To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Gray Tools - Exclusive club?? WTF!!!

S

SlowPoke-Canada

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 21, 2013
Messages
257
Location
London, Ontario
So I finally decided on upgrading some tools (a bit at a time) at home and moving the perfectly functional home set to the truck. I looked at the Gray tool line and found some great deals in their corporate flyer that ended April 30th. I was prepared to drop about $800, saving about $450 from full list price.

Do you think I could find a dealer that;
A: Honoured the corporate flyer pricing?
B: Had sale items in stock?
C: Had any inventory whatsoever?
D: All of the above

I went to 4 locations within a two hour radius of home. Two had zero inventory but would be happy to order at full list price.
Another would not honour flyer pricing.

And the worst of all had a terrific selection on display but wouldn't sell sets... single sockets and wrenches only. Flustered, I picked up a two pack (8" &12") adjustables, hex key set and a bottle of cutting oil.

The guy rings in the adjustables at $99 ($10 over full list, $30 over flyer price). I said "those are on sale" and pointed them out in the flyer. "Oh, that's last month's flyer" he says. I pointed to the date on the flyer "Today is April 30th, the flyer says April 30th". He looks at it, takes the package back and says "we can have some in by tomorrow". "Why tomorrow?" I asked. "That's the only set we have in stock". Ummm, okay.

Rings in the cutting oil... $24.99
"Are you kidding me? You can keep your **** and thanks for wasting my time" and left.

This isn't an anti-Gray rant but I can't invest in tools I can't buy. The last store was unreal. The guy was looking up prices for me and saying "who buys this ****?" "They charge way too much for this ****!" And this one really had me puzzled... "Are you a mechanic or sumpthin'?"

Kinda makes buying online look really attractive.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
W

wise

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2013
Messages
182
Location
Ontario. In Canada.
Man I know... For them being made so close, they should be a good easy way to get them for a bit of a discount. I haven't found a decent Gray dealer ever. I have a ton of second hand Gray tools from various kijiji scores, and it's all really good stuff.
 
B

BDT/NWMN

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 22, 2012
Messages
3,762
Location
Erskine, Mn
SlowPoke-Canada said:
So I finally decided on upgrading some tools (a bit at a time) at home and moving the perfectly functional home set to the truck. I looked at the Gray tool line and found some great deals in their corporate flyer that ended April 30th. I was prepared to drop about $800, saving about $450 from full list price.

Do you think I could find a dealer that;
A: Honoured the corporate flyer pricing?
B: Had sale items in stock?
C: Had any inventory whatsoever?
D: All of the above

I went to 4 locations within a two hour radius of home. Two had zero inventory but would be happy to order at full list price.
Another would not honour flyer pricing.

And the worst of all had a terrific selection on display but wouldn't sell sets... single sockets and wrenches only. Flustered, I picked up a two pack (8" &12") adjustables, hex key set and a bottle of cutting oil.

The guy rings in the adjustables at $99 ($10 over full list, $30 over flyer price). I said "those are on sale" and pointed them out in the flyer. "Oh, that's last month's flyer" he says. I pointed to the date on the flyer "Today is April 30th, the flyer says April 30th". He looks at it, takes the package back and says "we can have some in by tomorrow". "Why tomorrow?" I asked. "That's the only set we have in stock". Ummm, okay.

Rings in the cutting oil... $24.99
"Are you kidding me? You can keep your **** and thanks for wasting my time" and left.

This isn't an anti-Gray rant but I can't invest in tools I can't buy. The last store was unreal. The guy was looking up prices for me and saying "who buys this ****?" "They charge way too much for this ****!" And this one really had me puzzled... "Are you a mechanic or sumpthin'?"

Kinda makes buying online look really attractive.
Click to expand...

Wonder where the **** got his bridge burner??? It sure is a good one!!
 
C

carcajou

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 7, 2012
Messages
879
Location
SW Alberta
I was in a Bolt Supply House store this winter and had a similar experience. They had quite a board inventory but no sets of anything. I did buy a couple items that they ordered in for me on sale. Most of the inventory they had was covered in dust which left me thinking that they were mainly there for warranty purposes. I imagine the mines and such place their orders and the store just fills them from the warehouse. I have quite a few older Gray tools including some beautiful DOE wrenches but i think the days of me buying their new tools are over. I have to look at and handle most tools before i buy them and i can't do that if it's not in stock.
 
C

chrenan

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 11, 2007
Messages
230
Location
Canada
All I can imagine is that since Gray is made in Canada they are the default supplier to fill large government orders where domestic production is a requirement of the contract. Otherwise I have no idea how tools that are so expensive and difficult to procure for the average joe can continue to be offered. I never see them in pawn shops here, which tells me they don't make it into the hands of the private individuals very often anymore.
 
