Lowes Closeouts

[70chevellegsp]

My Lowes never had a lot of mechanics tools and what they did have is clearing out quickly. I picked up 3 pliers, needle nose, large linesman, and dykes. Not USA, but for $5 apiece I'm happy. No idea what they'll be replaced with if they break.

 

[Boost Creep]

got all this stuff for about $80. bunch of flexheads to fill in gaps in my sets. few extensions and a couple of the crescent 8" adjustables that were down to $6. few 1/4 and a 1/2 extension. sharpening stone was normal price so not really any deal there.

 

[t100]

I got Kobalt long ball end hex sockets, sweet deal for half price. GW ratchet wrench sets are 1/2 prices, too. but I've had enough.

 

[SiCkSTi04]

Picked up Kobalt's 1/4 & 3/8 roto ratchets (gearwrench look-alike?) for $23 and 10-Piece 3/8 Tool Accessory USA Set for $11 at my local store.

 

[JohnMcD348]

I walked through the hardware area of my local Lowes the other day and they have a lot of the things marked down at or near 50%. The thing that scares me about this is that they are even marking down the Made in China Kobalt stuff. If they are Clearancing the China stuff, what pray tell, are they replacing it with?

 

[Jeff]

If Kobalt is on the way out, who will provide warranty?

 

[flatwins]

Thanks for the heads up. A few years ago when they closed out their good Kobalt stuff to replace it with their current line, I picked up a boatload of damn nice wrenches. In fact, they are my favorites in the arsenal. I'll take a look over there. Wouldn't mind scoring some more GearWrench stuff. Like I need any more!

 

[Ritter4.0]

If Kobalt is on the way out, who will provide warranty?

Probably Lowe's, but may as well scratch the name off and take it to Harbor Freight.

The same thing seems to be happening at Sears, but without the closeout sale.

 

[bargainzplus+]

this may be the best it gets because i called over there today to a local lowes hoping they had a set of the locking flex wrenches and were informed that they will not sell for any lower then the current 50% off.

 

[greasemonkey44]

If they are Clearancing the China stuff, what pray tell, are they replacing it with?

they are clearing out the danaher kobalt stock and replacing it with LG sourcing tools
LG sourcing is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lowes ( http://www.loweslink.com/lgs.htm )

If Kobalt is on the way out, who will provide warranty?

Lowes will swap you out for something their current provider has, kobalt carries a lifetime, but it doesnt say they have to replace it with exactly what you had

 

[a390st]

We live in a pretty nice area. Our Lowe's doesn't do a clearance table and still has only marked the Kobalt down 25-30%. The lower class area where I used to work near had amazing sales and it would hang around forever.

 

[gt eunuch]

Picked up an 8pc Metric Gearwrench ratcheting wrench (flat, non-reversable) set for $15 bucks and one of the 5 dollar Crescent wrenches yesterday.

Everything else was pretty much ransacked, they did have some of the Gearwrench cross ratchet wrench sets (metric and standard) for 30 dollars, but I decided against them.

 

[kms]

Note: Many of the items at my store are 50% off, BUT THE ASSOCIATES HAVEN'T UPDATED ALL OF THE LABELS.

They still have one set each of the metric and SAE x-bar ratcheting sets at my Lowes. Both marked only $10 off ($59 instead of $69). I told the guy, he even checked and verified that the right price is $35, but didn't bother to change them. I had already bought one of each, so I didn't buy them bother. They were still there yesterday, with the wrong price on them.

Especially with the Gearwrench stuff, I would suggest that you get an associate to check the price before you pass on it.

Here is a picture of the SAE set
<img id="original-image" src="http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/736167/736167871299lg.jpg" alt="GearWrench 29-Piece Ratcheting X-Beam Wrench Set" height="384" width="384" border="0" onError="NoProductThumbnail(this);"

and the metric set

<img id="original-image" src="http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/736167/736167873293lg.jpg" alt="GearWrench 29-Piece Metric Ratcheting Wrench Set" height="384" width="384" border="0" onError="NoProductThumbnail(this);"

at a little under $4.50 per wrench, that's pretty sweet. (I think - but I'm a newb)

 

[diggerrick]

they are clearing out the danaher kobalt stock and replacing it with LG sourcing tools
LG sourcing is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lowes ( http://www.loweslink.com/lgs.htm )

Lowes will swap you out for something their current provider has, kobalt carries a lifetime, but it doesnt say they have to replace it with exactly what you had

The Kobalt adjustable wrenches I just bought on clearance say "Distributed By L.G. Sourcing, Inc." on the back of the package. It sounds like Kobalt is just a brand name that L.G. Sourcing uses, but they're changing suppliers.

