Favorite place to purchase online....

[buckwheat_la]

Was hoping a thread would take off, but lets see where everyone likes to buy their tools online? Amazon, Buy Gray online, and The Tool Store are favorites so far. Also very surprised how much Staples has in the way of tools....

 

[ADSR]

Harry J. Epstein Co

 

[theoldwizard1]

eBay. Most stuff comes from China anyway. Cut out the middle men. A lot of things are SOOoooooo cheap, I figure they must have been stolen from the factory and the government gives them special shipping !

 

[Loren871]

+2 for eBay. Seems like no matter what the item I can always find it cheaper on eBay

 

[drink]

Well, it isn't online to my knowledge but there is a brand of tools being sold at a grocery store called ALDI with the WorkZone brand name. Now don't you go running down there and buy the whole store out sooner than I can get there okay?

Just click on the weekly ad and go to page 6. ?Who makes WorkZone tools?

https://www.aldi.us/

 

[drink]

I buy from a lot of different places online. It is typically a who has the best deal kind of thing. Service and warranty can play a big role also. To name a few:

eBay, Sears.com, NTX Tools, Fastenal, Tool Barn, ToolUp, etc.

 

[AL`]

Like drink, I have several I like to buy from. So I'll add Tooltopia to the list of honorable mentions.

 

[OldNeons]

Like epsteins for hand tools, cpo outlet is good for power tools....

 

[General Geoff]

Tooltopia and Frank's Tools for me!

 

[bert1913]

I use Amazon for the reviews, then I'll shop ebay to see if I can get a better price.

 

[buildyourown]

eBay. Most stuff comes from China anyway. Cut out the middle men. A lot of things are SOOoooooo cheap, I figure they must have been stolen from the factory and the government gives them special shipping !

That's not far off. A lot of that stuff is "gray" market. ie, a company pays a vendor to make stuff for them. Vendor then makes more stuff using same tools and sells it for cheaper. Or, vendor sells stuff that doesn't match QC standards to third party. If you have your stuff contract manufactured in China, just assume its being stolen.

 

[four.cycle]

Ebay, but it requires a tremendous investment of time and energy and comparing prices with other online dealers like Amazon, ToolTopia, etc.
There are "deals" to be had, but it requires vigilance and patience.

In many instances sellers have "slightly used" or new tools priced so close to what the item can be had for elsewhere one might wonder if it's worth the effort.

a good example:

J47112 Proto 15-pc 1/4" SAE socket set
$99.99 + $12.85 shipping now. 0 bids now. ends Sun. 03/27
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Proto-J4711...277041?hash=item58d7a8a9f1:g:vrMAAOSwAuNW3Nkl

Zoro.com = $95.64 incl. shipping
Toolup.com = $96.50
Amazon.com = $114.48 incl. shipping

Again, requires the buyer to check other options before clicking "buy now".

 

[Jim Diesel]

Ebay and my local tool auction site The Tool Exchange

 

[gdocktor3]

eBay is my #1, but before buying I compare prices on Amazon and Googles shopping section. These are other sites I've ordered from.
http://www.tooldiscounter.com
http://www.cpooutlets.com
http://www.cripedistributing.com
I also buy from online Sears.com or advanceauto.com because they have great coupon codes. Buy online and then pick up in store same day. I also buy car parts from AA using coupon/promo codes and then go right down and pick up in store 10 minute after paying. I've even done it in the parking lot.

 

[jallyn]

Well, it isn't online to my knowledge but there is a brand of tools being sold at a grocery store called ALDI with the WorkZone brand name. Now don't you go running down there and buy the whole store out sooner than I can get there okay?

Just click on the weekly ad and go to page 6. ?Who makes WorkZone tools?

https://www.aldi.us/

I've seen WorkZone tools at Aldi as well. Most made in China, some made it Taiwan. Obviously cheap tools, may have expiration dates similar to a gallon of milk?

 

[Formula]

Amazon, Tooltopia and Ebay.

 

[jallyn]

For me I have used Amazon, eBay, ChadsToolBox, Cripe Distributing, ToolTopia, and Home Depot once when Amazon's price for an item was jacked up at the time I wanted to order and Home Depot's site had it at the normal price. I look at Harry J Epstein quite a bit and tried to order an Armstrong 88-tooth ratchet only to find their stock was mis-advertised.

You probably know CamelCamelCamel.com provides price history for items on Amazon. Very useful for finding if the current price is high, low, or in-between historical values.

 

[tacomabob]

Amazon,JBTools,Coastal Tools,ToolTopia

 

[Gidge]

I use Amazon for the reviews, then I'll shop ebay to see if I can get a better price.

Good strategy !

 

[maxpower_hd]

Ebay and Amazon mostly but I have bought from Tooltopia and a few others. I usually search for the best price I can find when I'm all in including shipping.

 

[neonlazer]

Harry J. Epstein Co

x2, I buy more Amazon but I would rather buy from a cool company if possible.

 

[Roobaix]

I've had good luck with Amazon, Acme Tools, Chads Toolbox, and Tooltopia.

I usually decide on a particular tool then try to find a reliable seller that deals with that brand. Bonus points if they have some sort of coupon, better price, or both...

 

[MementoMori99]

Other than Amazon and ebay, I have had good luck with the following: Franks Tools, Harry J. Epstein, JB Tool Sales, KC Tool, McMaster-Carr, nws-tool.com, Pegasus Auto Racing, Tool Lady, Tooltopia, Ultimate Garage and Zoro.

 

[u118224]

Amazon, E-Bay, Tooltopia, Epstein, Zoro, Cripe

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Amazon has always had excellent customer service and easy returns, so I tend to look there first. You can occasionally catch some nice sales/deals on there too.

 

[drink]

Like drink, I have several I like to buy from. So I'll add Tooltopia to the list of honorable mentions.

Yep, I have bought tools from Tooltopia also. After I clicked to submit my answer earlier I remembered buying tools from Home Depot, Lowes, Ace Hardware, and a place called Galesburg Electric. Don't forget NH Bragg either. Ummmm....I think I need a little more time to remember more.

 

[Boilerhouse]

Been looking a lot on Kijiji lately (Cdn. version of Craigslist).

 

[jhnlngn]

I buy from most of the places mentioned already, but think I am going to stop buying from Amazon unless it's a really good deal. The last several orders I've placed there, some tools and some other things, have taken about a week before Amazon bothers to ship the orders.

 

[ADSR]

Been looking a lot on Kijiji lately (Cdn. version of Craigslist).

Kijiji can be real hit and miss. I don't think half the emails sent through their system actually get to the person.

 

[Allaround]

JB,Zoro,Cripe,ISC(Denver) and a couple of oddball high end-vintage handlers on eBay. Most consumables I get on Amazon.
I've bought a few pieces from Frank, Level Chrome and Rakuken too.Not a bunch but the Japanese make a few select items that nobody else attempts.Once you handle some the "competition" is laughable and often far more costly.
OH. These guys are great on ebaa. albanycountyfasteners-ny

 

[GTO]

Amazon,Rock Auto,ebay,Cripe Dist.

 

[Empty Pockets]

If I am buying new, it's usually HJE, Menards or Amazon.

If I am looking for previously enjoyed, it's either Ebay or CL

 

[Empty Pockets]

I see Cripe coming up quite often, I've never bought from him, but might have to give a look

 

[four.cycle]

^ the few items I've gotten from Cripe was actually less (including shipping charges) by buying it from them through Ebay. same with Toolup.com.
no idea on the "why" part.