Koken Sockets and South Bay Tools (Rob)

imom · Oct 6, 2010

Koken Sockets and South Bay Tools (Rob) - Photos added

UPDATE!!! - I can no longer recommend this seller. I've spent over $800 with this seller. He's given me a good deals in the past. But his last order with me, one torx's socket was missing his fault. I emailed him and from a previous deal, he owes me a impact deep socket as well. He promises he would send me the missing items. Because I wanted to complete my set, I offered to pay the local shipping $5. After a few emails over 3 months trying to get this resolved, he's finally ignored my emails and texts. His last reply was 10 days ago...no response since. So for $10 to $15 buck for the 2 sockets...he's lost a customer for life. It's a pity...

I hope Rob reads this and fixes his missing parts to his customers...reading this read seems I'm not the only customer.

*********************************************
Hi,
I never had any good tools before; except for a small craftsman tool set. So I set out to buy a collection of tools. I thought of either USA, German, or Japanese made tools. I got a great deal from Rob at South Bay tools and I thought I share my collection. I bought separately from another vendor Ernst Socket Organizers...I like them a lot. I need to get the magnetic mount kit.

Here are the short descriptions.

10mm to 32mm 1/2" deep and regular 22 pcs each set
3/8" to 1-1/4" 1/2" regular 15 pcs
8mm to 21mm 3/8" deep and regular 14 pcs each set
1/4" to 1" 3/8" regular 15 pcs
1/4" to 7/8" 3/8" deep 11 pcs
4mm to 14mm 1/4" deep 11 pcs
3/16" to 9/16" 1/4" deep 10 pcs
3/16" to 1/2" 1/4" regular 9 pcs

For larger pictures

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51341799@N03/sets/72157625105967976/

ImportTuner · Oct 6, 2010

Nice collection .. you must really like the 12 pt. stuff

comedyman809 · Oct 6, 2010

ImportTuner said:
Nice collection .. you must really like the 12 pt. stuff

is this going to spawn another 6pt vs 12pt WAR!!!!

imom · Oct 6, 2010

I have 6 pt in Craftsman I got off of Ebay in 3/8". The finish isn't as good...it's a shame. Koken's finish seems very nice. I don't know how it compares to SK or Nepro and other quality vendors, but I'm happy with it. We shall see if have any problems with 12pt. I don't use my tools too much, I just like to make sure when I need something I have it. So this works for me. Rob was easy to deal with and gave me a great deal...so it works.

Sick Puppy · Oct 7, 2010

imom, do you have Rob's e-mail address? I want to contact him again in the near future, the one I have isn't working (either that, or he's ignoring me

).

Cheers in advance, SP.

mooman · Oct 7, 2010

What's with all the 12 points? You know they will round off all of your fasteners and cause cancer.

d33pt · Oct 7, 2010

what is south bay tool's website?

sselander · Oct 7, 2010

http://southbaytools.webs.com/

Rob Lee
[email protected]
(310) 503-0300
in southern california
http://southbaytools.webs.com/ (there is no online catalog)

comedyman809 · Oct 7, 2010

thats some website they got there!!!! i saw a total of 1 tool for sale.

imom · Oct 7, 2010

Rob doesn't have an online store...he's a local tool guy. He goes to the garages and sells his tools. I met up with him and bought quite a few items from him. He's hard to reach at times because he's traveling. If you call him, he's pretty good about returning calls. Emails will take about a day or so.

Sorry for not responding sooner...had busy day.

Far as the 12pt vs 6pt. I have 6pt craftsman set I got on Ebay...it's my backup. I like to replace it in the future. 12pt I didn't have, so now I got a little of both. I just took pictures of my Koken set for the forum members. Since this forum has given me some useful information...I thought I give back.

Thank you seelander for posting the info. That is the correct contact information. If you guys are expecting an online store from Rob...I think you will be disappointed...but if you want some Koken tools or whatever else you sell...just got to contact him via email or phone.

