Ok guys I need your help again

[dink]

Okay check this out....as some of you know I am a sales representative for tool manufacturers...and myself and my wife have decided that if this business does not get off the ground to look into myself opening a TOOL store in the DFW area (not a hardware store)

So what are some manufacturers that you would like to see in a tool store?

This is what I have so far

1. Enkay
2. Ivy Classic
3. Pratt-Read
4. SK
5. Swanson
6. Wera
7. MIT
- Greatneck
8. Clarke
9. Irwin
10. Milwaukee
11. Bosch
12. Hansen
13. Stanley (tape measurers only)
14. Freud
15. Midwest Fastener


ATTENTION for Milwaukee and Bosch it will be power-tool accessories only in the store but able to get a power tool if it is requested

So please I would like your feed back on this??????

 

[Barnaby]

Bondhaus
Klein

 

[stimpy]

how about some cornwell ?? if there isn't a distributor in the area .

 

[79rallysport]

Cooper Tools products
--Lufkin
--Nicholson
--Crescent
--Plumb
--H.K Porter
--Weller
--Wiss
--Xcelite
DeWalt is very popular
Mayhew
Ingersoll-Rand
KD gearwrenchs
Channellock

 

[kartracer55]

Going back to the snap on thread... Do DELIVERIES!!!!

My Idea would be to sell

SK
IR or CP
Mayhew
Bhondus
OTC
Lisle
ChannelLock
Vise-Grip

And see if you cand Rep some high end stuff like chicago latrobe, Greenfield, OSG, Cleaveland, Triumph or brands liek that for Taps and Bits.

Focus on tools a backyard mechanic or a pro would need, and do deliveries. They would love you for it! Good tools that still come to the shop cheaper than snap on or MAC.

 

[eschoendorff]

Going back to the snap on thread... Do DELIVERIES!!!!

My Idea would be to sell

SK
IR or CP
Mayhew
Bhondus
OTC
Lisle
ChannelLock
Vise-Grip

And see if you cand Rep some high end stuff like chicago latrobe, Greenfield, OSG, Cleaveland, Triumph or brands liek that for Taps and Bits.

Focus on tools a backyard mechanic or a pro would need, and do deliveries. They would love you for it! Good tools that still come to the shop cheaper than snap on or MAC.

This idea sounds like it could be promising. You would be offering a service that no other tool "store" does...

As for brands, I think you know the answers... the usual suspects. I would also add that you might want to keep some rebuild kits for other ratchets (other brands than what you carry) just to take care of your customers (maybe have some Cman rebuild kits on hand).

 

[REFLEXX]

Lots to consider.

1. who's your target market? Garage Junkies type guys? Not enough to survive.

2. Guys who buy top quality tools are either pros or rich or it's a hobby colection good tools. So...
Pros - get thier tools delivered.
Rich - shop on line
Hobby - also shop on line.

3. Who are your competitors? Industrial suppliers? Internet? Big Box guys?

4. Would you be a little fish in a big pond?

5. are you offering better service? How?

6. Are you offering better prices? hard to do with the net-savy people nowadays.


I would suggest:

1. An on-line tool store that offers ONLY the best tools and equipment at a good price.

2. Discounts for "regulars" that come back.

3. NO Chinese stuff at all. All USA, Euro or Japanese.

4. Hit the forums and become an advertiser on every single one. Such as the Vette crowd, Viper clubs, etc...etc...

5. Offer trick stuff like engraved tools, boxes, etc... ala Griots.

6. Offer tools that nobody else has. Search the patents for tools that haven't got any exposure and offer to carry them. There are soo many good tools that we've never seen becasue they have not been "bought out" by the brand name companies.

7. Offer a "no excuses" policy on returns (obviously not returns for abuse)

8. customer service IS #1. Knowing what you're selling is #2.

