Handtools from Germany - Good Experience

[Earl Grey]

Ordered a number of Stahlwille SAE sockets and a set of Knipex circlip pliers. Good prices from HFG.

Took a couple of weeks to ship due to a delay getting stock from Stahwille. The HFG website already mentions potential delays at the moment, I understand it's a challenging time. However, when everything did come in, it was shipped from HFG in Germany to me in Chicago UPS overnight.

I'm sure that cost HFG a lot more than the standard DHL shipping for which I had paid. Kudos to HFG for taking that hit to minimize the impact of a supply chain snafu on the customer. Very responsive on email comms too.

 

[Ton ton]

Sounds great to me.

 

[Sneezer]

I have looked hard at the Stahlwille offset wrenches - I really want a complete set, but I failed to pull the trigger before Covid, and now the prices are higher and supply is lower. Just biding my time.

 

[rantapawan]

Ordered a number of Stahlwille SAE sockets and a set of Knipex circlip pliers. Good prices from HFG.

Took a couple of weeks to ship due to a delay getting stock from Stahwille. The HFG website already mentions potential delays at the moment, I understand it's a challenging time. However, when everything did come in, it was shipped from HFG in Germany to me in Chicago UPS overnight.

I'm sure that cost HFG a lot more than the standard DHL shipping for which I had paid. Kudos to HFG for taking that hit to minimize the impact of a supply chain snafu on the customer. Very responsive on email comms too.

How much they charge as shipping cost?

Sent from my Redmi Note 7 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[ddawg16]

You're doing it wrong.

You need to go over to Munich in October for Oktoberfest.....then buy the tools.

Oh, it was so fun...........

 

[Nostrathomas]

Hey all. I’m more of a lurker on this forum than anything, but I wanted to share my experience with Hand Tools from Germany (ie. handtools-from-germany.com) so it helps others make an informed decision about where they shop. I don’t make these types of posts lightly, as I know they can affect people’s livelihoods, but I feel like I’ve gone out of my way to be patient and I've been left holding the bag.

TLDR version:
I ordered $1700 worth of tools in June. It is now December, and I am still without my tools, or my money, and HFG has gone MIA.

Long version:
This past summer I was looking to get some nice German tools. I had ordered from jensputzier.com before with good success, but HFG had a few other brands I wanted to try, with good prices, so I ordered about $1700 worth of tools. Now I’m not a professional or someone who relies on these things for a living. I’m just a guy who wanted some better tools for working in my garage and around the house. So perhaps this may not be a big order for some, but for me this is quite the outlay for tools!

Typically after making an order, you eventually get an email letting you know about shipping details etc. There was nothing for a couple of weeks from HFG. After making an inquiry, the owner (Michael Scholven) reached out to me saying they were having some issues with getting some of the items. On the phone, he sounded like a nice and reasonable guy, and me being fully aware of supply chain hiccups these, I was more than willing to be patient. I also told him I’m ok with removing items from the order if need be.

Busy with others things in life, I waited patiently. I was finally told at the end of September that everything was set and I’d be sent a tracking number the next day. Unfortunately, no tracking number came... the next day or in the next few weeks. When I inquired, I received no response (and have not received a response since to any attempt at communication).

Finally at the beginning of November, I get a random UPS tracking email. Was I finally about to get my tools? Well, no. A few days later, UPS informs me that the seller needs to provide more info in order to clear customs or it will be returned. I inform HFG. I again get no response and the issue with UPS is not resolved… so of course the package gets returned back to Germany.

So here we are now.... into December and still no tools or refund, and zero communication from Hand Tools from Germany. I guess the next step is to make a fraudulent claim with Visa and perhaps a German/EU business entity.

So long story short, I guess my suggestion is that if you need your tools fast…or even at all…you may want consider shopping somewhere else.

 

[pizza]

so it's been about 6 months, @Nostrathomas? better do that chargeback quick if you're not out of time already.

 

[Nostrathomas]

I'm not sure if this post was the catalyst, but I wanted to update it to say I finally received my tools today! At this point it feels like an early Christmas present, and I'm glad I don't have to down the path of doing a chargeback so late (because as you said, it may even be too late).

So at least it's not a scam....just perhaps logistical incompetence or an overloaded/understaffed operation. Hopefully they get things sorted out so they can offer a smoother experience to others. The tools they sent are of good quality, and they do have good prices.

 

[six-point socket II]

For now, all I can add is that UPS is a little "special" at times ... I've done a lot of importing and exporting shipments between the US and Germany via UPS, and while I would still consider them the most reliable carrier and my personal favorite, I've had my fair share of face palming moments with them. Especially around wording of invoices and customs declaration. Just an example from way back in the day: Knife is a problem, pocket knife is a problem, kitchen knife is no problem, cutting tool is no problem ...

Glad it was sorted and you got your tools!

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[dsforever]

I wanted to add to this thread regarding concerns with HFG and communications. I am sympathetic to issues that many suppliers are having, but want to add my voice to some challenges with Hand Tools from Germany. I ordered some Stahlwille sockets from them back on September 28th, and additional Stahlwille items on November 11th. I initially received an e-mail acknowledging each order and was content waiting a bit to receive the items. I have sent several e-mails since November 22nd asking for status with no replies. I am hoping that tools do get shipped soon. I don't really want to report non-receipt to the credit card company to cancel charges but am coming up against the 90 day limit soon.
On a positive note, I ordered some other tools (including Stahlwille) from KC Tools on Nov 26th and they are scheduled to be delivered this week (Dec 9th). Have had great customer service from them!

 

[Rkcubed]

Hey all. I’m more of a lurker on this forum than anything, but I wanted to share my experience with Hand Tools from Germany (ie. handtools-from-germany.com) so it helps others make an informed decision about where they shop. I don’t make these types of posts lightly, as I know they can affect people’s livelihoods, but I feel like I’ve gone out of my way to be patient and I've been left holding the bag.

TLDR version:
I ordered $1700 worth of tools in June. It is now December, and I am still without my tools, or my money, and HFG has gone MIA.

Long version:
This past summer I was looking to get some nice German tools. I had ordered from jensputzier.com before with good success, but HFG had a few other brands I wanted to try, with good prices, so I ordered about $1700 worth of tools. Now I’m not a professional or someone who relies on these things for a living. I’m just a guy who wanted some better tools for working in my garage and around the house. So perhaps this may not be a big order for some, but for me this is quite the outlay for tools!

Typically after making an order, you eventually get an email letting you know about shipping details etc. There was nothing for a couple of weeks from HFG. After making an inquiry, the owner (Michael Scholven) reached out to me saying they were having some issues with getting some of the items. On the phone, he sounded like a nice and reasonable guy, and me being fully aware of supply chain hiccups these, I was more than willing to be patient. I also told him I’m ok with removing items from the order if need be.

Busy with others things in life, I waited patiently. I was finally told at the end of September that everything was set and I’d be sent a tracking number the next day. Unfortunately, no tracking number came... the next day or in the next few weeks. When I inquired, I received no response (and have not received a response since to any attempt at communication).

Finally at the beginning of November, I get a random UPS tracking email. Was I finally about to get my tools? Well, no. A few days later, UPS informs me that the seller needs to provide more info in order to clear customs or it will be returned. I inform HFG. I again get no response and the issue with UPS is not resolved… so of course the package gets returned back to Germany.

So here we are now.... into December and still no tools or refund, and zero communication from Hand Tools from Germany. I guess the next step is to make a fraudulent claim with Visa and perhaps a German/EU business entity.

So long story short, I guess my suggestion is that if you need your tools fast…or even at all…you may want consider shopping somewhere else.

Basically the same here, I send an email and crickets. It’s been over a month since I ordered and one email stated he would get back in 48 hours and over a week later nothing.

 

[Rkcubed]

Basically the same here, I send an email and crickets. It’s been over a month since I ordered and one email stated he would get back in 48 hours and over a week later nothing.

I received my order finally. It was a little over a month after ordering it.