89MustangGX
Well-known member
I don't know if this is technically what the millennials call a hack or not, but if you want Blue Point tools for a good price, read on.
www.hardwarecity.com.sg
Don't remember exactly how I stumbled on them, but this is a chain of hardware stores in SINGAPORE. At first this might sound like some type of scam, but I researched the heck out of this before giving up my info and money and I can say it has worked out for me multiple times. I don't know if it works in every situation, but if you spend a little time and do some math, it might for you.
This company sells numerous brands of tools (including Snap-on), but I focused on Blue Point. Based on their REALLY high prices of Snap-on and low prices of Blue Point, I believe this has to do with manufacture location, shipping, etc. There might be other deals to be had, but I have just been interested in Blue Point. Now their system isn't always the most intuitive and it sometimes is a little tricky to figure out, but it's not terrible if your patient. Just don't expect too much for customer service, English isn't the best if you email back and forth.
Here's how it works.
Take the Blue Point ratchet wrench sets for example - BOER708 and BOERM712. Probably the most common ratchet wrench sets sold in SAE and Metric.
They list on the site for S$150 and S$200 (that's Singapore Dollars). When I go through the cart and checkout system, it takes off the local tax and adds another tax and then adds shipping charges. Sometimes I get a packaging fee, but this time I didn't. Note that the shipping charges are expensive for sure, but don't be discouraged - keep going.
So we end up with a grand total of S$471.14. Right now, that converts to USD $329.93. That is DHL shipped to my door and in my experience arrives within a week.
Compare that to the Snap-on website and current prices are $272 and $409 for the same sets ($681), free shipping but you will likely pay tax - call it $730 give or take local tax rates. That is 55% off of list price!
Tool truck dealers probably do discounts for some of you guys, but I don't have one, and I don't know if you can get that kind of discount (would like to know though).
I haven't checked eBay lately, but I would guess this is similar to used prices - maybe less?!?
Even if you compare to the identical, but harder to warranty, Williams branded wrenches, Amazon currently sells them for $145 and $110 ($255), for a total of $273. So yes, you could get the Williams branded wrenches for roughly $50 less, which might appeal to some. But, I like the ease of Blue Point warranty and for $50 it's worth it to me to have that warranty just a phone call (or tool truck) away.
I have looked into this with pliers, socket sets, all kinds of Blue Point tools. It doesn't always work out, and definitely doesn't work out with anything US made, and might not work out for you -- but if you're looking for Blue Point tools, this is a great way to go.
One final note if you go this way. I use PayPal with them (feel like it adds a little more protection). Beware of foreign transaction fees on your credit card and PayPal currency conversion rates. I choose to purchase in Singapore dollars with a credit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees, so it costs me nothing extra. If you don't check, you might end up with extra charges.
Let me know if you guys use this and get some good deals. I've already gotten my fair share.
www.hardwarecity.com.sg
Don't remember exactly how I stumbled on them, but this is a chain of hardware stores in SINGAPORE. At first this might sound like some type of scam, but I researched the heck out of this before giving up my info and money and I can say it has worked out for me multiple times. I don't know if it works in every situation, but if you spend a little time and do some math, it might for you.
This company sells numerous brands of tools (including Snap-on), but I focused on Blue Point. Based on their REALLY high prices of Snap-on and low prices of Blue Point, I believe this has to do with manufacture location, shipping, etc. There might be other deals to be had, but I have just been interested in Blue Point. Now their system isn't always the most intuitive and it sometimes is a little tricky to figure out, but it's not terrible if your patient. Just don't expect too much for customer service, English isn't the best if you email back and forth.
Here's how it works.
Take the Blue Point ratchet wrench sets for example - BOER708 and BOERM712. Probably the most common ratchet wrench sets sold in SAE and Metric.
They list on the site for S$150 and S$200 (that's Singapore Dollars). When I go through the cart and checkout system, it takes off the local tax and adds another tax and then adds shipping charges. Sometimes I get a packaging fee, but this time I didn't. Note that the shipping charges are expensive for sure, but don't be discouraged - keep going.
So we end up with a grand total of S$471.14. Right now, that converts to USD $329.93. That is DHL shipped to my door and in my experience arrives within a week.
Compare that to the Snap-on website and current prices are $272 and $409 for the same sets ($681), free shipping but you will likely pay tax - call it $730 give or take local tax rates. That is 55% off of list price!
Tool truck dealers probably do discounts for some of you guys, but I don't have one, and I don't know if you can get that kind of discount (would like to know though).
I haven't checked eBay lately, but I would guess this is similar to used prices - maybe less?!?
Even if you compare to the identical, but harder to warranty, Williams branded wrenches, Amazon currently sells them for $145 and $110 ($255), for a total of $273. So yes, you could get the Williams branded wrenches for roughly $50 less, which might appeal to some. But, I like the ease of Blue Point warranty and for $50 it's worth it to me to have that warranty just a phone call (or tool truck) away.
I have looked into this with pliers, socket sets, all kinds of Blue Point tools. It doesn't always work out, and definitely doesn't work out with anything US made, and might not work out for you -- but if you're looking for Blue Point tools, this is a great way to go.
One final note if you go this way. I use PayPal with them (feel like it adds a little more protection). Beware of foreign transaction fees on your credit card and PayPal currency conversion rates. I choose to purchase in Singapore dollars with a credit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees, so it costs me nothing extra. If you don't check, you might end up with extra charges.
Let me know if you guys use this and get some good deals. I've already gotten my fair share.