"L.G." = "Lowe's Group"???

 

[KraftwerkMk1Jetta]

Got a 3/8 deep metric socket set and a metric long ball end hex socket set today for half price. Spent 28 bucks total for the two sets. I like the USA made Kobalt stuff, its a shame to see it go.

 

[JohnFreeman]

Hate to see the good USA Kobalt stuff closed out for more Chinese ****. There were some good prices there, but I don't need any more sockets or wrenches. I was briefly tempted by the pass thru ratchets but since they're not usable with extensions, I can never see a use for them where I couldn't use my ratcheting box wrench sets.

Plus, those too are made in China.

I won't be buying any more mechanics tools at Lowes I guess.

I did get a nice Torx drive (3/8 and 1/2) at half price (US COO)

 

[thrifty bill]

On a side note, does anyone no what the story is with these Kobalt closeouts? Are they going to be changing brands or are they releasing new models or something? I'm hoping they clear out the screw-drivers next cause I think I want a set of the rubber handled Kobalts.

Guy showed me the new sockets they were going to start stocking, they looked just like the old Duralast ones, with a red band for one type, and a blue band for the other, one was for metric, one for SAE, I don't remember which.

Typical big box move, close out their own brand for some minor change that could be for the worse!!!!

 

[MGMatt]

Just stopped at the Lowes in Patterson. They had plenty of Kobalt sockets and socket sets at 50% off. No Kobalt wrenches. The had a few of the larger size 3/4, 7/,8 15/16, Gearwrenches left.

 

[Sancho]

Picked up a 8 pc metric GW set for $25, and six or so wobble sockets in various lengths for ~$12

Wanted to buy the USA kobalt ratcheting wrenches but they felt like garbage, Im very shocked how junkie they are compared to armstrong which I thought was also danahar?

 

[rgeudy]

Just picked up the kobalt usa 93 piece socket set for $35, and 10 piece metric usa wrenches for $15 and some change, no good gearwrench deals only a few open stock items for maybe 15-20% off

 

[t100]

I went to another store(bigger one) today to scavenge the Knipex sets(got the last 2 sets).

yeah, the USA Kobalt is on the way out, but full display of IMPORT Kobalt is IN!! WTF.

 

[domain]

Grabbed the last set of metric USA wrenches for over 50% off. Also Picked up the two pack of Cobras.

 

[woody 73]

Thanks for the heads up,I bought several sets of sockets for fantastic prices. Not sure why they are on sale but maybe lowes and Kobalt are going to sell different items in the future.

 

[precisiontech]

Stopped in today and got Kobalt 1/4" drive SAE DW set, and 1/2" drive MM set. Also picked up Kobalt 20MM-25MM Combo wrenches.

Picked up Knipex cable cutters, IR air hammer, and Kobalt mini die grinder too, but not on sale. They did have 2 more sets of the Cobra pliers for 29.97. But I just picked up the ergo 3 piece cobra plier set from toolking.

 

[franzdom]

Sweet 7pc GearWrench pick & awl set, 4 mini, 3 standard for 19.97,
Kobalt 3-10mm 7pc long ball hex 3/8" socket set $14.97, just scored these tonight very pleased. Thanks for the reminder, I bought some GW Kobalt open stock from them a month ago at ridiculous low prices.

 

[saturdaymechanic]

Finally had a chance to stop by Lowe's and picked up a few things.

- A couple GW flex head wrenches (16mm, 18mm) to fill out my set, US Kobalt 6" 1/2 drive extension, US Kobalt 3/8" hex socket set (metric), US Kobalt spark plug sockets 5/8 and 5/16. (never used the 5/16 before, but it was only $1.98).

All for just under $30.00. I went home very happy.

Now I'm thinking I need to go back and pick up the deep 1/4 socket set (metric).

 

[nperkins]

Just got the GearWrench Metric set for $22.97!! SWEET! They had so much other stuff... I'm going back on lunch.

 

[griff99]

I have 4 Lowe's nearby and they all have stuff on clearance, but the pricing is not consistent, the only thing I can think of is that it must be up to the individual store or tool department manager to set the clearance price. Still great prices if you need to gap fill sets or need other miscellaneous items.