M

MikeF2316

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 29, 2012
Messages
9,605
Location
Thornhill, ON
wise said:
Man I know... For them being made so close, they should be a good easy way to get them for a bit of a discount. I haven't found a decent Gray dealer ever. I have a ton of second hand Gray tools from various kijiji scores, and it's all really good stuff.
Click to expand...

Yes, that's true in my experience too. The only Gray tools I've ever bought came from a tent sale in Brampton a quite a few years back.
 
OP
S

SlowPoke-Canada

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 21, 2013
Messages
257
Location
London, Ontario
I thought used Grays were scarce, new ones are even tougher to find LOL!
I don't doubt that service/warranty would be much of an issue but I like to look and hold (fondle) before I buy as well.
I'm awfully tempted to go Gearwrench and I have a Brafasco in town that is beyond remarkable for service. Perhaps I should reward them for my hard earned money. The only thing stopping me is that Gearwrench is pretty much on par with my Mastercraft Professional/Maximum tools. Am I off base there?
If I go the online route, possibly Williams.
 
L

lbgradwell

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 21, 2007
Messages
4,707
Location
Oakville, ON
Hyster Gareth said:
Also they do honour the quarterly flyers for pricing.
Click to expand...

Good info Gareth...

Yes, there are many accounts of Gray having distribution "issues" for the private consumer. It's too bad and I wish they could figure out a way to efficiently serve a willing market.

I used to think they just weren't interested in the little guy (I can understand that industry is there bread & butter) but they introduced that Dynamic sub-brand a couple of years ago specifically aimed at that demographic so..?
:confused:
 
G

Gregg33

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 13, 2011
Messages
777
Location
Port Colborne, ON, Canada
Most Gray dealers (4 out of 5) I've been to carry very little stock. However my regular dealer, West Pier Marine always orders me sale items at the advertised price and they never griped about it. I believe it does say in the sale flyer that participation is up to each individual dealer. Gray dealers are like alot of specialty shops or small businesses. It's hard to find one that treats you right, but once you do it'll make life easier for you.

In a dream world I wish I could go to a store with multiple locations, that has big box hours, has knowledgeable, friendly staff (that are paid decent) and has tons of stock and buy Gray and SO tools. But I'm not expecting to see that anytime soon. :lol_hitti
 
H

Hyster Gareth

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 4, 2011
Messages
434
Location
Ottawa ON
The best I have found for Gray Tools on display and they also honour the flyer pricing is Preston Hardware in Ottawa.

http://www.prestonhardware.com/default.asp

Last time I was in there in November they had a set of Gray screwdrivers with the orange hard handles!

I purchased one of the sets but they looked like they had been sitting there a long time! I reckon they are still there if anyone is interested.

The staff are really helpful and friendly might be worth giving it a shot.
 
F

flippin

Well-known member
Joined
May 24, 2010
Messages
740
Location
Montreal - Ottawa
Hyster Gareth said:
The best I have found for Gray Tools on display and they also honour the flyer pricing is Preston Hardware in Ottawa.

http://www.prestonhardware.com/default.asp

Last time I was in there in November they had a set of Gray screwdrivers with the orange hard handles!

I purchased one of the sets but they looked like they had been sitting there a long time! I reckon they are still there if anyone is interested.

The staff are really helpful and friendly might be worth giving it a shot.
Click to expand...

They are a great old fashion hardware store with excellent service, proud to call them my home shop.
 
G

Gregg33

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 13, 2011
Messages
777
Location
Port Colborne, ON, Canada
Those screwdrivers are sweet. I'm more used to the Gray clear yellow handles made in Canada (I have a 3/8 drive screwdriver handle like this) or the rubber handled offshore ones, more than the style you bought, although I've seen that style handle on ratchets.
 
R

robe5000

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 12, 2012
Messages
224
Location
Halifax, Nova Scotia
I find buying tools in Canada to bummer, I'm stuck with snap-on if i want the combination of selection, service and quality, and even that is lacking
 
M

MikeF2316

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 29, 2012
Messages
9,605
Location
Thornhill, ON

Attachments

  • GrayBox.JPG
    GrayBox.JPG
    6.7 KB · Views: 47
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
L

lbgradwell

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 21, 2007
Messages
4,707
Location
Oakville, ON
Yeah, bought a top box & cabinet full of stuff. It's mostly rubbish, but there were a number of good quality items too. Some I'm keeping, but the rest is being re-sold...
 
L

lbgradwell

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 21, 2007
Messages
4,707
Location
Oakville, ON
Burgerkong said:
Hope you're not looking for another roll cab since I need a large one (at a decent price of course!)! :)
Click to expand...

No, not right now. I'm actually currently selling a Beach-made Mastercraft roller cabinet & looking for a Gray Pro Series top chest. I'll then sell a very clean Snap-on KC515A chest too...
 
