Craftsman V-series clearance

[Etchase]

Um, Craftsman produces more than a billion dollars of product with no international sales wholesale. More than Hazet, Stahlwille, Koken, Kyoto tool, Husky, Kobalt, Tekton, Astro, Apex... Everyone but Snap-on, Gedore, and Milwaukee, and other Stanley brands. Craftsman kept Stanley’s factories humming along at max capacity, lowering their costs across all brands. The $500 million cash price was recuperated quickly, I would argue at something close to their gross margins (30%), and not net income levels. If they could have picked up Home Depot it would have been a better deal. Milwaukee gets half its world wide sales thru Home Depot, whereas Stanley gets about 15%. Even though Lowes is much smaller than Home Depot, Stanley gets the same dollar volume from them as they get from HD because of Craftsman. If foreign competition was less intense, it would have been better deal, That competition meant their prices could keep up with inflation. I hope they survive the latest shock to their supply chain. They are betting on OPE for their growth, and Craftsman should play a major roll there. Good luck to them in a tough market.

 

[cody1325]

I can remember the Applied website having a big banner for Craftsman Professional for many years. Seem to recall that was the industrial supply company's main brand of tools at the time. However--they'd basically be competing against Proto, which if I'm not mistaken, also has a bunch of Facom-rebranded items. Same goes with Mac--competing again against a ton of Facom rebrands.

Maybe getting V-Series and Overdrive in auto parts stores would've been a worthwhile cause.

 

[Andres26tnt]

We forget Stanley also sell craftsman in ACE/NAPA and Amazon. So the number are there to be seen.

Imo the V should have been a online only professional line ala tekton. Do exactly what the other competitor do, get them to reviewers hands and social media. That worked wonders for HF.

 

[neophyte]

We forget Stanley also sell craftsman in ACE/NAPA and Amazon. So the number are there to be seen.

Imo the V should have been a online only professional line ala tekton. Do exactly what the other competitor do, get them to reviewers hands and social media. That worked wonders for HF.

One of the reasons there are likely do many tool reviews of Harbor Freight tools, is that the tools are fairly affordable,
especially compared to a brand like Snap-On,
so YouTubers can much more easily buy harbor freight tools to review.
Most tool reviews, particularly brutal and destructive ones, tend to limit the number of the more expensive brands being tested.
Harbor Freight tools are cheap enough that $100 might get four to six tools to make a video out of.

 

[Andres26tnt]

One of the reasons there are likely do many tool reviews of Harbor Freight tools, is that the tools are fairly affordable,
especially compared to a brand like Snap-On,
so YouTubers can much more easily buy harbor freight tools to review.
Most tool reviews, particularly brutal and destructive ones, tend to limit the number of the more expensive brands being tested.
Harbor Freight tools are cheap enough that $100 might get four to six tools to make a video out of.

The V line wasn't that expensive, just not cheap like many wanted. HF flooded influencers with tools so they didn't need to buy anything. It completely worked as with their second go around they didn't even need to try. Granted the price, quality, and availability needs to be there.

 

[dchawk81]

I always wondered what happens when a retailer stops producing a line of guaranteed tools. If your v series ratchet goes pop, what do you do? Exchange it for whatever they happen to have on the shelf?

"Price equivalent."

Doesn't mean quality though. Which is why lifetime warranties aren't always useful.

 

[dchawk81]

That’s why I said test market.

Much easier to educate and market to a smaller more specific customer base Vs Lowes just throwing it in a display with a bunch of other CM products and doing limited advertisement.

YMMV

I don't think Acme would do that. Why ruin your reputation for quality and bottom line by selling a cheapened version of what was already a budget store brand, especially when you're not a volume player.

Only old people with rose colored nostalgia glasses on care about Craftsman because it's what their daddy had.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Only old people with rose colored nostalgia glasses on care about Craftsman because it's what their daddy had.

Although the proto 90 tooth ratchets are kind of my go-to these days, I don't mind the overdrive tools from Craftsman. I think the ratchets are pretty nice even if the heads are large and they function pretty smoothly. I was using them a lot this weekend. I kind of like the various v-series ratcheting wrenches I have from Craftsman, but I will admit that what I pulled out was my protos.... But for what I needed, the Craftsman would have been fine... And much lighter since my Proto series is from very small to pretty big. Weighs a lot to haul it out since I'm bringing the tools to the project.

