Posted by Nigel Graham 2 on 08/06/2021 22:24:48:
Parker Steel might be obstructive to remain as a trade-only stockist, as MacReady's is or was (according to a page full of very small type on its delivery-notes).
If there is not a steel retailer close by you might be able to buy from a small, independant blacksmith or architectural steelwork maker or similar, though he would be in his rights to charge for cutting the stock length to convenient divisions. If I needed most of the uncut bar I'd ask for the full length, including the remnant after cutting the lengths you want.
There are also quite a number of steel stockholders on-line, such as Metals4U, though obviously they sell cut lengths and charge the carrier's costs.
Nigel,
You may be correct however I have witnessed their assistants giving trade account customers the same treatment. On my last visit there a couple of years ago to pick up a couple of black iron plugs which they were more than happy to sell me they wouldn't allow a trade customer with a large van to take a couple of lengths of pipe as they deemed them too long to fit safely in the back! The rather bemused driver had a phone call with his boss, took them out to the van with a tape measure where they agreed it was OK but then insisted the driver change out of his shorts into long trousers and don his hi vis etc before letting him go round to the gate to collect them to load. A couple of weeks later I saw one of their trucks delivering steel wearing……… Shorts! Their site has contracted massively over the years, I can't help wondering if the apparent scaling back of business is linked to their policy.
As noted there are other outlets either locally that are more co-operative (and cheaper) or nationally that even factoring in the delivery / postal charges also offer better value.
Paul.