Amazon *not* deals

[nicks78camaro]

Might be a dumb post, might help someone out.

I had a list of tools in my Amazon cart.

Lang caliper spreader
Lisle clip tools
Vessel clip tool
Lisle filter pliers
Astro light
Sunex socket adapter
Titan socket adapters
ATD (Lang rebrands) prybar set

All were cheaper than Prime pricing at JB Tools and/or National Tool Warehouse. And free shipping since orders were over $50 or $100.

Just a piece of advice to shop around.

 

[Fatboy148!]

If you create an account to get $50.00 free shipping and their coupons, don't forget Zoro as a possible option. They were the least expensive when I bought my Lang caliper spreader. They ship quick, pack your order well so stuff is still in the package and isn't destroyed when you get it. YMMV.

 

[mike93lx]

Unless you want no name Chinese garbage, Amazon is often not the best deal around

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

Might be a dumb post, might help someone out.

Just a piece of advice to shop around.

I agree that this is a dumb post HOWEVER the "shop around" advice is key.

 

[B_Bimmer]

Not a bad deals post at all, there are many times when the better deal isn't on Amazon and there are many people like my mother who forget to even try because Amazon is so easy.

 

[PlantItDeep]

This has been my experience for the last 2-3 years:
- Amazon is still a good easy bet to check "relative" price
- Generic consumer items are often cheaper/same price at Walmart and other big box stores
- Specialty items are hit/miss with amazon. Sometimes they are extremely cheap on amazon, otherwise cheaper elsewhere. I assume part of this is Amazon stocking specialty items they do not really sell much and then discounting to move them
- Amazon can be a good deal sometimes for "free" shipping on larger items

 

[InsanePyro]

Unless you want no name Chinese garbage, Amazon is often not the best deal around

Most name brands are on Amazon, just gotta pay attention to what who you are buying from

 

[mike93lx]

Most name brands are on Amazon, just gotta pay attention to what who you are buying from

I know. It's usually not the best deal on those items.

Its a great place to buy cheap junk, though

 

[PlantItDeep]

I know. It's usually not the best deal on those items.

Its a great place to buy cheap junk, though

AliExpress

 

[gamp945]

Most name brands are on Amazon, just gotta pay attention to what who you are buying from

I've noticed that over the last 1-2 years that the top search results are now no-name Chinese brands instead of established Western brands. In other words, Amazon search results are now very similar to AliExpress and other Chinese marketplaces. You can find other brands, but you have to know the brand name to search for!

Example search for "USB receptacle":

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=usb+receptacle&tag=atomicindus08-20

Only one of the top search results that I get is for an established Western manufacturer (Leviton). No Legrand / Pass & Seymour, Hubbell, Eaton, or Lutron.

 

[liliysdad]

Not a bad deals post at all, there are many times when the better deal isn't on Amazon and there are many people like my mother who forget to even try because Amazon is so easy.

I don't forget....I usually don't care. I will pay a little more sometimes to find it easily, get it quickly, have lots of options, and an easy return process if need be.

 

[CZ Eddie]

I've noticed that over the last 1-2 years that the top search results are now no-name Chinese brands instead of established Western brands. In other words, Amazon search results are now very similar to AliExpress and other Chinese marketplaces. You can find other brands, but you have to know the brand name to search for!

Example search for "USB receptacle":

Amazon.com : usb receptacle

Only one of the top search results that I get is for an established Western manufacturer (Leviton). No Legrand / Pass & Seymour, Hubbell, Eaton, or Lutron.

I spend more time looking for American brands than I do looking for the best price.

 

[zack20cb]

If you create an account to get $50.00 free shipping and their coupons, don't forget Zoro as a possible option. They were the least expensive when I bought my Lang caliper spreader. They ship quick, pack your order well so stuff is still in the package and isn't destroyed when you get it. YMMV.

I like Zoro. They’re competitive for many kinds of supplies and tools, and you can actually get human on the phone pretty easily to sort out any problems. Getting coupon codes is pretty straightforward if you have time for it and want to save a few bucks.

