Fisher Scientific is a supplier of lab equipment, chemicals, and materials — not a financial product

Fisher Scientific is a company that sells laboratory supplies, instruments, and chemicals to research facilities, hospitals, schools, and industrial labs. It is owned by Thermo Fisher Scientific, a larger life sciences company. If you arrived here looking for information about a financial account or banking service, Fisher Scientific is not what you need — it is a vendor that labs use to buy the physical tools and materials they work with every day.

This guide explains what Fisher Scientific does, who uses it, and how the ordering process works. If you are looking for banking information or financial products, you may want to return to the main banking guides.

Key Takeaways

  • Fisher Scientific sells lab equipment, chemicals, reagents, and consumables to research institutions, hospitals, schools, and industrial facilities.
  • Orders are typically placed through an online catalog or account, and delivery times vary based on item availability and location.
  • Most labs set up a standing account with Fisher Scientific rather than making one-time purchases, which allows them to track spending and manage inventory.
  • Fisher Scientific is a vendor relationship, not a banking or financial service — it does not manage money, accounts, or payments in the way a bank does.

What Fisher Scientific sells

Fisher Scientific's catalog includes thousands of items organized by lab function. Common categories include glassware (beakers, flasks, pipettes), plasticware (petri dishes, test tubes, pipette tips), chemicals and reagents (solvents, buffers, stains), instruments (centrifuges, microscopes, spectrophotometers), and safety equipment (gloves, goggles, fume hood filters).

The company also sells pre-made kits for specific lab procedures, such as DNA extraction kits or bacterial culture media. Many items are branded as Fisher Scientific's own products, while others are manufactured by third parties and distributed through Fisher's network. Prices vary widely depending on the item — a box of pipette tips might cost under $50, while a laboratory centrifuge can cost thousands of dollars.

Who uses Fisher Scientific

Fisher Scientific serves research universities, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and clinical labs, food and beverage manufacturers, environmental testing facilities, and K-12 schools with science programs. Any organization that needs to stock lab supplies on a regular basis is a potential customer.

Individual researchers and small labs also use Fisher Scientific, though they may face higher per-unit costs than large institutions that negotiate volume discounts. Academic labs often have standing accounts that allow researchers to order supplies without paying out of pocket each time — the institution receives a monthly invoice instead.

How ordering works

Most labs order from Fisher Scientific through its online catalog at fishersci.com. You search for an item by name or catalog number, check the price and availability, and add it to a cart. If your lab has a standing account, the order is charged to that account. If you are ordering as an individual, you can pay by credit card or other payment method at checkout.

Delivery times depend on the item and your location. In-stock items at major distribution centers may arrive within a few business days. Specialty items or those ordered from smaller warehouses may take longer. Fisher Scientific also offers rush delivery options for an additional fee, though these are typically used only when a lab needs something urgently.

Orders can also be placed by phone or through a sales representative if your lab is a large customer. Representatives can help with bulk orders, custom quotes, or sourcing hard-to-find items.

Setting up a lab account

If your institution or lab wants to order regularly from Fisher Scientific, you can set up a formal account. This typically requires providing your organization's name, address, tax identification number, and billing information. The account setup process is handled by Fisher's sales team, and approval usually takes a few business days.

Once your account is active, authorized users at your lab can place orders online using the account number. Invoices are sent to the billing contact you designated, and payment terms vary — some labs pay on delivery, while others receive net-30 or net-60 invoices depending on their agreement with Fisher.

Pricing and discounts

Fisher Scientific publishes list prices for most items, but actual prices depend on your account status and order volume. Large institutions and frequent buyers often negotiate volume discounts or preferred pricing agreements. Academic institutions may receive educational discounts. Prices also fluctuate based on market conditions, especially for chemicals and raw materials.

If you are comparing costs, it is worth checking whether competitors like VWR, Sigma-Aldrich, or lab-specific suppliers offer better pricing on the items you need most. Some labs maintain accounts with multiple suppliers to take advantage of different strengths or pricing.

Returns and customer service

Fisher Scientific has a returns policy that typically allows items to be returned within a set window if they are unused and in original packaging. Opened or used items are usually not returnable. If an item arrives damaged or defective, Fisher will replace it or issue a refund.

Customer service is available by phone, email, and through the website. Response times vary, but most inquiries are handled within one business day. If you have questions about product specifications, compatibility, or recommendations for a particular lab task, Fisher's technical support team can often help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fisher Scientific the same as Thermo Fisher Scientific?

Fisher Scientific is a brand owned by Thermo Fisher Scientific, a larger parent company. Thermo Fisher also owns other brands like Applied Biosystems and Invitrogen. When you order from Fisher Scientific, you are ordering from Thermo Fisher's supply division.

Can I order from Fisher Scientific if I am not part of an institution?

Yes. Individual researchers, small labs, and hobbyists can order from Fisher Scientific's website using a credit card. You will not have the volume discounts that large institutions receive, but the catalog is open to anyone. Some items may have restrictions based on safety or regulatory rules.

How long does shipping usually take?

In-stock items typically ship within one to three business days and arrive within a week, depending on your location. Specialty items or those ordered from smaller warehouses may take two to three weeks. Fisher offers expedited shipping for an additional cost if you need something faster.

What if I need a product that is not in the Fisher catalog?

You can contact Fisher's sales team to request a quote or special order. They work with manufacturers and distributors to source items not regularly stocked. Lead times and pricing for special orders vary, so it is worth asking early if you know you will need something unusual.

Do I need a tax ID to open an account?

If you are ordering on behalf of an institution or business, yes — Fisher will ask for a tax ID or business registration number. If you are an individual researcher ordering for personal use, you can typically order without one using a credit card on the website.