Sick Puppy · Oct 8, 2010

Thanks imom, appreciated! As far as I remember his prices for the stock he had was very good, but I got the feeling that he regards shipping to NZ as in the too hard basket...

imom · Oct 8, 2010

Yeah...his prices are good. That's why I bought a collection of sockets from him. I'm not sure about shipment...you'll have to ask Rob. Good luck with that. I really like the wobble extension...they also lock to be straight fixed extension.

dede2897234 · Oct 9, 2010

I have purchased many Koken hand tools (via 4 transactions) from South Bay Tools over the last few years, including my latest one two weeks ago. The key to a successful transaction with Rob is multiple phone calls (early in the morning) plus e-mails when placing the order, possible order modifications (due to his diminished stock), payment, and shipment. If you do not call him at each point in the transaction, there will be days to a week delay in the order process. Like "imom" mentioned above, he is very busy with travel.

Even though he is busy, Rob is a pleasure to converse with and cares about satisfying the customer. With my last transaction two weeks ago, since I have been a good customer, he threw in free shipping!

Dave

imom · Oct 10, 2010

Yes, Rob has some items gone, so I got 6pt in some sockets instead. If anyone is interested in getting Koken...this is really a great opportunity. I'm happy with my transactions with Rob.

As what dede2897234 mention above... now that you have an idea that Rob is busy and he's not an online store you just click and buy.

Dealing with Rob is very easy and he also supports his product. Just make sure you make a list and then follow up with him and you'll be happy... I had an item shipped to me and it was very well packaged.

dede2897234 · Oct 10, 2010

Imom,

How much did Rob charge you for the Koken 1/4" drive, 4 to 14mm, deep socket set?

Thanks,

Dave

imom · Oct 10, 2010

Hi Dave,
It was a package pricing so I don't know. I meet with Rob on three different occasion and I just looked what I like and then got a package deal from him. Sorry for not being more helpful on that. I'm curious, how come Koken deep sockets look like more semi deep...or are they all like that?

dede2897234 · Oct 10, 2010

imom,

Koken sells 3/8" drive sockets in the following varieties (besides standard length): semi-deep, deep, and extra deep. The semi-deep sockets have a length of 40mm. The deep sockets have a length of 55mm. The extra deep sockets have a length of 120mm.

Dave

imom · Dec 6, 2010

Anyone been able to reach Rob? I emailed him several times asking for price on impact set and I don't get a reply...I tried his voice number as well.

48548 · Dec 6, 2010

I got an impact set and 4 attack drivers from him a couple of months ago... Just try to email him, I have made 3 purchases of around 910 total when I added it up, wow that was more than I thought I spent on stuff from him.... I wish I would have never added it all up, hahahaha. He is great when you get a hold of him and he ships the stuff out, which is usually free and fast. Free for me because of the amount I spent, but he might do free for anyone.

imom · Dec 6, 2010

I just got an email back...he's been busy traveling. Just thought I let everyone know.

Vinko · Dec 9, 2010

is this the same South Bay Tool & Gage that sends out catalogs?

jchase63 · Dec 10, 2010

Hello all:
I am flying back from the Ko-Ken Tool factory in Japan, in a couple of hours. We will have a new website in January named www.kokenusa.com. The site is not up at this time. We will not be selling tools on the site. We just completed an agreement with Ko-Ken Tools to be their North American Master Distributor.

Our mission is to build the Ko-Ken tool brand in North America. I hope you will find it much easier to get information on Ko-Ken tools soon.

If you would like a full Ko-Ken catalog in .pdf let me know and I can send it to you.

Jim

48548 · Dec 10, 2010

Nice I can't wait to get more koken stuff!!!!! I acutally have some requests... Let me know who I can email them to.

MOPARINMYCAR · Dec 10, 2010

I have seen a few of koken tools and what i have seen have all been very well made and nicley finished tools Im not sure how the prices stackup against Snapon ?

48548 · Dec 10, 2010

They are a lot better in price than snap on.

MOPARINMYCAR · Dec 10, 2010

I belive they make a lot of tools for the aircraft industry this is what I have been told ?

jchase63 · Dec 10, 2010

Contact: Chelsea Conrad at our office for more info on Ko-Ken Tools

email is: [email protected]

Phone: 978.455.0672

wrenchr · Dec 12, 2010

Is it possible to get a koken catalog?

jchase63 · Dec 12, 2010

send me an email at [email protected] and I will reply with a .pdf of the full Ko-Ken Tools catalog. The new www.kokenusa.com website will be up in January, but it will take all of Q1 2011 to get it populated with the products. Ko-Ken has 8000 individual part numbers.

Sick Puppy · Dec 13, 2010

MOPARINMYCAR said:
I belive they make a lot of tools for the aircraft industry this is what I have been told ?

