4 ms·

Sort of like how in the mechanical world you just order from McMaster-Carr.

by TylerE 4y ago

reaperman 4y ago
Yes, actually a lot like that, because in the mechanical world you'd order from either McMaster-Carr or Grainger. They're largely equivalent in broad strokes, no one would fault you for favoring one over the other. In 2015 that was the exact same situation for DigiKey and Mouser. Small differences, both have great selection, great service, competitive prices. This would be like either Grainger or McMaster-Carr just shitting the bed. It would be shocking to hear a consensus of serious mechanical engineers saying "When people order from Grainger, that's a huge red flag for me."
- exmadscientist 4y ago
  It's also interesting because all four of these companies cater to professionals. And as a professional you never want to be talking to customer service, even if it costs you extra. I don't think I know how to contact Mouser CS, because I've never had to. And I buy a lot of parts. Enough that we've spent more on overnight shipping this year alone than the article's entire spend. I'm guessing that's related! But I do know how to find Digi-Key's customer service, and I'm growing increasingly annoyed with them as a company. Not dropping them or anything rash. Just... annoyed. Their continued misadventures with their same-day shipping deadline have cost me a lot of money. So yay! Parties all around!
  - op00to 4y ago
    For all of these 4, your customer service is your sales rep.
  - joshvm 4y ago
    Mouser customer service (at least 5 years ago) as a big purchaser (University) was excellent. They would do things like screw up an order and then send the replacement free of charge, even for $300 parts. But then the uni order book was probably hundreds of thousands if not millions a year, so it's nothing on their margins.
    - TylerE 4y ago
      > They would do things like screw up an order and then send the replacement free of charge, even for $300 parts. This is supposed to be impressive? What would be impressive would be not screwing up the order in the first place.
      - joshvm 4y ago
        Ah I misspoke - in this case it was our fault. We accidentally ordered a camera with the wrong serial interface and Mouser just shipped the right one.
- iancmceachern 4y ago
  For most design MEs I think Grainger is actually a red flag, in the same way digikey is to mcmaster, grainger, MSC, etc. are to Mouser etc. It's of course different for ops, manufacturing and facility folks, thats mainly grainger, uline, MSC, etc. For design McMaster, Digikey and Misumi are thr core go-to's For ops and facility maintenance it's different
morninglight 4y ago
Grainger has a local rep and that makes a big difference for us. We are always biased towards local support, even when there is a reasonable price differential. It can save your bacon if you have any questions/problems before or after the sale.
deleted 4y ago
[deleted]

Sort of like how in the mechanical world you just order from McMaster-Carr.

by TylerE 4y ago

Sort of like how in the mechanical world you just order from McMaster-Carr.

Yes, actually a lot like that, because in the mechanical world you'd order from either McMaster-Carr or Grainger. They're largely equivalent in broad strokes, no one would fault you for favoring one over the other. In 2015 that was the exact same situation for DigiKey and Mouser. Small differences, both have great selection, great service, competitive prices. This would be like either Grainger or McMaster-Carr just shitting the bed. It would be shocking to hear a consensus of serious mechanical engineers saying "When people order from Grainger, that's a huge red flag for me."

exmadscientist 4y ago
It's also interesting because all four of these companies cater to professionals. And as a professional you never want to be talking to customer service, even if it costs you extra. I don't think I know how to contact Mouser CS, because I've never had to. And I buy a lot of parts. Enough that we've spent more on overnight shipping this year alone than the article's entire spend. I'm guessing that's related! But I do know how to find Digi-Key's customer service, and I'm growing increasingly annoyed with them as a company. Not dropping them or anything rash. Just... annoyed. Their continued misadventures with their same-day shipping deadline have cost me a lot of money. So yay! Parties all around!
- op00to 4y ago
  For all of these 4, your customer service is your sales rep.
- joshvm 4y ago
  Mouser customer service (at least 5 years ago) as a big purchaser (University) was excellent. They would do things like screw up an order and then send the replacement free of charge, even for $300 parts. But then the uni order book was probably hundreds of thousands if not millions a year, so it's nothing on their margins.
  - TylerE 4y ago
    > They would do things like screw up an order and then send the replacement free of charge, even for $300 parts. This is supposed to be impressive? What would be impressive would be not screwing up the order in the first place.
    - joshvm 4y ago
      Ah I misspoke - in this case it was our fault. We accidentally ordered a camera with the wrong serial interface and Mouser just shipped the right one.
iancmceachern 4y ago
For most design MEs I think Grainger is actually a red flag, in the same way digikey is to mcmaster, grainger, MSC, etc. are to Mouser etc. It's of course different for ops, manufacturing and facility folks, thats mainly grainger, uline, MSC, etc. For design McMaster, Digikey and Misumi are thr core go-to's For ops and facility maintenance it's different

morninglight 4y ago

Grainger has a local rep and that makes a big difference for us. We are always biased towards local support, even when there is a reasonable price differential. It can save your bacon if you have any questions/problems before or after the sale.

deleted 4y ago

[deleted]