Craftsman "Free" Power Tool Battery & Charger?

[LanceMc]

For me, It's about just having some good tools in the house garage and not having to walk to my shop to get some basic stuff. I figured some good Craftsman power tools would go nicely with all my Craftsman V series tools in my garage.

The Stanley/DeWalt/Craftsman rep said he had 20 free batteries and coupons to give away. I think it's a good deal.
There were a few deals on DeWalt too.

 

[5ubtle]

The rep at the S'burg SC event told me that he brought 20 batteries and 20 coupons. Everything was gone within 10 minutes.

 

[driftpin]

i am skeptical about anything offered for FREE that would put me into a different battery platform.

My first decent set of tools were Craftsman but now, 68 years later, I no longer have confidence in the Craftsman name.

You being an older customer (68 + what, another 16 years? Making you 84 y.o.) and probably in your mid-80's, Craftsman may not have confidence in you making it much further on the calendar. They want decades-long customers.

I'm not far behind you, probably a single-digit difference. I still like Craftsman. I'm even going to buy a couple replacement batteries for my old 19.2V C3 cordless system, as my tools in that platform are still chugging-along. Sears doesn't sell those batteries anymore, I'll get 2 Li-ion batteries and a charger from an Amazon source. Their 'order the same thing again' feature makes it easy.

 

[reader2580]

What an awesome deal! Way to go Stanley. Don’t see Milwaukee or any other companies doing this.

Milwaukee has constant deals for free batteries with purchase, and the like. You can even “hack” deals at Home Depot to get pretty good discounts on certain tools or batteries.

Craftsman is giving away a cheap battery, and a $50 coupon, to get people hooked on their cordless tools ecosystem. Milwaukee doesn’t have as much of a need to entice people into their ecosystems. The battery Craftsman is giving away would be like Milwaukee giving away M12 2.0 batteries. I have more 2.0 batteries than I can use due to combo kits sometimes being cheaper than a bare tool.

 

[Cruzan80]

Sure, show me where I can get an impact, and a 2Ah and 3Ah battery for $10 from Milwaukee, or a 3Ah and a completely free tool...

To be clear, I am not saying Milwaukee has to do this battery promo, as they have a large enough market share. But saying "Milwaukee offers a free tool when purchasing stuff" isn't the same. CM has a $99 deal for a 2.0/4.0 and free tool running as well.

 

[captain14]

Lowe’s deal of the day has a Craftsman tool package (8 tools and carry bag) on sale at $299 down from $459.

Craftsman V20. Quantity of 13 left at 0800 hours EST

Unknown if the coupon you received from the battery trade in will work.

V20 20-volt Max 8-Tool Power Tool Combo Kit with Soft Case (2-Batteries Included and Charger Included) https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-...ries-Included-and-Charger-Included/5013107411

I’m not sure how to add Ryan’s link so he can get credit for the sale to support GJ.

 

[driftpin]

Another satisfied tool customer for the Craftsman v20 giveaway. I got two of the three amp hour battery and charger and the $50 off certificate by going to different Lowe's stores on different days as listed in the PDF.

Carlos is the tool rep who took care of me today. Thanks, Carlos. I called up before 8:00 a.m. asking at the front desk if the tool rep had opened for business yet, and they said he was not yet there. The helpful woman who answered the phone, Morgan, took my phone number when I asked her to please call me when the event began.

I was here by about 20 after 9:00 on my own and while I was in the store looking at the tools to use my $50 certificate on, Morgan gave me a call from customer service so thank you to her for following through on my request to find out when the tool representative was open. I was able to thank her in person and appreciate the good customer service. Here's hoping others have a positive experience in the battery, battery charger and tool certificate giveaway.

 

[hasco]

I am waiting for the Pruner to go on sale.They do not sell the bare tool.I want to use my (Batt.exchange coupon)

 

[Steel_Rain]

I was there at 9:30a this morning and there was already a line. I asked how many kits he had to hand out and he also said "about 20", like others have said here:



I ended up getting the V20 screwdriver:

 

[jd_1138]

Too far away and I wouldn't really have any confidence that the promotion would be ran fairly anyway. I am sure a lot of store managers are setting the vast majority of the "free" batteries aside for their relatives/pals.

