Merkava_4
Banned
Which of the online tool vendors have caused you trouble?
Online Tool Vendors: Which are the ones to avoid?
- Thread starter Merkava_4
- Start date
DarrenF
Well-known member
thetoolwharehouse.net
they double billed my credit card and shorted my order. I got the double billing part straightened out after a month, but they never shipped some sockets i ordered and paid for. I ended up out of town for work and was not able to deal with it in time. They were slow to respond to emails, if they chose to respond at all. Will never deal with them again.
they double billed my credit card and shorted my order. I got the double billing part straightened out after a month, but they never shipped some sockets i ordered and paid for. I ended up out of town for work and was not able to deal with it in time. They were slow to respond to emails, if they chose to respond at all. Will never deal with them again.
www.powertool-box.com - products that they claim are in stock are often backordered and when you give up waiting and cancel they screw up the billing. They charge you upon receipt of the order vs. when the order ships.
www.chadstoolbox.com - Their website is an absolute hodge podge of clutter. It must have been designed by a five year old. Good luck trying to find anything unless you have tons of time to waste.
www.chadstoolbox.com - Their website is an absolute hodge podge of clutter. It must have been designed by a five year old. Good luck trying to find anything unless you have tons of time to waste.
woody 73
Well-known member
I will second that the chadstoolbox web-site is not a lot of fun to use.
Tarheelgarage
Well-known member
I got jerked around with an order of williams screwdrives from powertoolbox back in late 2008.
Not a pleasant experience; they were full of excuses as to why they could not deliver the product.
Never again will I do business with them.
Not a pleasant experience; they were full of excuses as to why they could not deliver the product.
Never again will I do business with them.
Pukeballs
Well-known member
Chads blows. Hard to navigate site and ****** customer service. Got the run around from them on an order and will never shop there again.
superautobacs
Well-known member
Chads....
I've dealth with them twice and both dealings left me with a bad taste in my mouth.
I've dealth with them twice and both dealings left me with a bad taste in my mouth.
chadster1
Well-known member
Just so everyone knows, I have nothing to do with chadstoolbox.
Teken
Well-known member
I went to the vendor forum thread etc. It appeared on the face Chads was a great place to purchase all the Wiha, Wera, Bondhaus stuff.
Upon further reading and review several things came to light.
1. They want to screw Canadians over with make belief charges.
2. I have no clue how it is people have received good service from this guy, when one simple e-mail can not be returned! As a new customer I wanted to confirm a few things regarding in stock, and how much lead time a certain item takes to arrive etc.
Replies in 3 weeks from one simple order which BTW was over $250.00!
Zero reply . . .
So Chadstoolbox, or shack . . . Can bite my aszz, as he won't see a dime from me!
Upon further reading and review several things came to light.
1. They want to screw Canadians over with make belief charges.
2. I have no clue how it is people have received good service from this guy, when one simple e-mail can not be returned! As a new customer I wanted to confirm a few things regarding in stock, and how much lead time a certain item takes to arrive etc.
Replies in 3 weeks from one simple order which BTW was over $250.00!
Zero reply . . .
So Chadstoolbox, or shack . . . Can bite my aszz, as he won't see a dime from me!
I get Wiha and Wera from mscdirect.com. Their site tells you how many of each item they have in stock. Shipping has always been instant. Their prices are higher than chadstoolbox.
I also avoid chadstoolbox, due to poor communication, unknown stock quantity, being threatened with a "restocking fee" when I canceled a long-delayed order, and a near-psychotic rant on their web site about people with the audacity to return things. They do have a number of satisfied customers here, so experiences vary widely.
Teken
Well-known member
I know that is why I figured lets play it safe. It really seemed that some senior members who I value their word have received great deals and service.
Mind you all of them are residing in America, it was until I chanced upon their so called huge sale etc.
And one of the lines says we are getting rid of Wiha etc so these prices are limited time blah blah etc. But, right after that it said only Canadian's get screwed some stupid number like $20.00 for ordering the exact same product but an American customer who orders it does not?
WTF is with that?
Also, there so called we will beat the next guys price match blah blah is complete B.S.
I sent them the link to the USA Wiha regarding the Extra Heavy Duty set I wanted which was another $25.00 cheaper and wanted them to price match it etc.
Answer = 0
kythri
Well-known member
And one of the lines says we are getting rid of Wiha etc so these prices are limited time blah blah etc. But, right after that it said only Canadian's get screwed some stupid number like $20.00 for ordering the exact same product but an American customer who orders it does not?
WTF is with that?
Isn't there some kind of import or export tariff that someone is on the hook for when shipping between USA and Canada? Could that be the reason for the $20 additional charge?
I know when I've bought eBay stuff from Canadians, they're always double-sure to mark the tag as a gift, rather than a sale, apparently to avoid said charges.
