For want of a screw (not that kind)

On 11/3/2012 5:08 PM, MJ wrote:
> I have a Dewalt 321 top handle jigsaw. Over the summer, the screw
> holding
> the foot came loose. I thought I scooped up all the parts, and it
> appears I did
> but the damn screw, wasn't with the parts!
>
> I decided the other day to put the foot back on the saw and searched
> all over
> for the screw, but I didn't have it. Damn it.
>
> Took the saw today to the local ACE. They had a ton of choices, but
> no screw fit the hole. Ok, went on-line and it seems that most of
> the parts dealers have it, but I'm sure I'm going to pay $5 to ship
> it
> to me!. ARGH!
>
> There is no Dewalt service center nearby within a 25 mile radius, but
> I'll keep trying.
>
> Looking for suggestions. I don't know the thread or size of the screw
> since
> DeWalt doesn't list them on the part number. Fastenal has it, but the
> local
> one didn't have it in stock.
>
> Frustrating, to say the least.
>
> MJ
>

How much gas have you burned looking for that $5 screw?

On Sun, 4 Nov 2012 05:24:07 -0500, "Mike Marlow"
>Ugh! I read that this morning and the "Sheese" at the end does not seem to
>convey the same light hearted reply that it felt like last night. Best to
>probably just ignore it all - was meant to be more light hearted than it
>appears.

Of course. Anyway, we all know how single minded you are when you get
your teeth clamped onto a problem.

dpb <[email protected]> wrote in news:[email protected]:

*snip*

>
> I'd venture if a common machine screw doesn't fit it's metric (and
> actually I'd have ventured that as a guess, anyway).
>

My standard procedure is to try the usual sizes, and if they don't fit or
the fit is sloppy to give metric sizes a try.

Puckdropper
--
Make it to fit, don't make it fit.

In article
<[email protected]>,
MJ <[email protected]> wrote:
> Mike,

> My rant really was against DeWalt for choosing an odd thread/size screw
> to begin with.

But if it's a metric screw it isn't an odd size at all.

DeWalt sell to a world market. Why should they make a special version for
you Yanks just because you still live in the dark ages and insist on using
old fashioned imperial size screws?

--
Stuart Winsor

Only plain text for emails
http://www.asciiribbon.org

In article <[email protected]>,
Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet> wrote:
> DeWalt appreciates the fact the we Yanks can still work with fractions.
> They dumb it down for those that can only figure out whole numbers.

Touché

<g>

--
Stuart Winsor

Only plain text for emails
http://www.asciiribbon.org

On 11/5/2012 8:00 AM, Mike Marlow wrote:
> Leon wrote:
>
>>
>> Exactly why would a diamond not be able to be securely attached to a
>> piece of paper and mailed?
>>
>
> Ummmmm... it's a question of value.
>
>
>> But to get back on track, why do people assume that it takes less man
>> power and expense to ship an in expensive item vs. one of much more
>> perceived value?
>
> Because it does indeed take less effort and expense to ship a screw than it
> does to ship an anvil.
>


Does it? Both have to be handled. some one has to take the order, pull
the order, stock the part, create the bill, ship the part and the paper
work involved with that, and yes postage requires all of this too. And
while an anvil is heavier than a screw the people selling and shipping
the anvil are equipped to handle the weight.


But back on track, I mentioned screws and diamonds, about the same
weight and size.

On Sat, 03 Nov 2012 23:10:19 -0500, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
>How much gas have you burned looking for that $5 screw?

Who cares if he spends $50 for gas and uncounted hours finding the
right screw? It's not the gas or money cost that's important, it's the
principle of it.

:)

On Mon, 05 Nov 2012 20:47:22 -0800, Mike M
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On Mon, 05 Nov 2012 06:37:24 -0800, Larry Jaques
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>On Mon, 05 Nov 2012 07:54:10 -0600, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
>>wrote:
>>
>>>On 11/4/2012 10:26 PM, Larry Jaques wrote:
>>>> On Sun, 04 Nov 2012 22:16:09 -0600, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> On 11/4/2012 5:11 PM, MJ wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Oh come on... if it is really that difficult to find a screw locally, then
>>>>>>> why are you so cheap as to not just buy the damned thing? What are you
>>>>>>> going to save with all of this effort - a couple of bucks? Sheese...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> My rant really was against DeWalt for choosing an odd thread/size
>>>>>> screw
>>>>>> to begin with. I checked with Sears and they want $10 to ship
>>>>>> a $1 screw.
>>>>>
>>>>> Which begs the question, If you were having a smaller item than the
>>>>> screw shipped, say a 5 karat diamond, would you then think $10 would be
>>>>> too much for shipping?
>>>>
>>>> <g> Not quite fair. A screw could be secured to a sheet of paper and
>>>> mailed in an envelope for a buck. A diamond couldn't, securely,
>>>> anyway. Good vendors would consider the first and faint from the
>>>> second.
>>>
>>>
>>>Exactly why would a diamond not be able to be securely attached to a
>>>piece of paper and mailed?
>>
>>It couldn't be securely -mailed- that way, foo. ;)
>>
>>
>>>But to get back on track, why do people assume that it takes less man
>>>power and expense to ship an in expensive item vs. one of much more
>>>perceived value?
>>
>>I don't agree that the expenses for mailing are that high. I sell
>>things myself and if I can mail it in an envelope, the customer isn't
>>charged for the PM fees, ever!
>>
>>Show me a company who has to _spend_ ten bucks to ship a little screw
>>and I'll show you a company who overcharges for every item it sells.
>>And I won't be a customer of theirs. The value usually isn't there.
>>
>>LJ--cheap^H^H^H^H^Hfrugal bastid, and proud of it.
>
>I did service work for a major manufacturer of emergency backup
>equipment. There was no part including a washer with a price under
>$1.00 We did get them to start packaging installation kits so when
>you went into the field you had all the little parts. That was a win
>win as if it was warranty it saved them money as well. I know you
>don't like it Larry but while we were a service center we ran into
>some of those costs. 30 minutes dealing with people that didn't know
>what they needed to sell a $10 part. Its nice to be nice but you
>can't ignore overhead and operating costs. There were times we gave
>parts away just to save money, but sometimes the cost is subject to
>the customers attitude.

THAT I can understand. It's a $10 part but you want to charge $50 to
the guy on the phone who doesn't know his ass from a hole in the
ground and kept you on the phone for so long. I call that extra $40 a
training fee. ;)

--
While we have the gift of life, it seems to me that only tragedy
is to allow part of us to die - whether it is our spirit, our
creativity, or our glorious uniqueness.
-- Gilda Radner

I want to thank everyone who responded, either to denigrate me for
"whining" or taking this post way off base or trying to be helpful.
It's been interesting.

To me the simplest thing would have DeWalt just tell me the thread/
size
of the damn screw. I sent a note off to their customer service and see
if they will respond. Their parts manual doesn't give any indication
what the size might be.

Many of my fellow local woodworkers suggest I just tap out the hole
and then put a more normal screw in. That might work in the end.

If I get a response from DeWalt, I'll let everyone know.

Many thanks,

MJ

On 11/6/2012 10:23 AM, Mike Marlow wrote:
> Leon wrote:
>
>>
>> Several way to explain that. First, a screw in a 50 cent letter is
>> only $5 less expensive to ship than in a UPS box. Total all the
>> numbers and you save 10~15%. Shipping costs in not the only cost
>> factor. You don't get insurance on anything inside a USPS letter,
>> all of UPS has at least a minimal $100 insurance.
>>
>>
>
> Seems to me that the cheapest UPS rate I've seen over the past couple of
> years is at least $8 and generally closer to $13. That screw would mail via
> USPS for the same as a first class letter. That's a pretty big difference.
> But - even if it was only $5, the point remains that it is foolish to pay $5
> to ship something that should only cost $0.50. As for insurance - maybe
> some people do care about it on every shipment, but for a screw - I wouldn't
> lose a lot of sleep over that. That's one expensive insurance policy you're
> willing to pay Leon.
>
>>
>> Yeah but you are still missing the point. The cost of shipping an
>> item to a customer is much more expensive that simply what the
>> retailer pays for shipping.
>>
>
> No Leon - it is you who is missing the point. We are talking about shipping
> costs. The retailer (supplier) does not make profit on that cost - he
> simply passes it along.

He passes 15~20% of the cost on to the customer, some times less some
times more.


The cost of shipping is exactly what the retailer
> pays for shipping. The cost of handling is something different.


Gramted I am strictly talking S&H, that is why I am saying that the
total cost is much more that what the retailer is paying to have it shipped.

>
>>
>>
>>>
>>>> If we teach retailers to not expect to cover their true cost of
>>>> shipping a $1 part they are going to learn to not ship that kind of
>>>> product. If you want it, go and get it.
>>>>
>>>
>>> I don't think we're teaching retailers anything Leon.
>>
>> Your are kidding right? Have you noticed the quality of tools lately.
>> We are not going to pay more than what harbor freight charges and the
>> quality of PC, Milwaukee, Delta goes down to compete price wise.
>>
>
> Yeahbut - now you're really stretching this. We are not "teaching"
> retailers anything about shipping. They know that end of their business far
> better than either you or I, regardless of our experiences. Trust me - I
> have done multi-million dollar business with these guys and they know their
> business far better than we do. Let me assure you - you are not going to
> "teach" them something - or at least not much.

