A New Way To Sell Tools?

[CRTDI]

I live in an area where there is really no more Mom and Pop hardware/tool stores. I get real frustrated when I go down to my local Lowes or Home Depot and the staff doesn't seem to know the difference between a saw and a bolt.

Although this place is a little out of the way for me, I might just give them a try. I don't know if my experience will really be any different, but at least I can grab a six pack on the way out....

http://www.weselltools.com/Home.html

 

[GortonsFisherman]

Personally, I do not need to be entertained when I'm looking to buy tools, but I'm sure it'll appeal to certain types. Now, a true Mom & Pop, I'm there.

 

[woody 73]

I liked the ad very much "WE SELL TOOLS"... and like the op said not much in his area so anything is better then nothing. To the op please be sure and tell us if you liked the new tool store; if I lived close by I would be wanting to go there!

 

[davesnothere]

Is that just a renamed HF store?

 

[GeneralDisorder]

Looks like HF Chinese garbage to me. Better off buying online IMO.

GD

 

[87FoRunner]

I just can't bring myself to buy anything in there no matter how hard I try. If they sold some SK and competitive Gear Wrench I would be on it.

They had some montezumas in there. I wonder if they could order me a 72 big boy in a few years.

 

[honcho]

Could be an entertaining place but some of the brands they carry are, as other people have noted, chinese garbage. Sounds like a Hooters with tools. Not necessarily a bad thing. However, in my mind, I don't think it can compete in the long run.

My all time favorite place to buy tools, hardware and more was Hout's in State College PA. It was a full service lumberyard and mill. With a real hardware store that included housewares, fabric and notions for the ladies and a great Deli and small grocery selection. Something for everyone. I bought my Littlestown vise (made in PA as well) there and I think we still have an Ertle cast tractor we bought for one of our boys who are now grown men.

For most consumers, convenience of a bazillion locations and competitive prices on brand-name products will keep the folks and many professionals going to Home Depot and Lowes.

Oh, I attended Bartlett High School for a time when it was still Nicholas Blackwell High School

 

[lametec]

Pics of the women:

So basically Harbor Freight type tools with Harbor Freight looking cashiers.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

the ad said cashiers are easy on the eyes. the pictures say otherwise.

 

[woody 73]

Wow you guys are a tough crowd, I think the women are very nice looking if you guys think they are not good looking in my HF store they don't speak well enough for me to understand, at least I could understand those nice looking ladies in the above pictures!

 

[JASTECH]

That's all this country needs is more China tool dealers, NOT!...They should of went U.S.A. made tools, fill in with good German, Swiss, U.K. and the like. I have a friend (yes I do) trying to talk me into tool store and tool truck after we are settled in new place. I didn't say no, yet.

 

[JASTECH]

Well the one with 8 ******* isn't too bad, but even she get's a couple points removed for the "blue" colour.

 

[byoungblood]

I went by that place a few months ago. It is no more than a HF under another name. Nothing but Great Neck and other disposable Chinese made tools. Don't waste your time going there if you are looking for decent stuff.

A few of the Mom and Pop hardware stores still have bits of NOS US tools here and there, you just have to look out for them. There is also a Wright distributor a couple of miles north of the Liberty bowl, never been in there though.

 

[87FoRunner]

I did almost purchase a Seal installer once. The I noticed it was made in china and $50.


I went down the street to HF, and purchased theirs for $25 ish with a coupon. I refuse to pay American prices for Chinese tools.

I know some people that eat that place like candy. I have no idea how they think quantity will overcome quality.

 

[Armed Bear]

They should of named it "We Sell Junk"

 

[davesnothere]

One of those women has a beard.

 

[pipsters]

Chicks might sell as a business model at strip clubs but I can't think of the last time I went to a Hooters. Food was "OK" I have other places I'd rather spend my money though. I wish them the best but they are fighting some established brands (HF and NT) and honestly their business name is pretty cheesy.

No one is ever going to make a business selling only US made tools in a local store though, don't fool yourself, go to Sears then go to Harbor Freight, HF is slammin' Sears is a ghost town. People want value not US made product.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Man, if anybody thinks those are "good looking chicks" it's time to take the bear goggles off and smash them.

