Disadvantages of Buying Heavy Hex Bolts From a Catalogue

There are situations where buying from a catalogue – whether online or paper – is advantageous. Products or brands that you are familiar with can be purchased from retailers you trust through a catalogue. But most contractors will confirm that there are distinct disadvantages to buying heavy hex bolts from a catalogue without first knowing the level of quality to expect.

Surprises in the Mail

Mail order delivery is convenient, given that you can order from the comfort of the office and have the product delivered to your door. However sometimes these orders can result in a nasty surprise in the mail. When you are ordering from an unknown source the quality is also unknown, and when it comes to fasteners anything less than top quality is substandard.

Heavy hex bolts are, like all other threaded fasteners, precise components. When the machining has not been done well or the galvanization is below par you can anticipate problems. Perhaps these fasteners will be difficult to install or maybe they will fit incorrectly, resulting in a problem with the machinery, structure or equipment you are assembling. 

Because they are used to support a lot of weight, this style of fastener needs to be made well. And catalogue orders from an unknown source are a risky bet. 

Brands You Can Trust

If you find a reputable fastener distributor who has a familiar brand in stock, by all means order through an online or paper catalogue. Just be sure that it is a brand of heavy hex bolts you’ve used, that way you can be confident in the quality behind the order.

There are certain instances where you can order a smaller quantity, as a test so to speak. This will allow you to try new brands from new suppliers without risking too much. The testing process takes time however, since you need to order that smaller quantity, wait for it to come and then reorder the larger amount once you are happy with the quality. You may need to do this numerous times before you are happy with the brand ordered.

Be sure to ask about the return policies of any catalogue retailer. If there is an issue you need to be able to send the unused product back for a full or partial refund. Most of the time a restocking fee applies, but it helps to have this information ahead of time. Make the most of ordering heavy hex bolts through a catalogue by limiting your risk, ordering a trusted brand and getting all of the information about the return policy.