Beta.......

[Stuey]

4-1/2 years ago, I wished really hard for Beta tools to be easy to find and buy in the USA. (http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29618)

3-1/2 years ago, I got my wish - Small Parts and Amazon started carrying Beta tools.

2 years ago, maybe earlier, Amazon heavily discounted Beta tools and stopped restocking them. My last order was in Sept 2011.

I just got off the phone with the sales manager at Beta's new USA importer and distributor.

Beta tools are coming back and with a big push too. You won't be able to find them at Amazon, but a lot of other online dealers will start carrying the brand.

I'm right now.

I think the importer/distributor is still open to taking on new dealers - PM or email me if you want their contact info.

 

[north]

So what's the verdict on the tools you have?

 

[jmm]

The tools are pretty good, a notch below premiere Euro brands (Hazet), but definitely capable.

Customer service stateside is awful. I got a bunch of Beta tools awhile back (wrenches, ratchets), but trying to get service for them is like pulling teeth. Last experience I had, I tried to get a ratchet kit. Of the Beta vendors I contacted, two didn't respond, and the one that did respond that could actually get the kit wanted me to buy it. I ask, is it not covered under warranty (Beta tools do carry a warranty...), their response 'not the internals'. So I say, fine, the ratchet is quite nice after all. They then priced it at 75% of the cost of a new ratchet. Don't remember the figure right off, but it was over 50 bucks. They can keep it.

The verdict? They're good tools. I'd definitely recommend simple stuff like wrenches, but I wouldn't buy much more from them. Service in the US isn't very good (multiple emails in english to Beta weren't returned), and don't think for a minute that a warranty applies to their tools.

 

[Stuey]

So what's the verdict on the tools you have?

Most are very good. Some I would even describe as beautifully designed and engineered.

The tools are pretty good, a notch below premiere Euro brands (Hazet), but definitely capable.

Customer service stateside is awful. I got a bunch of Beta tools awhile back (wrenches, ratchets), but trying to get service for them is like pulling teeth. Last experience I had, I tried to get a ratchet kit. Of the Beta vendors I contacted, two didn't respond, and the one that did respond that could actually get the kit wanted me to buy it. I ask, is it not covered under warranty (Beta tools do carry a warranty...), their response 'not the internals'. So I say, fine, the ratchet is quite nice after all. They then priced it at 75% of the cost of a new ratchet. Don't remember the figure right off, but it was over 50 bucks. They can keep it.

The verdict? They're good tools. I'd definitely recommend simple stuff like wrenches, but I wouldn't buy much more from them. Service in the US isn't very good (multiple emails in english to Beta weren't returned), and don't think for a minute that a warranty applies to their tools.

I got very good vibes about the new distributor. "Service" seems to be their top priority.

"Procarestores" seems to be the only other distributor these past few years besides Amazon, and it looks like they're belly up. If not, it at least looks like they've given up. I don't think anyone on GJ has had anything nice to say about them. They had a showcase store in CA but seemed disinterested in online sales.

I'm really eager to give the new distributor a chance. He made it sound like they're focused on service, and will carry enough core tools that warranty exchanges should be quick and simple by mail. Their main focus will be on mechanics and other pro users, so they understand how important warranty exchanges and service can be.

In case you couldn't already tell, I am very optimistic.

 

[y20dth]

be carefull what you buy from beta, these days.
Some of there newer stuff looks alot like other (taiwan/china) brands.

There newer screwdrivers for example look exacly the same as the screwdrivers from "Force".

 

[CWP1616L]

Holy Smokes! Stuey had words with the Beta sales manager?

Stuey's starting to get connected.

 

[Stuey]

Holy Smokes! Stuey had words with the Beta sales manager?

Stuey's starting to get connected.

Their US distributor's sales manager. Poor guy, I kept him on the phone for over an hour. But I felt like the call was very informative.

What I am really happy to know is that the importer/distributor is an establish family-owned business with strong sales. They're not looking to play games, they're looking to bring what they feel are competitive pro-grade high quality tools to the US market. As an individual buyer that's not what I like to hear - I like price wars and heavy discounts - but I know this will work out better for mechanics and industrial customers.

 

[CNGsaves]

Let's see some pics !!!

What's all in your toolbox of Beta love ??

 

[Freeborn John]

be carefull what you buy from beta, these days.
Some of there newer stuff looks alot like other (taiwan/china) brands.

There newer screwdrivers for example look exacly the same as the screwdrivers from "Force".

There are Beta, which are excellent, but they also do a Beta 'Easy' range which are cheaper and, well, you get what you pay for...

 

[Fedwrench]

Perhaps Beta tools can do a joint marketing campaign with the Fiat 500 here.

They could do limited edition black tool boxes with the Abarth scorpion logo on them.

I don't see the excitement over Beta. Some of their tool storage units like the super tank seem interesting but, their core hardline doesn't do anything for me. I would rather see FACOM launched here and better dealer networks for HAZET and Stahlwille established but, that's just me. Keep us posted though.