Looks like they have a wall of Great Neck in pic:4
On the plus side looks like they carry the Bone creepers/stools.

 

[rt dak]

$10 for a 24 piece wrench set? Yikes.

 

[jeffk14]

No one is ever going to make a business selling only US made tools in a local store though, don't fool yourself, go to Sears then go to Harbor Freight, HF is slammin' Sears is a ghost town. People want value not US made product.

That's the truth! Most people who walk into a tool/home improvement/auto parts store, etc. are looking for something to get the job done as quickly and as inexpensively as possible.

The vast majority of the public does not buy tools so they can stroke, polish and ogle them.

 

[Armed Bear]

go to Sears then go to Harbor Freight, HF is slammin' Sears is a ghost town.

I was at Sears a few days ago and I think I heard crickets, but every time at HF I see alot of traffic.

 

[Conductor562]

Well the one with 8 ******* isn't too bad, but even she get's a couple points removed for the "blue" colour.

They are certainly not good looking to a point that you make them part of your marketing ploy.

 

[Bull]

No one is ever going to make a business selling only US made tools in a local store though

Epstein's comes as close as possible to this.

 

[Armed Bear]

Epstein's comes as close as possible to this.

I was lookin at their website. do they accept paypal?

 

[chevy.stroker]

I actually have a store in my town, Martin Tool and Supply, that has been in business for 35 years.

http://www.martintoolandsupply.com/

I feel fortunate to have them. They are generally very close to ToolTopia prices and it lets me support my local community. They can order anything I need and provide great customer service.

If you are near Waco, Temple, or Ft. Worth Richards Equipment is a great industrial supplier.

http://www.richardsequipment.net/default.aspx?page=about us

Sorry, I didn't mean to hijack the thread.

 

[chevy.stroker]

I was lookin at their website. do they accept paypal?

No. Credit Card.

 

[Bull]

I was lookin at their website. do they accept paypal?

Because of the fees, no.

They are 100% awesome, however.

 

[CWP1616L]

Memphis Tennessee?

Check out Martin Industrial Supply. They look like they got some pretty nice stuff:

http://www.mscoinc.com/MIS/Line_Card/index.html

 

[CWP1616L]

Looks like somebody already recommended them.

 

[Southern]

<a href="http://imgur.com/h1mCf"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/h1mCf.png" title="Hosted by imgur.com" alt="" /></a>

 

[jhurless]

The barstools look cool... for $29 I'd buy a BMW one but looks like they don't have it =/

Edit: Now I want one. The search begins.

 

[CRTDI]

Well, I didn't really mean to start a sh*&t storm with this thread, just looking for some alternatives. I think I'll have to check out Martin Industrial Supply. Thanks for the info on this one guys.

Southern,

Nice graphic work, that's just too funny...

So...I went and checked out my local 'We Sell Tools" franchise, and lo and behold, it really is a glorified HF (maybe smells a little better).

I asked if it was OK to take pics, and a cashier said it was OK and then another guy (owner perhaps) said it wasn't and then said it was OK to take some general pics but not any detailed pics showing the stocked items because I might be the competition...really?

So here are the general pics of the place:

Uggggh...Chinese jacks....I'm already not getting a warm and fuzzy feeling...

So no great shocker....just a whole bunch of Chinese tools. However, the staff was helpful in pointing me to the $29.99 bar stools. These actually seemed to be selling quite well as a couple of customers had 2 or 3 ea. at the check out counter.

My biggest issue with this place...no eye candy at the check out counter... That's just false advertising!

I brought shame and on my family by purchasing some Chinese ****, but hopefully my family will understand that by purchasing some local brew at an escalated cost from the same merchant, the shame must surely be cast aside and thus go unnoticed...

 

[byoungblood]

Memphis Tennessee?

Check out Martin Industrial Supply. They look like they got some pretty nice stuff:

http://www.mscoinc.com/MIS/Line_Card/index.html

Ohh you ****. That place is only a couple of miles from where I work.