Amazon...THE tool source during recession?

[Bolster]

Amazon is doing great during this recession. They just posted 18% increase in sales in the fourth quarter. Why are they doing so well? According to WSJ, "...the internet giant used its pricing muscle to lure shoppers." Translation: they are putting the heat on manufacturers to get and sell stuff very cheap.

I'll be checking Amazon more frequently...they may have better deals than I thought...

And no, I have no financial connection to Amazon. (Wish I did!!)

 

[Stuey]

If I remember correctly, they reported that this last winter holiday shopping season was their best ever.

I went through my invoices of the tools I purchased through amazon, to compile a list for ToolGuyd's "store", and I was a bit shocked as to just how much I ordered from them.

I'm a bit afraid to see how much I spent through them over the past few months. Their prices are sometimes better, sometimes not, but no tax, free shipping, and great selection keep me coming back for more. I do wish they hadn't done away with their low price guarantee, though.

Edit: On another note, I think that MSC might be another major tool source, if they come out with 35% off and free shipping promotions more frequently.

 

[JayL]

And don't forget to add that their system makes it very easy for us " International Buyers" to deal with them. As an example they don't require credit card payments to be billed in US soil.

 

[Diesel-Mech]

Its a great resource with fairly decent prices that makes some harder to obtain brands easier to get like PB Swiss etc.

 

[tpolley]

does home depot or lowes match prices on amazon? i noticed they have some new tools that are $15 to $20 cheaper than the local tool stores. and they have free shipping.

 

[Vinko]

I think McMaster is pretty reasonable for Armstrong wrenches. Haven't done a comparison though, so am not certain.

 

[mkdive]

if your buy alot from amazon. signing up for amazon prime is worth it. We get free 2 day shipping. Its freaking great. My wife and I buy from amazon all the time. Everything from food, tools, electronic stuff, and household stuff. Most of the time prices are great, but from time to time I still find better deals other places on the net. All in all for the $70 a year for prime membership we have saved that a couple times over in shipping costs.

 

[JB740i]

if your buy alot from amazon. signing up for amazon prime is worth it. We get free 2 day shipping. Its freaking great. My wife and I buy from amazon all the time. Everything from food, tools, electronic stuff, and household stuff. Most of the time prices are great, but from time to time I still find better deals other places on the net. All in all for the $70 a year for prime membership we have saved that a couple times over in shipping costs.

I paid for my account through my business because it lets me get toner and office supplies cheap. But most of the boxes coming in go home with me.

 

[zuspiel]

And sometimes their computer screws up:

Do I think that will show up at my door? Hell no! But I placed an order anyway, one never knows

I'm positive that drill is worth $9.49 shipped...

 

[mkdive]

I bought one too! wonder if they will hold up to their deal?
I think i snagged the last one.

 

[mkdive]

you know, after reading the "whats in the box description" it lists everything but a drill? batteries, handle, charger....just doesnt mention a drill.....hmmmmmmmm

 

[zuspiel]

I very seriously doubt it. Especially since it doesn't ship from Amazon itself. I'm pretty sure some human will notice that something went wrong here...

 

[zuspiel]

you know, after reading the "whats in the box description" it lists everything but a drill? batteries, handle, charger....just doesnt mention a drill.....hmmmmmmmm

Says it includes the hammer drill. Also, I'll take two batteries for $10 shipped, too

 

[posaune]

you know, after reading the "whats in the box description" it lists everything but a drill? batteries, handle, charger....just doesnt mention a drill.....hmmmmmmmm

Yeah, but it does mention it in "technical details." The original price is also listed at over $600. I'm pretty sure it is the whole deal. I ordered one too. You never know what is going on with these places- it might get canceled but it sure would **** not to miss out if it is a real deal!

EDIT: ^^^beat me to it...

 

[zuspiel]

I'm not getting my hopes up, though. I do need a new drill and if they actually ship them to us we were REALLY lucky (and would **** )

 

[posaune]

I'm not getting my hopes up, though. I do need a new drill and if they actually ship them to us we were REALLY lucky (and would **** )

I'm not holding my breath either, but my cordless drill died last year and I haven't bothered to replace it (I just use the corded one). It wouldn't be too bad to get a new one for $.50!

 

[terry1769]

Adding one more vote for Amazon Prime. I've also found some very good deals on Amazon for hardware. Bought my last batches of deck, drywall, and self drilling screws from them much cheaper than I could find locally or through McMaster-Carr or MSC.

Aside from perishable groceries, there's really nothing I won't price check through Amazon and find a lot of stuff that is just cheaper to have them deliver than for me to buy anywhere else.

 

[Tom2]

Hmm...I always forget about Amazon. I check eBay from time to time..but forget about them. I guess Amazon is a better source for new merchandise.

 

[dougcoug]

I've made two good purchases (at least I think so) on Amazon in the last two weeks:

1. An IR231C 1/2" Impact Wrench for $99.23 including shipping and
2. An SK 74251 1/2" Torque Wrench (25-250 ft-lbs) for $108.36 with shipping

 

[zuspiel]

...And it's been cancelled

 

[posaune]

...And it's been cancelled

Well, we had to expect it. Oh well...

 

[mkdive]

mine was cancelled also.

 

[Danglerb]

I don't always buy from amazon, but its a good idea to check them, and sometimes to watch items that periodically have special prices or terms.

No tax.
No shipping.
No gas to pick it up.

Wife's new vacuum cleaner just arrived today, more than $20 less than Walmart, NOBODY local price matches with Amazon except in special cases.

 

[wyndycity]

I recently found out about http://www.warehousedeals.com/ by Amazon.

I ordered these Supergrip GRZ gripping pliers which are pretty much German made Bessey clamps for $23...these easily go for more than $50 minimum and are super strong clamps:
http://www.warehousedeals.com/GROSS-STABIL-GRZ-20-SuperGrip-200/M/B000JLSMXW.htm

The selections seem to be limited but it looks like this is a beta concept by Amazon. I thought the clamps were a great deal though.

The shipping brought the total to $30 so yeah, gotta watch out for the shipping details. But I'm still happy with that price.

 

[Bolster]

Should we start an AMAZON DEALS thread? Let's give it a try.

 

[Rigmaster]

I still don't see the benefit of paying for an Amazon Prime membership. I ordered a BUNCH of stuff before Xmas - all of it had free bargain shipping and nothing took more than 3 business days to get delivered.

 

[Stuey]

Should we start an AMAZON DEALS thread? Let's give it a try.

I think I tried something like that once, and it didn't attract too much attention. The best thing to do is to start a thread for each sale. The thing is, there aren't that many spectacular deals these days.

I still don't see the benefit of paying for an Amazon Prime membership. I ordered a BUNCH of stuff before Xmas - all of it had free bargain shipping and nothing took more than 3 business days to get delivered.

Amazon's free super saver shipping has been known to be flakey. There were times that I would want to place an order on monday, shipping would be quoted as being on Thursday or Friday, and delivery the following Thursday or Friday.

With prime, there is no $25 minimum - that saves me quite a bit of cash as I don't have to search for filler items to bring my order above the $25 min. Then there's the expedited delivery. If I need something the next day, an extra $4 makes it happen. I paid for next-day delivery on an all-in-one printer a few years ago. I don't want to imagine how much other retailers would have charged to ship a 20 lb printer with next-day delivery.

I've had issues with books and other items before as well. "Super Saver Shipping" means "we'll put your order on a truck whenever there's a nook or cranny that will fit it.