Icon tools on ebay

[jimbothecricket]

I was browsing eBay the other day and noticed people are selling new in-package icon tools on eBay for less than MSRP. Do you think the tools are stolen?
I guess the alternative would be if the seller bought the tools with a coupon and is selling them for more than they paid (but still less than MSRP)

 

[Fedwrench]

Possibly stolen. I know Icon theft is an issue at my local Harbor Freights.

 

[3baygarage]

I'd be more concerned about them being fakes.

 

[bcradio]

They always have coupons for these, so that would be my guess

 

[Steve_P]

They always have coupons for these, so that would be my guess

Not if you do the math. Even a 30% coupon would mean you could really only sell for 10% off on Ebay and break even. You'd pay sales tax at purchase at the store, then ~10% Ebay fees, then $15 shipping for anything decent sized.... Because no one is going to buy it on ebay and pay shipping, whether built into the list price or extra, and not save at least $20, when you can just walk into the store.

There's really no profit unless you could get a $200 item for 40% off, then you could only make ~$18 on a $200 HF list price item, after fees, shipping, and your tax at purchase- if someone would pay $180 including shipping. And you have to drive to the store to buy it, create the listing, package it, drive to the post office to drop off the package. So, you'd make $18 for an hour of work, less $5 for gas, = $13= McDonalds wages where I live. Granted, you could do 5 listings at once and get a small economy of scale to reduce the fuel cost, but you'd still need 40% off to make it work, once you account for your purchase price, ebay fees, and shipping.

 

[nicks78camaro]

Pallets of Icon tools fell off the truck

 

[M635_Guy]

I always assume they're stolen, and don't buy them.

 

[AEAdam]

Icon regret. HF buyers remorse. Has happened to all of us at one point or another. "Wow a Gerstner Chest for $50! I'll bet that weird rubber wood smell will go away"

 

[M635_Guy]

Icon regret. HF buyers remorse. Has happened to all of us at one point or another. "Wow a Gerstner Chest for $50! I'll bet that weird rubber wood smell will go away"

 

[Hakeem]

given that harbor freight is starting to require proof of purchase for their warranty, buying their stuff secondhand is much less appealing to me.

Those eBay prices are baffling though, they’re usually right around or even above advertised price. Who is buying that? Even if you didn’t have a HF local, you could just order it online. I have to wonder if it’s a money laundering thing…

 

[M635_Guy]

given that harbor freight is starting to require proof of purchase for their warranty, buying their stuff secondhand is much less appealing to me.

Those eBay prices are baffling though, they’re usually right around or even above advertised price. Who is buying that? Even if you didn’t have a HF local, you could just order it online. I have to wonder if it’s a money laundering thing…

I haven't heard they've changed that policy. Where does that information come from?

 

[jd_1138]

given that harbor freight is starting to require proof of purchase for their warranty, buying their stuff secondhand is much less appealing to me.

Those eBay prices are baffling though, they’re usually right around or even above advertised price. Who is buying that? Even if you didn’t have a HF local, you could just order it online. I have to wonder if it’s a money laundering thing…

Nothing surprises me anymore. Humans, ugh.

Also, I wonder if people are maxing out CCs to buy a bunch of items, sell 'em, and then declare bankruptcy -- voiding out 99% of their debt.

 

[Hakeem]

I haven't heard they've changed that policy. Where does that information come from?

That’s a fair point .. I don’t know that their policy changed officially, I just assumed they were enforcing it more tightly. Last time I was there a few weeks ago for warranty they’ve asked me for a phone number. The previous time I warrantied a tool was a few years back and they just checked to see the replacement was the same item. That is the sum total of my warranty experience so I’m hardly an expert but Other people I work with have confirmed the same thing.

It’s hard to say what the official policy is, the legalese on their website is a bit vague, but I assume the phrase “during the lifetime of the original purchaser” allows them to require proof of purchase in some form:

We guarantee our Hand Tools to be free from defects in material and workmanship for the life of the product. Limitations apply. Harbor Freight Tools will replace any hand tool that fails to properly work during the lifetime of the original purchaser. In the event an identical item is not available as a replacement: Harbor Freight Tools reserves the right to substitute a substantially similar item in its place. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may have other rights that vary from state to state.

 

[slowtwitch73]

There's a bunch of new Tekton on Ebay from private sellers too.

Did they steal it?

I doubt new Icon is any more or less likely to be stolen goods than any other brands.

 

[scooby074]

I assume that almost everything NIB on facebook or ebay is stolen.

 

[KnurledNut]

As a former LPO, I dont feel one bit bad about this. HF has needed to step up their loss prevention game for a long time and quit letting stuff walk out the door. Same for other retailers. My local HF had every one of their ICON pocket knives stolen. Do something about it, because you’re current method aint working.

 

[Hakeem]

Harbor freight is a bit unique in that they have valuable, compact tool offerings out on their shelves. $200 wrench sets and stuff like that. I can’t really think of other tool stores that keep that much valuable stuff out on the shelves. On the other hand, you want people to be able to handle the hand tools before buying so locking them up maybe is counterproductive…. I do notice that the obd scanners are locked up but everything else is just out on the shelves.