Craftsman also has a set of screwdrivers I like. They are diamond tipped. I found out about them here and they were strongly recommended by project farm.

I know that's a pretty small subset of their tools. I have a Craftsman ratcheting screwdriver with a lot of bits in the handle. Have a lot of things I like about it, but it's pretty heavy.

 

[AJHD]

Before I moved, one of the local Lowes had a single bay of V-Series tools. But they were only at certain Lowes. Only 1 or 2 other stores within roughly a 30 miles radius has them.

But that didn't last long. The holiday front end with the V-Series stuff on sale hit the sales floor and the few stores that had a bay of V-Series tools quickly discounted them and they dissappeared in a matter of weeks.

The V-Series bay was replaced with Klein. But that definitely isn't at every store either. The Lowes stores in this area don't have a dedicated Klein bay.

Honestly the variations at Lowes, Tractor Supply, Ace and Home Depot is annoying. Some stores stock certain tools or a type/line of tools, and others don't.

Napa in this part of Arizona doesn't carry much in store. Maybe there is a unicorn store I've not been to, but the several stores I have been to, have next to nothing in-store when it comes to tools.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Before I moved, one of the local Lowes had a single bay of V-Series tools. But they were only at certain Lowes. Only 1 or 2 other stores within roughly a 30 miles radius has them.

But that didn't last long. The holiday front end with the V-Series stuff on sale hit the sales floor and the few stores that had a bay of V-Series tools quickly discounted them and they dissappeared in a matter of weeks.

The V-Series bay was replaced with Klein. But that definitely isn't at every store either. The Lowes stores in this area don't have a dedicated Klein bay.

Honestly the variations at Lowes, Tractor Supply, Ace and Home Depot is annoying. Some stores stock certain tools or a type/line of tools, and others don't.

Napa in this part of Arizona doesn't carry much in store. Maybe there is a unicorn store I've not been to, but the several stores I have been to, have next to nothing in-store when it comes to tools.

Some stores in Columbus, Ohio had them.

I was able to find nothing near my parents and Milford Michigan. And I drove around to a couple of Lowe's. None of them close. I don't think I saw any at Ace hardware. Any of the ones I went to in Columbus or up there, but Ace is locally owned and it varies a lot from store to store and I'm pretty consistent on the stores I go to for Ace.

All my Craftsman v series stuff I ordered and had delivered to my local Ace hardware

 

[Steel_Rain]

Only 1 or 2 other stores within roughly a 30 miles radius has them.

Honestly the variations at Lowes, Tractor Supply, Ace and Home Depot is annoying. Some stores stock certain tools or a type/line of tools, and others don't.

This 100%.

Of the three Lowes near my house, two of the stores had them and they employees back then (and still now) were clueless, even when they weren't on clearance.

The Ace near my area still has a few V-series items, but nothing is on sale yet. That Hardware store has actual people who give a **** and know something about tools, the opposite of Lowes.

 

[dchawk81]

This 100%.

Of the three Lowes near my house, two of the stores had them and they employees back then (and still now) were clueless, even when they weren't on clearance.

The Ace near my area still has a few V-series items, but nothing is on sale yet. That Hardware store has actual people who give a **** and know something about tools, the opposite of Lowes.

And there you have it.

 

[hefnerconstructionlc]

You can debate the hand tools back and forth all you want. Sure looks like harbor freight has that market wrapped up. And Stanley kind of missed the ball on the Craftsman thing. However the craftsman name still has name recognition. It sure looks like Lowe's is selling plenty of the craftsman power tools and to be honest that's where the gross that segment is. Yes it would have been better if the craftsman was distributed through HD. But maybe the negotiations didn't go the way they wanted in Lowe's made the better offer so that's why it's there. Anyway there's more than enough hand tools to go around. But power tools are where it's. Battery technology is the growth industry. So Stanley's probably not as in bad shape as everybody seems to think. Plus they have the whole lawn division which maybe they should look at battery powered lawn equipment also or they probably already have I don't know I don't follow that particularly close.

