Maybe I Should Stop Buying Tools Sight Unseen?

[Stuey]

Okay, so I already complained about the "USA" pliers I purchased that turned out to be from Taiwan, and the Marson threaded rivet setter that turned out to be from Taiwan as well.

Well, I just opened up a package containing hemostats that were advertised as being "made in USA." Guess what... made in Pakistan. The quality is soso, but usable. For the $4 I spent on them, I won't make a fuss.

On a random note, "sight unseen" is a very peculiar expression...

Also it does seem that I'm ranting a lot today. In my defense I have a cold and tool the day off to rest and recouperate, but the idleness is driving me bonkers!!

EDIT:

And Stuey gets burned AGAIN!
http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-MR100CG-Contractor-Grade-Riveter/dp/B000BR7JUG/

Description says made in USA, product says made in Taiwan!

[krusty the clown]

i think i'd be a little hacked myself if a product stated "made in usa" and when it arrived it was made in taiwan. i usually prefer to look at an item in person before i purchase it.

[krooser]

A couple years ago I was running my truck on a dedicated account for Nothern Tool.

I was at a Honda engine distributor in Minnesota picking up a couple pallets of engines going to the Northern DC in SC. There were a couple guys working down one aisle in the warehouse... they were unboxing engines from one pallet and putting them into new boxes then stacking them on another pallet... kinda curious about all of this, I waited for them to go on break. I kinda walked down the aisle and got a surprise... the engines they were unboxing came in Made in Thailand boxes... the new boxes said "Made in Japan".

Honda makes different grades of the same engine... the Jap ones cost more so this outfit was making a little more $$$ by switching boxs.

Saw the same thing going on in Houston... this time it was French made steam pipe being marked Made in USA...

[Jononon]

Saw the same thing going on in Houston... this time it was French made steam pipe being marked Made in USA...

There's no way a French made industrial product has a lower production cost than US made :headscrat

ETA - Although I suppose the 'Made in the USA' product may well carry a price and/or prestige premium in the US

[Stuey]

I am just not having good luck today...

As I updated in the 1st post, I received ANOTHER falsely advertised product. I guess that's life! Although, I somewhat expected it given that Stanley outsources the production of just about every one of their tools these days.

[GDA]

Sorry to see these posts Stuey. When you come to expect a certain level of quality, it seems you can be let down many times if you dont really check things out in person.

I think this is one reason retailing will never truly move away from having some brick and mortar locations.

[Stuey]

Sorry to see these posts Stuey. When you come to expect a certain level of quality, it seems you can be let down many times if you dont really check things out in person.

I think this is one reason retailing will never truly move away from having some brick and mortar locations.
That's the thing, though - most of the B&M stores in my area mainly carry imported tools and their brand selection is restricted due to corporate agreements.

The riveter does seem to be of decent quality, though. So far, I only have one complaint about it: no on-tool nosepiece removal wrench storage. I suppose if the stamped wrench gets misplaced, a 3/8" stubby would be a better replacement.

[bchee]

Even if the quality is satisfactory they are falsely advertising the country of origin. That's no good.

And look, you wrote "tool" instead of "took" - you have a one-track mind!:bounce:

In my defense I have a cold and tool the day off to rest and recouperate, but the idleness is driving me bonkers!!

[KLars1]

...When you come to expect a certain level of quality, it seems you can be let down many times if you dont really check things out in person...


Yes, I have come to the same conclusion. That is why I don't will go what I can to find it locally.

[billymade]

The thing that drives me crazy is when you have come to appreciate pro level tools; then, you get something cheap.... it can be hard to take! Its always easy going from low quality to high quality but going the other way around, is really frustrating and disappointing! Is this a sign that we have all become tool snobs? When you start getting and using a couple of pro tools; all the "normal" stuff will pale in comparison and almost always guaranteed to disappoint you! Ahh, "ignorance is bliss', wouldn't it be nice to go back to when all the cheap stuff was ok?.... Nah! :)

[Paladin]

Yeah, I got a Proto 1/2" drive torque wrench a few weeks ago off E-Bay. The pics were a little blurry, and when I got the wrench I saw why. It's pretty beat up. Still serviceable, but I question its accuracy as many dings and scrapes it has. I need to get it calibrated for sure. If I'd have known how banged up it was, I probably would not have bid on it. I got it for $24 so I can't complain too much. Anybody know what Proto charges for calibration?

[billymade]

For calibration; you might give these guys a shot: http://www.teamtorque.com/

[Paladin]

Thanks for the link billy! I'll give them a try.

[Stuey]

Well, Amazon told me that they cannot replace individual products as part of a set, but gave me the option to exchange it, return it, or receive a 20% refund. All I asked for was for them to correct the error on the page, but I'll don't mind a partial refund.

Also, I don't think that we're all tool snobs per se, I just think that we've become aware of and can recognize inferior tools. Cheapo tools from 20+ years ago are/were of much better quality than than today's cheapo tools.

It's not that our expections are much higher than others' expectations 10, 20, 40 years ago; it's that manufacturers are delivering a lot less. Same expectations of tools that work properly and reliably, but most of what's available these days are aimed at the "as cheap as possible" camp.

[Paladin]

People want "disposeable", cheap products. Maybe it's that folks expect cheap products and don't realize that there are still high-quality tools available. It sucks when those of us that appreciate quality are forced to deal with sub-standard tools...

[Fedwrench]

It's getting harder to buy tools online. There's always the endless battle of trying to determine country of origin when manufacturing locations change as fast as they do. Then there's the quality control problems that seem to plague all tool companies, fit, finish, feel, and markings. Buying in person is the best way but, I can't always find what I want in person and online is at least 8.5% cheaper without sales tax. There's is no easy solution.