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Discussion Forum

DeWalt accessory rip offs

JDBoston | Posted in Tools for Home Building on October 1, 2002 08:06am

Is it just me, or does it seem ridiculous that DeWalt will charge you $280 for a 12″ compound miter saw and then try to hit you up for $35  for a “material clamp” (a hunk of metal with a screw on it), $30 for a “crown stop” (a bent piece of sheet metal), and $25 for a “length stop” (a short metal bar).

So, for 12.5% of the original purchase price, I can buy a hunk of metal with a screw on it.  That’s like buying a $30,000 car and the auto maker trying to charge you $3,000 for fog lights. 

I find this incredibly short sighted on DeWalt’s part.  How to piss off your new customers.  Sure, they deserve to make a profit on accessories, but they can make 100% by charging me $12.95 for the bloody clamp.

Is it me, or is this company making a mistake with this stuff?

 

 

Reply

Replies

  1. rez | Oct 01, 2002 09:38pm | #1

    Ya, just buy the saw and make all your own accessories since you'll make them better quality anyhow.

    Half of good living is staying out of bad situations.

    Forget the primal scream,  just Roar!

  2. User avater
    JDRHI | Oct 01, 2002 10:40pm | #2

    JD,

    I agree 100%, and thats one of the reasons I dont buy Dewalt. Im not a big fan to begin with but factor in the cost of all the accessories and suddenly what was supposed to be a moderately priced tool begins to aproach shop quality prices. And...the quality of the accessories is really pretty pathetic. Have you seen the "folding stand" they make for the table saw?

    J. D. Reynolds

    Home Improvements

    "DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"

    1. nigelUsa | Oct 02, 2002 12:13am | #3

      Dewalt is not on its own with this kind of pricing!!

      1. bill_1010 | Oct 02, 2002 12:19am | #4

        accessories are a great back-end money generator.   You dont need all those gadgets and widgets for your tools.  

        Like mentioned before, ingenuity can allow you improve on the saw and a much less expense. 

    2. User avater
      JonBlakemore | Oct 02, 2002 12:28am | #5

      I happen to think the stand is pretty cool.  I know Pro-Dek loves his.  Right now I'm using a plywood stand on saw horses for my DW 12" SCMS, but if I had $280 I would probably buy the Dewalt stand.  It's strong, light, and folds up into a small package.  I think most of the accessories (while they may be a bit pricey) are better than what I could come up with.  For instance, the crown stops.  What is the alternative?  clamping a sacrificial scrap of wood on the table?  This requires wood (and it must be straight) and a few clamps.   I think you need to find a balance.  Let's say a carpenter installs crown 4/5 days.  Do you think the $30 would be well spent vs. a few clamps and fence (btw, the clamps cost money, althought when not using the saw you can use them for other endeavors), a one stop, set the distance, screw down and your good for the rest of the day arrangement would be worth it to him?  Probably.  If you are going to cut crown once, then save your $30.  I think that most of the accessories are better quality than I could do so I appreciate them.  Whether the company has a large of small profit margin is not my concern.Jon Blakemore

      1. nigelUsa | Oct 02, 2002 01:07am | #6

        There is an $80 stand at HD which is very solid but made of steel. Works very similar to the dewalt. And yes the Dewalt crown stops do pay for them selves quickly. Never needed the clamp thing.

        1. grantlogan | Oct 02, 2002 02:07am | #7

          Order an option on a new vehicle (cd player for instance). They cost more than a better quality aftermarket unit. It's not just Dewalt. Heck, I tend to charge more for the "while you're here" add-ons.

          1. HammerHarry | Oct 02, 2002 02:46am | #8

            I'm in the industrial equipment business, and after one of my customers (chief plant engineer) referred to me as a f(*&ing theif (with a hearty laugh and a big smile), he mentioned that when he was growing up, his father sold LinkBelt cranes.  He said, I know how it works.  Break even on the equipment sale, and make out like a bandit on the parts.....DeWalt is no different, but they make money on the original sale, too.

            Still calls me a thief, but is also a good customer.  Introduces me to his mother as "a thief I buy lots of stuff from..."

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