I was a retailer, I was a wholesaler, I was responsible for the pricing
policy.


>
>>
>>
>>>> Just because a person believes that it does not cost more than a $1
>>>> to create a sales invoice, pull the part, package it, and pay for
>>>> delivery does not mean that it does not cost much more.
>>>
>>> Like I say - that is a different argument.
>>
>> ???
>
> Leon - you keep going back to handling costs even though it has been
> explained to you that the comments have been about shipping costs. Don't
> you see the difference?
>

On Sun, 04 Nov 2012 22:16:09 -0600, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
wrote:

>On 11/4/2012 5:11 PM, MJ wrote:
>>
>>> Oh come on... if it is really that difficult to find a screw locally, then
>>> why are you so cheap as to not just buy the damned thing? What are you
>>> going to save with all of this effort - a couple of bucks? Sheese...
>>
>> Mike,
>>
>> My rant really was against DeWalt for choosing an odd thread/size
>> screw
>> to begin with. I checked with Sears and they want $10 to ship
>> a $1 screw.
>
>Which begs the question, If you were having a smaller item than the
>screw shipped, say a 5 karat diamond, would you then think $10 would be
>too much for shipping?

<g> Not quite fair. A screw could be secured to a sheet of paper and
mailed in an envelope for a buck. A diamond couldn't, securely,
anyway. Good vendors would consider the first and faint from the
second.

--
While we have the gift of life, it seems to me that only tragedy
is to allow part of us to die - whether it is our spirit, our
creativity, or our glorious uniqueness.
-- Gilda Radner

On 11/6/2012 2:58 PM, Mike Marlow wrote:
> Leon wrote:
>> On 11/6/2012 10:28 AM, Mike Marlow wrote:
>
>>>
>>> Leon - I don't think you understand the difference between cost and
>>> margins - which is how businesses operate.
>>>
>>
>> I understand and probably well enough to have run 3~4 businesses well
>> enough to retire at 40. I did not use generic spread sheets, I made
>> my own to tell me what I really wanted to know. ADP, our computer
>> company gave me "english" manuals so that I could get the computer to
>> produce reports that I wanted vs. what they were providing.
>>
>
> Leon - I do not dispute what you did in your career, I am only speaking to
> the obvious which is coming through in what you are arguing in this thread.
> You continue to go back to irrelevant points, and avoid the points presented
> to you. There is no argument about the need to cover the cost of handling
> materials. Never has been. The only point (as far as I recall...) is that
> there is no benefit to the wholesaler/retailer in shipping by more expensive
> methods. Has nothing to do with cost, profit, margin, spreadsheets, or
> retirement.
>
>> FWIW, age 28 I was running a parts department for a large Oldsmobile
>> dealer. GM loved to send in their experts to analogize my purchased
>> from GM vs. outside suppliers of GM parts. My sales and GP were
>> growing 20~30 percent each year from the previous 5 that we had been
>> in business. Three weeks the GM experts spent analyzing my pricing
>> policy, purchases and from whom I was purchasing, shipping costs etc.
>>
>> Day of reckoning with my boss and the dealer. It was suggested that I
>> decrease percentage of GP and pass the shipping cost straight on to
>> the customer with out mark up. This "might" increase sales.
>
> So... you were marking up shipping costs? Well shame on you Leon.

To help cover the handling costs! What in the world is wrong with
marking up shipping costs, vs. marking up products you sell?????

Seriously I never could quite understand why some people in business did
not mark up shipping costs to cover S&H. I never could quite understand
why some people in business paid a vendor for a service and pass it
directly along to the customer. And if you can find a reason to not do
so, your reason should also condemn a service company marking up the
labor performed by its employees and or marking up products you ship
directly from your supplier to the customer.

>
>
>>
>> Their words, other than that suggestion, that department is a
>> "screaming machine". They did not even suggest I buy more from them
>> than from the people that they sold to. Yes, I placed supplemental
>> stock orders from a company that they sold to and paid less for parts
>> than if I bought direct. I did loose return reserves to return
>> obsolete stock but it was also determined that my savings in
>> purchases were by far out weighing giving that up. My GM rep was
>> pissed because this 29 year old kid that had only been in the GM auto
>> business for 5 years seemed to know what he was doing.
>
> Ok - so you did well. You should be commended for that. But - you are
> still confusing handling with shipping, and now it seems you advocate
> marking up shipping. Cannot agree with you on that. BTW - I won't bore you
> with the sucesses of my career...

No, I am not over stating the obvious, I am using a blanket comment
about the cost of shipping. Call it what you want, S&H or simply
shipping cost.




>
>>
>> I'll not go into further details, promotions, and or other jobs but I
>> was pretty much successful from that point forward, till 40, then I
>> retired so to speak.
>
> Retired is a word we all hold in personal definition. Depending upon our
> needs, we can retire very early. Or... or we can call it retirement while
> we do other things to bring in the cash we need to survive... And of
> course - some can actually save/invest enough in the early years to
> actually, really, truely retire very early.

Ok, I work to keep myself busy. I have not had to work since I retired,
in 1995. 2 years after retirement my wife and I were totally debt free,
and have remained so except for a minimum amount 0% interest loan on her
new car to save an extra $500, saving a significant portion of her
paycheck up until August of this year when she retired at 54. So far I
have not touched or been able to touch my retirement money which would
keep us going for about 10 years buy itself. Her retirement benefits
are adequate for us to maintain our life style and remain in effect
until both of us die.

So I would say that I actually ,really, truly retired very early.

>
>>
>> Keep in mind that I have been out of that lime light for 18 years, I
>> may no longer use the correct terminology but I know how to make a
>> business grow, make a profit, and control expenses.
>
> I do not suggest otherwise. Remember my point - there is a difference
> between handling and shipping.

Yes there is except for what it costs the company bottom line. The more
ways you can increase your sales from each employee the better the
bottom line. Yes marking up shipping costs helps offset the expense of
getting the product to the customer.

On 11/6/2012 10:28 AM, Mike Marlow wrote:
> Leon wrote:
>
>>
>> The screw may still come in the 50 cent letter but the customer is
>> going to pay for the service of having it delivered to this door step
>> rather than him driving to the store himself, picking up the part
>> himself, and paying for it at the register himself, and driving back
>> home.
>> The cost that the customer pays for shipping is but a small percentage
>> of the actual cost of every aspect to ship that item. Much cheaper on
>> the retailer for the customer to come and get it.
>
> Leon - I don't think you understand the difference between cost and
> margins - which is how businesses operate.
>

I understand and probably well enough to have run 3~4 businesses well
enough to retire at 40. I did not use generic spread sheets, I made my
own to tell me what I really wanted to know. ADP, our computer company
gave me "english" manuals so that I could get the computer to produce
reports that I wanted vs. what they were providing.

FWIW, age 28 I was running a parts department for a large Oldsmobile
dealer. GM loved to send in their experts to analogize my purchased
from GM vs. outside suppliers of GM parts. My sales and GP were growing
20~30 percent each year from the previous 5 that we had been in
business. Three weeks the GM experts spent analyzing my pricing policy,
purchases and from whom I was purchasing, shipping costs etc.

Day of reckoning with my boss and the dealer. It was suggested that I
decrease percentage of GP and pass the shipping cost straight on to the
customer with out mark up. This "might" increase sales.

Their words, other than that suggestion, that department is a "screaming
machine". They did not even suggest I buy more from them than from the
people that they sold to. Yes, I placed supplemental stock orders from
a company that they sold to and paid less for parts than if I bought
direct. I did loose return reserves to return obsolete stock but it was
also determined that my savings in purchases were by far out weighing
giving that up. My GM rep was pissed because this 29 year old kid that
had only been in the GM auto business for 5 years seemed to know what he
was doing.

And yes at the time I was only the manager, not the top dog, but I did
see the monthly P&L statements which is a very rare situation. I knew
what every department netted, the dealership netted, and what the dealer
was paid.

I'll not go into further details, promotions, and or other jobs but I
was pretty much successful from that point forward, till 40, then I
retired so to speak.

Keep in mind that I have been out of that lime light for 18 years, I may
no longer use the correct terminology but I know how to make a business
grow, make a profit, and control expenses.

On 11/6/2012 5:27 AM, Mike Marlow wrote:
> Leon wrote:
>
>>
>> Exactly my point. But why are people more inclined to pay more for
>> postage for a $100 item than a $1 item of the same size and weight?
>
> I think the answer to that is kind of obvious.

Unfortunately obvious.

>
>>
>> Now lets think about that. I ship a screw to you and because it is
>> cheap I don't charge you enough to really cover the real cost for
>> shipping. It gets lost in the mail. Now you expect me to do this
>> again except this time I cover the cost of shipping again and give
>> you the part for free.
>>
>
> Why not cover the real cost for shipping? My point has been - why not use
> cheaper shipping (USPS) for something like a screw, instead of UPS?

Several way to explain that. First, a screw in a 50 cent letter is only
$5 less expensive to ship than in a UPS box. Total all the numbers and
you save 10~15%. Shipping costs in not the only cost factor. You don't
get insurance on anything inside a USPS letter, all of UPS has at least
a minimal $100 insurance.




I've
> had plenty of stuff delivered to my house via USPS so it's not like it is
> not done. I've also had plenty of stuff delivered via UPS that would fit
> into your shirt pocket along with a pack of cigarettes.