 

[PiperCub49]

I like Zoro. They’re competitive for many kinds of supplies and tools, and you can actually get human on the phone pretty easily to sort out any problems. Getting coupon codes is pretty straightforward if you have time for it and want to save a few bucks.

The shipping is also crazy fast for me. I receive everything I order within two days max, always packaged nicely. They really do shipping and handling right.

 

[GarageHobbyist]

I was looking for a stool like this, Amazon was Double what Menards was. Menards doesn’t stock it, but it is free ship to store in about a week. Plus they have the rebate going right now.

 

[frampton]

AliExpress

When you need the very best.

 

[Chrome Vanadium Cody]

Ordered some stuff from Epstein's and noticed this:

They report Norseman has contacted them about people selling counterfeit drill bits with their name on Amazon. One more way for something to be an Amazon *not* deal

 

[DAustin]

I've had some luck with EIO.com. Zoro is also a good place to look. It pays to shop around.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Ordered some stuff from Epstein's and noticed this:

They report Norseman has contacted them about people selling counterfeit drill bits with their name on Amazon. One more way for something to be an Amazon *not* deal

That does make me wonder about the supposed US made Cle-line drill 12 packs being sold On Amazon for < $0.09 per drill.

 

[gamp945]

That does make me wonder about the supposed US made Cle-line drill 12 packs being sold On Amazon for < $0.09 per drill.

The Cle-line bit deals may possibly be related to the recent sale of Cle-Line:

Canadian Company Acquired USA Drill Bit Brands

toolguyd.com

 

[capm]

That does make me wonder about the supposed US made Cle-line drill 12 packs being sold On Amazon for < $0.09 per drill.

The Cle-Line and Triumph bits I've bought are the real thing, sold by Amazon, in factory packaging, sometimes even in the original factory box and paperwork as they were shipped to amazon.

Third party Amazon sellers and flea-bay sellers have been using "Norseman" to describe cheap chinesium bits for a long time.
They aren't sold by Amazon, and the flea-bay product photos often show them in their generic packaging.
They're pretty obviously not made by Norseman/Viking of St. Paul, MN

 

[Chrome Vanadium Cody]

That’s good to know! This did make me start to think twice about buying visually generically shaped tools like drill bits or hex keys on Amazon.

 

[Hohn]

The Cle-line bit deals may possibly be related to the recent sale of Cle-Line:

Canadian Company Acquired USA Drill Bit Brands

toolguyd.com

Walter is reputable so seeing the these American brands sold to Walter and no longer owned by a Chinese company is a step in the right direction IMO.

 

[capm]

Walter is reputable so seeing the these American brands sold to Walter and no longer owned by a Chinese company is a step in the right direction IMO.

It's so hard to keep track of who owns what. So now Walter owns both Greenfield (Cleveland, Chicago-Latrobe, etc) and Triumph Twist Drill. But it's part of a huge portfolio under Onex, the big Canadian private equity player.
I think. It could have changed while I blinked.

 

[Hohn]

It's so hard to keep track of who owns what. So now Walter owns both Greenfield (Cleveland, Chicago-Latrobe, etc) and Triumph Twist Drill. But it's part of a huge portfolio under Onex, the big Canadian private equity player.
I think. It could have changed while I blinked.

Yup, all part of the illusion of a competitive market. It's like the whole world is turning to Harbor Freight-- lots of brands to create the illusion of choice.

Or more like trying to buy glasses NOT made by Luxxotica.

 

[Fatboy148!]

The Cle-Line and Triumph bits I've bought are the real thing, sold by Amazon, in factory packaging, sometimes even in the original factory box and paperwork as they were shipped to amazon.

I agree with this. More likely their pricing algorithms, as often after I made a purchase the price would go up to $8, $12, or more per box depending on who knows what? As I wrote earlier.... The first box of a dozen I bought was the middle of last year when I started filling my numerical Hoit box with spares. I have purchased a few boxes every month as the price was palatable for me. Most likely nothing to do with the company's sale.

