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Amazon Supply

amazonsupply.com

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Re: Amazon Supply

#41

Post by jrockway »

eru wrote: post #39
jrockway wrote: post #34

This is nice. I've occasionally wanted a big bar of copper, but I've never known where to buy it. (The links to McMaster, however, are probably the most helpful thing to come of this product announcement.)

Interest: what do you need that bar for?

Nothing. I just like copper.

Re: Amazon Supply

#44

Post by weavejester »

Natsu wrote: post #43
SeanLuke wrote: post #42

First thing I checked for was Nitinol. The awesomest alloy on the planet.

Care to explain more?

One interesting property of nitinol is that it remembers a preconfigured shape when heated to a certain temperature: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7jjqXh7bB4

Re: Amazon Supply

#47

Post by sliverstorm »

HeyLaughingBoy wrote: post #23
amac wrote: post #15

I work for an Industrial Supply company and have monitored this since they bought SmallParts. Needless to say, Industrial Supply is a low margin, volume business that requires high service levels. Most Industrial Supply companies sell the same products, there really isn't a differentiator. As always in retail, price, selection and availability are crucial in making sales. This is a good match for Amazon, and obviousl…

Don't underestimate the benefit of physical presence. When I need something now , it is a huge benefit to be able to walk into Fastenal and buy it on the spot. Also, metal is heavy, again using Fastenal as an example, I can order online and pickup instore without paying shipping. Prices are higher than onlinemetals.com, or speedymetals.com but the convenience and no shipping cost often trumps that.

Well, you are a single 'end user'. Perhaps Amazon is hoping to go for slightly larger operations that keep a buffer of stock on hand, like small fabrication companies?

Re: Amazon Supply

#48

Post by jaredmck »

durkie wrote: post #32
joezydeco wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My office is in the Chicago area, near O'Hare airport. Heavy industrial area which explains a lot... =)

I think they also have a big Chicago warehouse. We get the same thing living in Atlanta, and it blew away a bunch of clients that were down here working on a project that we could just drive to McMaster and get something within an hour at will-call. I like Amazon alright, but I love McMaster. Hope they can keep it going.

McMaster's HQ is in Chicago area, Elmhurst IL - they also have a major warehouse in Atlanta (and NJ, LA, Cleveland I think, maybe others)

Re: Amazon Supply

#49

Post by qq66 »

tesseract wrote: post #5
sakai wrote: post #4

McMaster Carr must be shuddering right now.

This looks like a rebrand of SmallParts which Amazon bought a while ago. Pricing and searchability were always worse than McMaster and it doesn't seem dramatically improved now.

McMaster Carr is 111 years old, so they take a longer-term view. Imagine what this may be in 5 years, and 20, if Amazon keeps improving it.

Re: Amazon Supply

#50

Post by excuse-me »

sakai wrote: post #4

McMaster Carr must be shuddering right now.

McMaster Carr keep all the profitable commercial customers who need guaranteed delivery. and Amazon clears out all the low profit/high cost - need an occasional bit of something for a project - type customers.

Selling books/video online rather than in a store was a breakthrough area when Amazon got into it, ordering parts and materials isn't a new idea - Amazon is a lot less disruptive in this area.

My guess is that the biggest hit will be small specialist model/hobby shops, but unless you are in a few big cities there aren't any of these anyway.

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