Yeah but you are still missing the point. The cost of shipping an item
to a customer is much more expensive that simply what the retailer pays
for shipping.




>
>> If we teach retailers to not expect to cover their true cost of
>> shipping a $1 part they are going to learn to not ship that kind of
>> product. If you want it, go and get it.
>>
>
> I don't think we're teaching retailers anything Leon.

Your are kidding right? Have you noticed the quality of tools lately.
We are not going to pay more than what harbor freight charges and the
quality of PC, Milwaukee, Delta goes down to compete price wise.



>> Just because a person believes that it does not cost more than a $1 to
>> create a sales invoice, pull the part, package it, and pay for
>> delivery does not mean that it does not cost much more.
>
> Like I say - that is a different argument.

???

"HeyBub" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

MJ wrote:
> I have a Dewalt 321 top handle jigsaw. Over the summer, the screw
> holding
> the foot came loose. I thought I scooped up all the parts, and it
> appears I did
> but the damn screw, wasn't with the parts!
>
> I decided the other day to put the foot back on the saw and searched
> all over
> for the screw, but I didn't have it. Damn it.
>
> Took the saw today to the local ACE. They had a ton of choices, but
> no screw fit the hole. Ok, went on-line and it seems that most of
> the parts dealers have it, but I'm sure I'm going to pay $5 to ship
> it
> to me!. ARGH!
>
> There is no Dewalt service center nearby within a 25 mile radius, but
> I'll keep trying.
>
> Looking for suggestions. I don't know the thread or size of the screw
> since
> DeWalt doesn't list them on the part number. Fastenal has it, but the
> local
> one didn't have it in stock.
>
> Frustrating, to say the least.
>

Excellent excuse to buy a metal lathe - at least a small one. Then you can
make your own screws !
========================================================================================
To make the screw, he would have to know the specs on the original. If he
knew that, he could go down to the hardware store and buy one.

MJ wrote:
> I have a Dewalt 321 top handle jigsaw. Over the summer, the screw
> holding
> the foot came loose. I thought I scooped up all the parts, and it
> appears I did
> but the damn screw, wasn't with the parts!
>
> I decided the other day to put the foot back on the saw and searched
> all over
> for the screw, but I didn't have it. Damn it.
>
> Took the saw today to the local ACE. They had a ton of choices, but
> no screw fit the hole. Ok, went on-line and it seems that most of
> the parts dealers have it, but I'm sure I'm going to pay $5 to ship
> it
> to me!. ARGH!
>
> There is no Dewalt service center nearby within a 25 mile radius, but
> I'll keep trying.
>
> Looking for suggestions. I don't know the thread or size of the screw
> since
> DeWalt doesn't list them on the part number. Fastenal has it, but the
> local
> one didn't have it in stock.
>
> Frustrating, to say the least.
>
> MJ
Do you have a metric caliper? My 321 saw has a cheese-head machine
screw, metric. The shaft length is 2.8 cm, diameter (across tops of
threads) 2.8 mm. Looks like 9 threads /cm. Be sure to apply thread
lock juice when doing final assembly. Harder to put back on than is
is to take off!

I keep my metric screws in a separate compartment and found one the
same other than the head and length. You can cut to length with a
hacksaw . I generally use a jeweler's saw.
--
G.W. Ross

Prune: A plum that has seen better days.

On 11/5/2012 11:13 AM, Mike Marlow wrote:
> Leon wrote:
>
>>
>> Sure it but you think that the $1 screw price can cover all of the
>> expenses to ship it? Probably does not ever cover the stamp price.
>>
>> Yes there are bigger ticket items to make up the difference but if the
>> piddley profit stuff costs you every time you sell one and ship it the
>> smart retailer will stop carrying the part.
>>
>
> But the difference in our points of view is not so much centered around them
> making a bit to cover costs of handling, but it was about the UPS (or like)
> charges for something that could have gone into an envelope for a lot less.
>
>
>>>
>>>>
>>>> But back on track, I mentioned screws and diamonds, about the same
>>>> weight and size.
>>>
>>> But... considerably different value which makes your analogy ill
>>> fitted.
>>
>>
>> What does value have to do with the cost of shipping a like sized and
>> and weight item?
>
> Just that value has a big effect on what people would accept as a method of
> shipment. For high value items, most people are comfortable with the
> charges associated with a more secure method of shipment. For something
> like a screw - why bother?
>

Exactly my point. But why are people more inclined to pay more for
postage for a $100 item than a $1 item of the same size and weight?

Now lets think about that. I ship a screw to you and because it is
cheap I don't charge you enough to really cover the real cost for
shipping. It gets lost in the mail. Now you expect me to do this again
except this time I cover the cost of shipping again and give you the
part for free.

If we teach retailers to not expect to cover their true cost of
shipping a $1 part they are going to learn to not ship that kind of
product. If you want it, go and get it.

Just because a person believes that it does not cost more than a $1 to
create a sales invoice, pull the part, package it, and pay for delivery
does not mean that it does not cost much more.

On 11/4/2012 10:26 PM, Larry Jaques wrote:
> On Sun, 04 Nov 2012 22:16:09 -0600, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
> wrote:
>
>> On 11/4/2012 5:11 PM, MJ wrote:
>>>
>>>> Oh come on... if it is really that difficult to find a screw locally, then
>>>> why are you so cheap as to not just buy the damned thing? What are you
>>>> going to save with all of this effort - a couple of bucks? Sheese...
>>>
>>> Mike,
>>>
>>> My rant really was against DeWalt for choosing an odd thread/size
>>> screw
>>> to begin with. I checked with Sears and they want $10 to ship
>>> a $1 screw.
>>
>> Which begs the question, If you were having a smaller item than the
>> screw shipped, say a 5 karat diamond, would you then think $10 would be
>> too much for shipping?
>
> <g> Not quite fair. A screw could be secured to a sheet of paper and
> mailed in an envelope for a buck. A diamond couldn't, securely,
> anyway. Good vendors would consider the first and faint from the
> second.


Exactly why would a diamond not be able to be securely attached to a
piece of paper and mailed?

But to get back on track, why do people assume that it takes less man
power and expense to ship an in expensive item vs. one of much more
perceived value?

On 11/6/2012 5:22 AM, Mike Marlow wrote:
> Leon wrote:
>
>> Eggssacly! ;~) I think what most of the unknowing believe is that
>> they are the only ones that are buying the $1 part so paying a buck
>> or two for shipping is OK, no big loss for the retailer. What they
>> don't consider is that this happens hundreds of times per day per
>> location. So you hire "ONE" guy to sell, pull, package, and pay for
>> shipping, 50, $1 parts. That is all he has time to do. I can assure
>> you the profit of those 50 sales will not pay his salary for the day
>> and shipping expense. Not to mention overhead, insurance.....
>
> Maybe I'm getting this wrong, or maybe you're not getting what I and others
> have made simple comment on. It's not a matter of them covering their
> costs. As I recall, the only real comment that was ever made was about the
> cost of shipping very small stuff like that via the more expensive carriers,
> rather than a simple stamp and off into USPS. Those cost differences have
> nothing to do with the supplier. He already has his mark up in the price.
> It's just a matter of the transportation costs for delivery. UPS is many
> dollars, USPS is a few cents.
>
>


Yes up front costs can be less for a stamp vs UPS. Up front costs
however are only the beginning of the actual cost to get the part out of
the building and on its way. There is more in play here than simply the
shipping expense. Shipping expense is one of many costs to get the
product to the customer.


All situation are different but mailing a part by US mail never only
costs the price of the stamp and the envelope once you consider all the
other expenses that come into play.

On 11/5/2012 8:37 AM, Larry Jaques wrote:
> On Mon, 05 Nov 2012 07:54:10 -0600, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
> wrote:
>
>> On 11/4/2012 10:26 PM, Larry Jaques wrote:
>>> On Sun, 04 Nov 2012 22:16:09 -0600, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> On 11/4/2012 5:11 PM, MJ wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Oh come on... if it is really that difficult to find a screw locally, then
>>>>>> why are you so cheap as to not just buy the damned thing? What are you
>>>>>> going to save with all of this effort - a couple of bucks? Sheese...
>>>>>
>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>
>>>>> My rant really was against DeWalt for choosing an odd thread/size
>>>>> screw
>>>>> to begin with. I checked with Sears and they want $10 to ship
>>>>> a $1 screw.
>>>>
>>>> Which begs the question, If you were having a smaller item than the
>>>> screw shipped, say a 5 karat diamond, would you then think $10 would be
>>>> too much for shipping?
>>>
>>> <g> Not quite fair. A screw could be secured to a sheet of paper and
>>> mailed in an envelope for a buck. A diamond couldn't, securely,
>>> anyway. Good vendors would consider the first and faint from the
>>> second.
>>
>>
>> Exactly why would a diamond not be able to be securely attached to a
>> piece of paper and mailed?
>
> It couldn't be securely -mailed- that way, foo. ;)

Why not? Does tape not stick to diamonds? It happens every day FWIW.

Perhaps you mean to indicate that it would not be safe to ship a high
dollar item in an envelope. Perhaps "security" might not be what you
would be comfortable with.