CLE-LINE Jobber Drill,#25,HSS C22686
Sold by: Amazon.com Services, Inc
Return window closed on Jul 15, 2023
$1.80
Condition: New

------------------------------

Better post a deal.... These came up in my buy it again listings (bought them back in January):

RACO 768 4-in. Square Mud-Ring Cover for 1 Device, 5/8-in. Raised, 50-Pack, Gray, 50 Pack​

$16.23

https://www.amazon.com/Hubbell-Raco-768-Raised-8-Inch-Mud-Ring/dp/B005JC6I1E?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[finn]

Got my two packages today. Took a while, but 24 1/8” drill bits for the price of a lottery ticket seems like a pretty good deal.

 

[red]

Got my two packages today. Took a while, but 24 1/8” drill bits for the price of a lottery ticket seems like a pretty good deal.

Same here, thanks OP for sharing!

 

[Shocker]

I did get all the Cle-Line bits I ordered as they were described 12 packs each. One left to get here but it shipped yesterday.

That was a phenomenal deal really.

 

[doctordirt]

It was a hell of a good deal

 

[PugetDude]

Or more like trying to buy glasses NOT made by Luxxotica.

Uhhh, Luxxotica is now owned by Essilor...

 

[ching0n]

100% of the harbor freight store brands I see on Amazon are not a deal since you can get them cheaper at HF and people are just scalping.

 

[ching0n]

Yup, all part of the illusion of a competitive market. It's like the whole world is turning to Harbor Freight-- lots of brands to create the illusion of choice.

Or more like trying to buy glasses NOT made by Luxxotica.

it's the monopoly loophole.

 

[Snip's]

I've been wanting the US made Lang Rethreading Kit 971...
You do a search and the Amazon "Lang" product pops up as a "Kaster" item COO China...
You go to the LANG tools site, and sure enough "Kastar are now LANG TOOLS"...
LANG used to make these kits in the US...




Whats interesting, the LANG site product card lists it as made in the USA... The Amazon has this product card removed???

 

[tube_guy]

The Amazon country of origin certainly shouldn't be trusted.

Sometimes it's right, but at least as often, it's wrong.

 

[Pexto]

I recently bought a Lang kit from Bowers. Made in USA. You may want to act fast, it doesn't look like they have much stock left. I didn't check ebay, but sometimes you can go to the Bowers store on ebay and get free shipping. Note I have no affiliation with Bowers other than as a satisfied customer (these are great kits).

40 piece set: https://bowerstool.com/lang-40pc-ta...-set-metric-nf-sae-nc-uss-thread-restore-usa/
48 piece set: https://bowerstool.com/lang-48pc-ta...-set-metric-nf-sae-nc-uss-thread-restore-971/

 

[Shocker]

I ended up ordering the 48 piece from eBay. One left!

Thanks @Pexto!

 

[bwringer]

You can pretty much count on Amazon vehicle parts to be counterfeits, even those touted as "OEM"! Spark plugs are among the most-counterfeited parts on the planet.

The exception is if the seller is an actual legitimate dealer that has an Amazon storefront. For example, there are several Toyota dealers selling OEM oil filters and suchlike through Amazon. Pay close attention to make sure you don't get switched to the counterfeits peddled by "JABOLKRAPIW #1 BEST STUFF BARN" and you'll be fine.

 

[Hohn]

The Amazon country of origin certainly shouldn't be trusted.

Sometimes it's right, but at least as often, it's wrong.

If Amazon says made in China, it's probably made in China. If Amazon says made in anywhere else, it's probably made in China.

 

[Hohn]

I recently bought a Lang kit from Bowers. Made in USA. You may want to act fast, it doesn't look like they have much stock left. I didn't check ebay, but sometimes you can go to the Bowers store on ebay and get free shipping. Note I have no affiliation with Bowers other than as a satisfied customer (these are great kits).

40 piece set: https://bowerstool.com/lang-40pc-ta...-set-metric-nf-sae-nc-uss-thread-restore-usa/
48 piece set: https://bowerstool.com/lang-48pc-ta...-set-metric-nf-sae-nc-uss-thread-restore-971/

Great find, I just ordered the 48. I have the smaller metric-only Lang setup and it's a total lifesaver as someone wrenching on rusty old Toyotas. It would be great to have backups (plus some SAE ability) for a tool I now consider to be essential.