 

[zendriver]

Now we're finally complaining about HF's lack of security for their valuable products.

It's official.

 

[JeepYJ]

Nothing surprises me anymore. Humans, ugh.

Also, I wonder if people are maxing out CCs to buy a bunch of items, sell 'em, and then declare bankruptcy -- voiding out 99% of their debt.

If you were going to intentionally bankrupt yourself to sell tools for profit wouldn’t you buy Snap-On for resale?

 

[AEAdam]

FWIW, I’ve posted this before, so, sorry for the repeat. I spent a couple years visiting the Snap On truck every week. I didn’t often buy. Here’s what I saw YMMV:

A tech steps on looking for 1/2” drive deep impacts. Driver says there is a buy-one-get-one and he can get shallows along with the deeps.

Scenario 1. Tech pays $20, leaves with both sets, puts the shallows on eBay.

Scenario 2. Tech says he only wants the deeps, so the driver offers them for 25% off. Tech is happy, driver sells the shallows at 25% off to someone else. Everyone is happy.

Scenario. 3. Snap on offers significant discount for something a tech already has. Tech takes the deal, puts $20 down, sells NIB on eBay for whatever he can get (could be full retail). Tech‘s $20 investment, earns him $200 in the short term. Whatever he owes just pushes his pay-off out another month. It’s so far in the future, he doesn’t care.

My personal experience: only desperate techs pay full MSRP on the tool truck. Or only for certain items that never go on sale. I don’t think I’ve ever paid MSRP and I have a KRL full of Snap On tools.

 

[slowtwitch73]

^^^ Don't forget scenario 4. Tool weirdo/obsessive GJ member doesn't like the handle colors and sells nib. Figures out he's broke as a joke so sells tools nib. Hasn't had the his adrenal hit for the day, so buys redundant tools and sells 'old' ones nib.

 

[Jtels85]

Our local HF put locks on the icon pegs. Not only was that a good theft deterrent, it was also an honest paying customer deterrent.

 

[zendriver]

Our local HF put locks on the icon pegs. Not only was that a good theft deterrent, it was also an honest paying customer deterrent.

So, if you really want the product, do you just go somewhere else, that does not have their Icon tools locked up?

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

So, if you really want the product, do you just go somewhere else, that does not have their Icon tools locked up?

Or complain about the higher price that HF charges for their stuff to cover the lost revenue from theft? I work in retail management and it seems like everyone who has never worked retail always knows the best way to run your business.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

To answer the OP, if the seller has a bunch of stuff, especially from one retailer, it’s probably stolen.

 

[zendriver]

Or complain about the higher price that HF charges for their stuff to cover the lost revenue from theft? I work in retail management and it seems like everyone who has never worked retail always knows the best way to run your business.

Honest people have always paid a price for the acts of the dishonest, even if it's just inconvenience. Taking it personally, seems kind of pointless, especially nowadays.

I was making a purchased from HF the other day day, guy behind me hands a card to the cashier to fetch an ODBII reader, that's over $300.

Leaving an item like that, hanging on a hook just seems ludicrous.

 

[jd_1138]

If you were going to intentionally bankrupt yourself to sell tools for profit wouldn’t you buy Snap-On for resale?

Not necessarily. Snap-On tools are pricey, and the person's credit limit is finite, and SO tools would be harder to move/sell due to the larger asking prices. Even if asking 50%-75% of the full SO retail price, they may run into a lot of tire kickers before selling them.

Plus a lot of SO buyers may wanna buy them off their local dealer for the financing/service. Not sure.

Just saying the lower prices of the Icon tools might make it easier to sell them faster.

 

[Bubba Fett]

Icon regret. HF buyers remorse. Has happened to all of us at one point or another. "Wow a Gerstner Chest for $50! I'll bet that weird rubber wood smell will go away"

Keep in mind that they may not be trying to make a profit, but simply recoup some of their money.

 

[neophyte]

As for selling Harbor Freight tools for more than Harbor Freight price.
While some areas of the USA have one or more readily accessible Harbor Freight stores, many areas do not, and and overseas buyers may occasionally want a Harbor Freight item, and there are no available stores outside the USA as far as I’m aware, and pliers aren’t hard to ship.
If you don’t have a local Harbor Freight, then buying off some seller on eBay is the option most readily available.
A calculating eBay seller may wait for HF sales, and buy multiple sale items, and then sell those items when the sale is over.
Add in the occasional HF price increase over time and the seller can make a bit of money.
Certain HF items are basically sold by other brands for way higher prices, so an uneducated consumer may aldo not realize the HF item is available, or what the original HF price was or is.

 

[Jtels85]

So, if you really want the product, do you just go somewhere else, that does not have their Icon tools locked up?

Yes. My HF also has staffing issues, so trying to find an employee is a pain in the ***. The couple of ICON items I wanted to try, I convinced myself that it wasn’t worth the hassle.