9. Put a few items on E-bay as teasers to get you exposure. Google's Ad Sense will make you poor.

my 2.7c

 

[eschoendorff]

Lots to consider.

1. who's your target market? Garage Junkies type guys? Not enough to survive.

2. Guys who buy top quality tools are either pros or rich or it's a hobby colection good tools. So...
Pros - get thier tools delivered.
Rich - shop on line
Hobby - also shop on line.

3. Who are your competitors? Industrial suppliers? Internet? Big Box guys?

4. Would you be a little fish in a big pond?

5. are you offering better service? How?

6. Are you offering better prices? hard to do with the net-savy people nowadays.


I would suggest:

1. An on-line tool store that offers ONLY the best tools and equipment at a good price.

2. Discounts for "regulars" that come back.

3. NO Chinese stuff at all. All USA, Euro or Japanese.

4. Hit the forums and become an advertiser on every single one. Such as the Vette crowd, Viper clubs, etc...etc...

5. Offer trick stuff like engraved tools, boxes, etc... ala Griots.

6. Offer tools that nobody else has. Search the patents for tools that haven't got any exposure and offer to carry them. There are soo many good tools that we've never seen becasue they have not been "bought out" by the brand name companies.

7. Offer a "no excuses" policy on returns (obviously not returns for abuse)

8. customer service IS #1. Knowing what you're selling is #2.

9. Put a few items on E-bay as teasers to get you exposure. Google's Ad Sense will make you poor.

my 2.7c

Damn, you've thought this through. I would never survive in retail...

 

[Thumper]

No Great Neck.....





"Walk softly and carry a Thundergun"

 

[dink]

No Great Neck.....





"Walk softly and carry a Thundergun"

Greatneck would be a possibility for the lower price point for sockets and wrenches to compliment the SK brand.....it would be either Greatneck or MIT....probably closer to MIT

 

[l_bilyk]

So you're going up against home depot....

 

[dink]

So you're going up against home depot....

Nope not really...the majority of the merchandise wouldnt be found in the big stores

 

[kartracer55]

Everybody knows, If ya want to make a living, Ya got to sell thunderguns!!!

Honestly though. If you were to do this, Id seriously look into becoming an authorized service rep for air tools and the like. Trust me, they arnt hard at all. Most air tools are so simple its amusing. You can have one apart, cleaned and rebuilt in a half hour at most.

There is a store around here called force tool, I think thats what your thinking about. They sell alot of woodworking stuff (jet, delta, powermatic) and They carry just about every likne of hand power tools, including festool. They sell chicago latrobe drill bits, and SK tools. Prices are a bit high, but there is no junk in that store.

Jim

 

[dink]

I would probably hire someone to do the powertool repairs....but then that means I would have to carry power tools....and there isnt much money to be made with power tools

 

[Thumper]

For a low cost tool line have you considered K-Tool? The finish and quality are better than Great Neck. The downside is they are Taiwan made and I'm sure they cost more than Great Neck. Im just throwing this out there to futher cloud you mind.....LOL.


"Walk softly and carry a Thundergun"

 

[kartracer55]

KAL Tool

Mostly Japanese made but there is alot of US made stuff as well. I have a few things from them (one of them is a socket) and the quality is excellent, but they are fairly expensive for an import (about craftsman as I recall). I dont know who makes them or imports them, but this would be an excellent low cost line. You could sell in addition to SK or Proto or something.

Hey, there is a thought!!! Selling Proto tools? Have you looekd into wright? They have an extensive line, and I have heard nothing but good htings about them. I just cant seem to get my hands on anything by them... nobody sells what I need!!!


Jim

 

[dink]

No I am pretty set on having SK as my main tool line for wrenches and sockets

 

[eschoendorff]

For a low cost tool line have you considered K-Tool? The finish and quality are better than Great Neck. The downside is they are Taiwan made and I'm sure they cost more than Great Neck. Im just throwing this out there to futher cloud you mind.....LOL.