>
>
>> But to get back on track, why do people assume that it takes less man
>> power and expense to ship an in expensive item vs. one of much more
>> perceived value?
>
> I don't agree that the expenses for mailing are that high. I sell
> things myself and if I can mail it in an envelope, the customer isn't
> charged for the PM fees, ever!

You are looking at the small picture. The special screw cannot be had
any where. The screw has to be stored in a building. People work in
this building. People cost. Insurance, electricity, time. shipping costs.

Sure it would cost about 50 cants to throw the screw in an envelope and
let the mailman pic it up to deliver it. You are forgetting all the
costs to get the screw from the manufacturer to the envelope that is
coming to you. Would you feel better about a $1 screw sold for $10 and
shipped for $1?





>
> Show me a company who has to _spend_ ten bucks to ship a little screw
> and I'll show you a company who overcharges for every item it sells.
> And I won't be a customer of theirs. The value usually isn't there.

And I will show you a company that is still in business. The value is
there if it means being able to complete a job and getting paid. For the
hobbyist, maybe not.

I agree that for many the price seem steep and for each instance the
price may be high or a bargain. Hell $1 for a 5 cent screw seems high
looking at it your way.




>
> LJ--cheap^H^H^H^H^Hfrugal bastid, and proud of it.
>
> --
> While we have the gift of life, it seems to me that only tragedy
> is to allow part of us to die - whether it is our spirit, our
> creativity, or our glorious uniqueness.
> -- Gilda Radner
>

On 11/7/2012 3:18 AM, Stuart wrote:
> In article
> <[email protected]>,
> MJ <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Mike,
>
>> My rant really was against DeWalt for choosing an odd thread/size screw
>> to begin with.
>
> But if it's a metric screw it isn't an odd size at all.
>
> DeWalt sell to a world market. Why should they make a special version for
> you Yanks just because you still live in the dark ages and insist on using
> old fashioned imperial size screws?
>


DeWalt appreciates the fact the we Yanks can still work with fractions.
They dumb it down for those that can only figure out whole numbers.

On 11/6/2012 5:22 AM, Mike Marlow wrote:
> Leon wrote:
>
>> Eggssacly! ;~) I think what most of the unknowing believe is that
>> they are the only ones that are buying the $1 part so paying a buck
>> or two for shipping is OK, no big loss for the retailer. What they
>> don't consider is that this happens hundreds of times per day per
>> location. So you hire "ONE" guy to sell, pull, package, and pay for
>> shipping, 50, $1 parts. That is all he has time to do. I can assure
>> you the profit of those 50 sales will not pay his salary for the day
>> and shipping expense. Not to mention overhead, insurance.....
>
> Maybe I'm getting this wrong, or maybe you're not getting what I and others
> have made simple comment on. It's not a matter of them covering their
> costs. As I recall, the only real comment that was ever made was about the
> cost of shipping very small stuff like that via the more expensive carriers,
> rather than a simple stamp and off into USPS. Those cost differences have
> nothing to do with the supplier. He already has his mark up in the price.
> It's just a matter of the transportation costs for delivery. UPS is many
> dollars, USPS is a few cents.
>
>


I am strictly referring to the OP original statement.

Ok, went on-line and it seems that most of
the parts dealers have it, but I'm sure I'm going to pay $5 to ship
it
to me!. ARGH!

The screw may still come in the 50 cent letter but the customer is going
to pay for the service of having it delivered to this door step rather
than him driving to the store himself, picking up the part himself, and
paying for it at the register himself, and driving back home.

The cost that the customer pays for shipping is but a small percentage
of the actual cost of every aspect to ship that item. Much cheaper on
the retailer for the customer to come and get it.

On 11/9/2012 7:17 AM, HeyBub wrote:
> MJ wrote:
>> I have a Dewalt 321 top handle jigsaw. Over the summer, the screw
>> holding
>> the foot came loose. I thought I scooped up all the parts, and it
>> appears I did
>> but the damn screw, wasn't with the parts!
>>
>> I decided the other day to put the foot back on the saw and searched
>> all over
>> for the screw, but I didn't have it. Damn it.
>>
>> Took the saw today to the local ACE. They had a ton of choices, but
>> no screw fit the hole. Ok, went on-line and it seems that most of
>> the parts dealers have it, but I'm sure I'm going to pay $5 to ship
>> it
>> to me!. ARGH!
>>
>> There is no Dewalt service center nearby within a 25 mile radius, but
>> I'll keep trying.
>>
>> Looking for suggestions. I don't know the thread or size of the screw
>> since
>> DeWalt doesn't list them on the part number. Fastenal has it, but the
>> local
>> one didn't have it in stock.
>>
>> Frustrating, to say the least.
>>
>
> Excellent excuse to buy a metal lathe - at least a small one. Then you can
> make your own screws !
>
>

Well that would work but the screw that holds the the carbide bit would
be missing. ;~((

> Oh come on... if it is really that difficult to find a screw locally, the=
n
> why are you so cheap as to not just buy the damned thing? =A0What are you
> going to save with all of this effort - a couple of bucks? =A0Sheese...

Mike,

My rant really was against DeWalt for choosing an odd thread/size
screw
to begin with. I checked with Sears and they want $10 to ship
a $1 screw.

There is a service center nearby, but I hazard that they they don't
any repair work, they just send it out. I'll check with them in the
morning.

I'll also might check with some machine shops.


MJ

>
>
>
> I keep my metric screws in a separate compartment and found one the
>
> same other than the head and length. You can cut to length with a
>
> hacksaw . I generally use a jeweler's saw.
>
> --
>
> G.W. Ross
>
>
>
> Prune: A plum that has seen better days.

I'm rebuilding a Dewalt framing nailer for a friend and all the screws are metric. Just a heads up.

RP

On 11/5/2012 10:47 PM, Mike M wrote:
> On Mon, 05 Nov 2012 06:37:24 -0800, Larry Jaques
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> On Mon, 05 Nov 2012 07:54:10 -0600, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> On 11/4/2012 10:26 PM, Larry Jaques wrote:
>>>> On Sun, 04 Nov 2012 22:16:09 -0600, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> On 11/4/2012 5:11 PM, MJ wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Oh come on... if it is really that difficult to find a screw locally, then
>>>>>>> why are you so cheap as to not just buy the damned thing? What are you
>>>>>>> going to save with all of this effort - a couple of bucks? Sheese...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> My rant really was against DeWalt for choosing an odd thread/size
>>>>>> screw
>>>>>> to begin with. I checked with Sears and they want $10 to ship
>>>>>> a $1 screw.
>>>>>
>>>>> Which begs the question, If you were having a smaller item than the
>>>>> screw shipped, say a 5 karat diamond, would you then think $10 would be
>>>>> too much for shipping?
>>>>
>>>> <g> Not quite fair. A screw could be secured to a sheet of paper and
>>>> mailed in an envelope for a buck. A diamond couldn't, securely,
>>>> anyway. Good vendors would consider the first and faint from the
>>>> second.
>>>
>>>
>>> Exactly why would a diamond not be able to be securely attached to a
>>> piece of paper and mailed?
>>
>> It couldn't be securely -mailed- that way, foo. ;)
>>
>>
>>> But to get back on track, why do people assume that it takes less man
>>> power and expense to ship an in expensive item vs. one of much more
>>> perceived value?
>>
>> I don't agree that the expenses for mailing are that high. I sell
>> things myself and if I can mail it in an envelope, the customer isn't
>> charged for the PM fees, ever!
>>
>> Show me a company who has to _spend_ ten bucks to ship a little screw
>> and I'll show you a company who overcharges for every item it sells.
>> And I won't be a customer of theirs. The value usually isn't there.
>>
>> LJ--cheap^H^H^H^H^Hfrugal bastid, and proud of it.
>
> I did service work for a major manufacturer of emergency backup
> equipment. There was no part including a washer with a price under
> $1.00 We did get them to start packaging installation kits so when
> you went into the field you had all the little parts. That was a win
> win as if it was warranty it saved them money as well. I know you
> don't like it Larry but while we were a service center we ran into
> some of those costs. 30 minutes dealing with people that didn't know
> what they needed to sell a $10 part. Its nice to be nice but you
> can't ignore overhead and operating costs. There were times we gave
> parts away just to save money, but sometimes the cost is subject to
> the customers attitude.
>
> Mike M
>

Eggssacly! ;~) I think what most of the unknowing believe is that they
are the only ones that are buying the $1 part so paying a buck or two
for shipping is OK, no big loss for the retailer. What they don't
consider is that this happens hundreds of times per day per location.
So you hire "ONE" guy to sell, pull, package, and pay for shipping, 50,
$1 parts. That is all he has time to do. I can assure you the profit
of those 50 sales will not pay his salary for the day and shipping
expense. Not to mention overhead, insurance.....

The multi-part repair kits make a lot of sense, but then you are going
to have the guy that only needs one part that he thinks his particular
part in the kit should cost 25 cents and whine because he has to buy the
$5 kit.

I spent my most of my life in the service industry, wholesale and
retail. With wholesale you don't deal with the one'z, two'z orders.
Retailers have to deal with everything.

On 11/5/2012 10:15 AM, Mike Marlow wrote:
> Leon wrote:
>
>>
>> Does it? Both have to be handled. some one has to take the order,
>> pull the order, stock the part, create the bill, ship the part and
>> the paper work involved with that, and yes postage requires all of
>> this too. And while an anvil is heavier than a screw the people
>> selling and shipping the anvil are equipped to handle the weight.
>>
>
> That stuff is overhead and is all built into the price.

