Overpriced ****

[mowersplus84]

I just got finished helping my neighbor do some work on Lawn tractor . he had a brand new set for 3/8 drive sockets and a set of SAE wrenches form a company i have never herd of westward . they look to good quality but my how appearances can be deceiving. the first socket cranked and the the chrome started flaking on the wrenches i asked him how much he paid for them and he tells me $350 and shows me the receipt i was flabbergasted how can something that bad cost that much


If you have had good experience with this brand please explain
but i am sorry for the price its absolute ****.

 

[u118224]

It's Grainger's house line of tools, imported from the Far East.

 

[03protege]

It's Grainger's house line of tools, imported from the Far East.

The idea is they mark it up to obnoxious prices and their big clients who pay a small fraction of Grainger's list prices feel like they are getting good deals when they are really still paying 2-3x what they are worth.


There is also "Jonnesway" which is essentially the same overpriced **** but sourced from Fastenal instead of Grainger.

 

[panknuckshovel]

I don't know if this was your friends set, just first set I found to show the price swing that was mentioned.


Here is where Grainger is selling 4pl92 for $137

http://www.grainger.com/product/WESTWARD-Combo-Wrench-Set-4PL92

Here is where Zoro is selling it for $114

http://www.zoro.com/westward-combo-...gclid=CPP80_OXq8YCFRIdgQodxxwCyQ&gclsrc=aw.ds


And here is where Zoro is selling it on Ebay for $85

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WESTWARD-4P...800?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58b677ecf0

 

[Caman]

We have Westward sockets at work. Not bad for occasional use, but I wouldn't wrench hard on it or try and break a rusted nut with it. Absolutely insanely priced for what you get. I'd pick up something like Masterforce or Harbor Freight before spending any money on Westward.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

Grainger isn't in the business of giving good deals on price to walk in customers. They are an industrial supplier. Price is a secondary consideration when production makes hundreds of dollars an hour, the line is down, and you need something NOW. Grainger keeps their industrial customers happy, not by being cheap, but by being well stocked and quick.

Grainger gives a discount for their industrial customers, even so, nearly everything Grainger sells can be found for less somewhere else.

That said, alot of the guys at work have Westward tools and toolboxes and seem OK with them.

 

[royesses]

Learned a long time ago that Grainger is last choice for common tools. They do have some products that are hard to find elsewhere.

 

[Tim37]

The westward stuff it hit and miss I avoid it because of that. And yeah you don't want to walk in to grainger and buy tools without a industrial account but you can do a cash ticket on a account and get the discount. Just be careful doing that there are different types of accounts some don't get a break at the purchase level I don't understand it but you pay retail then Grainger cuts a check to refund the difference.

 

[David W]

My work has a set of Westward chrome wrenches that has been superb, standing up to serious abuse. My esteemed co workers actually ruined a Proto 3/4" dr ratchet and they haven't been easy on anything. That said, that kind of money is ridiculous for an imported 3/8 dr socket set.

 

[that one guy]

When I was trying to piece together a complete Hansen socket tray organizer, Westward was the only brand I found that made a 1/4" drive 5/8 deep socket. I ordered it through Zoro on eBay. I would say fit & finish is comparable to Craftsman quality. Nothing special - and definitely not $350 special.

 

[geartow]

I have sae and metric ratchiting wrenches paid around $60 for both sets use them daily and doing good at holding up

 

[fourjeepin]

Re: Home Depot Clearance Thread 2015

Learned a long time ago that Grainger is last choice for common tools. They do have some products that are hard to find elsewhere.

I go there on occasion and agree that they don't have good prices for common stuff. I find it ironic that they do have fair prices on many unusual items. So I only go there for the oddball stuff.

 

[AnthonyJ124]

I'll order from grainger on our corporate account occasionally. They can usually have anything in 1-2 days and they seem to have plenty of oddball tools. Last order was for a few sets of metric eklind t-handle allens. Grainier had literally dozens of options. Of course, since it was on the work account- I didn't look at the $$.

I do have a Westward shoulder carry tool bag that served me well for a good 3 years before I replaced it with a Veto ProPac. Held up very well, and at 1/2 the price of a ProPac, the availability, options, and durability are a pretty good value. Never have used any westward hand tools though.

 

[kunkernator]

Funny I came across this thread. I was on Craigslist earlier tonight and some dude is listing a ton of "Westward" tools. Some wrenches, socket sets, large adjustable.....

Anyway, he thinks his **** is worth gold. He is pricing them at Snap On prices, even higher....