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Does anyone know of a reliable and truthful mail order supplier?
I placed an order with Tool Crib of The North on 3 Dec 98. They promised delivery in 6-7 days. Only 4 of 9 items ordered were shipped on 9 Dec and delivered on 15 Dec. When I called to see about the remainder of my order I was told only that a shipment was due in this week. Not much help when you need tools and the order was for over $900. A supplier should not advertise items that are not in stock available for immediate shipment.
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Try Seven Corners Hardware (http://www.7cornershdwe.com/). One should always get a stock status and confirmation number when ordering by telephone. If the company doesn't volunteer these, ask for them. If they don't have inventory access, reconsider the order if time is critical.
Barry
*I am also in the throes of a purchase with Tool Crib of the North. I ordered a tile saw and accessories on 10/31 with a 7 to 10 day arrival promised, I am only now receiving parts of my order 6 weeks later. They are very polite, and anxious to be helpful. They tell me that they have just moved their warehouse, but I have spent long periods of time waiting to speak to a customer service rep on the phone, and I'm still short the last item on the order.
*I've done business with William Alden Co, http://www.williamalden.com 1-800-249-8665.Excellent service, product exactly as promised, priced on the phone was same as charged to my Visa card. They will innundate you with catalogues!!
*I've alsways had good luck and reasonable prices from either William Alden or Tool Crib North. Barry's statement to check availability at order time is key.
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I've found the best prices from Colonial Hardware in NYC.
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Gee that $100 you saved from Tool Crib really looks good now, doesn't it? I hate to say I told you so (because you didn't ask my advice before), but here is what I do:
I order from my local dealer and pay the extra $100-200 when: (1) I need it now; (2) I will be ticked off it its not here in 3 weeks; or (3) The tool will need set up or I think I may have problems getting it dialed in. My local dealer is always a great help in getting a tool dialed in, replacing busted parts that come with the product, and I go home with it that afternoon. If there is a warranty issue, he is right there.
I only buy from the discount shops when the tool is rather simple (e.g., a router); I doubt that it will have any set up or warranty issues (a Porter Cable Tool, not a Grizzly product); and when I don't care when I get it (I can wait a month or two).
Anyway, thats what I do. I try to support my local dealer, who has been a godsend when I buy a tool, and a year later need to have it adjusted or fooled with.
*Scooter,You have presented both sides very well. Both mail order discount and local service have their places, roles, and benefits. My local supplier will often try to get close to Seven Corners or Tool Crib prices, though he doesn't have the volume to do so. He also backs his products. Went in the other day for a router bit and was asked about the Bosch drill I had bought from him six months earlier. Seems there had been some problems with the forward/reverse switch in others. I noted that mine would slip into neutral now and then, so he had me bring it in and replaced it with a newer one that had a product improvement to solve the problem. Tool Crib wouldn't have done that. But the mail order prices are sometimes too good to pass up.
*Supporting local suppliers is not always easy even when one is willing to pay the mostly small differences. The issued I've faced include factoring in WA state's outrageous sales tax and the fact that I cannot always buy the tool in the brand that I want(Hitachi tools are hard to come by locally). As far as the mail order co.'s go, I like Tools On Sale(7Corners Hdwr) and Abbey Tool(real live crusty old guys to talk to!)
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Mike,
Don't you declare sales and use tax from mail orders on your state tax return, just like the rest of us do?
Barry
*Couple of weeks ago I was looking for a Construction Master IV feet-inch calculator for a Christmas present. I was unable to find one locally. Sent an e-mail to Tool Crib of the North. Got a reply the next day confirming availability and price. Called and received delivery a couple of days later. With e-mail you can get thee commitment in writing before you order. Have always received good service tfrom them.
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Steve,
You can also buy direct from Calcuated. They have a web site. I have the CM and the EC. Handy.
jwells
*I ordered a Biesemeyer fence from 4 Corners last Friday. They told me the item was in stock and would be shipped within 24 hours. Today when I called they told me it would ship within 24 hours. Who do you believe?
*After a rocky start. (Some miscommunication about prices on the web site, William Alden came through for me. A word of caution, a lot of 'problems' with suppliers are really caused by the shippers. I realize that in your case, this is probably not the case, but it does happen. In a high cost state like California, if you beat the taxes with lower shipping costs, and the base price savings are significant, all you have to do is order well in advance of need, and you've got it made. Also, to those ordering Biesmeyer fences, cancel if you still can, and buy the Incra TS.Buck
*After a rocky start. (Some miscommunication about prices on the web site), William Alden came through for me. A word of caution, a lot of 'problems' with suppliers are really caused by the shippers. I realize that in your case, this is probably not the case, but it does happen. In a high cost state like California, if you beat the taxes with lower shipping costs, and the base price savings are significant, all you have to do is order well in advance of need, and you've got it made. Also, to those ordering Biesmeyer fences, cancel if you still can, and buy the Incra TS.Buck
*No. It's not required by law. And, just recently, Congress exempted all internet sales from taxation by states. It's an old issue. Goes back to the Articles of Confederation. Even though California has made noise about taxing out of state WWW purchases of Tobacco products. (Honor Our Treaties and Thompson Cigar in Florida) It's just talk. It's against federal law, and needlessly giving money to politicians and bureaucrats is akin to giving whiskey to alcoholics. So, go ahead if you feel the need. Also, are you speaking for "the rest of us" who live in states that don't have income taxes? Hey Texans, what do you think of this guy?Buck
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Does anyone know of a reliable and truthful mail order supplier?
I placed an order with Tool Crib of The North on 3 Dec 98. They promised delivery in 6-7 days. Only 4 of 9 items ordered were shipped on 9 Dec and delivered on 15 Dec. When I called to see about the remainder of my order I was told only that a shipment was due in this week. Not much help when you need tools and the order was for over $900. A supplier should not advertise items that are not in stock available for immediate shipment.