Teken
Well-known member
No, this was just some random fee this guy wanted to charge Canadians the privileged of buying some Wiha tools from his site.
Brokerage fee's are from the shippers like UPS, and Fed-Ex and the fee is tiered and simply a padding fee for them. Has no relations to anything just a rip off!
You can literally have a chocolate bar, and send it to Canada. And if the value is under $21.** there is no brokerage fee. If the same chocolate bar was declared to have a value of $1000.00, the fee would be some insane number like several hundred dollars.
Now ask yourself this simple Q: Same chocolate bar, size, weight, etc. Only difference is say if some dumb **** stick by accident wrote down $1000.00, vs $1.00, on the declaration form, can you see how someone would be right pissed off?
The item didn't change, the cost to ship that POS candy hasn't changed, yet magically if some number which a human being inputs for value is stated, the receiver is screwed!
That is just wrong, and I hope UPS looses their pants in this law suite!
Also indicating a item as a Gift only goes so far. It only allows a person to receive said gift up to $100.00, then what ever make belief duties, tariffs, tax's are levied on said item.
Um.....if you mark an item as a gift, you are breaking US export laws if it is, in fact, not a gift. I have 10 years of experience in exporting/shipping products to other countries, including Canada, and unless you are truly giving someone a gift (i.e. they did not pay you one penny, Canadian or U.S.), then you need to mark the true sales value of the item.
kythri
Well-known member
I'm not advocating it, I just know that people that have shipped me stuff have done such, not at my request.
Of course, I haven't gone out of my way to report them or pay any owed duty or tariff.
Of course, I haven't gone out of my way to report them or pay any owed duty or tariff.
TheCarbideRat
Well-known member
The toolwarehouse people ****. They tried to skip out on a refund for a defective meter
I had to return to them, took 5 or 6 phone calls and weeks of waiting to get it.
I had to return to them, took 5 or 6 phone calls and weeks of waiting to get it.
Dennis The Menace
Well-known member
From whom can I safely purchase Wera tools? I noticed Chadtools was the only online store and I obviously can't trust him.
Stick Figure
Well-known member
SJ discount tools gets a thumbs down from me. I tried to order a couple of Gearwrench pick sets from them. They were suppose to be buy a 7 piece get a free 4 piece set. A few days after ordering, i get an email that the 4 piece aren't available. I ask them for a rain check, or if there were any compensation of any sorts. Nope. i say send the two 7 piece sets anyway. My status online says on hold this whole time, i email them 3 times w/ no response, finally i email them and tell them just to cancel the order. Then all of a sudden they show up.
This is why I like buying locally soooooo much better.
****EDIT****
I have to give a little update. The original order was done on May 6th, final email was on May 12th. Today i found a box on my doorstep that contained the 4 piece pick sets. I still think the lack of contact that they have with the customer *****, but sending out the pick sets after they were off back order was a very nice surprise. I may give them another shot now.
This is why I like buying locally soooooo much better.
****EDIT****
I have to give a little update. The original order was done on May 6th, final email was on May 12th. Today i found a box on my doorstep that contained the 4 piece pick sets. I still think the lack of contact that they have with the customer *****, but sending out the pick sets after they were off back order was a very nice surprise. I may give them another shot now.
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Teken
Well-known member
Wow, I actually had SJ down for a place for ordering some random stuff. I guess that plan is in the ******* . . .
Indy_500
Well-known member
This must be why my parents don't let my buy anything online
Bolster
Well-known member
This is enlightening. I thought I was the only guy who had a bad experience at Chad's.
I guess I'm in good company.
My problem was an issue with "price matching," which I didn't think worked as advertised; delivery time; and a feeling that Chad's didn't really want to be bothered with customers.
I guess I'm in good company.
My problem was an issue with "price matching," which I didn't think worked as advertised; delivery time; and a feeling that Chad's didn't really want to be bothered with customers.
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Stick Figure
Well-known member
I think like a lot of online vendors they would probably be good if the item was in stock. its the fact that they are a drop shipper and have no idea what is going on when something is out of stock that makes them shady to deal with.
JayL
Well-known member
For a foreign buyer like me purchasing from online US vendors this thread is really helpful. I hope more people will chime in on their experiences.
Yeah Chad's website is a bit difficult to navigate.
Yeah Chad's website is a bit difficult to navigate.
I can say that Crawford tool is NOT bad.
http://www.crawfordtool.com/
I TOTALLY recommend, good experiences.
They don't stock a lot of the items, but I found them to be very honest and responsive.
For instance, I wanted some Knipex Plier wrenches. Called, spoke with a lady who referred me to a guy. He said that they weren't in stock but would take exactly four days to order into stock, and then would be shipped to me.
On the fourth day, I recieved an email saying my special order had arrived, my card was charged, and I recieved email tracking info.
