72Hours vs. Industrial Giants: Why Canadian Businesses are Switching
If you are a purchasing manager in Canada, you know the drill. You need 50 cases of nitrile gloves for your warehouse yesterday. You go to one of the "Industrial Giants."
The "Big Box" Frustration: Why Purchasing Managers Are Exhausted
What happens next?
- "Call for Price": You can't see the bulk price. You have to email a rep and wait 24-48 hours.
- Account Approval Purgatory: You try to check out, but you need an approved business account. That’s another 3-5 business days of paperwork.
- Surprise Fees: When the invoice finally arrives, it’s loaded with "handling fees," "border tariffs," or currency conversion surcharges because the stock actually shipped from a US warehouse.
It doesn't have to be this hard.
At 72Hours.ca, we built a different model—one that respects your time and your budget.
Comparison Matrix: 72Hours vs. The Giants
We put our process head-to-head with the major industrial suppliers (like Uline, Grainger, and Amazon Business). Here is the reality check:
| Feature | ❌ Industrial Giants (Uline/Grainger) | ✅ 72Hours.ca |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Transparency | "Call for Quote" / Hidden Tiers | Live Bulk Pricing (Visible to Everyone) |
| Account Setup | Days/Weeks for Approval | Guest Checkout (No Account Needed) |
| Checkout Speed | High Friction (Purchase Orders, Faxes) | 60 Seconds (Credit Card, PayPal, Shop Pay) |
| Shipping Origin | Often USA (Customs delays) | Ships from BC, Canada (No Duties) |
| Hidden Fees | Handling, Fuel Surcharges, Tariffs | Zero Hidden Fees |
| Minimum Order | High MOQs for best price | Low MOQs (Even 1 case gets a deal) |
Why The Switch is Happening
1. Live Pricing – No Quote Needed
We believe you shouldn't have to beg to know the price. On every product page, you see our tiered pricing structure immediately.
- Buying 1 case? You see the price.
- Buying 100 cases? You see the discount instantly.
- No emails. No waiting.
2. Checkout in 60 Seconds (No Account Required)
The "Giants" operate on 20th-century logic where every B2B customer needs a vetted credit account. We operate on E-commerce speed.
Need supplies now? Add to cart, enter your address, and pay. You can be done in under a minute without filling out a 10-page credit application.
3. Ships from Canada – No Border Stress
Many comprehensive industrial sites look Canadian but ship from US hubs like Chicago or Seattle. This introduces unpredictability, surprise brokerage fees, and currency fluctuation risks.
72Hours is 100% Canadian. Our stock is in British Columbia. When you order, it ships via Canada Post, Purolator, or UPS immediately. No border agents involved.
What Our Customers Are Saying
"I used to order from Uline, but the shipping cost was killing our margin, and I hated waiting for quotes. Switched to 72Hours for our 6 mil mechanics gloves. Pricing was better, and I had the tracking number in my inbox 2 hours later."
— David M., Automotive Shop Manager, Burnaby, BC
Ready to Stop Waiting?
Don't let bureaucracy slow down your operations. Get the 4 Mil Nitrile Gloves or Heavy-Duty 6 Mil Gloves you need, at a price that makes sense, shipped today.
Need a pallet? Call us directly, and a human (not a bot) will help you sort it out.
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