Buying tools online

[NJHandyGuy]

okay stupid ? but when buying tools online how do you make sure they work.

i NEED another cordless impact but i bought a cordless sawzall online got it and it was coroded inside is there a way to check ahead of time. i asked for extra pics but got no answer.

also is there a way to get recourse whne this happens thanks

 

[Stuey]

Are you buying new from businesses or used from individuals via ebay and craigslist?

There's no easy way to make sure they work. Maybe the batteries are fried, maybe the brushes are worn, maybe the motor transmission seized up. It's not like you can check these things in person at a garage sale or flea market either.

 

[scott37300]

You are taking a chance buying used. I buy a lot of tools used and have been burnt a few times. One was about a month ago I bought a stant cooling pressure tester from ebay that the seller stated "in good working condition". Received it and hooked it up to test it and it didn't build any pressure. Unscrewed the cylinder and it was all corroded and the seal shot. Emailed the seller asking for full refund plus money to ship it back to him since he stated working and there was no way he tested this. He refunded me and told me to keep the tester.

If you are talking about buying used on ebay and you pay with paypal you can return anything you buy for a full refund. You just have to pay to ship it back. I have learned that buying used on ebay can be a gamble you have to be willing to take if you are looking to save over buying new. There are some things I won't buy used if I can't test them first, just easier to buy new sometimes.

If you are buying from an online store you should be able to return items that arrive defective.

One way to save money and have pretty good odds of not getting a dud is to buy reconditioned. I have bought a few reconditioned power tools and have had good luck with them.

 

[crewchief888]

i dont buy tools online.

 

[knobbylon]

I just bought a SO torque wrench on Ebay that said "new". When I received it the first thing I noticed was the end of the box said built in 1995. It looked like it was never used, but I don't consider that "new". I like the wrench and it is what I needed for a good price. I immediately sent it out to have calibrated and will send it back to the seller if it doesn't.
I did send bad feedback to ebay and bitched to the seller. A lot of these folks on Ebay don't know what the hell they are selling and we certainly don't know what we are buying.

 

[scott37300]

I just bought a SO torque wrench on Ebay that said "new". When I received it the first thing I noticed was the end of the box said built in 1995. It looked like it was never used, but I don't consider that "new". I like the wrench and it is what I needed for a good price. I immediately sent it out to have calibrated and will send it back to the seller if it doesn't.
I did send bad feedback to ebay and bitched to the seller. A lot of these folks on Ebay don't know what the hell they are selling and we certainly don't know what we are buying.

Seller should have said NOS or new old stock. Ebay has gotten really bad, think a lot of the sellers buy stuff used and try to flip it for a buck. The bad thing is most of these sellers don't have a clue what they are selling and desribe it to sell. Most of them just look at the item and say "good working condition" when they don't even know how to use it or test it. That really gets me upset when I get something that doesn't work when seller said it did. Ya I can send it back but then I have to pay return shipping unless you get a good seller that will pay return shipping.

Off topic, where did you send you torque wrench to get calibrated?

 

[impulse922]

i dont buy tools online.

must take a LOT of beer to make paying retail feel O.K.

 

[crewchief888]

must take a LOT of beer to make paying retail feel O.K.

i dont buy anything i cant lay my hands on to see what the actual condition is.
i'm not saying i wont buy anything online, i purchased my last welding hood online after i checked it out locally, and gave everyplace the opportunity to at least come close to the price. nobody would even come near the price.
most of the used hand tools i buy are from flea mkts & swap meets, every new tool i bought in the last 5 years has been on sale or clearance.
i'd rather spend a little more cash on something i can hold in my hand, and know it's what i want, and has the right "feel", than save a small amount and not be happy with my purchase.

 

[knobbylon]

Seller should have said NOS or new old stock. Ebay has gotten really bad, think a lot of the sellers buy stuff used and try to flip it for a buck. The bad thing is most of these sellers don't have a clue what they are selling and desribe it to sell. Most of them just look at the item and say "good working condition" when they don't even know how to use it or test it. That really gets me upset when I get something that doesn't work when seller said it did. Ya I can send it back but then I have to pay return shipping unless you get a good seller that will pay return shipping.

