Ideal Industries electrical hand tools at Lowes

[Jeremy77]

Was in Lowes today to buy a GFCI plug and lo and behold... there near all the Southwire electricians tools sat a small section of Ideal U.S.A. made products. Mind you, it was small. Maybe 8-10 items (a few different strippers and whatnot) but it was unexpected to see. Anyone else noticed this in their local Lowes? I wonder if it's an attempt to bring a U.S. tool option to their store?

 

[Jeremy77]

Although i didn't really need need any thing, I did spend the $15 on a pair of curved handle strippers just to show my support.

 

[RedneckWelder]

They had Ideal a couple of years ago before they brought in the Southwire products.

 

[Jeremy77]

Maybe trying to ease it back in due to loss of sales from Southwire stuff? This really didnt look like NOS and was arranged in the same area as a secondary option as opposed to being in a clearance section.

 

[Coach James]

Our lowes is all Southwire and some even crappier brand in the electrical section.

Coach

 

[redwrench60]

I wouldn't hit a fat hog in the *** with a pair of Southwire pliers. Frankly, I haven't been back in Lowes since they got rid of Knipex. I like Ideal products though so I may have to sneak by......

 

[mrjaw14]

I am boycotting Southwire as I'm sure many of you are as well. I refuse to buy anything from that brand. I have no experience with that brand, but I know it's not Klein or Knipex quality for prices that are way too high. Electrical tools are catering to a specialty group of folks, not your average home owner joe, so I highly doubt anyone's buying Southwire since people in the trade know to stay clear. Maybe Lowes has figured that out and is bringing back a decent brand. I'd prefer Knipex over Ideal, but at least ideal is a fairly respected brand

 

[Loscaldazar]

Lot of southwire has been on clearance too in some stores. Hopefully ditching it for Ideal!

 

[zkling]

Interesting. What kills me on the southwire stuff is the price for the COO/quality.

 

[CNGsaves]

Yeah, the bonehead "genius" in Lowes management that brought in SouthWire **** is likely going to be strung up on a wire after all that **** is clearanced out at 10 or 20 cents on the dollar.

I'd buy Ideal in a heartbeat . . . .BEFORE . . . I'd ever buy SouthWire, especially at some inflated "retail" price.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I'm still pissed that I was in school and broke when they were clearing out all the Knipex, Channellock and Fluke for the Southwire garbage. I got a couple of deals, but missed out on a couple of Fluke Amp Clamp meters for $35 IIRC.

 

[1982fxr]

that southwire **** is so bad it's almost funny. Almost.

 

[transittech]

Yup, I was super broke and missed the Knipex train as well.

 

[CharlesHansen]

I also came to know that lot of southwires are available in the store but I had never been to any.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I got some good stuff when Lowe's closed out on Knipex, Fluke, and Ideal.

 

[Sine Swept]

My Lowes has Knipex, Green Lee and Ideal. Just drive yourself north of Toronto!

 

[woody 73]

I too find it odd that the southwire dreck is the same price as good quality tools; oh well I bought them out of all their knipex products when they bailed.

What do they teach the young kids in business school these days?

 

[boiler7904]

I saw some Ideal pliers and wire cutters in the Lowes in Schererville, IN earlier this week as well.

The only Greenlee they had was long wood boring bits IIRC.

Channellock selection is maybe a dozen options in the regular tool department that seems to get smaller every time I'm there.

 

[Brownsfan]

They also brought a couple fluke items backs as well

 

[Coach James]

I too find it odd that the southwire dreck is the same price as good quality tools; oh well I bought them out of all their knipex products when they bailed.

What do they teach the young kids in business school these days?

It is quite possible that Lowes could sell less of the Southwire and still add more to the bottom line than selling Ideal, Klein etc. A lot of people don't care about COO, but mainly cost, including some pros. HD still sells higher quality electrical tools though so it appears that money can be made that way.

Coach

 

[Rarified27]

Found some Ideal stuff laying on a shelf in Lowe's a few weeks ago and took it to the register with the hope that it was NOS and priced to go.

Turns out it was new, full price and I couldn't swing $70 for a crimper and a cutter.

The Southwire stuff always looks untouched, as if no one has bought anything since it arrived...

 

[Brownsfan]

The crimper/cutter I saw was $30. Same price as the Southwire **** next to it. I would buy the ideal all day. The average person may not because the handles look more "flashy".

 

[jeffmoss26]

They also closed out all the Ideal VDV stuff, I picked up a cable tester and a few other items for next to nothing. Unfortunately they threw most of it out before the holidays