"Walk softly and carry a Thundergun"

I have some K-Tool pieces.. just have to watch what you get though. Like you said, some of it is decent quality and some of it is just plain ****. But I guess you could say that for just about any tool brand. K-Tool would be a decent lower price point tool.

 

[sberry]

This is a biz it would take a substancial commitment to get in to, there are a lot of people in it already including some box stores.

 

[Thumper]

The one K-Tool wrench i got is a 7/8 combo. The chrome is very nicely done and the wrench just has got a good feel to it. I have no idea about their other stuff.





"walk softly and carry a Thundergun"

 

[dink]

This is a biz it would take a substancial commitment to get in to, there are a lot of people in it already including some box stores.

Not in the DFW area...I am surprised....now in Houston....they are all over the freaking place

DFW needs a tool store....we do not have one

 

[chevy302dz]

You have to carry what people really want and need. You have to have enough varaity to attract different types of people and trades. Just carrying handtools and consumables won't do it. Just my opinion FWIW.

 

[bmwpower]

Selling on the internet would be key, however, I wonder how many company's do not allow their products to be sold on the internet?

Discounts for GJ.net people, riiiiight?

 

[dink]

I would make online buying down the road.....I would have a website showing products and services first though

 

[bmwpower]

I think online is where it's at.

www.dinktools.com?

 

[dink]

I think online is where it's at.

www.dinktools.com?

Nah....there is more cut throat competition on the internet then in retail....I like store fronts

My store I want to be the local hang out for the local guys...kinda like a barbershop

have a couple couches with a tv that only shows SPEED channel....another TV that shows DIY channel....and another possibly of HGTV...but that is far fetched on HGTV...little to fem for me

 

[chevy302dz]

If I was going into this kind of bunisess this would be my model. They actually carry more hand tools than listed. http://coastaltool.com/

 

[dink]

If I was going into this kind of bunisess this would be my model. They actually carry more hand tools than listed. http://coastaltool.com/

He does some serious power tool business....I would only get into power tools if it was serious business for me and alot of money up front just for the power tools.....1 reason....terrible margins 5% to 10% margins another....in order to really make money on them you have to sell alot of power tools so the companies will give you high rebates and good percentage in free goods....now if I were to start a store I know a distributor that I could get set up with that does Milwaukee, Bosch, Porter Cable, Skil

 

[danski0224]

There is a specialty tool store in my area- Berlands House of Tools. They carry just about everything- or they can order it.

They are not the "low price leader". The people that work there know their stuff. At least one person there knows me by name.

They carry Chinese stuff- not much, but it is there. They have the Little Giant ladders and the Werner knockoffs, for example.

They have plenty of power tools and more accessories for them that you can shake a stick at. If I NEED a power tool, I do not want to wait for it. You will need power tools to get people in the door like moths to the flame.

The mechanics hand tool section is mostly SK and it is a wall display case about 12' long. That's it. Pretty hard to compete with Sears. There are a couple of other sizeable sections of things like pliers and screwdrivers.

There are plenty of trade specific tool areas and toolbelts.

The power tool service/repair is excellent, but the time kinda *****- but some of that is from the volume of work.

Despite a nearby orange box, they seem to be doing well, but there are plenty of tradesmen to keep them busy. I doubt that many average homeowners know of the place. Their inventory must be well into the millions of dollars.

I doubt they were instantly successful- and I bet the internet and the big boxes have taken some sales.

There have been many discussions here about the price of "quality" and the country of origin. Most consumers shop for the cheapest- not necessarily the best. You will have to provide truly exemplary service to get and retain customers. There is no way you will be able to compete with the big box, and it will be exceedingly difficult to get the average consumer to spend their money at your store instead of the big box.

Most people here are not "average consumers", but I suspect that tool fanatics make up a small segment of the market. Berlands is the best place for me to get tools for my trade. No one else has the same selection nearby.