 

[shanker]

the lowes by me does not have their tools on a deep of a discount as others.

the store manager (who I know because I'm a very frequent shopper) told me that its up to the regional staff to set pricing, he said that when pricing changes, the lables & tags automatically print out and the store is responsible to label the merchandise.

the only flaw with that is I'm sure that there are some lazy employees that do not put out the new clearance prices over existing clearance prices, so if there is a scanner to price check, use it

 

[nperkins]

Also, as an FYI, the tag said $22 on the gear wrenches, but they rang up $29.99... They adjusted the price accordingly and gave them to me for the $22.

 

[nperkins]

just went back again and picked up:

3 pack of Kobalt Channel Lock Pliers 6", 10", and 12" for $10.
small case of 20 #2 Phillips bits for $5.
1/4" Ratchet with a swivel head $12.

And I'm done until I get back to CT this weekend. The fiancee is getting pissy because i'm supposed to be saving for our wedding..

 

[griff99]

And I'm done until I get back to CT this weekend. The fiancee is getting pissy because i'm supposed to be saving for our wedding..

I got married in March... It won't get any better.

 

[nperkins]

I got married in March... It won't get any better.

Luckily, she's into cars... So if I say "well I need it in order to work on the cars" then it will be ok... She's excited for our LS1 powered Subaru project... (See the Significant other thread for pics )

 

[treasureseeker]

I have 4 Lowe's nearby and they all have stuff on clearance, but the pricing is not consistent, the only thing I can think of is that it must be up to the individual store or tool department manager to set the clearance price. Still great prices if you need to gap fill sets or need other miscellaneous items.

You have to scan the item. My Lowe's have the GW items half off then the next day back to the about ten dollars off but the wrenches scaned at half off.

 

[prine]

Ok so I stopped by Lowes this afternoon. There was a lot of clearance items most seemed to be around 50% off as mentioned (still over priced in my opinion, considering if it breaks I'm sure you will get china made **** to replace it.) That being said there were very few USA made clearance. A few socket sets, box sets.... and I would say about 75% of the items being clearance out were made in China.

I did not see any Knipex stuff for sale at all.

just went back again and picked up:

3 pack of Kobalt Channel Lock Pliers 6", 10", and 12" for $10.
small case of 20 #2 Phillips bits for $5.
1/4" Ratchet with a swivel head $12.
..

Saw all those items in stock there and ALL were made in china.

 

[saturdaymechanic]

So I went back...again. This time picked up 1/4 deep socket set (metric) and a 1/4 and 3/8 Torx socket set.

Both for about $22.

I asked the manager what they will be replacing them with and he said "Kobalt". I replied that this was the end of the US stuff and he pulls out one of the "new" Kobalt Mechanic sets. He opens it and I saw ratchets with plastic selectors, Duralast color coded sockets with a cheap looking finish. It just felt cheap in my hand. He said it was still Kobalt, they just switched suppliers.

 

[cronic]

I saw the replacement wrench sets today, high polish chrome finish with red and blue stripes for metric or sae. Made in taiwain. 19.99 for a set of sae or metric.

 

[PT Doc]

15 for the rebranded Gear wrench ratcheting driver set.

 

[Trucky]

So I went back...again. This time picked up 1/4 deep socket set (metric) and a 1/4 and 3/8 Torx socket set.

Both for about $22.

I asked the manager what they will be replacing them with and he said "Kobalt". I replied that this was the end of the US stuff and he pulls out one of the "new" Kobalt Mechanic sets. He opens it and I saw ratchets with plastic selectors, Duralast color coded sockets with a cheap looking finish. It just felt cheap in my hand. He said it was still Kobalt, they just switched suppliers.

That'd be like Proto switching suppliers.

It's going to ****, big time. Looks like this is the last Kobalt stuff I'll be buying for a while, good thing I got some US stuff while it's on sale.

 

[csmitty]

Well I hit 5 that I could today. Probably two more tomorrow. Only one had the tags out for the whole GW sets, none to be found. I got a 18, 16, 8 and 5/16 flex for fillers. Some kobalt metric hex and torx sockets. I found an older set that had the most dust on them (torx) and the shanks were much nicer. The hex are damn near 100% identical to my Craftsman. and 2/3 the price. I had assumed all kobalt was overseas. good deals for sure. Wish I had read about them earlier.