DesignMan

I originally bought SolidWorks from Go Engineer in 2004 and now have 2 seats of the software. When I went to buy the 2nd seat, there was a deal that happened right before I inquired about the software and asked if they could extend the price break or cut the price since it is a 2nd seat. They did not and I had to pay full price for the 2nd seat.

Strengths: Go Engineer is easy to deal with and makes sure that I am taken care of when it comes to my software needs.

Needs to improve: Not able to negotiate prices, maybe due to SolidWorks.

I have bought single stranded wire from Weico and have always had great service, price, and quick delivery for special wire. I have ordered wire in the past from local wire houses, but like the Weico website and their prices.

Strengths: Great prices on spools of wire.

Needs to improve: None that I can see.

I just ordered a torque motor for an unwind application and it seems to work great. I was looking online for a torque motor that I could adjust the torque quickly and easily and Oriental Motor had it. Their sales group helped me with specification and part numbers and it arrived quickly and installed easily.

Strengths: Great products.

Needs to improve: I haven't found a weakness yet.

I recently needed a 3 jaw chuck for equipment I was building. I couldn't find the chuck I wanted with the mating arbor that I wanted to use. MSC had both, so I ordered from them.

Strengths: Product selection for industrial supply.

Needs to improve: I haven't seen much of a downside to MSC, I usually use other supply houses, becasue they offer a larger selection, but since I could find what I needed at the time, that the others couldn't provide, I will look at them more when I order industrial supplies.

I have bought electrical equipment from Mouser in the past and have always had success in procurement from them. I was satisfied with their service and prices.

Strengths: Big array of products and website easy to navigate.

Needs to improve: I haven't found a weakness to speak of yet. I did do searches for Power Line Filters on Mouser, but found what I wanted with a competitor.

I have ordered from Grainger for years now. I like a lot of their tool options over other supply houses and I really like that they offer Telemechanic switches. Now that I have become accustomed to their website, it is easier to find what I need an order it, but it is not as intuitive as other supply houses.

Strengths: Mostly quality products. I like their selection of switches better that McMaster Carr.

Needs to improve: Their website is hard to navigate and unless you know how to search, it can be a pain.

I have now, 4 Dell Systems in my company. I use SolidWorks and needed a computer to keep up the the software and with Dell's help, I specified a computer that, 4 years later, still allows me to create large SolidWorks files/assemblies, and drawings without crashing.

I also recently ordered a computer for my coworker to use to input financial data. With Dell's online chat, they helped me to get me a basic system, running windows 7 and without spending a bundle. I probably could have procured a computer from someone else a little cheaper, but Dell's support is worth it.

Strengths: Great selection process in ordering a custom computer.

Needs to improve: Dell is a bit pricey, but may be worth the money.

I have ordered cables from C2G before and recently ordered a short connector 9 pin D-Sub cable. I really like the quality of the cables and the vast array of options. I have had custom cables made in the past and was very pleased as well.

Strengths: Vast Selection of Cables.

Needs to improve: Sometimes the vast array of products can be a bit daunting.

I was searching for a Power Line Filter and I found Allied Electronic website to be easy to search for the filter that I needed and the price was within my budget. I haven't ordered a lot from them, so I'm not too sure of their entire line of products, but I did like what I found.

Strengths: Great selection of products and easy search on their website.

Needs to improve: I'm not sure of weaknesses as I have found what I was searching for on their website. I was searching for Power Line Filters and they had a variety of them and it was easy to select exactly what I needed.

I recently purchased an encoder from US Digital. Although I knew what encoder I wanted, I called customer service to check to see if I had the correct information to order. They were quick to answer my questions and get my order placed.

Strengths: Their website is very easy to navigate and their customer service is great.

Needs to improve: Lack of products.

I have purchased electrical components from Automation Direct for some years now and have always had great service from them. I love that they have data sheet that are quickly accessible when you select a product. I have always received my items when promised. I have never had to contact them for a discrepancy or delayed shipments.

Strengths: Ease in product selection and quick reliable, free with minimum purchase, shipping. I love that every component has a data sheet that can be quickly accessed.

Needs to improve: They don't carry as much as a McMaster Carr, but who does.

I recently purchased some 80/20 components from Prime Resource. Their sales team was great in handling my quotes, changes in part numbers and quantities, and order processing. Even though the sales person that I was working with was not in one day, someone else was enthusiastic in helping me and pulled up my information quickly, correctly made the changes that I wanted, and got my order going without any hassles.

Strengths: Great customer support.

Needs to improve: I haven't used them enough to find any recognizable weaknesses.

I purchased some SMC products for machines that I was building. I have used Thompson Industrial to procure SMC products for quite some time and have a good relationship with their sales team. I had questions on some of the SMC products. Even though their sales team couldn't come up with immediate answers, they got back to me with the correct information.

Strengths: Thompson Industrial can help you save some money.

Needs to improve: Lack of immediate knowledge on some products.

I need to build 2 machines for a medical device start-up company that wanted to stay within a budget. Clayton Controls helped me select controls which would meet my budget.

Strengths: Good customer service.

Needs to improve: I would like to see a larger amount of vendor options.

I have always had excellent service from McMaster Carr.

Strengths: Almost all items are in stock at my local facility and I can get them the next day without high shipping costs.

Needs to improve: Lack of information and drawings on some items.