One other potential problem is sales territories for specific brands.

Lots of luck.

 

[Roadster]

There is a specialty tool store in my area- Berlands House of Tools. They carry just about everything- or they can order it.

They are not the "low price leader". The people that work there know their stuff.

Berland's House of Tools is great! I've been in all three stores in the Chicago metro area (Lombard, Palatine, and Joliet), and the sales staff is so informed, that I have often bought fairly expensive tools on the spot, even though I knew I could get them cheaper elsewhere or on the Internet. They also have an online tool outlet, which offers lower prices because of the lower overhead costs compared to the bricks and mortar stores, but you don't get the informed advice, detailed comparisons, and hands-on demos offered by the sales staff at the stores.

Have you ever seen their Tool TV show? I kid you not... hot chicks, skits, singing, dancing... on a tool store TV show!

http://www.berlandtools.com/tooltv/index.html

 

[dink]

Berland's House of Tools is great! I've been in all three stores in the Chicago metro area (Lombard, Palatine, and Joliet), and the sales staff is so informed, that I will often buy a tool on the spot, even though I know I can get it cheaper elsewhere or on the Internet. They also have an online tool outlet, which offers lower prices because of the lower overhead costs of the bricks and mortar stores, but you don't get the informed advice, detailed comparisons, and hands-on demos offered by the sales staff at the stores.

Have you ever seen their Tool TV show? I kid you not... hot chicks, skits, singing, and dancing... on a tool store TV show!

http://www.tooltv.com

This is why I like buying stuff from a retail store and not from the internet....its all about the exsperience and getting person to person help and explanations

 

[Fast Orange]

Dink-
I don't know if this would work for you or not,but in this area,ReTool seems to be getting pretty popular.The store closest to me is a small husband/wife operation that is always busy.The big draw is the used power tools,but they also have a good cross section of new stuff,ranging from HF type tools,both hand and power,up to some of the high end brands.The customers range from contractors gearing up for jobs to hobbiests looking for additions to thier collections.

George

 

[ureside]

Dink - BRING IT ON!!! i just bought a house in bedford off 121 and cheeksparger, and i live in las colinas now! Used to work at the Gaylord Texan actually!

 

[dink]

Dink - BRING IT ON!!! i just bought a house in bedford off 121 and cheeksparger, and i live in las colinas now! Used to work at the Gaylord Texan actually!

I live in the parking lot of the Grapevine mills park mall

 

[ureside]

I live in the parking lot of the Grapevine mills park mall

I used to live in Silver Oaks @ Grapevine Ranch!

 

[dink]

Dink-
I don't know if this would work for you or not,but in this area,ReTool seems to be getting pretty popular.The store closest to me is a small husband/wife operation that is always busy.The big draw is the used power tools,but they also have a good cross section of new stuff,ranging from HF type tools,both hand and power,up to some of the high end brands.The customers range from contractors gearing up for jobs to hobbiests looking for additions to thier collections.

George

Retool used to be owned by Play It Again Sports...Retool was a total flop for them....mainly the premise of reselling used tools....the reason the Retool name is still out there is the stores bought the names....I will pass

 

[ureside]

Retool used to be owned by Play It Again Sports...Retool was a total flop for them....mainly the premise of reselling used tools....the reason the Retool name is still out there is the stores bought the names....I will pass

It's a decent idea... but then there are those places called pawnshops.

 

[Fast Orange]

Dink-
I think you need to check your facts-there's still a website with a store directory and franchise info.As for the store's sucess,the store in Fairless Hills,PA is always busy.For a DIYer,the premise is real good-you can find older,quality tools and equipment for real good prices.Picture buying an older ,american made top shelf drill press for the price of chinese **** from HF. Put a coat of paint opn it and it'll be accurate and last the rest of your life.For contractors,a full set of tools for a job can be had for about 50% of what it would cost new.After the job,sell back what you don't want to keep.

George