Every SK has gone through them. Good dependable ones, and then the ones that cause our blood pressure level to skyrocket. Even the stock system has had it's moments of brill or bust, it's all part of the life we live. When on the 378, I've had to do either an SDR or QDR for Engineering parts. My worst headache came from a fitness equiptment company from Illinois. The one SK3 places the order. Two months later we never received the Lat-Pulldown machine. He takes care of his PCA, disputes, whatever else. The whole shop must have called the company and they apparently "lost" any information in regards to receiving payment. They had no record of payment, however it hit SK3's PCA. After so much time wasted on this company I called the BBB on them as they would jerk our shop around and either refuse to deliver the item or answer our calls. Eventually with the help of the Chicago BBB we got some feedback from upper management. A few days during standown before our next patrol, the Lat-pulldown machine showed up, and all was happy.
Knock on wood, but I haven't had much a problem with EMALL compared to ordering via FLS (backorders ) However, I've heard from the old-timers and beyond how much they don't like EMALL. And who would dare slip in those GSA Advantage orders?
My gripe with FLS is getting status. I find it better using PUTTY(ARMS) instead. Although ELC Customer Service is pretty good, you don't always get status by any electronic means (CASREPS aside). I would agree with EMALL being pretty bad. I am all for security but, their password system is insane.
I agree Ruth Brace of Brace Enterprise is AWESOME!!
If your stationed on Coast Guard Island in Alameda I would say another good vendor is AIB, Evette and Leslie are super helpful. They will go out of their way to help you find what you need.
DOD Emall is good except when you have small budget. Those minium orders of $50.00 and some even higher are what makes it tough. I am sure those SK's with small budgets at stations know that feeling!!
Why they made it mandatory I'll never know. GSA Advantage runs circles around them. Grainger is another company worthy of doing business with. Lab Safety Supply is pretty good as well.
Man I love servmart, eaglemart, officeeagle, paperclips whatever and wherever they are. Always a pleasure. I came here and they were using emall I searched and found eaglemart at Knox and guess what....they delivered to our building front door. Love it!
DOD Emall isn't all that bad. Only part I hate is trying to remember a completely random password. GSA Advantage does run circles around it though. Would choose Advantage over Emall anyday of the week and twice on Sundays. I hate Lab Safety. They may have just about everything under the sun, but they charge an arm and a leg for it!
I know the price tag may be steep at times but, I was thinking on the side of reliability and expediency. Galls gives us both price and those listed above.
(a) Policy: All office supplies are to be acquired through the DHS EMALL Internet ordering portal (http://www.emall.dla.mil).
(b) Exceptions to Mandatory Use of DHS EMALL:
(i) At locations where a National Institute for the Blind or National Institute for the Severely Handicapped (NIB/NISH) store provides service to a DHS office the OE’s policy on the use of the store prevails. The DHS EMALL portal is to be the only alternate source for acquiring office supply product requirements at these locations. (ii) Locations where the office supplies are to be consumed outside the borders of the 50 United States, i.e. Guam, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands. The use of the DHS EMALL is optional at these locations. This exception does not apply where supplies are ordered for delivery within the borders of the 50 United States for consumption on vessels operating in international waters. I "HATE' EMALL!
If you have the GSA NSN for an item you want to order, EMall isn't that bad. use the 'quick nsn order' feature, put in all your stock numbers and you're set. As odd as it sounds, GSA Advantage is a vendor withing Emall. So as a work around, you can order GSA items via Emall. And GSA Advantage has just as many minimum dollar amount purchases with vendors as Emall does.
I think I'm one of the few who likes EMALL, but I love GSA. The only trick is to order off items at least 2 months in advance. Especially when getting office supplies for the patrol. GSA has done me well, but I get picky with it and the companies I've dealt with via GSA are really good for emailing me directly when an item is Cancelled or backordered. It might be just luck.
) However, I've heard from the old-timers and beyond how much they don't like EMALL. And who would dare slip in those GSA Advantage orders?
