G-10

[Meriachee]

Last week I sent an inquiry to McMaster-Carr about obtaining a piece of G-10 so that I could build a nice base for a foot block and angle it properly towards the back winch. In short, here is the response they sent:

Due to the complexity of U.S. export regulations, McMaster-Carr accepts international orders only from our established customers. This decision also applies to orders shipping within the United States, because it is based on the final destination of the items. We will not provide a quotation or accept your orders.

I would like to understand where the turmoil is in Canada that has caused this sudden complexity in the US regulations about sticking a piece of fibreglass in an envelope and stuffing it in the mail.

Needless to say, this was a finely worded email to wake up to on a rainy Monday morning, it certainly reinforces the perception that customer service is a thing of the past, and that the best way to get things done is the tried and true way of making a mold and building the things myself. What a crock.

Cheers
Gary

 

[cb32863]

From the e-mail text you posted, it is in regards to US Export Regulations, not turmoil in Canada. This does not sound like a customer service issue but more of a regulations issue. Did you happen to e-mail them back asking what the main issue was? Did you look in to the export regulations in order to get a better understanding of the issue? From what I read in your post, not a crock but, a company doing what it is legally obligated to do. Just my perception of your post.

 

[Ross]

I do business with McMaster-Carr frequently and their customer service is first class. In this case they politely informed you that the cost of engaging in the export of small orders to new customers is prohibitive .

 

[Bob S]

You should be able to purchase G10 through a Plastics Distributor closer to home. McMaster Carr is a great resource but not the only one. Google industrial plastics and call someone close by.

 

[Meriachee]

They may be a great supplier, but not so much if you don't live in the US. I do not for a minute buy into the regulations commentary. If that we're the case, DigiKey would be impossible to deal with. At the end of the day, I found a better solution, and the fit and finish will be much better.

 

[Merlin Clark]

I made my own long before G-10 was offered.
Lay out a sheet of plastic then start doing your lay ups. I find using a paint pan and dipping the fiberglass works well and saves a lot of time over brushing the resin on.
Check each layer for bubbles and work them out with a laminating roller.
It won't stick to the plastic sheet and that side will be nice and smooth.

 

[Meriachee]

I've been making glass parts for years. I wanted to use my new little mill and try something different. So, I'm going really different and using polyethylene block for a mold and the mill will get used in the process. Two identical, exact risers coming up!

 

[Merlin Clark]

I've been making glass parts for years. I wanted to use my new little mill and try something different. So, I'm going really different and using polyethylene block for a mold and the mill will get used in the process. Two identical, exact risers coming up!

Please post pics! It's great to see what people do/ make for themselves.

 

[Meriachee]

Will do. I'm getting the poly tomorrow, but the shape will have to wait till the foot blocks get here. We know how stuff manages to be a few thou short when you don't use the actual parts to verify the measurements

 

[StinkBug]

Sounds to me like they are using the customs restrictions as an excuse, and it's a good one. I sell products and occasionally have customers order from Canada. Even though you guys are right next door it takes me 3-4 times the paperwork to ship stuff up there and it costs a ton as well. I choose to continue to service my customers, but if I were paying employees to deal with the bullshit I'd think twice. Seems to me McMaster has made the decision that the extra money and labor involved in shipping across the border outweighs the profits generated. That's a fair decision on their part, and though I understand it's frustrating to you, I dont think it's bad customer service. It's simply business.

 

[rgranger]

Amazon.com has it

http://www.amazon.com/Garolite-Plas...slucent/dp/B006VYGUDK/ref=pd_sim_sbs_indust_3

 

[Meriachee]

I was more put off by the tone of the email than much of anything else. Not everybody is prepared to wage gee-haad with a block of fibreglass and a bag of stainless screws, yet we all have to be painted with the same brush.
Either that, or it's a scandal by the crew of the c&c that we regularly spar with.

 

[mitiempo]

McMaster Carr said the same thing to me in an email like yours 5 years ago, so it's not a new policy.