Sure it but you think that the $1 screw price can cover all of the
expenses to ship it? Probably does not ever cover the stamp price.

Yes there are bigger ticket items to make up the difference but if the
piddley profit stuff costs you every time you sell one and ship it the
smart retailer will stop carrying the part.

>
>>
>> But back on track, I mentioned screws and diamonds, about the same
>> weight and size.
>
> But... considerably different value which makes your analogy ill fitted.
>


What does value have to do with the cost of shipping a like sized and
and weight item?

On Mon, 05 Nov 2012 06:37:24 -0800, Larry Jaques
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On Mon, 05 Nov 2012 07:54:10 -0600, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
>wrote:
>
>>On 11/4/2012 10:26 PM, Larry Jaques wrote:
>>> On Sun, 04 Nov 2012 22:16:09 -0600, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> On 11/4/2012 5:11 PM, MJ wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Oh come on... if it is really that difficult to find a screw locally, then
>>>>>> why are you so cheap as to not just buy the damned thing? What are you
>>>>>> going to save with all of this effort - a couple of bucks? Sheese...
>>>>>
>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>
>>>>> My rant really was against DeWalt for choosing an odd thread/size
>>>>> screw
>>>>> to begin with. I checked with Sears and they want $10 to ship
>>>>> a $1 screw.
>>>>
>>>> Which begs the question, If you were having a smaller item than the
>>>> screw shipped, say a 5 karat diamond, would you then think $10 would be
>>>> too much for shipping?
>>>
>>> <g> Not quite fair. A screw could be secured to a sheet of paper and
>>> mailed in an envelope for a buck. A diamond couldn't, securely,
>>> anyway. Good vendors would consider the first and faint from the
>>> second.
>>
>>
>>Exactly why would a diamond not be able to be securely attached to a
>>piece of paper and mailed?
>
>It couldn't be securely -mailed- that way, foo. ;)
>
>
>>But to get back on track, why do people assume that it takes less man
>>power and expense to ship an in expensive item vs. one of much more
>>perceived value?
>
>I don't agree that the expenses for mailing are that high. I sell
>things myself and if I can mail it in an envelope, the customer isn't
>charged for the PM fees, ever!
>
>Show me a company who has to _spend_ ten bucks to ship a little screw
>and I'll show you a company who overcharges for every item it sells.
>And I won't be a customer of theirs. The value usually isn't there.
>
>LJ--cheap^H^H^H^H^Hfrugal bastid, and proud of it.

I did service work for a major manufacturer of emergency backup
equipment. There was no part including a washer with a price under
$1.00 We did get them to start packaging installation kits so when
you went into the field you had all the little parts. That was a win
win as if it was warranty it saved them money as well. I know you
don't like it Larry but while we were a service center we ran into
some of those costs. 30 minutes dealing with people that didn't know
what they needed to sell a $10 part. Its nice to be nice but you
can't ignore overhead and operating costs. There were times we gave
parts away just to save money, but sometimes the cost is subject to
the customers attitude.

Mike M

On Mon, 05 Nov 2012 11:00:36 -0600, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
wrote:

>On 11/5/2012 10:15 AM, Mike Marlow wrote:
>> Leon wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Does it? Both have to be handled. some one has to take the order,
>>> pull the order, stock the part, create the bill, ship the part and
>>> the paper work involved with that, and yes postage requires all of
>>> this too. And while an anvil is heavier than a screw the people
>>> selling and shipping the anvil are equipped to handle the weight.
>>>
>>
>> That stuff is overhead and is all built into the price.
>
>Sure it but you think that the $1 screw price can cover all of the
>expenses to ship it? Probably does not ever cover the stamp price.
>
>Yes there are bigger ticket items to make up the difference but if the
>piddley profit stuff costs you every time you sell one and ship it the
>smart retailer will stop carrying the part.

If you fuck-over every customer by gouging you for every little thing,
they'll quickly move to another brand of jewjaw. The smart mfgrs will
simply pop one in the mail for you and not even charge you. You'll be
happy, charmed, and forever in their debt. You'll tell 100 people how
great they are and they'll make a handsome profit from that very, very
inexpensive bit of good will.

And with that, I'm done with the thread.

--
While we have the gift of life, it seems to me that only tragedy
is to allow part of us to die - whether it is our spirit, our
creativity, or our glorious uniqueness.
-- Gilda Radner

MJ wrote:
> I have a Dewalt 321 top handle jigsaw. Over the summer, the screw
> holding
> the foot came loose. I thought I scooped up all the parts, and it
> appears I did
> but the damn screw, wasn't with the parts!
>
> I decided the other day to put the foot back on the saw and searched
> all over
> for the screw, but I didn't have it. Damn it.
>
> Took the saw today to the local ACE. They had a ton of choices, but
> no screw fit the hole. Ok, went on-line and it seems that most of
> the parts dealers have it, but I'm sure I'm going to pay $5 to ship
> it
> to me!. ARGH!
>
> There is no Dewalt service center nearby within a 25 mile radius, but
> I'll keep trying.
>
> Looking for suggestions. I don't know the thread or size of the screw
> since
> DeWalt doesn't list them on the part number. Fastenal has it, but the
> local
> one didn't have it in stock.
>
> Frustrating, to say the least.
>
> MJ

Oh come on... if it is really that difficult to find a screw locally, then
why are you so cheap as to not just buy the damned thing? What are you
going to save with all of this effort - a couple of bucks? Sheese...

--

-Mike-
[email protected]

On 11/3/2012 8:47 PM, Mike Marlow wrote:
> MJ wrote:
>> I have a Dewalt 321 top handle jigsaw. Over the summer, the screw
>> holding
>> the foot came loose. I thought I scooped up all the parts, and it
>> appears I did
>> but the damn screw, wasn't with the parts!
>>
>> I decided the other day to put the foot back on the saw and searched
>> all over
>> for the screw, but I didn't have it. Damn it.
>>
>> Took the saw today to the local ACE. They had a ton of choices, but
>> no screw fit the hole. Ok, went on-line and it seems that most of
>> the parts dealers have it, but I'm sure I'm going to pay $5 to ship
>> it
>> to me!. ARGH!
>>
>> There is no Dewalt service center nearby within a 25 mile radius, but
>> I'll keep trying.
>>
>> Looking for suggestions. I don't know the thread or size of the screw
>> since
>> DeWalt doesn't list them on the part number. Fastenal has it, but the
>> local
>> one didn't have it in stock.
>>
>> Frustrating, to say the least.
>>
>> MJ
>
> Oh come on... if it is really that difficult to find a screw locally, then
> why are you so cheap as to not just buy the damned thing? What are you
> going to save with all of this effort - a couple of bucks? Sheese...
>

Assuming this is a small set screw not something huge.

Have you tried the electrical outlets like Radio Shack? Electrical
components seem to have their own thread sizes for circuit boards, etc.

Several times I have found small screws and nuts there I could not find
elsewhere.

Leon wrote:
> On 11/3/2012 5:08 PM, MJ wrote:
>> I have a Dewalt 321 top handle jigsaw. Over the summer, the screw
>> holding
>> the foot came loose. I thought I scooped up all the parts, and it
>> appears I did
>> but the damn screw, wasn't with the parts!
>>
>> I decided the other day to put the foot back on the saw and searched
>> all over
>> for the screw, but I didn't have it. Damn it.
>>
>> Took the saw today to the local ACE. They had a ton of choices, but
>> no screw fit the hole. Ok, went on-line and it seems that most of
>> the parts dealers have it, but I'm sure I'm going to pay $5 to ship
>> it
>> to me!. ARGH!


Yep, like Leon said. This is where you should have cut your losses.
Did you check whether a DeWalt service center would help? In
Indianapolis, the DeWalt service center and the Delta service center are
combined and they have treated me very nicely!




>>
>> There is no Dewalt service center nearby within a 25 mile radius, but
>> I'll keep trying.
>>
>> Looking for suggestions. I don't know the thread or size of the screw
>> since
>> DeWalt doesn't list them on the part number. Fastenal has it, but the
>> local
>> one didn't have it in stock.
>>
>> Frustrating, to say the least.
>>
>> MJ
>>
>
> How much gas have you burned looking for that $5 screw?

Mike Marlow wrote:
> MJ wrote:
>> I have a Dewalt 321 top handle jigsaw. Over the summer, the screw
>> holding
>> the foot came loose. I thought I scooped up all the parts, and it
>> appears I did
>> but the damn screw, wasn't with the parts!
>>
>> I decided the other day to put the foot back on the saw and searched
>> all over
>> for the screw, but I didn't have it. Damn it.
>>
>> Took the saw today to the local ACE. They had a ton of choices, but
>> no screw fit the hole. Ok, went on-line and it seems that most of
>> the parts dealers have it, but I'm sure I'm going to pay $5 to ship
>> it
>> to me!. ARGH!
>>
>> There is no Dewalt service center nearby within a 25 mile radius, but
>> I'll keep trying.
>>
>> Looking for suggestions. I don't know the thread or size of the screw
>> since
>> DeWalt doesn't list them on the part number. Fastenal has it, but the
>> local
>> one didn't have it in stock.
>>
>> Frustrating, to say the least.
>>
>> MJ
>
> Oh come on... if it is really that difficult to find a screw locally,
> then why are you so cheap as to not just buy the damned thing? What
> are you going to save with all of this effort - a couple of bucks?
> Sheese...


