Scews are Screws ...Right?

With the sea of fasteners at the local hardware or big box stores you sometimes wonder where they all come from. With less and less being manufactured here in the United States one would wonder about the quality and consistency. It is true that two screws can look exactly alike and perform in very different ways. Many things can contribute to this, the quality of the steel, the thickness of the body, rolled or cut threads, tumbled or brushed.....you get the picture. Whether or not you now what I am talking about, there are companies out there that specialize in the quality of what their customers receive. If the issue is price sensitive, then the cheap stuff will be sent, however if the customer really wants to save money they would have chosen the higher priced, quality product. Here is why...I have learned this the hard way and am here to tell you quality fasteners cost more but save you money in the short and long term. (I am detailed about things so beware) However, I am not blind to over priced fasteners of any kind even when quality is an issue, and neither should you be.

Example:
If you bought a box of 100 10x1 sheet metal screws and had a project that required at least 80 of those. Lets throw some likelihoods out there on the cheap screws and do a comparison. Lets assume two costs (Quality $4.99 & Low End $2.89)

Cost for CHEAP $2.89 & associated realistic problems.
Rounded Out
Snapped Head
Poor Thread Engagement
Head Off Center (wobbles on entry)

Now lets factor in some realism's.
Of those 80 you needed, you ran a bit short because of some problems with the fasteners. Now lets factor this into the equation. Because you have to go back and get more.
*Time
*Fuel
*Insurance (can't drive without it)
*Now the cost of the part went up too. It now cost you $5.78 instead of $2.89. All factored in and lets say gas is $2.60 a gal. and Ins may cost you $1.00 for this trip and you are paid $18 dollars an hr.

I won't go overboard on this but as some business owners would agree with me there is more cost to it than what I am showing here. Here is the true cost of that cheap part. $27.38

Still think it's in your best interest to buy the cheap stuff for sensitive jobs? Me either!! If you have a fastener salesman that has been in the game a while, he/she could tell you the exact same thing I am. They can also outline the best parts for your projects. Your fastener source should be someone you consider a consultant not just a supplier.

Good Day!