Never been to JLC Live before, but its coming to Anaheim in May. Should I save my tool money for the show, or is the tool-bargain hype just PR? Just what kind of deals are there to be had, anyway. Anaheim is a few hours drive from Bakersfield, through often heavy traffic, so I’m wondering if its worth it, or what?
edited to add: Is anyone going to be demonstrating the e-z smart system there so I can finally see it in action?
“he…never charged nothing for his preaching, and it was worth it, too” – Mark Twain
Edited 2/16/2006 2:30 am by Huck
Replies
I saved a hundred bucks or so on a Bosch slide compoud miter and they gave me a 9v Bosch drill. That was a couple of years back but I think you can save some money on some things. The question of course is can you save money on the things you need/want lol. DanT
I went to JLC (Providence) last year. I got good deals on a Veto Pro Pac XL bag and a Stabila Jamber set.
I was all set to buy a Bosch router but the price wasn't any better than Amazon when I added the additional D handle base. The rep wouldn't budge even if we bought 2 set-ups. I ended up buying the Festool 1400 when I got home.
The only advice I can offer is research the prices on the stuff you need/want and don't be bashful about asking for a deal.
The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.
- Fyodor Dostoyevski
The only advice I can offer is research the prices on the stuff you need/want and don't be bashful about asking for a deal.
Excellent advice.
I'll add one thing: GO.
You won't regret it. Get there early and take in as many of the floor clinics as you can. Plan your attendance in advance, there's too much to see in a day. Sit up front and answer questions. They toss "promo's" like candy in a parade. The quiet don't get much.
The intensive seminars at an extra cost I feel are worth attending. Choose those wisely too, it's not cheap.
Good deals in the JLC bookstore on seminar days (preshow). Several sales on days of show.
Make conversation with the reps and presenters.
Check out Haley at the Hanson booth. Don't buy the three in one drywall knife.
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Mmmmmmmm Haley.
Hope she still ties her shirt up in a knot. QT.
My first sign of Spring is when pitchers and catchers report.
My second is JLC-Live. I love it. It's like Christmas morning to me. Taking another one of Gary Katz's all day intensives this year. "Durable Exteriors" or something like that.... I forget the exact wording. Last year I took an advanced roof cutting class and the year before was another one of Gary's classes. I just went for the expo my first year. I've always gotten a great deal out of that show whether it's just BSing with other guys, sitting in on the show floor demos, talking to tool and materials manufacturer reps, or the all day intensives.
You're right.... no matter what you do it's worth a visit. Stay an hour (if that's even possible) or two days.... either way it's still worth the trip.View Image
Baseball is here, now.
One of these days I'm going to spring training and make the season just a bit longer.
I'll tell you what, you get Gary out on the town and get him a cold one one me. I'd offer more, but with his history, you'd be there for a long time..................not because of consumption. It takes him an hour an a half to down the first one. Never saw him go for two.
Cheap date.
If you see him or mike guertin, send along a greeting and a thanks for their support from me.
thanks brian.
and please, tell haley I said hello.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
We had plans to go to Fort Myers for this year's spring training Cal. But I chickened out because our house isn't finished yet. I just feel like we should get our house totally done before we drop any real chunks of change on "unnecessaries". I'm kinda kicking myself right about now. Sure woulda been nice and I sure could use a vacation right about now. Guess I'll settle for JLC.
I will pass along your messages. I know I'll see Gary and I can't imagine not bumping into Mike Guertin either so it shouldn't be a problem at all. Think Haley will remember you too?View Image
I would hope I'm the only one who bought that worthless 20.00 drywall knife et al. If not, then maybe she won't remember.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Oh I doubt you're the only one. From what I could tell, she could have been selling dogsh1t sandwiches and dudes woulda been buying.View Image
Tell Gary that Piffin says HI!Then when he says, "Who?" smack him one...oh yeah, he calls me Paul;)
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I'm thinking you should come down and hang out with me for the day and tell him yourself? Maybe later we could go and fall down over at Mike Smith's job and take the rest of the winter off? Sound like fun?View Image
I was gonna do a day and spend nite at Mikes, but DW has my calender shanghaied. She has plans to be west of the big river by the time JLC opens. That woman loves to travel.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
As Calvin said, figure out beforehand what clinics you want to see and have a mental (or written) schedule that you want to follow. When you enter the Center, you will be like a little kid at Christmas, wanting to play/see everything at once.
I go the the Providence show. The Stabila deals are good but amazon had the same prices last year. I was disappointed with the Kreg Tools prices. I had planned on picking up a K2000 but their prices were the same as amazon or higher and you'll pay sales tax vs. amazon no sales tax. I think what you will find in general, is that the most popular tools like Kreg and Stabila as the main examples will be prices normal or close to it where some others will have very good prices. As with any sales event, at the end of day two their will be much better deals. Companies like Bosch bring a lot of stuff to the show and they really don't want to pack it all up again.
Bottom line, know the prices of things you might be interested in, bring a copy of amazon's monthly catalog they send out as a price reference, and do not be afraid to haggle with the reps. The reps I've met are all really nice guys and want to make a sale. As long as your reasonable they'll work with you, besides it doesn't hurt to try.
You'll have a great time.
A "must go"
I got some smokin deals last year in Providence. Trackrack, Bosh stuff. Plus the seminars are great, and the shows not THAT huge that you can't get through it efficiently, unlike the Builders Show.Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
The show is worth going to even with all that extra traffic...You'll be glad you went...