 

[Rico.]

I must admit, I have nothing against Beta at all.... But esspecially here in England
it has to be FACOM for me all the way. If Beta were about 30 to 40% less
expensive, it would make them allot more attractive as a top Taiwan brand.

Even though Facom now has stuff made in Taiwan, IMHO it still competes
with anything made anywhere and at a good price..... In the UK at least.

 

[FJ 432]

I was really bummed out last year when I went to the previous distributor (around Long Beach) and the doors were closed. I'm a fan of their tanker chests and of course the star of the movie "The Transporter" playing the role of wall cabinet with roll up door!

I have an awesome tool catalog from Beta.

 

[Stuey]

Perhaps Beta tools can do a joint marketing campaign with the Fiat 500 here.

They could do limited edition black tool boxes with the Abarth scorpion logo on them.

I don't see the excitement over Beta. Some of their tool storage units like the super tank seem interesting but, their core hardline doesn't do anything for me. I would rather see FACOM launched here and better dealer networks for HAZET and Stahlwille established but, that's just me. Keep us posted though.

I must admit, I have nothing against Beta at all.... But esspecially here in England
it has to be FACOM for me all the way. If Beta were about 30 to 40% less
expensive, it would make them allot more attractive as a top Taiwan brand.

Even though Facom now has stuff made in Taiwan, IMHO it still competes
with anything made anywhere and at a good price..... In the UK at least.

I like Facom as well, but I don't see Stanley ever bringing it to the US full-swing, as it would compete too much with their other product lines. I don't have enough experience with both brands to comment on Beta vs. Facom matter.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

they should direct market with a truck

 

[Stuey]

they should direct market with a truck

That's what they explicitly don't want to do. The belief is that, with purchases and warranty exchanges being done through the mail, there will be quicker and more consistent service. time will tell if it works out.

 

[Fedwrench]

So when is BETA launching and with who?

 

[davesnothere]

That's what they explicitly don't want to do. The belief is that, with purchases and warranty exchanges being done through the mail, there will be quicker and more consistent service. time will tell if it works out.

I've never had quicker or more consistent service than on my dealer's snap-on truck.
Just saying.

 

[btbsandman]

I've never had quicker or more consistent service than on my dealer's snap-on truck.
Just saying.

But how many diy guys can afford that service with ridiculously high retail prices.

 

[mannspwz]

They could do limited edition black tool boxes with the Abarth scorpion logo on them.

 

[davesnothere]

But how many diy guys can afford that service with ridiculously high retail prices.

According to stuey these are supposed to be "competitive pro grade high quality tools."
To hit that mark they will need to compete with snap-on. Honestly, I don't care about cheap diy'ers.

 

[Stuey]

So when is BETA launching and with who?

Peerless Hardware is the importer/distributor, and dealers include Tool King, and a couple of other places whose names I already forgot.

According to stuey these are supposed to be "competitive pro grade high quality tools."
To hit that mark they will need to compete with snap-on. Honestly, I don't care about cheap diy'ers.

Yep. To my understanding, they're aiming to appeal to auto mechanics, aviation mechanics, industrial customers, and so forth. That doesn't mean they're not open to hobbyists or DIYers.

I would say their main competition will be the Snap-on, Matco, Mac, but also brands like Gearwrench, Proto, and Armstrong.

 

[redwrench60]

A few years ago a Beta store opened near where I work and a tool truck appeared at the shop handing out T shirts, tool catalogs and propaganda. I got on the fully stocked truck and was instantly disappointed. They were the most primitive and awkward hand tools I'd ever handled to cost what they were asking and the power tools were a joke. I felt bad for the owner/operator because he clearly sunk all his money into this venture and thought it would take off and soar.

In the end the store closed after the DIY crowd got sticker shock and the truck folded up after a month or so from lack of pro interest.

 

[Freeborn John]

There are Beta, which are excellent, but they also do a Beta 'Easy' range which are cheaper and, well, you get what you pay for...

I opened up my Beta 'Easy' 1/2 drive ratchet today to find out why it had always felt so rough.
The action was machined perhaps 0.25mm off centre in the handle and askew, complemented by the barest lick of grease complete with some iron filings.
Since I wouldn't pay for engineering like that with the holes out of washers, however cheap it was I don't consider I got what I paid for.

 

[Stuey]

I opened up my Beta 'Easy' 1/2 drive ratchet today to find out why it had always felt so rough.
The action was machined perhaps 0.25mm off centre in the handle and askew, complemented by the barest lick of grease complete with some iron filings.
Since I wouldn't pay for engineering like that with the holes out of washers, however cheap it was I don't consider I got what I paid for.

Eew. Did you return/exchange it yet?

 

[daddy2coull]

There are several beta stockists over here in the uk. From what I've seen they are massively overpriced tat. The quality is very poor. The only thing I like is the colour.