Off topic, where did you send you torque wrench to get calibrated?

I'm in Colorado and just send it to Sypris one of the big test and measurement companies. I send in all of the shop equipment and personal stuff to them because they can do it all. Most of the other companies can only do torque, or only do electronics, or only do measurement or can't do pressure and it's hard to keep track of.

 

[Danglerb]

I just bought a SO torque wrench on Ebay that said "new". When I received it the first thing I noticed was the end of the box said built in 1995. It looked like it was never used, but I don't consider that "new". I like the wrench and it is what I needed for a good price. I immediately sent it out to have calibrated and will send it back to the seller if it doesn't.
I did send bad feedback to ebay and bitched to the seller. A lot of these folks on Ebay don't know what the hell they are selling and we certainly don't know what we are buying.

If your going to use ebay you need to work the system, that means talk to the seller before leaving negative feedback, and checking feedback, not just the numbers but looking at the history to see if negatives are from real problems or flakes, before bidding.

Ask questions if the listing isn't clear enough for you.

Don't bid if it doesn't look kosher.

 

[NJHandyGuy]

Stuey i am looking at one on ebay but i still got a bad taste in my mouth from my last ebay powerp tool purchase. I need the gun for work (some **** rig stole my ct4850 out of the cab of my truck when i went to wash up at ocean queen diner). I don't have the credit to get o0ne from snap on and the guy is in ca i am dealing with and only has 7 feedback. i am contemplating bidding but get worried after last time.

 

[Danglerb]

Stuey i am looking at one on ebay but i still got a bad taste in my mouth from my last ebay powerp tool purchase. I need the gun for work (some **** rig stole my ct4850 out of the cab of my truck when i went to wash up at ocean queen diner). I don't have the credit to get o0ne from snap on and the guy is in ca i am dealing with and only has 7 feedback. i am contemplating bidding but get worried after last time.

Talk to the seller directly, ask some questions.
New sellers frequently need some hand holding.
New seller and new buyer, the worst.

 

[wafrederick]

I bought a brand new Milwaukee circular saw on Ebay once and the description was right,it is brand new.Was from a buisness that sells power tools.I seen them cheaper when I checked on Ebay and read the description very well,reconditioned.I did not want a recon tool.

 

[X1 Mike]

Stuey i am looking at one on ebay but i still got a bad taste in my mouth from my last ebay powerp tool purchase. I need the gun for work (some **** rig stole my ct4850 out of the cab of my truck when i went to wash up at ocean queen diner). I don't have the credit to get o0ne from snap on and the guy is in ca i am dealing with and only has 7 feedback. i am contemplating bidding but get worried after last time.

If it's a S-O to replace the old one remember they have the flat-rate repair service. That way you know the worst case scenario.

 

[Givl Reggin]

okay stupid ? but when buying tools online how do you make sure they work

I don't make internet purchases - used amazon for the occasional 'can't find locally' item, but they screwed up 2 orders back-to-back a couple of years ago so bad that they're on my 'never again' list - now, if I can't get it at a local store, it's probably not something I needed all that bad anyway.

Buying from ebay is like getting stuff from that guy that sells stuff out of his van;
1) it probably doesn't work
2) it's most likely missing parts and pieces
3) and it's a pretty safe bet that it's stolen
4) or all of the above
for those reasons ebay and craiglist and whatever other webpage that is sporting individuals selling stuff is off limits in my house. My brother the cop, says they have data that shows clearly 20-30% of the stuff on ebay is stolen, and it's 30-40% for craiglist and since I don't want to support criminals and that kind of activity, I tell everyone I know to avoid those sites.

 

[Packard V8]

Did you put a "WTB" listing here in the Classifieds? I'd be amazed if there isn't one available at a reasonable price. Make sure you mention you are a working guy who needs to replace a stolen tool.

jack vines