Their tools here are referred to as aviation quality, and I've seen retired aviation engineers sell koken gear here on Trademe (NZ version of eBay). They also sell Titanium socketry for work on things like MRI machines (big magnets) - hugely expensive and impractical for normal use (especially since they have hexagonal bits, not square), but yeah, they are definitely serious contenders in terms of quality. :thumbup:

PS I love their stuff, and have a whole bunch of it!

Sick Puppy · Dec 31, 2010

jchase63 said:
send me an email at [email protected] and I will reply with a .pdf of the full Ko-Ken Tools catalog. The new www.kokenusa.com website will be up in January, but it will take all of Q1 2011 to get it populated with the products. Ko-Ken has 8000 individual part numbers.

Probably a dumb question since you're doing the work yourself it seems, but if you are a distributor for them, could they provide you with the files to auto-populate your website to speed things along? I mean, it's already on Koken Japan's site, can they provide it to you to use on yours?

dede2897234 · Mar 25, 2011

I have called Rob of South Bay Tools many times for almost two weeks. I spoke to him once about checking his remaining stock for Ko-ken 3300X, 3/8" drive, 6 point, 15mm, semi-deep sockets (quantity: 2). The 3300X/8 sets (own 2 of them) do not include a 15mm socket. Rob told me that he would check his warehouse stock and contact me back. He never did.

I am very disappointed in his lack of response since I spent between $200 to $300 over the last 3 years with him. This is the not the way to treat your existing customers! I would not recommend dealing with him unless unless you can meet Rob locally for your Ko-ken hand tool needs.

Dave

jchase63 · Mar 29, 2011

I don't think I know Rob. We have several distributors now that can help you with Koken products. Contact me and I can direct you to a new distributor if you are not happy with your current supplier: [email protected]

Also, to the post above: Yes we can supply a complete CD with all the Koken product info and pictures for a on-line dealer website if needed.

imom · Apr 4, 2011

dede2897234 said:
I have called Rob of South Bay Tools many times for almost two weeks. I spoke to him once about checking his remaining stock for Ko-ken 3300X, 3/8" drive, 6 point, 15mm, semi-deep sockets (quantity: 2). The 3300X/8 sets (own 2 of them) do not include a 15mm socket. Rob told me that he would check his warehouse stock and contact me back. He never did.

Dave

Please see my update to this thread. Rob seems to no longer care... I know that he was thinking of being a Koken dealer again, but with this kind of response. I would only buy from him in person, I would not do mail order with him again.

I don't like to talk bad about anyone, but I've been very patient and given him warning that if he doesn't respond and send me my missing items that I would not give him a good referral.

I hope Rob reads this and corrects this...otherwise my review stands. At least I know it wasn't personal and I am not the only buyer having problems getting in contact with him.

dede2897234 · Apr 4, 2011

imom,

It is sad to hear that Rob Lee of South Bay Tools no longer cares about providing good customer service with past orders and selling the remainder of his Ko-ken tool stock. Like you, I will never order from him again. I think Rob is now more interested in selling Williams hand tools to his current tool truck customers.

Thanks for updating this thread with your poor experiences in terms of Rob Lee failing to fulfill your past orders. I thought it was only me that he was ignoring with a recent Ko-ken order request. I do not think Rob Lee will read your update to this thread since he has not logged into GarageJournal since 8/2009. However, if some potential new customers or past customers do a Google Search on South Bay Tools, they will think twice about placing a first order or continue to do business with him.

Dave

imom · Apr 5, 2011

Yes... Rob is an easy going guy...so I'm surprised that he started to ignore the emails and the one text I made to him. He gave me great deals in the past... doesn't make sense for a few dollars to lose a future or current customer.

Yes I know about his williams and potential koken deal again...but like I said...I would only deal with him in person from now on if I ever see him. I don't want to paint like Rob is bad in anyways..but the last order and the previous one he promise to give me the missing 9mm, but never did. Just a shame.

Sick Puppy · Apr 5, 2011

From memory, either he or his firm/employer purchased a shedload of Koken tooling from a trade show with the intention of becoming a Koken distributor, only Stahlwille at the time had exclusive rights to the US region, so they couldn't market it, only get rid of it... if it wasn't my main revenue stream and I was busy, I'd have to wonder whether I'd make the time to sell it, other than for cashflow. But then why not just eBay it and be done? I dunno, I suppose that's why I'm not in business!

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