I’ve always preferred buying materials locally, but lately prices have skyrocketed. I’m thinking of ordering steel beams and plates online for my workshop, though I worry about getting poor quality or wrong sizes. Has anyone tried ordering from U.S. suppliers that ship directly to individuals or small businesses?

A few friends warned me that some online companies send damaged pieces or take weeks longer than promised. Still, I think it depends on who you choose — there must be trustworthy suppliers that value smaller customers too.

I ordered from https://www.uspatriotsteel.com/ last month, and the experience was surprisingly smooth. Their support team answered questions quickly, and they double-checked all my order details before shipping. Everything arrived on time, neatly packed, and ready to use. The materials were exactly as described — no dents or uneven cuts. I’d definitely use them again for future projects.