Home Depot recently began locking up their power tools in cages, which is fine and I don’t blame them one bit. I probably walked the entire perimeter of the store trying to find someone so I could get a new miter saw. I left and went to Lowe’s. I hate Lowe’s with a passion, but I hate having my time wasted more. If you’re going to lock your items up, you need to have an employee who is easily accessible at all times. Our local liquor store keeps the bourbon behind the counter, but they always have an employee standing there to get whatever you want.

There’s a reason I drive a little further to Ace Hardware and True Value. I can at least find a friendly associate ready to help if needed.

 

[zendriver]

Yes. My HF also has staffing issues, so trying to find an employee is a pain in the ***. The couple of ICON items I wanted to try, I convinced myself that it wasn’t worth the hassle.

Home Depot recently began locking up their power tools in cages, which is fine and I don’t blame them one bit. I probably walked the entire perimeter of the store trying to find someone so I could get a new miter saw. I left and went to Lowe’s. I hate Lowe’s with a passion, but I hate having my time wasted more. If you’re going to lock your items up, you need to have an employee who is easily accessible at all times. Our local liquor store keeps the bourbon behind the counter, but they always have an employee standing there to get whatever you want.

There’s a reason I drive a little further to Ace Hardware and True Value. I can at least find a friendly associate ready to help if needed.

Fair enough, but you definitely wouldn’t like the Ace Hardware in my town. Milost Every tool of valueis locked up..

 

[slowtwitch73]

Anything resold new or used may be stolen.

Ebay seller with good feedback that doesn't seem sketchy? Who cares.

Long as it not outta some guys trunk...

Nothing to see here.

 

[jd_1138]

Fair enough, but you definitely wouldn’t like the Ace Hardware in my town. Milost Every tool of valueis locked up..

But at least you won't have to put on some Reebok running shoes to chase down the 1 employee covering those particular 3 acres of the HD/Lowe's to check them out/buy them. And as already mentioned the big box stores are starting to lock up their power tools.

It's hard to chase down someone when they're 800 feet away and rounding a corner.

I was helping my mom fix up her new house near the coast. They had 2 local Ace Hardware stores -- one small one, and a larger one with a lumberyard, and a True Value downtown. All 3 had pretty nice assortments of tools -- general hand tools to power tools (corded, cordless, table saws, compound miter saws, etc. Each category had about 3 price levels.

I needed a reciprocating saw to take down a moldy old shed. BIL wanted to use his circular saw (old corded POS). I went to the local Ace and bought a brand new Porter-Cable corded reciprocating saw for $60 and long demo blades. I was left alone for my task (of course), and it went fast with the right tool. I then sold it on to a local guy for $40. It was still like new, but I don't return tools after using them. That's not ethical.

That area only has like 25,000 people, but those 3 hardware stores are awesome. They have the things you need. The floors are hardwood (been there since the place was a mom-and-pop hardware store), but they know their business/customers.

 

[Hakeem]

Welp, this was a deal I couldn’t turn down.

2 sets of new in box wrench sets selling for 50% retail is almost guaranteed stolen. May the lord have mercy on my soul.

 

[Madjik Man]

Welp, this was a deal I couldn’t turn down.

2 sets of new in box wrench sets selling for 50% retail is almost guaranteed stolen. May the lord have mercy on my soul.

I hope you actually get what is listed.

 

[JeepYJ]

f you don’t have a local Harbor Freight, then buying off some seller on eBay is the option most readily available.

Why not just order directly from HF website?

 

[Hakeem]

I hope you actually get what is listed.

That thought had occurred to me. The seller was quick to respond to my messages and accommodated my request for different shipping, so it seemed legit. You never know though …

All part of the fun !

 

[rooster59]

Our local HF put locks on the icon pegs. Not only was that a good theft deterrent, it was also an honest paying customer deterrent.

Thieves pull the whole peg off the wall. Real thieves get their stuff from railroad cars, warehouses, and semi trucks.

 

[Rounder]

I'll probably get slammed for this, because been probably fiercly debated. How are the icon tools? Part of me thinks why pay that much for HF tools, part of me wonders if decent tool. At my level, I bough craftsman for years, but now made in China, I don't really care what I buy

Interesting reply, not every one has store near them. But it is interesting how the last 5 years they have exploded. Also interesting do you think some is copying the harbor freight copy?

 

[Madjik Man]

I'll probably get slammed for this, because been probably fiercly debated. How are the icon tools? Part of me thinks why pay that much for HF tools, part of me wonders if decent tool. At my level, I bough craftsman for years, but now made in China, I don't really care what I buy

Interesting reply, not every one has store near them. But it is interesting how the last 5 years they have exploded. Also interesting do you think some is copying the harbor freight copy?

It’s an endless debate. With no real answer/winner.

Just watched this toolbox tour last night. This guy (professional mechanic) has mostly snap on but also uses the heck out of Icon. And loves it.