Z

ZRX61

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 15, 2006
Messages
28,716
Location
Solar Blight Valley, SoCal
slowpoke-canada said:
the guy rings in the adjustables at $99 ($10 over full list, $30 over flyer price). I said "those are on sale" and pointed them out in the flyer. "oh, that's last month's flyer" he says. I pointed to the date on the flyer "today is april 30th, the flyer says april 30th". He looks at it, takes the package back and says "we can have some in by tomorrow". "why tomorrow?" i asked. "that's the only set we have in stock". Ummm, okay.
Click to expand...


wtf???
 
D

DeliveryGuy

Well-known member
Joined
May 12, 2013
Messages
294
Location
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Not to hijack the thread, but there are so few about Gray tools...

Has anyone seen/used the Gray 97103A handbox?

http://www.graytools.com/toolcatalogue/?page=product&name=3%20Drawer%20Hand%20Box&itemNo=1372&s_filter=&recPage=36&startRow=1&pageNum=1

It's on sale in the summer sale flyer. I'm looking for a good semi-portable tool box with good storage, but could be carried out of my truck the odd time I need to.

Hopefully someone reading this has experience with Gray stuff.
I suppose this does follow the topic of the thread because Gray isn't very main stream, and it's next to impossible to get an actual review on a product.
 
S

sr71

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 3, 2007
Messages
383
Location
Michigan
Years ago (like 20) I went to the Gray summer tent sale (at their factory). Bought a **** load of tools .....never bought a Gray since BUT..nice tools. Sounds like their executive has lost touch
 
S

Skin

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 24, 2010
Messages
11,713
Location
Boston
sr71 said:
Years ago (like 20) I went to the Gray summer tent sale (at their factory). Bought a **** load of tools .....never bought a Gray since BUT..nice tools. Sounds like their executive has lost touch
Click to expand...

I think they've changed ownership hands a few times. What they really should do is embrace the 21st century and start selling online. The problem with premium priced tools is you wont find many small hardware/tool stores that will sink a massive investment for a large display when someone off the street will just buy the cheapest thing to get the job done.
 
L

lbgradwell

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 21, 2007
Messages
4,707
Location
Oakville, ON
Skin said:
I think they've changed ownership hands a few times. Seems like they need to get their product into many more shops and maybe reduce their pricing to up volume. Depending 100% on brick and mortar stores doesn't help either im sure.
Click to expand...

No, they were family-owned until last year and now they are owned by two executives...

Their products are offered online by at least one entity, but their bread & butter is primarily been heavy industry.
 
A

Applesauce

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 12, 2013
Messages
273
Location
Canada, eh
I found a fastener store out by the airport here in Calgary who was willing to order me some Gray products... I opted to meet the Snap-On guy, who turned out to be a family friend anyway, at a nearby auto mall.
 
J

jd_1138

Well-known member
Joined
May 8, 2013
Messages
17,069
Location
NE Ohio
There are no Gray Tool trucks that visit the shops and garages? Sounds like they don't like to take people's money.
 
B

BDT/NWMN

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 22, 2012
Messages
3,762
Location
Erskine, Mn
SkyMaster said:
Skin, your dream has come true.

Gray Tools started to sell online a few days ago.

http://shopgraytools.com

As of now, they only have four items in their on-line catalogue.
Click to expand...



...The 3D product view on that website is awesome.. Glad to see companies like them join the internet crowd. With the good products they have to offer, and fuel costs and time involved to drive to a well stocked retail store;;; should be a winner deal for customers and seller.. Hope they expand the website soon; Thanks for the Link..
 
B

buco

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 23, 2011
Messages
650
Location
Mississauga / Croatia
I don't know how long Gray will be around. They do sell a lot to mining, forestry, oil sands etc... But there are other companies doing the same thing with better distribution.

Proto is comparable to Gray, which is cheaper than Gray, is the line that Acklands carries which is the big distributer for most industry. Gray is mostly carried by independent distributors.

Sure be nice to see some Gray stuff at Cdn tire or Rona.

They should also make a fine tooth ratchet as well.
 
2

2oolhound

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 18, 2010
Messages
5,918
Location
BC Canada
Maybe he wishes "it was mine" meaning it was his auction and he collected the C note.

Still, I've spent crazy money on used tools to get what I wanted at a given time. There's worse ways to spend your money that's for sure.
 
J

Jmac00

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 25, 2012
Messages
178
Location
Canada
2oolhound said:
Still, I've spent crazy money on used tools to get what I wanted at a given time. There's worse ways to spend your money that's for sure.
Click to expand...

Here in the maritimes, Gray seems harder to find and the prices are a fair bit higher than what i see on kijiji in the Ont regions. Today at a flea market i picked up 6 Gray wrenches, 13/16, 7/8, then 1" to 1-1/4. I wanted the larger ones, but took em all as a package. They're all in great condition, and got em for $30. Seems a bit high maybe, but i wanted them, and i still think i got a decent deal considering the condition and sizes. So did i overpay? or was it decent?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom