Best Way to Buy Tools?

[AFR]

Where do you normally buy your tools?

Professionals - do you have direct relationships with any specific vendors/dealers, or a general distributor you buy from? Does product type or order quantity come into play or are there other factors involved?

Hobbyists/Tool Enthusiasts - do you buy on Amazon? Manufacturer Website? 3rd Party eCommerce/reseller?

I've heard pros and cons for each side - some buy 'one-off' orders through Amazon for the convenience with shipping and fast delivery (with Prime), and I've heard of others who buy from companies like Grainger for bulk orders - for which I'm assuming the price comes out as favorable in this case.

Can anybody provide some insight on this? Thanks!

 

[A DuB]

I'm more of a hobbyist but i like quality hand tools. With that said, I've bought most of my snap on collection used off eBay for a fraction of the price off the truck. If i was a professional mechanic, it may be a good idea to develop a good relationship with the driver (Snap-On / Matco / Mac) on your route. Most of what you see in the pic I've attached is snap on. The large 3/4 drive sockets to the back are pittsburg from harbor freight. Those sockets don't get used much, but one of those situations where id rather have it just in case.

Ive bought some sunex tools off amazon (deep swivel impact set, and 3/8 drive extension set), and they're holding up. Taiwan made and supposedly have a lifetime warranty. Haven't had to send anything back yet.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

How fast do you need it?
How much can you spend?

 

[rossomania]

I'm a DIY / hobbyist with an old collection of mostly US made Craftsman. However, thanks to spending WAY too much time on Garage Journal, I've started researching and upgrading my most often used hand tools to the industrial / professional brands.

I buy tons of stuff through Amazon, but I typically don't buy my premium tools through them. Instead, I'll go to a favorite industrial brand's website and use their price search service to find a best price for a given tool from one of their authorized internet resellers. Also, I generally avoid ebay unless I'm searching for a very specific item or tool that I'm very familiar with and thus know exactly what I'm getting.

 

[A DuB]

Ross, why do you avoid eBay? Just curious

 

[Richard Cranium]

Best way to buy tools is with CASH.

 

[Bryanthegreat]

Best way to buy tools is with CASH.

This is the best way. I buy the truck stuff that I like and for a lot of things that they rebrand off the internet. It helps having tooldiscounter.com on my way home from work.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Where do you normally buy your tools?

Professionals - do you have direct relationships with any specific vendors/dealers, or a general distributor you buy from? Does product type or order quantity come into play or are there other factors involved?

Hobbyists/Tool Enthusiasts - do you buy on Amazon? Manufacturer Website? 3rd Party eCommerce/reseller?

I've heard pros and cons for each side - some buy 'one-off' orders through Amazon for the convenience with shipping and fast delivery (with Prime), and I've heard of others who buy from companies like Grainger for bulk orders - for which I'm assuming the price comes out as favorable in this case.

Can anybody provide some insight on this? Thanks!

At Sears, I buy the wife appliances and house stuff and get free tools with SYW points.

 

[rossomania]

Ross, why do you avoid eBay? Just curious

I probably should have said that I'm selective about what I buy on eBay as opposed to "avoid." I've worked with plenty of good sellers over the years on the bay for buying all sorts of things. However, when it comes to premium tools like Snap On and some of the most desirable vintage brand tools, I just don't know enough about what I'm buying to be confident in bidding. I'm learning fast, though, and I know I'll be all over eBay soon enough!

 

[BDT/NWMN]

For new tools; it is hard to beat the internet for price, selection, availability and convenience.

The Snap-on truck is in the area weekly, and the Dealer is a stand-up guy.

I buy from local stores when they have what I want or need at a reasonable price. Some of these stores ARE very competitive, and will special order tools from lines they normally do not stock. I was in NAPA a couple weeks back, and the co-owner and I were going thru the ratchets available thru their network. It made My day when I saw the listing for PROTO ratchets!! Many parts stores can also order in SK.

For used tools: Craig's List, eBay, auction sales, yard or estate sales.

 

[uwould]

Ebay! Set up a “saved search” for what you are looking for and Ebay will email you when the items are listed.

 

[930dreamer]

AFR- It sounds like like your trying to pimp something but don't quite say it.

 

[theoldwizard1]

50 years of DIY collecting tools. 95% Craftsman. I bought most of them in the 70s and 80s and almost all of them on sale. Now, I shop eBay a lot. Amazon for specific "unusual" tools.

I research my purchase in depth. GJ is a good place but you need to filter the commentary !

 

[akshaya10]

I’ve actually had really good luck with pawnshops. Bought a couple different tools there for a screaming deal!


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[wilhit10]

Gearwrench is probably the best stuff for the hobbyist. Best quality and easy to return if you buy them from an advance, or carquest etc. Always on sale as well, lot of good deals out there. Buying craftsman is like buying stock in enron. Plus their ratchets are some of the worst on the market. I do still buy their torque wrenches since they are always 1/2 off.

 

[Jazz1]

Had to outfit boy for heavy equipment repairs. A few sets sockets/screwdrivers etc from Canadian tire fall sale, the rest from pawn shops and I got him a smoking deal on a GRAY tool chest. Everything for $1000 We put it all together in a weekend. Big Fun!!

 

[Rickster]

I buy tools from garage sales & estate sales so that you can buy from me here in the classifieds!