HF open Box Items

[Spudland_Dave]

From time to time I go browse the open box items at HF...I've seen em both in the special "Corner Section" and mixed in with the normal items. Is it just me or is buying an open box item at HF a stupid idea? I mean on each & every item the price is MORE then what you can commonly get coupons for...

1/2" Torque Wrench with the tab latches broken off the case...$19.99, everybody knows you can get em for 9.99 with a coupon. Shelf price is 21.99

Black 4 Drawer Cart... Open/Dented/missing parts, $129.99, Shelf price is $159 and coupon price is $99.99

ALWAYS Socket sets with 1 or 2 missing sockets for more then what even just the 20% coupon would save you...


Where I'm going with this is has anybody successfully negotiated the price of an open box item down or do the less informed just buy em all up?

 

[CobraChevelle]

same at the HF store by me. I always look but 99.9% of the time your better off with the coupon.

I was looking to do a mod with the black 4 drawer car I have and they were selling a open box one for 99$. IT had Everything I needed to add another 4 drawer under my old one but not for 99$.

My dad got a good deal on one of there predator generators for 180$, customer brought it back cause it did not run right. Guess the little china guy put the fuel shut off stick on backwards.. lol, off means on

 

[stikman56]

I bought a 44" top box from my boss who got it for about 100 bucks because it was missing the lock. He put the lock in it. Was like new. Some great deals to be had if you look around. I don't want to spend the time there to get them though.

 

[turbodave]

At my local store everything open box is about 10% off normal price and often more than the coupon prices. I still check that section when I'm there but have yet to find anything worth buying.

 

[Rico.]

I guess it would make sense if you are allowed to use a coupon
when purchasing the open box stuff.... Has anyone asked..?

 

[jacked_72]

Can't use a coupon with open box stuff at my store. I've tried.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I picked up an open box 28" (I thnk?) tool box that was open box. They are only sold with the top box, but the top box was damaged in freight. I only wanted the lower so it worked out perfect for me! while this isnt the same scenario as you are asking about, I was able to get the manager to take off another $75 by asking. The box was in perfect shape, but he was happy to mark it down further to get rid of it.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I was looking to do a mod with the black 4 drawer car I have and they were selling a open box one for 99$. IT had Everything I needed to add another 4 drawer under my old one but not for 99$

Yup bingo...same here...the one that I saw yesterday was scratched and had a dent...nothing life threatening, but as you said, I could get a BRAND NEW, non-dented one for 20 bucks less I would have been in at 50.00...

I picked up an open box 28" (I thnk?) tool box that was open box. They are only sold with the top box, but the top box was damaged in freight. I only wanted the lower so it worked out perfect for me! while this isnt the same scenario as you are asking about, I was able to get the manager to take off another $75 by asking. The box was in perfect shape, but he was happy to mark it down further to get rid of it.

I wouldn't mind finding a 28" base too...there have been a few come & go thru the scratch & dent section...I'd like to make a tool/service cart for the shop with one...no top box needed here either...

As someone else mentioned, 10% off seems to be the deal...which is hilarious because I don't think I've personally ever made a single purchase of anything there and paid full price...everything has been with a coupon or a 20% off coupon..

 

[gte718p]

I'm with you I've never figured out the open box section at HF.

My favorite right before I left was a Badlands 12k winch with no remote, solenoid box, or cable listed at $5 more then the same new in box winch on sale that week. It was only 10% off the list price and missing some kind of important pieces.

Who knows. There are either some very stupid people out there or maybe they have to attempt to sell the items before claiming insurance or letting employs take stuff at scrap prices?

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

I don't look at the open box items unless they are doing a parking lot sale (like the one coming up next weekend) when they put them out on heavier discount. I consider those items candidates for modifications only.

Some stores will let Inside Track members take 50% the price listed on the open box items, and that quickly drop the price. I picked up a motorcycle jack discounted from $150 to $75, and then down to $50. I paid $25 for it. No box for it, worked and was intact. I don't use it on motorcycles, but it works well on a riding mower.

 

[bczygan]

My wife always goes to that part of the store to get a "Good Deal".

I have to drag her away and give her 20% off and free item coupon, and tell her to go get particular items.

If I don't, she'll end up at the register with an electric fly swatter and a set that's missing items that's hardly marked down.

 

[upgrading]

I don't look at the open box items unless they are doing a parking lot sale (like the one coming up next weekend) when they put them out on heavier discount.

That's where it's at.

Otherwise it's a sheep shearing fest.

I got a damaged four drawer for $82 by I asking when I used to go in there a lot and knew the employees better.

So you could try asking for a lower price and pointing out that new they are $99 with coupon.

I doubt they go to $50.

 

[cuengineer]

Looks like the usual thought is that unless you can get a better deal, you are better off with the sale price or use the 20% off coupon. This is what I have seen at several HF stores.

 

[Farmall 1066]

I bought the 10 ton porta power last fall, advertised with missing parts (they are all there) for $60. Only good deal I ever saw in the open box area.

 

[AmishFury]

99% of the open box at my store is missing item sets... usually with a markdown that at best is 20% off


only decent deal i found was the quick release 3/8" extension set which had all the pieces just the packaging was damaged marked down 20% off and i used a 20% off coupon on top of that making it $12.78

 

[stage20]

I think corporate chaned policy a few years ago. I used to go in and buy open box stuff for pennies. Now as you say coupon prices are cheaper on a brand new item. Dirt cheap has started selling hf returns......but boy are some of them rough, wore out or completely broken to pieces.

 

[flying eyeball]

There used to be some really good deals but those days are long gone.

 

[jweller]

Guess the little china guy put the fuel shut off stick on backwards.. lol, off means on

OFF stands for On Full Force. No idea what ON means though....

 

[thebeekeeper1]

The one I go to only ever has sets missing a piece or two. I've always figured that was the warrantied ones. They are always priced as mentioned above--higher than sale price plus coupon. I've never bought anything, but as with others, I'm always lured to that section looking for a "deal" I don't need but can't pass up due to price. Always disappointed. ::sigh::

 

[Boost Creep]

i scored a good deal on one of the tool stands there. don't remember what i paid but it was already assembled and nothing was missing. all in good shape. assume it might have been a display.

 

[ex-x-fire]

The last time I was at HF I was talking to an old timer about stuff he liked, he goes "are you good at building stuff? Let me show you something". He takes me over to a 5 drawer cart, "Its missing a leg, you can get it for $160".
"I can get a complete one for $165" I said. Some people don't know about coupons or what?!

 

[bobbycos]

My HF has open box items at 50% off the purple tag and even then you can knock the price down more just by asking.