They're a small outfit, but they actually man their phones, and really seem to CARE about service. The guy spent a solid half hour of his time on the phone with me for a $130 order.
As far as Chad's...
"Do you have items ______ and ______ in stock?"
"Um, it's hard to say"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I could tell you it's in stock, and then by the time you order it might not be"
"Well, is it in stock right now?"
"Um, yeah"
"If I order today, will it ship today?"
"Um, yeah"
*Places order*, calls back
"Hi I just placed my order, did I get it in time to catch the items in stock, will it still ship today?"
"Um, yeah it will still ship today"
Anyways, I sit around for three days until someone there finally gets around to boxing up and shipping my order. FYI I placed the order in the morning, so it wasn't like it was too late to ship or something. I'm a patient person, not one of these has to have it NOW types, but I don't like to be BS'ed... if it isn't going to ship for three days, tell me that. Don't BS me and say it will ship same day.
http://www.crawfordtool.com/
I TOTALLY recommend, good experiences.
They don't stock a lot of the items, but I found them to be very honest and responsive.
For instance, I wanted some Knipex Plier wrenches. Called, spoke with a lady who referred me to a guy. He said that they weren't in stock but would take exactly four days to order into stock, and then would be shipped to me.
On the fourth day, I recieved an email saying my special order had arrived, my card was charged, and I recieved email tracking info.
They're a small outfit, but they actually man their phones, and really seem to CARE about service. The guy spent a solid half hour of his time on the phone with me for a $130 order.
As far as Chad's...
"Do you have items ______ and ______ in stock?"
"Um, it's hard to say"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I could tell you it's in stock, and then by the time you order it might not be"
"Well, is it in stock right now?"
"Um, yeah"
"If I order today, will it ship today?"
"Um, yeah"
*Places order*, calls back
"Hi I just placed my order, did I get it in time to catch the items in stock, will it still ship today?"
"Um, yeah it will still ship today"
Anyways, I sit around for three days until someone there finally gets around to boxing up and shipping my order. FYI I placed the order in the morning, so it wasn't like it was too late to ship or something. I'm a patient person, not one of these has to have it NOW types, but I don't like to be BS'ed... if it isn't going to ship for three days, tell me that. Don't BS me and say it will ship same day.
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Teken
Well-known member
I know everyone is jumping on the zero inventory, drop ship model. I understand the reason for the low over head etc.
But, really you still need to carry and float a few key tools that you know are moving well. It just translates to a poor customer experience in my mind if you don't do this.
Or, in your case some plain simple honest feed back that the tools are back ordered or what have you so you as a buyer could have the facts and persue what ever avenue you deemed fit.
I don't think that's asking a lot really!
Teken
Well-known member
I can say that Crawford tool is NOT bad.
They don't stock a lot of the items, but I found them to be very honest and responsive.
For instance, I wanted some Knipex Plier wrenches. Called, spoke with a lady who referred me to a guy. He said that they weren't in stock but would take exactly four days to order into stock, and then would be shipped to me.
On the fourth day, I recieved an email saying my special order had arrived, my card was charged, and I recieved email tracking info.
They're a small outfit, but they actually man their phones, and really seem to CARE about service.
As far as Chad's...
"Do you have items ______ and ______ in stock?"
"Um, it's hard to say"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I could tell you it's in stock, and then by the time you order it might not be"
"Well, is it in stock right now?"
"Um, yeah"
"If I order today, will it ship today?"
"Um, yeah"
*Places order*, calls back
"Hi I just placed my order, did I get it in time to catch the items in stock, will it still ship today?"
"Um, yeah it will still ship today"
Anyways, I sit around for three days until someone there finally gets around to boxing up and shipping my order. FYI I placed the order in the morning, so it wasn't like it was too late to ship or something. I'm a patient person, not one of these has to have it NOW types, but I don't like to be BS'ed... if it isn't going to ship for three days, tell me that. Don't BS me and say it will ship same day.
Well at least someone gave you a reply! I didn't get anything and we are counting 47 days since I sent that shack of a on line store a e-mail!
Well at least someone gave you a reply! I didn't get anything and we are counting 47 days since I sent that shack of a on line store a e-mail!
Well, that was the one time I actually got through.
I've tried live chat and email about three or four other times after that, intending to spend $100+ each time, and never got a response, much like you. I ended up going elsewhere every time.
I've had good luck with hardwaresales on ebay (and online) as well as just plain old amazon. It just ***** because they don't have everything I need, such as a #3 phillips kraftform plus. I refuse to buy it from Chad's because I'm not going to pay $8.75 shipping on a damn $12 screwdriver and then wait three weeks in the process.
As I said Crawford tool is good too, they don't stock a lot, but at least they are completely honest with you on delivery times.
