an hour before close and they would not sell me the etrack. Made me pay for freight shipping the next day. Sales manager was super unhelpful read more

Good customer service and shipping. I live in Illinois and there are many things that hardware stores just don't have, 1/4 turn fasteners, random size drill bits the list goes on and on. I might be strange since i'm not a standard corporate customer and all my orders are personal use but I've put in 2-3 orders and always received them next business day with reasonable shipping charges. Unfortunately one of my last orders didn't work out perfect (instructions said to use one drillbit size and the fastener didn't fit in the drilled hole) when I finally got around to sending a message to them they remedied the situation quickly. read more

Total waste of time. Did a order on their website and got an e-mail telling me the could not ship to Norway due to the "complexity" of exporting out of the U.S. Tried another order within the U.S. and got declined because the final destination was not in the U.S. read more

I graduated from a small university in Chicago in 1981. I had management experience at several businesses while attending college. I majored in business management. I did a lot of research and applied for an entry level position at McMaster Carr. I received a letter and was granted an interview. I responded to the Elmhurst office. I checked in with the receptionist. The receptionist informed me someone would be with me soon. I waited In the waiting room for one hour. I was the only person waiting. I checked in with the receptionist one time before leaving. This type of horrible experience never leaves but motivates, even after 35 years. Im sure this occurred because I'm a black male. To bad for McMaster Carr they probably haven't changed their hiring practices. read more

I am one shipping error away from stopping all business with these doofusses. You don't have to look far to find someone complaining about how bad their freight policies are. I listed our shipping instructions on an order and they completely ignored them and not only went economical but went expensive on the carrier.. These were shop supplies, no rush. Why on earth would anyone ship Fed Ex Priority Freight in a case like this? Because they are doofusses. I contacted them and they said and I quote "We don't contact third party carriers" essentially translated, "I don't care what your instructions are, we're not going to follow them. " I had a lengthy conversation with them and they essentially said we will not service you the way you want to be serviced we will service you the way we want to. So I have now instructed my staff to avoid buying from them whenever possible and I don't know how many of you know, but if you look around almost everything they have you can buy for less someplace else. Grainger sells a lot of the same stuff for less and they follow shipping instructions but even they are not the lowest price in town. No one can accuse them of good customer service. read more

I used to be really enthused about McMaster Carr. However their policy now is that they no longer will tell you who makes the items they sell. So, if you want to spend $5,000 on a special machine, they won't tell you who makes it. Why would you buy something if you could not verify it is of the proper quality. Very bad policy in my view read more

Perhaps I am not a typical McMaster-Carr customer as everything I order is for my own personal use. I am fortunate in that since their Chicago area warehouse is in the town I live in, I can place an online order and just head to Will Call to pick it up. I've done business with them probably 20 times and have never had a bad thing to say. They're a great resource for odd fasteners that either aren't available at all in the big box stores are aren't available in the exact size/material I want. read more

Great one spot shopping for tools etc. and friendly service over the phone. The only negative thing is the dry sometimes, borderline rude, attitude you get from the will call personnel. read more

"I am so beyond irritated with this terrible company. I know many who order from here, but I just wish they could hear of my most recent purchase and the terrible customer service that I received. I called the company prior to ordering, placed a $19,000 order, had someone call me for questions and clarification the next day, only to have the order canceled on Friday evening after 5PM. Supposedly, they don't sell to distributors if they want to drop ship to their customer. They admit that this policy is not on the website and that their own staff are poorly trained on this subject. I had made it clear to both representatives that I spoke to that I was a distributer but neither was aware of this policy. So here I am on a Friday night with a PO for a very large order and I cannot even begin to order from another company until Monday, which happens to be Christmas week. The "head supervisor" even admitted that they had not even begun to order any of the items for an order that I had placed on Wednesday even though I had provided payment. Ridiculous! Stay away from this company if you can. There are plenty of websites out there that allow you to break the code for their item numbers so that you can order from a more honest and organized company. Buyer beware!" read more

Been using McMaster-Carr for years (long before the internet) and had only one error (they took care of it quickly and it wasn't a big deal). I think their service is outstanding. I can't believe how much stuff they have and all good quality. They are pricier than a local hardware store but they have what you're looking for and they get it to you fast -- I save money because of that. Their website must have been designed by aliens from a distant galaxy because there's just nothing else that even compares with it. It's simply the best website for ordering products ever conceived. read more