Ugh! I read that this morning and the "Sheese" at the end does not seem to
convey the same light hearted reply that it felt like last night. Best to
probably just ignore it all - was meant to be more light hearted than it
appears.

--

-Mike-
[email protected]

Leon wrote:
> On 11/4/2012 5:11 PM, MJ wrote:
>>
>>> Oh come on... if it is really that difficult to find a screw
>>> locally, then why are you so cheap as to not just buy the damned
>>> thing? What are you going to save with all of this effort - a
>>> couple of bucks? Sheese...
>>
>> Mike,
>>
>> My rant really was against DeWalt for choosing an odd thread/size
>> screw
>> to begin with. I checked with Sears and they want $10 to ship
>> a $1 screw.
>
> Which begs the question, If you were having a smaller item than the
> screw shipped, say a 5 karat diamond, would you then think $10 would
> be too much for shipping?

Well, to be fair, I've also thought about that. Becaause of the way
shipping departments are set up, it seems near impossible to get one to just
throw a small part like a screw into an envelope and send it via US Mail
anymore. I bought an indicator window for my table saw fence system and it
was the same thing - the part was cheap but it had to go UPS and the
shipping was almost three times the cost of the part.

--

-Mike-
[email protected]

Leon wrote:

>
> Exactly why would a diamond not be able to be securely attached to a
> piece of paper and mailed?
>

Ummmmm... it's a question of value.


> But to get back on track, why do people assume that it takes less man
> power and expense to ship an in expensive item vs. one of much more
> perceived value?

Because it does indeed take less effort and expense to ship a screw than it
does to ship an anvil.

--

-Mike-
[email protected]

Leon wrote:

>
> Does it? Both have to be handled. some one has to take the order,
> pull the order, stock the part, create the bill, ship the part and
> the paper work involved with that, and yes postage requires all of
> this too. And while an anvil is heavier than a screw the people
> selling and shipping the anvil are equipped to handle the weight.
>

That stuff is overhead and is all built into the price.

>
> But back on track, I mentioned screws and diamonds, about the same
> weight and size.

But... considerably different value which makes your analogy ill fitted.

--

-Mike-
[email protected]

Leon wrote:

>
> Sure it but you think that the $1 screw price can cover all of the
> expenses to ship it? Probably does not ever cover the stamp price.
>
> Yes there are bigger ticket items to make up the difference but if the
> piddley profit stuff costs you every time you sell one and ship it the
> smart retailer will stop carrying the part.
>

But the difference in our points of view is not so much centered around them
making a bit to cover costs of handling, but it was about the UPS (or like)
charges for something that could have gone into an envelope for a lot less.


>>
>>>
>>> But back on track, I mentioned screws and diamonds, about the same
>>> weight and size.
>>
>> But... considerably different value which makes your analogy ill
>> fitted.
>
>
> What does value have to do with the cost of shipping a like sized and
> and weight item?

Just that value has a big effect on what people would accept as a method of
shipment. For high value items, most people are comfortable with the
charges associated with a more secure method of shipment. For something
like a screw - why bother?

--

-Mike-
[email protected]

Leon wrote:

> Eggssacly! ;~) I think what most of the unknowing believe is that
> they are the only ones that are buying the $1 part so paying a buck
> or two for shipping is OK, no big loss for the retailer. What they
> don't consider is that this happens hundreds of times per day per
> location. So you hire "ONE" guy to sell, pull, package, and pay for
> shipping, 50, $1 parts. That is all he has time to do. I can assure
> you the profit of those 50 sales will not pay his salary for the day
> and shipping expense. Not to mention overhead, insurance.....

Maybe I'm getting this wrong, or maybe you're not getting what I and others
have made simple comment on. It's not a matter of them covering their
costs. As I recall, the only real comment that was ever made was about the
cost of shipping very small stuff like that via the more expensive carriers,
rather than a simple stamp and off into USPS. Those cost differences have
nothing to do with the supplier. He already has his mark up in the price.
It's just a matter of the transportation costs for delivery. UPS is many
dollars, USPS is a few cents.


--

-Mike-
[email protected]

Leon wrote:

>
> Exactly my point. But why are people more inclined to pay more for
> postage for a $100 item than a $1 item of the same size and weight?

I think the answer to that is kind of obvious.

>
> Now lets think about that. I ship a screw to you and because it is
> cheap I don't charge you enough to really cover the real cost for
> shipping. It gets lost in the mail. Now you expect me to do this
> again except this time I cover the cost of shipping again and give
> you the part for free.
>

Why not cover the real cost for shipping? My point has been - why not use
cheaper shipping (USPS) for something like a screw, instead of UPS? I've
had plenty of stuff delivered to my house via USPS so it's not like it is
not done. I've also had plenty of stuff delivered via UPS that would fit
into your shirt pocket along with a pack of cigarettes.

> If we teach retailers to not expect to cover their true cost of
> shipping a $1 part they are going to learn to not ship that kind of
> product. If you want it, go and get it.
>

I don't think we're teaching retailers anything Leon.

> Just because a person believes that it does not cost more than a $1 to
> create a sales invoice, pull the part, package it, and pay for
> delivery does not mean that it does not cost much more.

Like I say - that is a different argument.

--

-Mike-
[email protected]

Leon wrote:

>
> Several way to explain that. First, a screw in a 50 cent letter is
> only $5 less expensive to ship than in a UPS box. Total all the
> numbers and you save 10~15%. Shipping costs in not the only cost
> factor. You don't get insurance on anything inside a USPS letter,
> all of UPS has at least a minimal $100 insurance.
>
>

Seems to me that the cheapest UPS rate I've seen over the past couple of
years is at least $8 and generally closer to $13. That screw would mail via
USPS for the same as a first class letter. That's a pretty big difference.
But - even if it was only $5, the point remains that it is foolish to pay $5
to ship something that should only cost $0.50. As for insurance - maybe
some people do care about it on every shipment, but for a screw - I wouldn't
lose a lot of sleep over that. That's one expensive insurance policy you're
willing to pay Leon.

>
> Yeah but you are still missing the point. The cost of shipping an
> item to a customer is much more expensive that simply what the
> retailer pays for shipping.
>

No Leon - it is you who is missing the point. We are talking about shipping
costs. The retailer (supplier) does not make profit on that cost - he
simply passes it along. The cost of shipping is exactly what the retailer
pays for shipping. The cost of handling is something different.


>
>
>
>>
>>> If we teach retailers to not expect to cover their true cost of
>>> shipping a $1 part they are going to learn to not ship that kind of
>>> product. If you want it, go and get it.
>>>
>>
>> I don't think we're teaching retailers anything Leon.
>
> Your are kidding right? Have you noticed the quality of tools lately.
> We are not going to pay more than what harbor freight charges and the
> quality of PC, Milwaukee, Delta goes down to compete price wise.
>

Yeahbut - now you're really stretching this. We are not "teaching"
retailers anything about shipping. They know that end of their business far
better than either you or I, regardless of our experiences. Trust me - I
have done multi-million dollar business with these guys and they know their
business far better than we do. Let me assure you - you are not going to
"teach" them something - or at least not much.

>
>
>>> Just because a person believes that it does not cost more than a $1
>>> to create a sales invoice, pull the part, package it, and pay for
>>> delivery does not mean that it does not cost much more.
>>
>> Like I say - that is a different argument.
>
> ???

Leon - you keep going back to handling costs even though it has been
explained to you that the comments have been about shipping costs. Don't
you see the difference?

--

-Mike-
[email protected]

Leon wrote:

>
> The screw may still come in the 50 cent letter but the customer is
> going to pay for the service of having it delivered to this door step
> rather than him driving to the store himself, picking up the part
> himself, and paying for it at the register himself, and driving back
> home.
> The cost that the customer pays for shipping is but a small percentage
> of the actual cost of every aspect to ship that item. Much cheaper on
> the retailer for the customer to come and get it.

Leon - I don't think you understand the difference between cost and
margins - which is how businesses operate.

--

-Mike-
[email protected]

On 11/6/2012 11:50 AM, MJ wrote:
...

> To me the simplest thing would have DeWalt just tell me the thread/
> size of the damn screw. I sent a note off to their customer service and see
> if they will respond. Their parts manual doesn't give any indication
> what the size might be.
>
> Many of my fellow local woodworkers suggest I just tap out the hole
> and then put a more normal screw in. That might work in the end.
...

Can't think it can be _that_ unusual; certainly they didn't dream up a
non-standard size (even if it isn't terribly common)

Surely there's a thread gauge at the Fastenal or hardware or auto parts
store that you could use to determine the size/thread pitch if you can't
just from a parts bin???

I'd venture if a common machine screw doesn't fit it's metric (and
actually I'd have ventured that as a guess, anyway).

--

MJ wrote:

> I want to thank everyone who responded, either to denigrate me for
> "whining" or taking this post way off base or trying to be helpful.
> It's been interesting.

Awe hell - I still think you're a cheapskate :-) (I don't normally use
smilelies but my last attempt at lighheartedness as well as other posts have
provoked me to use one now...)

>
> To me the simplest thing would have DeWalt just tell me the thread/
> size
> of the damn screw. I sent a note off to their customer service and see
> if they will respond. Their parts manual doesn't give any indication
> what the size might be.

