"Free" Irwin T&G pliers

[ihateminimumwage]

I'm pretty sure one guy probably put the display out and didn't mention it to any of his co-workers.

That's what happened when I picked up the BOGO Milwaulkee M12 deal at Home Depot. Cashier had no idea what I was talking about, tool manager had no idea until he looked over the display. Came back bitching that the reps just set up all the promos and don't tell anyone in the store. It took a while, but they finally got it figured out.

 

[pettybird]

So here's the display set up:

This was at store #1, but I didn't have the stupid pliers to give away. Store #3 had it all set up, but like everyone else here the employees had no idea what to do. The stand has at least one more full level of cases below the box and displayed pliers, so there's like 120? per store?

I had five people trying to figure out what's going on, and they eventually sold me a set for a penny lol

 

[The Ratchet Man]

Thanks for the picture.

 

[pettybird]

no idea why I'm so obsessed with this but I went to yet another Lowes. I found the instruction sheet with a barcode at the bottom that the cashier is supposed to scan. If you scan the piece of paper it reads invalid coupon and not eligible for use until 9 1. At least there are instructions...

 

[zer0cell]

I realized today that the box was "hidden" behind some other stuff with a sheet of paper on top stating that the deal was ONLY VALID FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER. So, start gathering your crappy old china made pliers and get them ready for the trade-in.

I have channellocks and Knipex cobras so I honestly have no need for these. I am sort of boycotting irwin since they sold out to rubbermaid and moved all production overseas but hey, if I can trade in a crappy china pliers for a less crappy china pliers sure - why not

I'm not actually paying anything for it and its essentially free.

I might even do the deal a few times in a row to get rid of some junk. Even if I don't use the irwins myself, I could use them as gifts to non-pro homeowners, haha.

 

[Dubbydoo]

my store had two boxes of them but some one had dates written on them first one had 9-1-13 other one had like 9-10-13 i believe and they both had pro desk written on them

 

[toored]

Think this is the correct SKU:
IRWIN 8-in Tongue and Groove Pliers
Item #: 464663 | Model #: 1883177



No go for me...Tool CSR said they weren't sure which code to use to make the transaction and that the display was in upstock.

 

[zer0cell]

Tomorrow is the day to turn in your crappy china pliers for the sellout iwrin china pliers - be ready

 

[upgrading]

What are they doing with the traded in pliers ?

 

[The Ratchet Man]

What are they doing with the traded in pliers ?

Donating to charity for a tax write off.

 

[zer0cell]

I assume the crappy ones go to the recycling center for scrap metal - at least that would be the sensible thing to do.

I wouldn't be surprised however, if the better brands are taken home by the employees for use or sale on ebay

I would bet money that somewhere in the USA, some ignorant people are trading in some used but perfectly functional klein, knipex, snap-on and channellock for this irwin copycat

Hahaha... In that case, I'd like to be the employee who gets to take those trade-ins home.

 

[upgrading]

I would bet money that somewhere in the USA, some ignorant people are trading in some used but perfectly functional klein, knipex, snap-on and channellock for this irwin copycat

That is why I asked.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I would bet money that somewhere in the USA, some ignorant people are trading in some used but perfectly functional klein, knipex, snap-on and channellock for this irwin copycat

If my Lowes sets one of these up, I might have to reach down and dig around a bit for my trade ins.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Lowe's
940 North Lexington-Springmill Road
Ontario, OH 44906



I was there yesterday and traded an old set of Korea made ones in. They moved the display set up to the Pro Desk area. Would I buy these, nah but I think these will be equal to what I traded in.

 

[lotsoftools]

I would bet money that somewhere in the USA, some ignorant people are trading in some used but perfectly functional klein, knipex, snap-on and channellock for this irwin copycat

Hahaha... In that case, I'd like to be the employee who gets to take those trade-ins home.

Yep, when I traded mine in there was a good looking pair of Channellocks in the box. When they gave me a hard time about the trade in, I should have said never mind and taken them.

 

[Brians VWss]

Picked up 2 more today. Display was still full.

 

[NUTTSGT]

The squares are 6" and the Irwins are 8".




I guess it was a fair trade.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Picked up 2 more today. Display was still full.

Is there a limit on how many you can do? Or did you do several different transactions?

 

[The Ratchet Man]

Do they have to be T&G pliers? I have a set of crappy needle nose I need to get off my hands. The Robogrips are going first though.

 

[Slow Gray Mule]

The instructions on the box say trade a set of T&G for a free pair. I would imagine though that most of the cashiers wouldn't catch it.

 

[Brians VWss]

2 different transactions.

 

[Brians VWss]

I had one slipjoint and one T/G. The casher saw them both did not object.