 

[Wolley]

where are they selling power tools?
I'm confused. shop vacs? or table saws?

Literally just about everything in Lowe's has a craftsman option. Power tools, lawn mowers, snowblowers, all the carpenter stuff, tool boxes, shovels, rakes, tape measures. Just like the good old days, and they sponsor the NASCAR trucks series and nhra. Kobalt is just about gone in the Lowe's here. Craftsman has to be raking in Money for Stanley

 

[dchawk81]

Literally just about everything in Lowe's has a craftsman option. Power tools, lawn mowers, snowblowers, all the carpenter stuff, tool boxes, shovels, rakes, tape measures. Just like the good old days, and they sponsor the NASCAR trucks series and nhra. Kobalt is just about gone in the Lowe's here. Craftsman has to be raking in Money for Stanley

Shows how long I've been inside a Lowe's.

I need to not go there more often.

 

[dchawk81]

How long it's been since*

 

[JohnnyU]

I don't think Acme would do that. Why ruin your reputation for quality and bottom line by selling a cheapened version of what was already a budget store brand, especially when you're not a volume player.

Only old people with rose colored nostalgia glasses on care about Craftsman because it's what their daddy had.

I mean it’s not like Acme is already carrying base line CM…

Have you used anything from the V Series Line? What do you think The V series is a cheapened version of?


Maybe some people want a good tool at a good price? weird concept I know

 

[dchawk81]

I mean it’s not like Acme is already carrying base line CM…

Have you used anything from the V Series Line? What do you think The V series is a cheapened version of?


Maybe some people want a good tool at a good price? weird concept I know

There are a ton of good tools at good prices.

 

[liliysdad]

I love the idea of Craftsman, but the reality has never impressed me. These new resurrections don’t do much to make me question that belief.

 

[JohnnyU]

There are a ton of good tools at good prices.

I guess 1 more option would create complete bedlam and mayhem in the streets

 

[four.cycle]

Finally got up to my closest loclal ACE to take a look.
They have "generic" Craftsman: not "V", and not "Overdrive" - just "Craftsman" open stock on sockets and wrenches, socket and wrench sets, various pliers and screwdrivers. NO Craftsman hacksaws - only "ACE" house brand.
In a separate, locked cabinet, they had a mess of "V20" power tools, which I am assuming are 20 volt?
That display case was stuffed full, which tells me on a Monday morning they're not moving it. (Their weekly stock order arrives Tuesday.)

Very heavy on Milwaukee branded pliers and a few other items.
DASCO punches and chisels.
Very broad mix of absolutely nothing special.

 

[dchawk81]

Finally got up to my closest loclal ACE to take a look.
They have "generic" Craftsman: not "V", and not "Overdrive" - just "Craftsman" open stock on sockets and wrenches, socket and wrench sets, various pliers and screwdrivers. NO Craftsman hacksaws - only "ACE" house brand.
In a separate, locked cabinet, they had a mess of "V20" power tools, which I am assuming are 20 volt?
That display case was stuffed full, which tells me on a Monday morning they're not moving it. (Their weekly stock order arrives Tuesday.)

Very heavy on Milwaukee branded pliers and a few other items.
DASCO punches and chisels.
Very broad mix of absolutely nothing special.

Everything you don't need, and more!

 

[four.cycle]

^ Just kind of surprised that there seemed to be NO "V" and NO "Overdrive".
I may get adventurous and wander down to Home Depot and Lowes... I can always use an excuse to visit the Russian deli.
(map below for those of you who need directions)

 

[Andres26tnt]

One store doesn't indicate the availability of the rest. But V is practically all gone and sold. The overdrive stuff is also on sale for father's day. Pretty good prices, Lowes is one of those stores that pick and choose where to stock items. Some are right, Lowes preferred power tools over hand tools for craftsman.

The power tool line isn't bad, I own a few V20 stuff. Perfectly set in the middle pack. Craftsman was never a leader in this segment. I love the mid torque they offer, excellent power, price and quality.