Plus I already have Bauer and Makita cordless tools and corded tools too. Craftsman will have to go **** a duck this round.

 

[jd_1138]

I am waiting for the Pruner to go on sale.They do not sell the bare tool.I want to use my (Batt.exchange coupon)

Too bad the tool makers don't have tools available with and without batteries.

 

[driftpin]

There are several Lowes in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area, I went to two, and haven't yet bought the second tool w/the $50 credit. I still have and use my Li-ion 19.2V C3 Craftsman cordless tools, they are still functional and I have a lot of 'em.

 

[hasco]

In regards to the 50.00 off coupon, Has anyone had success using on Lowes.com ? Reading the coupon it appears to be Store only.

 

[Steel_Rain]

In regards to the 50.00 off coupon, Has anyone had success using on Lowes.com ? Reading the coupon it appears to be Store only.

Here is the coupon with (the legal mouseprint):

 

[Cruzan80]

I just used it online for "Deal of the day" (brushless impact w/ 2Ah battery), and just put the barcode under "promo code".

It went thru just fine, and pulled the deal down to ~$20 total.

 

[darkzero]

In regards to the 50.00 off coupon, Has anyone had success using on Lowes.com ? Reading the coupon it appears to be Store only.

Just tried to use the coupon in store 1/2 hr ago & the clerk told me I couldn't use it on items that are on sale. Well that's not what I heard so after I walked back to my car I placed my order online for store pick up & it went through just fine.

 

[hasco]

Glad to hear that, I will wait for the Pruners to go on sale. They are 139.00 Reg. price.

I just used it online for "Deal of the day" (brushless impact w/ 2Ah battery), and just put the barcode under "promo code".

It went thru just fine, and pulled the deal down to ~$20 total.

 

[darkzero]

Here's my haul... or I should say score. Seriously feels like I robbed Lowes!

Last year I had bought two V20 batteries off ebay for $23 shipped listed as for parts/repair. Wasn't able to revive them, they had 1 completely dead cell in both packs. So then I bought two more good 2ahr batteries on ebay for $30 shipped for my first V20 tools. Really had no plans to buy more V20, I'm too far invested in MW. Kept the dead ones just in case I might want to try rebuilding them some day. So glad I didn't toss them when I saw this come up!

Traded in both dead packs Wed & today. First coupon I tried to use in store for the stick vacuum. Normally $200 but is on sale for $150. Cashier at Lowes told me I couldn't use it on sale items or promotional deals. Well the CM rep told me it's kind of like a gift card, there's no minimum so if I were to buy something for under $50 I would get it for free but of course no change given. So I walked back to my car, ordered online for store pick up with no issues. $100 for that vac with a battery & charger is a steal!

Second coupon I used on the BOGO deal. Buy a 2ahr & 4ahr starter pack for $100 and get a tool for free. I don't own a multi tool myself (was also considering the jigsaw) so that's what I choose. It's their brushed model but that's fine as I prefer it over their brushless that has a trigger switch. The trigger switch on the brushless is variable speed but when locked on it's on full speed. I prefer the separate switch & variable speed dial like the M12 I use at work. $50 for two more batteries & a multitool is a heck of a deal!

Sorry for the novel but I still can't believe I got all of this for only $150!!!

 

[david3921]

Found out on the Craftsman website that they added more events. This time they are at Ace Hardware stores. The previous events were too far away for me here in west Michigan. One of the two new additions is fairly close and, if I remember to, I'll be attending. I have a couple 20v Craftsman tools so free batteries for them is a no brainer.

It's in Hollander country so wish me luck.

(I got some Dutch in me and around here the saying goes, "If you ain't Dutch, you ain't much.")

Edit to add you can see the new events by clicking on the link in the OP.

 

[darkzero]

Here's my haul... or I should say score. Seriously feels like I robbed Lowes!

I robbed Lowes yet again (again just feels like it).

Wasn't anticipating all this stuff but this time I got all of this for only $70! 5 more batteries, a jigsaw, 150W inverter, & a hot glue gun.

