Caution buying Ridgid single tools
My wife went to Home Depot to buy my b-day present. Asked the salesman to help select a replacement drill for me (I’d mentioned I liked the Ridgid 18V drill because of the warranty, and I need the exercise lifting a heavy drill around). Guy shows her to the drills, she buys the 18V 1/2″ Cordless Hammer Drill (mdl# R8411503) – $249. Nice wife – hasn’t wrapped present yet and my 3-yr old ratted her out at the supper table about what she bought, so no suprise for my b-day but oh well, no complaints.
I was in HD today, looked at the drills and thought I saw what she had bought based on her description of the it and the price. It was in the tool section w/ all the other drills. I went to the contractor desk, and there were various Ridgid 2-tool combo sets, all with the exact same drill, and either a circ. saw, jigsaw, or recip. saw & bag thrown in for $199!
Two things bug me –
1) the guy never mentioned the other deals to me wife (I’m guessing the guys at HD don’t work on commission, so why not mention the better deal)
2) When I went to look into the deal on the internet, I can’t find the model number of drill on either HD’s website or on Ridgid’s. Only site besides auction sites I can find it on is Home Depot Canada. It is not even listed as a discontinued product on Ridgid. Should this scare me away from Ridgid, or is this pretty common?
Anyway – wanted to let people know to check around HD for better prices.
Replies
Ridgid's web presense isn't all that great, it's kind of all over the place. It doesn't surprise me that they are slow to post info about one of their products. Samsung seems to be the same way - there are no links to its digital cameras from the Samsung home page.
I have their worm drive saw and LOVE it. I briefly had a Bosch after I lost my first one. I took it back after making one cut - using the Bosch made me feel like I lost a bet. Took it back and got another Ridgid. I have their 12v drill and impact driver set too. Same deal as what you found too, BTW. I bought the angle impact driver, then two weeks later I see the same tool WITH a drill and two batteries - only $30 more. Took it back, and walked back out with a brand new set... had the tool bag too!
HD sometimes has their suppliers put together unique packages, that bag set might be one of them. Just take it back, get a store credit, and get the full set after your birthday. And don't tell your wife... just love her for doing such a nice thing for you!
BTW, their LiIon tools are pretty new, and it looks like they are still getting their displays and pricing in order. The guy may not even have known about it yet.
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Edited 12/4/2006 10:58 pm ET by xxPaulCPxx
The guy may not even have known about it yet.
I'm betting that's the case. The local HD is horrible for employees knowing where something is located, let alone what you are asking for, most of the people in the "Pro Sales" desk are pretty good, the average employee I'm surprised can find their #### when they wipe. The certainly can't find anything in the store...
As for Ridgid on the web, Amazon has some listed for sale. I only saw it in passing the other day so I can't say how the selection is.
The large the organization the bigger the shell game. I think SEARS invented it. But I'd go to SEARS before HD.
guess you haven't had to return anything since kmart bought them.even harbor frieght blows them out now. larryhand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.
I never by a tool without a little research if its over $50. Beside @ SEARS I see the same people work there. HD its always seems like the new guy gets stuck in the tool dept.Best to you and yours, Chris.
Some say I know too much.
The problem is Sears mostly sell garbage.
The problem is Sears mostly sell garbage.
You consider Bosch, Milwaukee, Delta, etc. to be garbage???? That's what Sears sells....
It's only garbage if you BUY it at Sears :)Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
What sears puts their name on is garbage, but they sell a lot of good name stuff for ten or fifteen bucks more than I can get it for elsewhere.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Ridgid's web presense isn't all that great, it's kind of all over the place<<<
Best thing about their web site is their calendar.
View Image"Being a cowboy aint all ridin and shootin" - Tim Mooney
I have a Rigid Tool...NOW!!!"Dogs don't follow an emotional leader. They follow the dominant leader. We are the only species that follows an unstable leader. "
Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer, in an interview in National Geographic Magazine
Just remember, if it lasts for more than four hours seek medical attention or at least chug a few Red Bulls and call in reinforcements.(;-)
Edited 12/7/2006 10:34 am ET by rasconc
I'm not calling my doctor..... I'm calling the Radio City Rockettes!!!!!!
I think it was a lovely present, and a very thoughtful thing for your wife to do.
Sorry it wasn't good enough for you.
Try to shut up and act really suprised.
Happy Birthday!
May neighbors respect You, and troubles neglect You.
Gord
As some one else said Ridgid's web site is way behind. I noticed that when I wanted to check the specs on a vac.
But there is a forum on their website and I think it is monitored by Ridgid support people. Might want to check there and see if it is different.
thank the wife, wait till your bd, take it back, explain what happened and get the better deal, don't leave till your satisfied .. then tell the wife ..
HD has a pretty much unconditional return policy on tools - one of the few good things about HD. So she cantake the tool, the reciept and her credit card in there, return for credit, and then turn around and buy the better deal.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
It's not exactly "unconditional". If you meant new and unused and returned within 90 days with the receipt, then yes, they readily accept returns.
Also, apparently each store is able to make up its own return policy that might not even agree with the official version. I've seen hand-printed return policy exceptions at the Home Depot that I go to.
I think they've gotten tired of providing free tool rentals.
-Don
I admit it, I bought the set when I saw it with the intention of returning the drill she bought for me. She was happy to find a better deal. I know what DonCanDo was saying though about people abusing a return policy. I used to live in Anchorage, and the Recreation Equipment Inc. (REI) there used to have lots of gear for sale - slightly used - that people would use and then return. Part of thier vacation to Alaska, buy a tent/sleeping bag/etc at REI, use it for a few weeks, return it for full credit, and fly home. Good deal unless you where the guy who bought the unscrupulous travellers used fart sack.
If you check the label on the Rigid tools where the amp rating and the like are you can see if it was made in China or Germany. The Tools made in Germany are made by Metabo. If you can find one of those more than likely you are getting a well constructed tool.
They are getting harder to find.
I think those days of "made in Germany" Ridgids are gone. I looked the other day and could only find "made in China."********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
The prices haven't come down, either :)