I'm really kind of surprised you could not find it in an IPB. Have you
tried to measure the threads with a thread guage? That should quickly show
you what you need. A decent hardware store that carries both left and right
thread screws (or local fastener supplier), should be able to fix you right
up. I'm not sure what the screw is for (that you are looking for), so I
don't know if it is left or right hand thread. Just does not seem that it
would be that difficult to figure out the right size.

>
> Many of my fellow local woodworkers suggest I just tap out the hole
> and then put a more normal screw in. That might work in the end.

Maybe. Depending on what the screw does, just make sure to get the
direction right.


>
> If I get a response from DeWalt, I'll let everyone know.
>

That is always good.

--

-Mike-
[email protected]

Puckdropper wrote:
> dpb <[email protected]> wrote in news:[email protected]:
>
> *snip*
>
>>
>> I'd venture if a common machine screw doesn't fit it's metric (and
>> actually I'd have ventured that as a guess, anyway).
>>
>
> My standard procedure is to try the usual sizes, and if they don't
> fit or the fit is sloppy to give metric sizes a try.
>

No, no, no! If it is a sloppy or tight, just turn the damned thing harder!

--

-Mike-
[email protected]

Leon wrote:

>
> I was a retailer, I was a wholesaler, I was responsible for the
> pricing policy.
>
>

Apparently you did not understand the difference between shipping and
handling. Most wholesalers and retailers simply pass on the shipping cost.

--

-Mike-
[email protected]

Leon wrote:
> On 11/6/2012 10:28 AM, Mike Marlow wrote:

>>
>> Leon - I don't think you understand the difference between cost and
>> margins - which is how businesses operate.
>>
>
> I understand and probably well enough to have run 3~4 businesses well
> enough to retire at 40. I did not use generic spread sheets, I made
> my own to tell me what I really wanted to know. ADP, our computer
> company gave me "english" manuals so that I could get the computer to
> produce reports that I wanted vs. what they were providing.
>

Leon - I do not dispute what you did in your career, I am only speaking to
the obvious which is coming through in what you are arguing in this thread.
You continue to go back to irrelevant points, and avoid the points presented
to you. There is no argument about the need to cover the cost of handling
materials. Never has been. The only point (as far as I recall...) is that
there is no benefit to the wholesaler/retailer in shipping by more expensive
methods. Has nothing to do with cost, profit, margin, spreadsheets, or
retirement.

> FWIW, age 28 I was running a parts department for a large Oldsmobile
> dealer. GM loved to send in their experts to analogize my purchased
> from GM vs. outside suppliers of GM parts. My sales and GP were
> growing 20~30 percent each year from the previous 5 that we had been
> in business. Three weeks the GM experts spent analyzing my pricing
> policy, purchases and from whom I was purchasing, shipping costs etc.
>
> Day of reckoning with my boss and the dealer. It was suggested that I
> decrease percentage of GP and pass the shipping cost straight on to
> the customer with out mark up. This "might" increase sales.

So... you were marking up shipping costs? Well shame on you Leon.


>
> Their words, other than that suggestion, that department is a
> "screaming machine". They did not even suggest I buy more from them
> than from the people that they sold to. Yes, I placed supplemental
> stock orders from a company that they sold to and paid less for parts
> than if I bought direct. I did loose return reserves to return
> obsolete stock but it was also determined that my savings in
> purchases were by far out weighing giving that up. My GM rep was
> pissed because this 29 year old kid that had only been in the GM auto
> business for 5 years seemed to know what he was doing.

Ok - so you did well. You should be commended for that. But - you are
still confusing handling with shipping, and now it seems you advocate
marking up shipping. Cannot agree with you on that. BTW - I won't bore you
with the sucesses of my career...

>
> I'll not go into further details, promotions, and or other jobs but I
> was pretty much successful from that point forward, till 40, then I
> retired so to speak.

Retired is a word we all hold in personal definition. Depending upon our
needs, we can retire very early. Or... or we can call it retirement while
we do other things to bring in the cash we need to survive... And of
course - some can actually save/invest enough in the early years to
actually, really, truely retire very early.

>
> Keep in mind that I have been out of that lime light for 18 years, I
> may no longer use the correct terminology but I know how to make a
> business grow, make a profit, and control expenses.

I do not suggest otherwise. Remember my point - there is a difference
between handling and shipping.

--

-Mike-
[email protected]

Leon wrote:
> On 11/6/2012 2:58 PM, Mike Marlow wrote:

>>
>> I do not suggest otherwise. Remember my point - there is a
>> difference between handling and shipping.
>
> Yes there is except for what it costs the company bottom line. The
> more ways you can increase your sales from each employee the better
> the bottom line. Yes marking up shipping costs helps offset the
> expense of getting the product to the customer.

Well, the only reason I said that is because you had previously made many
statements about the cost of overhead associated with handling.

--

-Mike-
[email protected]

On 11/5/2012 8:43 PM, Larry Jaques wrote:
> On Mon, 05 Nov 2012 11:00:36 -0600, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
> wrote:
>
>> On 11/5/2012 10:15 AM, Mike Marlow wrote:
>>> Leon wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>> Does it? Both have to be handled. some one has to take the order,
>>>> pull the order, stock the part, create the bill, ship the part and
>>>> the paper work involved with that, and yes postage requires all of
>>>> this too. And while an anvil is heavier than a screw the people
>>>> selling and shipping the anvil are equipped to handle the weight.
>>>>
>>>
>>> That stuff is overhead and is all built into the price.
>>
>> Sure it but you think that the $1 screw price can cover all of the
>> expenses to ship it? Probably does not ever cover the stamp price.
>>
>> Yes there are bigger ticket items to make up the difference but if the
>> piddley profit stuff costs you every time you sell one and ship it the
>> smart retailer will stop carrying the part.
>
> If you fuck-over every customer by gouging you for every little thing,
> they'll quickly move to another brand of jewjaw. The smart mfgrs will
> simply pop one in the mail for you and not even charge you. You'll be
> happy, charmed, and forever in their debt. You'll tell 100 people how
> great they are and they'll make a handsome profit from that very, very
> inexpensive bit of good will.

You really don't seem to get it. Manufacturers will pop one in the
mail, yes. We are talking retailers. It would cost a manufacturer more
to bill a customer than to give it away. They do not deal with cash,
retailers do.

>
> And with that, I'm done with the thread.

I think you were done before this post.

On 11/5/2012 8:37 PM, Larry Jaques wrote:
> On Mon, 05 Nov 2012 09:30:59 -0600, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
> wrote:
>
>> On 11/5/2012 8:37 AM, Larry Jaques wrote:
>>> On Mon, 05 Nov 2012 07:54:10 -0600, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> On 11/4/2012 10:26 PM, Larry Jaques wrote:
>>>>> On Sun, 04 Nov 2012 22:16:09 -0600, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> On 11/4/2012 5:11 PM, MJ wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Oh come on... if it is really that difficult to find a screw locally, then
>>>>>>>> why are you so cheap as to not just buy the damned thing? What are you
>>>>>>>> going to save with all of this effort - a couple of bucks? Sheese...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> My rant really was against DeWalt for choosing an odd thread/size
>>>>>>> screw
>>>>>>> to begin with. I checked with Sears and they want $10 to ship
>>>>>>> a $1 screw.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Which begs the question, If you were having a smaller item than the
>>>>>> screw shipped, say a 5 karat diamond, would you then think $10 would be
>>>>>> too much for shipping?
>>>>>
>>>>> <g> Not quite fair. A screw could be secured to a sheet of paper and
>>>>> mailed in an envelope for a buck. A diamond couldn't, securely,
>>>>> anyway. Good vendors would consider the first and faint from the
>>>>> second.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Exactly why would a diamond not be able to be securely attached to a
>>>> piece of paper and mailed?
>>>
>>> It couldn't be securely -mailed- that way, foo. ;)
>>
>> Why not? Does tape not stick to diamonds? It happens every day FWIW.
>>
>> Perhaps you mean to indicate that it would not be safe to ship a high
>> dollar item in an envelope. Perhaps "security" might not be what you
>> would be comfortable with.
>
> Pedantic much? Of course that was my meaning.

And yet in your first response, you wrote pointing out specifically that
a screw could be secured to a piece of paper but a diamond could not be.

A screw could be secured to a sheet of paper and
>>>>> mailed in an envelope for a buck. A diamond couldn't, securely,
>>>>> anyway.

You compared the diamond method of shipping to the screw method of
shipping, no change of reference.

Money/cash gets mailed on a daily basis, leaves less of a paper trail.
I suspect diamonds are also transferred that way too.

I could not afford to loose a diamond so I would probably insure it and
or use a different container. If I were wanting to hide the reoccurring
movement of cash or diamonds and not want any one to know....










