Hi All,
I’ve been replacing many of my power tools as of late and just checking out what’s new. I’ve noticed a couple of things. Most of the larger home centers, Lowes, HD etc.., don’t seem to have the best prices. Sure lots of hype but I was after a new Sawzall and at HD found a similar one to what I want with a big “SALE” tage put on it. A little careful prying revealed the sale price to be the same as their regular price and no cheaper than elsewhere. I also noticed they don’t have the typical ‘contractor” type tools. If your not careful you’ll pay as much for an underpowered as for the better model.
Another suprise, my local contractors supply Tool Mart and Tool Depot had significantly higher prices.
The biggest suprise of all. The hardware store DixieLine had the best selection and competitive prices. Oft times much cheaper! A wonder bar and cats paw were $5 less on each than elsewhere! About 25% savings! Plus no Lines!
I always get suckered in and hit HD first thinking the prices will be much cheaper but am slowly figuring it out.
Do yourself a favor and check out some of the smaller chain or independant stores. You may be suprised!
N
Replies
try toolcribofthenorth.com
Ya mean Amazontools right?
Oddly no significant savings from what I'm seeing at Dixieline. I checked prices there first. You have to be careful as lots of these places try the "BIG SALE" approach and don't lower the prices. I looked all over for a deal on a Super Sawzall and could do little better than $169 amazon included. Plus I bought it because I needed it TODAY! Include shipping or 2nd day shipping and even the tax savings is moot.
I'm not totally discounting online or larger stores but just noticing they play games and don't always offer the best models. Mostly saying don't forget the hardware store where I'm constantly impressed with prices and selection as of late.
Seems that most manufacturers offer a "consumer" grade tool not a beefy as a contractor grade but identical in appearance. Look at Sawzalls. I think there are about 10 models, but only 3 real main differences, Sawzall-Super Sawzall-Super sawzall w/Orbital Action. So there are obviously less powerful motors, or other differences in many.
N
Was after the new dewalt compressor old was stolen. I checked lowes and HD both were 349. Then I hit the phone called everyone in town got a price of 330 I think went Back to Lowes. Confirmed they beat by ten% told the sales person how much and where I found it. He did not even call to verify took off thirty three bucks. I don't think anyone out their has ever paid anyless for that compressor $297 was final price.
Had the same happen between Home Base at the time and Home depot for a drill.
But at My Lowes it seems that any one had the authority to mark something down ten%.no questions asked. I have also gotten 50%off clearance price at lowe's by saying this is your last two how about taking off 50% on the clearance price to get them out of here ( granite counter top and laminate flooring.)
Best shopping tool is the phone pick out the tool then call to see who's price is the best.
Sorry Wally, beat you by about 30 bucks on that Dewalt/emglo compressor! I had the exact same experience at Home Depot, they didn't call to verify the price I had found, just rang me up. Really not surprising as the majority of the people working at the depot don't really know what they are doing. Don't you hate it when the little code stickers are messed up on whatever it is you're trying to buy and the checkers can't ring it up, even if it is only a 39 cent washer, they have to call into that black hole of a warehouse for someone to go find the item, find the price, while everyone glares at you for holding them up? This is off the point, but I'm sure everyone has their depot horror stories.
Having worked at HD long ago, and usually having paper of some sort on me, here's what I do. Especially small parts like plumbing/electrical/hardware items, I look for the stickers to be missing/messed up. If (When) they are, I'll write down the 6 digit SKU number from the shelf tag. Can save up to 15 minutes at checkout, and the cashiers become nicer because I made their job easier. Problem is, it only works when the shelf tag is there - hit or miss.If everything seems to be going well, you've obviously overlooked something.
It always pays to ask for a discount. Contractor's or otherwise. Sometimes they will drop the price 10% or so just for the asking. I find I get better results asking the department head, develop some rapport and getting them slightly away from customers when asking. Be nice but firm about it. Making sure they know that the tool is a discretionary purchase and that I can walk away without a discount.
Relationships count. I know quite a few of the clerks by name and greet them when I see them. Sometimes they will point out discounted or discontinued items I'm likely to use. Often I can talk even the discounted items down a few dollars.
I have gotten a few over 60% discounts on discontinued power tools. Discontinued items go cheap and they want the shelf space more than the tool so it goes for a song.
All this makes me sound cheap. I guess I am. I don't ask for a discount on everything but for power tools I don't hesitate. All they can say is no. Even then it pays to be nice about it. Clerks often have a lot of discretion on prices and they are more likely to help out a friendly person.
Once again my point is proven,
I went looking for a Panasonic 12v 3 or 3.5 Amh. Going price anywhere between $175-$200. The local ToolMart who's ALWAYS high had it for $179. I went to look and it was a much older 2.0amh. Not a big deal but I looked a little more and found the 3.5 for $189 and used it today.
Funny how the guys usually come across like experts till you point out it's a discontinued model and the new one is about $10 more doen the street. I may have been tempted into the 2 amh if the price was right but they insisted that no one wants to spend the extra $10 on the 3.5 so they wont carry it.
Yea right.
N
They don't have to have the lowest prices - All they have to do is create the PERCEPTION that everything is cheaper there, just to get people in the door.
Never fight ugly people - They have nothing to loose.