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+6 (I lost count) on http://www.powertool-box.com/home.php
I had a bad experience with them, but they resolved it to my satisfaction.
I won't order from them again.
I had a bad experience with them, but they resolved it to my satisfaction.
I won't order from them again.
I've ordered tons from Chads, and even my employer orders from them. I've never had a problem....
I dunno I like looking at tool catalogs for what I want.. I just punch in the part number at chads and if it comes up, sweet!
I mean really, complaining about long lead times? do you think he can stock his entire line card? I think some of you people need to be realistic when you are ordering tools from over the pond
Cheers!
Casey
I dunno I like looking at tool catalogs for what I want.. I just punch in the part number at chads and if it comes up, sweet!
I mean really, complaining about long lead times? do you think he can stock his entire line card? I think some of you people need to be realistic when you are ordering tools from over the pond
Cheers!
Casey
foul_ball
Well-known member
Two bad experiences:
!. ordered a 21 and 22mm proto full polish ASD combo wrench, among other things, from www.all2ools.com - the site is a pain to navigate, but they had the best prices I could find. So I get the order, but the combo wrenches they sent were old "Hecho En Mexico" protos, not the asd I had ordered. It took photographs, emails, and phone calls over a period of weeks to get them to ship what I ordered, and then on top of that, they double charged my credit card to make sure I would send the old wrenches back.
2. Ordered a mayhew prybar from SJ discount tools- they sent a flat blade screwdriver instead of the 18" prybar not once, but twice before I just canceled the order and got a good Wilde prybar from Harry Epstein -which is marvelous to do business with!
!. ordered a 21 and 22mm proto full polish ASD combo wrench, among other things, from www.all2ools.com - the site is a pain to navigate, but they had the best prices I could find. So I get the order, but the combo wrenches they sent were old "Hecho En Mexico" protos, not the asd I had ordered. It took photographs, emails, and phone calls over a period of weeks to get them to ship what I ordered, and then on top of that, they double charged my credit card to make sure I would send the old wrenches back.
2. Ordered a mayhew prybar from SJ discount tools- they sent a flat blade screwdriver instead of the 18" prybar not once, but twice before I just canceled the order and got a good Wilde prybar from Harry Epstein -which is marvelous to do business with!
JayL
Well-known member
Anybody tried ordering from Plumber Surplus ( http://www.plumbersurplus.com/ )? I need a Porter Cable PSH1 gun w/ accessories and I found them to have the best price so far.
Thanks
Thanks
superautobacs
Well-known member
I was like WTH, when I saw that added at the very end of the checkout process. No where did it say that there would be a Paypal surcharge. I told them if I would've known that, I would've just used my CC, but there's no such wording on their site. Amazon sells Wera and their service is top notch. Their prices come out lower then Chads once you factor in shipping costs. Amazon throws in free shipping >$25.
The other top notch online supplier is MSC Direct. Their customer service is world class. There prices are high but just sign up to recieve their promotions and almost every week there's either free shipping or 25% discounts. (sometimes both)
There's no need to put up with this Chads **** box B.S.
ourkid2000
Well-known member
Ahhh shipping tools to Canada (most online vendors won't even bother like ToolTopia)......such a pain in the **** anyway you slice it. I still haven't found a good dealer, online or not.
You US folk have no idea how spoiled ya are! So much selection & choices, we got nothing!
You US folk have no idea how spoiled ya are! So much selection & choices, we got nothing!
I mean really, complaining about long lead times? do you think he can stock his entire line card? I think some of you people need to be realistic when you are ordering tools from over the pond
I didn't see anybody in this thread complaining about long lead times.
Teken
Well-known member
I didn't see anybody in this thread complaining about long lead times.
That's right I have no problems with lead times the tools are coming from around he world that is to be expected.
My issues are with what the other members have stated to be fact:
1. Bogus Pay Pal Fees'
2. Bogus Extra handling cost for Wiha Tools for Canadians
3. Bogus *We will match the best price* they don't BTW.
4. Bogus *Our customers are NO.#1* and we will talk with you and help you.
These are my beefs with Chads . . .
I've ordered tons from Chads, and even my employer orders from them. I've never had a problem....
I dunno I like looking at tool catalogs for what I want.. I just punch in the part number at chads and if it comes up, sweet!
I mean really, complaining about long lead times? do you think he can stock his entire line card? I think some of you people need to be realistic when you are ordering tools from over the pond
Cheers!
Casey
I have ordered from Chadstoolbox as well...several times...never had any issues.
Highly recommend Amazon as well. Been a prime member for a while (ie I order enough from them to make it worth it.)
Dennis The Menace
Well-known member
Awesome info! Thank you very much!
I don't own any Wera tools yet, but I've got my eye on Zyclops. He's a wicked ratchet, if there ever was one!