>
>
>
>>>> But to get back on track, why do people assume that it takes less man
>>>> power and expense to ship an in expensive item vs. one of much more
>>>> perceived value?
>>>
>>> I don't agree that the expenses for mailing are that high. I sell
>>> things myself and if I can mail it in an envelope, the customer isn't
>>> charged for the PM fees, ever!
>>
>> You are looking at the small picture. The special screw cannot be had
>> any where. The screw has to be stored in a building. People work in
>> this building. People cost. Insurance, electricity, time. shipping costs.
>
> Give me a freakin' break, Leon. You can't bill everyone for every
> cost. Each one has its own, and that's why a penny screw costs a buck
> now. A box of old screws has a sunk cost, not a current, additive
> one. Hayseuss Crisco, get real, man.
>
>
>> Sure it would cost about 50 cants to throw the screw in an envelope and
>> let the mailman pic it up to deliver it. You are forgetting all the
>> costs to get the screw from the manufacturer to the envelope that is
>> coming to you. Would you feel better about a $1 screw sold for $10 and
>> shipped for $1?
>
> If it were a much larger item, it might be subject to inventory costs,
> but most little things aren't.
>
>
>>> Show me a company who has to _spend_ ten bucks to ship a little screw
>>> and I'll show you a company who overcharges for every item it sells.
>>> And I won't be a customer of theirs. The value usually isn't there.
>>
>> And I will show you a company that is still in business. The value is
>> there if it means being able to complete a job and getting paid. For the
>> hobbyist, maybe not.
>
> Folks who gouge for shipping usually do go out of business. There is a
> strong sense of fairness in most of the American people. Perhaps not
> so much in Texas?
>
>
>> I agree that for many the price seem steep and for each instance the
>> price may be high or a bargain. Hell $1 for a 5 cent screw seems high
>> looking at it your way.
>
> You bet.
>
> --
> While we have the gift of life, it seems to me that only tragedy
> is to allow part of us to die - whether it is our spirit, our
> creativity, or our glorious uniqueness.
> -- Gilda Radner
>

MJ wrote:
> I have a Dewalt 321 top handle jigsaw. Over the summer, the screw
> holding
> the foot came loose. I thought I scooped up all the parts, and it
> appears I did
> but the damn screw, wasn't with the parts!
>
> I decided the other day to put the foot back on the saw and searched
> all over
> for the screw, but I didn't have it. Damn it.
>
> Took the saw today to the local ACE. They had a ton of choices, but
> no screw fit the hole. Ok, went on-line and it seems that most of
> the parts dealers have it, but I'm sure I'm going to pay $5 to ship
> it
> to me!. ARGH!
>
> There is no Dewalt service center nearby within a 25 mile radius, but
> I'll keep trying.
>
> Looking for suggestions. I don't know the thread or size of the screw
> since
> DeWalt doesn't list them on the part number. Fastenal has it, but the
> local
> one didn't have it in stock.
>
> Frustrating, to say the least.
>

Excellent excuse to buy a metal lathe - at least a small one. Then you can
make your own screws !

On Mon, 05 Nov 2012 09:30:59 -0600, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
wrote:

>On 11/5/2012 8:37 AM, Larry Jaques wrote:
>> On Mon, 05 Nov 2012 07:54:10 -0600, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> On 11/4/2012 10:26 PM, Larry Jaques wrote:
>>>> On Sun, 04 Nov 2012 22:16:09 -0600, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> On 11/4/2012 5:11 PM, MJ wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Oh come on... if it is really that difficult to find a screw locally, then
>>>>>>> why are you so cheap as to not just buy the damned thing? What are you
>>>>>>> going to save with all of this effort - a couple of bucks? Sheese...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> My rant really was against DeWalt for choosing an odd thread/size
>>>>>> screw
>>>>>> to begin with. I checked with Sears and they want $10 to ship
>>>>>> a $1 screw.
>>>>>
>>>>> Which begs the question, If you were having a smaller item than the
>>>>> screw shipped, say a 5 karat diamond, would you then think $10 would be
>>>>> too much for shipping?
>>>>
>>>> <g> Not quite fair. A screw could be secured to a sheet of paper and
>>>> mailed in an envelope for a buck. A diamond couldn't, securely,
>>>> anyway. Good vendors would consider the first and faint from the
>>>> second.
>>>
>>>
>>> Exactly why would a diamond not be able to be securely attached to a
>>> piece of paper and mailed?
>>
>> It couldn't be securely -mailed- that way, foo. ;)
>
>Why not? Does tape not stick to diamonds? It happens every day FWIW.
>
>Perhaps you mean to indicate that it would not be safe to ship a high
>dollar item in an envelope. Perhaps "security" might not be what you
>would be comfortable with.

Pedantic much? Of course that was my meaning.



>>> But to get back on track, why do people assume that it takes less man
>>> power and expense to ship an in expensive item vs. one of much more
>>> perceived value?
>>
>> I don't agree that the expenses for mailing are that high. I sell
>> things myself and if I can mail it in an envelope, the customer isn't
>> charged for the PM fees, ever!
>
>You are looking at the small picture. The special screw cannot be had
>any where. The screw has to be stored in a building. People work in
>this building. People cost. Insurance, electricity, time. shipping costs.

Give me a freakin' break, Leon. You can't bill everyone for every
cost. Each one has its own, and that's why a penny screw costs a buck
now. A box of old screws has a sunk cost, not a current, additive
one. Hayseuss Crisco, get real, man.


>Sure it would cost about 50 cants to throw the screw in an envelope and
>let the mailman pic it up to deliver it. You are forgetting all the
>costs to get the screw from the manufacturer to the envelope that is
>coming to you. Would you feel better about a $1 screw sold for $10 and
>shipped for $1?

If it were a much larger item, it might be subject to inventory costs,
but most little things aren't.


>> Show me a company who has to _spend_ ten bucks to ship a little screw
>> and I'll show you a company who overcharges for every item it sells.
>> And I won't be a customer of theirs. The value usually isn't there.
>
>And I will show you a company that is still in business. The value is
>there if it means being able to complete a job and getting paid. For the
>hobbyist, maybe not.

Folks who gouge for shipping usually do go out of business. There is a
strong sense of fairness in most of the American people. Perhaps not
so much in Texas?


>I agree that for many the price seem steep and for each instance the
>price may be high or a bargain. Hell $1 for a 5 cent screw seems high
>looking at it your way.

You bet.

--
While we have the gift of life, it seems to me that only tragedy
is to allow part of us to die - whether it is our spirit, our
creativity, or our glorious uniqueness.
-- Gilda Radner

On Mon, 05 Nov 2012 07:54:10 -0600, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
wrote:

>On 11/4/2012 10:26 PM, Larry Jaques wrote:
>> On Sun, 04 Nov 2012 22:16:09 -0600, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> On 11/4/2012 5:11 PM, MJ wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Oh come on... if it is really that difficult to find a screw locally, then
>>>>> why are you so cheap as to not just buy the damned thing? What are you
>>>>> going to save with all of this effort - a couple of bucks? Sheese...
>>>>
>>>> Mike,
>>>>
>>>> My rant really was against DeWalt for choosing an odd thread/size
>>>> screw
>>>> to begin with. I checked with Sears and they want $10 to ship
>>>> a $1 screw.
>>>
>>> Which begs the question, If you were having a smaller item than the
>>> screw shipped, say a 5 karat diamond, would you then think $10 would be
>>> too much for shipping?
>>
>> <g> Not quite fair. A screw could be secured to a sheet of paper and
>> mailed in an envelope for a buck. A diamond couldn't, securely,
>> anyway. Good vendors would consider the first and faint from the
>> second.
>
>
>Exactly why would a diamond not be able to be securely attached to a
>piece of paper and mailed?

It couldn't be securely -mailed- that way, foo. ;)


>But to get back on track, why do people assume that it takes less man
>power and expense to ship an in expensive item vs. one of much more
>perceived value?

I don't agree that the expenses for mailing are that high. I sell
things myself and if I can mail it in an envelope, the customer isn't
charged for the PM fees, ever!

Show me a company who has to _spend_ ten bucks to ship a little screw
and I'll show you a company who overcharges for every item it sells.
And I won't be a customer of theirs. The value usually isn't there.

LJ--cheap^H^H^H^H^Hfrugal bastid, and proud of it.

--
While we have the gift of life, it seems to me that only tragedy
is to allow part of us to die - whether it is our spirit, our
creativity, or our glorious uniqueness.
-- Gilda Radner

On 11/6/2012 11:50 AM, MJ wrote:
> I want to thank everyone who responded, either to denigrate me for
> "whining" or taking this post way off base or trying to be helpful.
> It's been interesting.
>
> To me the simplest thing would have DeWalt just tell me the thread/
> size
> of the damn screw. I sent a note off to their customer service and see
> if they will respond. Their parts manual doesn't give any indication
> what the size might be.
>
> Many of my fellow local woodworkers suggest I just tap out the hole
> and then put a more normal screw in. That might work in the end.
>
> If I get a response from DeWalt, I'll let everyone know.
>
> Many thanks,
>
> MJ
>

If the thread size is any where near standard your local hardware store
should be able to supply that. Or go in and start trying different
sizes. What you may be running into is an odd pitch size and or a
different kind of thread, for instance an acme thread.

On 11/4/2012 5:11 PM, MJ wrote:
>
>> Oh come on... if it is really that difficult to find a screw locally, then
>> why are you so cheap as to not just buy the damned thing? What are you
>> going to save with all of this effort - a couple of bucks? Sheese...
>
> Mike,
>
> My rant really was against DeWalt for choosing an odd thread/size
> screw
> to begin with. I checked with Sears and they want $10 to ship
> a $1 screw.

Which begs the question, If you were having a smaller item than the
screw shipped, say a 5 karat diamond, would you then think $10 would be
too much for shipping?