Why Buy in Bulk?

Recently, I was asked to supply four, yes four, bolts for a prospective customer.  Now, true, they were LARGE bolts.  Three quarter by nine inches long with a nut and a washer but still…..four.  Because it was a prospect that was sent to me by a friend and they also had the potential of being a future customer more in line with type that we have serviced for over 25 years, bulk buyers, I quoted.  No surprise I didn’t get the order because they didn’t realize the cost of only buying four bolts at a time but, there is a reason why those who buy in bulk receive such great discounts.
Bulk.  If buying in bulk wasn’t an industry unto itself, there would be no reason for the Walmart’s, Costco’s and Sam Clubs.   Problem is, the Walmart’s, Costco’s and Sam Clubs have been around so long that there are a lot of people who don’t remember when they didn’t exist.  They don’t know that when this Big Box type of storefront came along, those that started to patronize them were willing to sacrifice service and sometimes quality, which up til then was the best thing that a company/store could offer it’s customers, for price.  But at that time, people knew what they were getting and what they were giving up.  They knew that to get lower prices they were going to have to look for items themselves and otherwise sacrifice service that the company/store would normally pay product knowledgeable employees who would assist them with their purchases and make their shopping experience much more enjoyable.  For a short period of time, consumers had a choice.  Service or price.
Now, twenty years later, those days are hazy. The concept that companies would save on expenses by employing fewer people and allowing the consumers would do the labor that otherwise long term employees would do for them in order to pass the savings on to customers is long forgotten.  Younger customers don’t understand why they cant get the same 10% above cost discounts that Big Box offer and still get the quality service that higher priced products provide.  That there are business costs involved in hiring and training employees and sales personnel and unfortunately, those costs always are passed down to the consumer if the company is to remain solvent and healthy.

Needlepoint Zip Screws

When I first started in the fastener industry in the early 80?s, selling self tapping zip screws and tek screws, there were three very clear layers of distribution.  Importers, who brought the product from overseas who sold to Distributors who repacked the product into 200 pound kegs or 50 pound cases and sold to Contractors and Hardware Stores who sold 4 bolts.  In order to sell four bolts, they have to pass through three shipping departments (including freight charges) and billing departments in order to get to the consumer. But when you buy in bulk, 50 pound cases or more, those shipping and billing costs are distributed and shared throughout maybe 20,000 screws and not just 4.
There is a good reason why four bolts are so expensive.
There is a value in buying in bulk.

All Points Fasteners, Inc: How Would You Use Self Tapping Wood Screws?

All Points Fasteners, Inc: How Would You Use Self Tapping Wood Screws?: All hardware stores that are truly worth the name possess a large assortment of things like wood screws and nails and bolts and tools f...

How Would You Use Self Tapping Wood Screws?

All hardware stores that are truly worth the name possess a large assortment of things like wood screws and nails and bolts and tools for using these items. To make matters even far more difficult, each type of securer and tool may have a considerably unique method to utilizing it correctly. Let us consider a look at how you might possibly utilize wood screws as well as which you do not do using wood fasteners. The first thing to notice on wood fasteners is you receive individual tapping anchoring screws and regular wood screws. The self exploit fastener commonly is a lot less complicated to install and takes a lot much less function. All you need to do is make use of either a Philips or flat head fastener driver and set the point of the screw as a spot you desire it to be and start screwing. As you turn the actual screw driver the actual fastener could cut in to the wood and generate a hole for itself. Totally no drills required Then there is the regularself tapping  wood fastener. You will need a drill for this one. You will need to tag out all of the spots which you're going to want to put screws as well as drill a hole in the wood that is the correct size for the fasteners you are going to be using. Afterwards you need to go along and, though using the correct kind of screwdriver, screw all the fasteners in to place. The hazard using employing both kinds of fasteners is you don't get all of them in straight. A self exploit screw might quite possibly get picked skew by the grain of your timber or by you inserting unequal pressure on the screw driver as you turn it into the wood. If you help a drill afterwards you surely run a somewhat diminished chance of going skew as you are not being anticipated to place a lot of pressure on your drill to bite into the actual wood and the drill isn't likely to get pushed nearly due to the grain of the wood. As a substitute you risk using a drill bit that's a little bit too large for the anchoring fasteners you will in all probability be utilizing in the do-it-yourself project which implies that the fastener is not going to hold. Additionally you do ensure which you will get the ideal sort of fasteners with regards to the materials they're produced from. Some metals have a tendency to be far more corrosion proof than other plus some can leave an awful stain if you use them in wood because these folks react to the actual sap even now left in the wood. So first do some research and figure out precisely which you'll necessity and which type of fasteners you are going to be using. Choosing the best kind of screw for any job may possibly not be as basic as it appears once the professionals get it done. There are actually plenty of details to look at earlier than you devote to a certain wood fastener or nail for you particular do-it-yourself venture. If you're not sure, ask for help and get this correct.

All Points Fasteners, Inc: What Are Your Screws Called?

All Points Fasteners, Inc: What Are Your Screws Called?: The Round Washer Head design, which can also beidentified as wafer head screws, K-Lathe screws and modified truss screws, co...

What Are Your Screws Called?

The Round Washer Head design, which can also beidentified as wafer head screws, K-Lathe screws and modified truss screws, could quite possibly be the most multipurpose head design offered. It combines the benefits of the Pan Head design but has an attached washer built on to the head to increase head diameter.  This helps prevent overdriving in softwoods. General cabinet assembly, installation, hinges, metal drawer slides, wooden drawer guides, attaching lights and brackets are just a few applications where the Round Washer Head design is used. The addition of the washer provides maximum bearing surface to allow for "overdriving" the screw to tighten those stubborn joints easily. These Fasteners are also self tapping screws in that they tap their own mating threads and do not need pre threaded inserts like machine screws. It was originally designed for the construction industry to attach wood lathe and metal framing to 20 to 25 gauge steel studs  They also can be known as  plymetal because they can be used to attach plywood to metal. Thebig wafer head sinks into the plywood and has a large bearing surface. The length is measured from the top of the head. They are available in Philips drive  as well as square drive, which is At times referred to as Robertson drive.  They are available in stainless and well as carbon steel and with plain or painted heads. Also known as: Round Washer Head Needlepoint (zip screws) or Self-drilling (Tek Type) Screws Wafer Head Needlepoint (zip screws) or Self-drilling (Tek Type) Screws K-Lathe Screws Modified Truss Needlepoints (zip type) or Self-Drilling (Tek Type) Screws Sharp point - zip screws - or self drilling - tek type - screws, these screws are also self-tapping screws as they tap their own threads in to the materials they are used with and do not need to be used with a pre-threaded mate such as a nut or insert.