Proto tools at walmart.com?

[jteck75]

This may have already been discussed to death in the past,and please don't unleash the GJ hounds on me if it has,but has anyone noticed that walmart.com is selling Proto tools? I had to to take a double and then a triple-take before my eyes belived it. I was looking for a new set of 1/2" deep metric impact sockets,because the ones I had were showing their age,and while searching for Proto or Armstrong retailers,I came across the wal-mart link. After I thought about it for a minuite,it made sense ,with all of the Stanley stuff that wal-mart moves,but I still found it a little odd. Their prices were pretty reasonable for new Proto line tools. Has anyone bought any of these,are they legit U.S.A. Protos,or are they just rebranded Taiwan Stanley products?

 

[classic70]

Walmart.com also has wright, armstrong, allen, and sk.

 

[Zrexxer]

I think Walmart.com is trying to reinvent themselves as a general online fulfillment company, like Amazon or Buy.com.

 

[Scooterfish]

I think Walmart.com is trying to reinvent themselves as a general online fulfillment company, like Amazon or Buy.com.

:They are going head to head dropping prices and competeing with Amazon big time for Christmas sales. Wal mart still leaves me with a bad taste

 

[The Muffin Man]

Walmart also have some Facom insulated pliers as well.

 

[Tool Pants]

I can understand Proto because Stanley owns Proto. WalMart use to be Popular Mechanics, but that name did not boost tool sales. So WalMart switched to Stanley for brand recognition.

 

[benjamming]

I think Walmart.com is trying to reinvent themselves as a general online fulfillment company, like Amazon or Buy.com.

Yep b/c you don't actually get them from Walmart but rather a 3rd party just like Amazon.

 

[the spyder]

If you look, you are actually buying the tools from another company. Walmart copied amazon, where if they do not stock it, they have a link to someone who does.

 

[pirana]

Me too! Remember their ad campaign about them buying American made products. They don't give a **** about american workers. Phony bastards. Rant over.

 

[HankMurphy]

Interestingly enough, the Wall Street Journal did a comparison shopping test between Amazon, Ebay, and Wal-Mart:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704825504574584052338595442.html

I don't know how long that link will work, but an interesting comparison.

 

[oldtools]

When will Walmart start selling SO hardline tools.

 

[jteck75]

When will Walmart start selling SO hardline tools.

I don't forsee that happening,(but then again I didn't see the Proto thing coming either.) But as the market get tighter,I can see where some of the truck brands may be availiable at some of the higher end auto parts chains. At the very least on an order only basis. That wouldn't suprise me a bit.