 

[mtnwkr]

Went in again looking for this. Didn't find it but found Channel lock 420's marked down to 5.**! Grabbed the last pair, no more in any of the stores near me.

 

[zer0cell]

Channellocks gone from lowes? That's weird... where I am at there are a good amount of channellocks both in the tool section and in the electrical tool section... No sign of them vanishing quite yet.

I have not yet taken advantage of the free Irwins. I'll probably get around to it this week.

 

[kunkernator]

The display is set up right next to the pro counter. I asked an employee about it and she said they had just set it up today and had not even looked over the info about it yet. She grabbed a sheet of paper regarding instructions for the promo and looked over it with me. From what I could gather, they are supposed to accept "any competitor's tongue and groove pliers". The promo is from now until the end of the month, or until supplies run out (it appears that there was what was on the display, plus another box full of pliers). Also, these are straight jaw, NOT water pump.

As to clarify for the quality of these pliers, I bought the two pack (waterpump type) from Sears a while back. I am VERY impressed with these and in all honesty perform just as well as my Knipex. The handles are a little bit bulkier, but in turn are also more comfortable. I also like these a lot because you do not need to hold the button to close the jaws, only open them.

I know I will be taking my crappy Husky x-mas promo tongue and grooves in. I personally like these pliers. Given that this exact type made by Irwin was never made in USA, I have no problem with them being made in China. It is when a product that USED to be made in the states is now made overseas, where people see a difference in quality.

 

[thoraudio]

The display was at my Lowe's but they had no idea about it. Finally found the sales sheet, and let me get mine.

Similar to the poster above, I also had purchased a two pack (10" and 8") of the waterpump type and was very impressed. Glad to have added a flat 8" for the cost of a cheapy pair of old pliers.

 

[zer0cell]

I was at a local Lowes today and while I didn't have any cheap pliers to trade in (I only have good stuff at the moment) I looked inside the box and saw 5 pliers in there. They all looked like cheap-o brands from what I could tell. No one traded in any good brands so far. In a way, its kind of nice to see that...

 

[rival904]

Went to 2 different Lowes today and traded in pliers. First one let me do 2 trade ins on one transaction, which rang up as .01 each. Second store made me do 2 separate transactions both being 100% free.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Did a trade in tonight and the sweetheart even let me do a switcharoo. I brought in 2 cheapies but only one per customer, so I traded the 2nd pair for a nice pair of channellock 420s that were in there. Cool chick.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Scored another pair today.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I might have an old pair of chinese or taiwanese T&G pliers sitting in the garage that I can trade in...all of my normal use stuff is Channellock and that sure as heck is not going anywhere

 

[Todd.Brock]

So I wonder if these have a warranty on them?? I could see swapping out and then having them to warranty for future use. Just thinking ahead. If not, I'm sure husky 's trade in program will start shortly!!

 

[Bhfear]

Traded in a set of regular china pliers today. cashier didn't look at them to see if they where t&g pliers. Cashier said I was the second one to do the swap located by the customer service/pro desk, next time I go back I will bring another pair of cheapo pliers to see if they have any left. Quality of the Irwin t&G seems like a nice plier for the money, good enough for my travel tool bag.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I thought I would just throw these new Irwins in a trailer tool box or whatever. Turns out, I really like them. Being able to adjust-close by simply pushing, sweet.

I have large hands, and they actually fit very well. Good job Irwin.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I thought I would just throw these new Irwins in a trailer tool box or whatever. Turns out, I really like them. Being able to adjust-close by simply pushing, sweet.

I have large hands, and they actually fit very well. Good job Irwin.

I was somewhat impressed with them too Dave. The second pair I got today went into the truck tool bag. . . . man is that thing getting heavy.

 

[pettybird]

Channellocks gone from lowes?

The 420's are disco. There will be nothing but Chinese stuff in the electrical aisle from now on. The rest of the CL's in the tool department are safe for now, I guess.

 

[robertwhite]

I plan on trading in a POS Kobalt plier for the Irwin. That outa' be good for a chuckle or two.

 

[No Sweat Photos]

I traded a old rusty pair of channelocks today. First tried a old pair of reg pliers but that was a no go !! I got the first pair off the display only took 4 people to read the instruction sheet to check me out. Much smaller in size than my trade-ins but have much better grips for electrical work. Looks like the displays has @ 50 to trade out.

 

[mooman]

I wonder if they would take my Craftsman Robo Grip pliers?

 

[tbaggz]

my Lowes has the 3 pack Kobalt brand for 9.98.so I bought 2 and converted all the smaller pairs for these plus the 2 old pair I brought originally,8 pairs of these and 2 12 inch Kobalts for 20ish.I'll sell 6 pair for 10 each at work and make some money.shweet. anytime China. anytime.