The hot glue gun wasn't planned but I was able to get an additional $50 coupon so I got that for free. Curious to use it cause it does not have the traditional trigger that I'm used to that physically pushes the glue stick forward. It has a motor that feeds the glue stick & when you let go of the trigger it's suppose to retract the glue stick slightly to help prevent drips. I wonder how well or bad that works & if it does actually retract. Pulling the trigger does feel like an electronic switch rather than mechanical feed.

Oh and also got a mini fan which wasn't partof the Lowes deals. But I did get it for $17, normally $28, from Ace Hardware.

Ok I'm done with the CM hunts, I have way too much already. Feels weird shopping & researching CM stuff (which I never cared for) and haven't looked at any MW stuff anymore/in a while.

 

[driftpin]

I still have Craftsman 19.2V C3 li-ion tools which are still working well for me, but I did buy a new-generation V20 tool, and have the $50 coupon for another. I think I'll try the 3/8" drive electric ratchet, and see how I like that. I still have 'old-fashioned' corded tools, which for me seem to work for things like jigsaw or scroller saw work. I don't use those a lot, so I don't need to buy a V20 tool for something infrequently used.

 

[Cruzan80]

Quick question for the people who redeemed batteries @ Ace Hardware. Is the $50 off coupon only for Ace Hardware locations, or Lowes? Looks like Lowes has a much larger selection, with ACE more focusing on OPE offerings. They are doing another event semi-near me next week, so debating about swapping some other small batteries.

 

[Cruzan80]

Anyone do the Ace event? Wondering if it may have gotten lost amidst the July 4th postings...

 

[david3921]

Anyone do the Ace event? Wondering if it may have gotten lost amidst the July 4th postings...

The event near me isn't until the 18th of this month. Plan on going, will report back.

 

[Cruzan80]

I will beat you to it if I go. Mine is the 11th. But thanks for offering

 

[Cruzan80]

So, I found the T&C at the bottom of the Craftsman Battery website (sometimes the answer really is RTFM).

Coupon details attached. Looks like it is for Ace, has to be used same day, in store only, and minimum $50 purchase (so no free tool under $50).

 

[whateg01]

I was there at 9:30a this morning and there was already a line. I asked how many kits he had to hand out and he also said "about 20", like others have said here:



I ended up getting the V20 screwdriver:

Line formed? Yeah I'll just wait and buy the tools if I need them. I hate waiting in lines.

 

[Cruzan80]

At the one I went to before, it was one petosn ahead of me, and two reps were there. It took literally 15&30sec once they opened. My guess is the "line" was people waiting before it started, and by 5min in, there wasn't a line

 

[Cruzan80]

Ace was fine, they had a specific barcode at the register (so it was limited to what that one store had on hand, that day). That particular Ace was running 50% off Red Tag, which brought some of the tools down to Lowes sale prices. They also had a general "red hot buys" for 20% off ( I think it was percent and not dollars, but the tools I got was originally $100, so cant be certain).

Glad I looked closer at the details to have a plan in place, much more restrictive than the Lowes version. My original plan wouldn't have worked (use at another Ace for a $45 item(

 

[driftpin]

I went to a Lowe's this evening, the last day of the $50 off promotion, to redeem your certificate. I was turned-down at the register. I requested that they carefully read the terms and conditions, but still no dice. The head cashier said that her store manager told her, "NO more $50 coupons!"

Part of the issue is that I went to this same store on the day listed for the deal. I had been to another Lowe's location on that store's battery turn-in event, and I got a color certificate. I had no trouble using that. But, at this Lowe's, on the date of the battery turn-in, I got a photocopy of the certificate and it was b & w, not a color document. I went to 3 different Lowe's to turn-in dead batteries, and at this one store, the b & w photocopy was what I got.

I actually have a phone picture of the tool representative and me, and I have his phone number, that happened at the store where I got the photocopy. Guess I need to take it up with the corporate entity. All-in-all, I probably spent $300+ on V20 tools.

Today I used the 7-1/4" circular saw, and I was impressed on its performance. It was a good buy.